I don't know, my mind is crazy with ideas. I hope you will like it. I always thought that Bella should be a tad bit stronger, in supernatural kind of way, anyway. Let's see. I was looking at the picture in the net when the idea occurred to me.

Wandered why Bella was fascinated by a tale about Third Wife? Not only because she liked the idea of sacrifice. What if Bella was a direct descendant of her? Just a thought.

Anyway, My Jake is as old as Bella.

If someone will read it, at the beginning of Bella's POV you will notice that there are snippets of Bella's past. I wanted to show the changes she went through. We all know that Quileute boys had that freaky growth spurt. I wanted Bella to be different. She would experience it, only over few years instead.

This is an AU and slightly OCC but saying that I will try to keep the true assence of the characters.

I know, that is awfully long authors note.

Disclaimer. I own nothing of Twilight.

Distant past.

Unknown point of view.

I lay there. My body drained. My husband lay here beside me. I saved him. I saved our sons. I knew there was so much more I could do. I was strong, stronger then most.

I found myself walking around the misty forest. I stumbled a lot. I could not really see where I was going. However I knew that I was going forward, that I was gaining strenght and wisdom with every step I've taken.

Then suddenly all the fog disappeared and I was in the same clearing again. I could see my husband's and mine dead bodies. But I was not alone. The spirits of my husband and of our ancestors surrounded me. I bowed my head until I heard one of them speaking to me.

"You have shown great courage with your actions. You have sacrificed everything to save your husband and sons. I, Taha Shípa, the first of the Quileute chief and the Greatest of the Spirits, am giving you the power to protect the protectors. Do you accept?"

"Yes, I do," and after that I could feel the power surge through me. Suddenly I was standing tall but instead my two feet I could see paws. I realized that they were not wolf paws. They were much more powerful. I looked around again and saw great wolves surrounding me.

"Yes, you have to be much more powerful to protect those who already are. Be brave my daughter. Your blood will be passed through generations. Every daughter will inherit this great power from her mother until the wolf and the lioness will meet in the one who will become the greatest."

With that I could feel myself entering my body. I woke up and lived my life as I promised to the Spirits.

Almost present time.

Bella POV.

"Mommy, mommy, look what I've got here!" I was in our back garden in Phoenix running towards my mom. I found a small white rock that looked like a cat, no it looked like a lion. Of course I feel over before I could get to her. But I didn't cry, I was all grown up now, almost five. Anyway, it didn't hurt that much, I whimpered anyway.

"Oh Bella, be careful. Ok, lets kiss your knee to make hurt go away and then you can show me what you found," my mum did as she said and I instantly felt better.

"That is so pretty Bella. It looks like a pretty kitty."

"No mommy, it's a lion."

"Ok then, lion it is. Now lets go inside before you burn like a beetroot," well, yeah, I guesse I was kind of pale.

"Happy seventh birthday Bells."

"Dad, I'm not seven yet," I whined.

"I know honey, but you won't be here then so that's why we will celebrate today," oh yes, I forgot I had to go back to Phoenix before the end of the summer. Though I loved my daddy, I hated Forks. It was so dark and gloomy and the trees had scary faces.

"Bells, look who is here," my dad shouted.

"Jaaake!"

"Beeells!" and I slammed into my bestest friend. He should have seen his face when he fell under me.

"Gotcha, again! Come on lets go to play on the swing, the last one is the looser," shouted at my favorite friend as I ran through the door.

"Not fair, you cheating!" Jake whined and I could hear our dads laughing in he house.

"Mom, I don't wanna go!" I shouted from my room.

"You don't wanna see dad?" She answered me.

"No, of course I want to. It's just I hate Forks. It's so dark and wet there," I was whining now.

"Come on Bella, it's not like you gonna go pale again in four weeks time and did you forget about Jacob, I thought you wanted to see your best friend?" Renee shouted from downstairs. When she mentioned it like that the vacation at Forks did not seem so bad after all.

"All right, I'm going, you convinced me," and I flew down the stairs, literally. I wanted to see my dad and Jake, I loved them both.

"Whoa Bella, careful, you wanna kill me?"

"Nope," I popped the 'p'. I was so proud of myself. I was totally useless walker when I was like five but now look at me. I was a member of my schools gymnastics team. At the age of fourteen I was representing United States in the Junior World Championship in gymnastics.

The other thing I was glad of was my complexion. With it's olive tint I matched Phoenix sun completely. No risk of sunburn for me anymore.

It was yet another bleak Friday here in Forks. Since he left me I have been a wreck. I have been a shell of a human being. I'm sure if zombies really existed I could easily join the club. Nothing gave me the pleasure any more. Then I found Jacob, my Jacob, my sun. When Edward returned and told me that he loved me I thought I should be happy again. But something was missing. No someone was missing. Ever since Edward forbade me to see Jacob I was miserable again, though I put a brave face for everyone. I hate life, no life hates me. At least my self appointed homework would keep me busy for a some time. I wanted to find out about my heritage because few things got me thinking. Charlie and Renee were classic 'pale faces' but I looked more like a Native American. My skin was lovely russet color, a shade lighter than Jacob's. Only my mom's facial features and my dad's eyes and curls were a proof that I was their daughter.

"Dad, can I ask you something?"

"Yes honey, what's the matter?" my father asked with concern.

"No, nothing's wrong. It's just something got me thinking about our family and I realized I don't really know anything much about it past Grandma Swan. I don't think it's enough. Maybe I can call mom. She is fond of information like that."

"Sure honey that is great idea. But I happen to have an old box full of family heirlooms and old photographs and letters. Maybe it will help."

Two hours later I was lying on my bedroom floor looking through various yellowed papers. Renee called and said that she will scan all she has and send it to me. It got her excited too. True to her word, another hour later I had her hard work in my e-mail. There was something I found there that looked interesting. Could it really?

"Dad I need to go out for a moment. I need to check something out,"

"Sure, just come back before dark,"

"Sure, sure," and I grabbed by car keys and left. Some time later I was in Forks Town Hall accessing Hoquiam Registry Office on-line service looking through old documents. I quickly found what I was looking for, payed for my copies and returned home. I was so excited.

"Dad, I'm home. I'm going upstairs to read this,"

"What is it?"

"Old Quileute registers. I think I might be part Indian," I squealed.

"Ok," my dad shook his head and chuckled as I ran upstairs taking two steps at the time. I was so glad that my childhood clumsiness was long lost.

"Bella, Edward is here," my dad yelled from downstairs after few minutes. I bit my lip in anger. Why was I acting like that? He supposed to be the love of my life. But when you are in love, you have to trust someone right? I did not trust him. Not anymore.

I put my happy mask on and I greeted him as he entered my room. I thanked Heavens again that my mind was a closed book for him.

"Hi Edward," I said without looking at him, I pretended to be engaged by my e-mail, which I really was by the way.

"Hi, my love," he kissed me behind my ear. I shivered at the contact. Thank goodness he was cold so he would not read much into it. I guess I was to chicken shit to tell him straight to give me some space. I really needed some time to sort my jumbled feelings out. Why on Earth I was so confused about this. I loved Edward right? "What are you doing?"

"Oh, I was just curious about my blood lines. I realized that I really don't know my family and I want to do it before it is too late," I said it a bit to acidly. "Oh!" I suddenly exclaimed.

"What?" Edward asked me.

"It looks like Renee had Quileute ancestor, it looks like her great great granmother was Indian. That is cool," wait till I tell that to Jake. Oh Jacob.

"Bella?"

"What?" I looked at Edward and he was holding yellow piece of paper in front of him.

"Well, you are Quileute on both sides. Charlies great grandfather was Quileute as well," he said to me.

"I know that. At least I resemble one now. I used to be paler than pale when I was little. I thought that I was albino. I got lucky I guess, being pale sucks," oh shit, I mentally scolded myself, I forgot that Edward was pale, "Erm, listen Edward, I will take some time to organize this up so I will be very boring company. And don't come here tonight. I want a good night sleep without the distraction, and you need a good hunt. Your eyes are black," I gave him the best puppy dog face I could muster. I could see the hurt in his eyes before he repressed it. He quickly kissed me in the lips and left without a word. He knew something's was up even before I had any idea.

After few minutes I went downstairs. I wanted to see Jacob and since it was only seven o'clock on Friday night my dad would surely let me do it. As I entered the living room my cell buzzed. It was Alice. Don't even think about it. That got me angry. No I was furious. I had to get out of here.

"Where are you going Bells?" My dad asked from living room sofa.

"Just outside, I need a walk. All those dusty papers made me feel funny, I need some fresh air," I blurted out before I run out the door.

I didn't even think what I was doing. I was running for the forest. It was like the unseen force was pulling me there. I remember feeling the surge of heat spreading through my body every time Edward told me I could not see my best friend. I finally realized that he cannot command me. I loved Edward, but it was not the same innocent love. It was tainted and betrayed. I begun to question myself if it was enough anymore. I realized it wasn't. I wanted warmth, not coldness. I wanted sun, not the moon. I made my decision. I was free and then I exploded, literally.

I skidded to a halt. What the hell happened to me? I looked around only to see the shreds of what once was my clothing. Great, how will I get back inside now I thought. I looked at my paws. With my discovery about my Quileute heritage I expected to see a wolf but I was different. My paws and legs were thicker and more powerful. They did not look canine, they looked more feline like? And though I had nothing to compare I could swear that I would be bigger that even Sam.

I could hear footsteps approaching. I momentarily smelled sickly sweet scent of vampires. It was Alice. Oh Alice.

"Bella?" she asked hesitantly after she spotted my clothing or what was left of it.

I just bobbed my giant head. Her eyes were huge as she took in my new appearance. I still had no clue of what I've become. I cocked my head to one side and whined as best as I could. It came out as a purr.

"W-well, I think I should bring you some clothes. Please phase back, you are making me uncomfortable," she stammered and disappeared in the direction of my house.

Easier said than done. But I remembered something that Jake once said to me. I concentrated on calm feelings and suddenly I found myself standing naked in the middle of the forest. Seconds later Alice was beside me with some clothing. Luckily she brought sweats and loose t-shirt as I've grown a bit here and there. Even my skin was darker. I looked like true Indian now. That thought made me smile. The change was subtle enough that Charlie would not notice.

"Should we go back to your house so you can tell me what has happened. I hate not knowing."

"Sure, sure." we walked towards my house. "Hey dad, I'm back."

"Hey kid, oh hello Alice," my dad spoke from the sofa.

"We are going to my room, Alice offered some help with my self assignment," which wasn't entirely a lie. We would talk about my blood after all. When we reached my bedroom she began to speak with vampire speed. Oddly enough I caught every word she said.

"So, spill it," and I told her everything. Not only about my curiosity and my recent discovery but also about my feelings and what led to my transformation.

"So I guess I'm out of the family now being your mortal enemy and all," I said with a sigh. Although my feelings for Edward have changed, but I still loved the Cullens even if they were behind enemy lines now.

"Silly Bella. I don't care who or what you are. I love you, you are my sister. But there is something I don't understand here. You see when the Quileutes start to phase they stink like a wet dog when they are in both forms, so you should be stinking like a wet cat considering your shape,"

"Wait," I interrupted her, "what did you say? So I'm not a wolf? Well my paws were different for sure, but I haven't exactly looked in the mirror when I phased."

"No, you are the biggest and whitest lioness I have ever seen in my life. I could almost swear that you are silver. But going back to the matter at hand, now that you are in your human form you smell like you and I can see you future, well, just glimpses as you keep changing your mind. But when you are in your lion form you stink and I cannot see a thing about you. Sorry Bella, but it's a drowned cat smell for a change,"she chuckled and I joined her.

"Well, you don't smell so sweet to me either," we wrinkled our noses at the memory and started laughing.

"The other thing is you disappeared when you transformed so that's why I ran..." Alice trailed off, visibly uncomfortable. We both knew what was on her mind. She thought that I was going to run off to Jacob like I've planned originally.

"I'm sorry Bella. I should have never listened to Edward. Even though he is my brother and I love him, but he made so many wrong decisions and yet we always followed."

"It's ok. I forgive you, only because you are my sister and I love you even that you are my enemy now," I winked at her, "I just thought of something. You've said that my scent in my human form is the same,"

"Yes," she answered me, "I will keep it from Edward as long as you want me to. Till you are ready to tell him yourself."

"Thank you Alice. There is one more thing I have to do before I go to La Push," Alice already shoved her cell into my hand with Edward's number ready. Psychic, remember.

I pressed send button and he answered on the second ring.

"What's the matter Alice?" Edward asked.

"No, it's me. I'm sorry I am doing this over the phone but I need time. I need some time away from you. And I don't know if I ever come back to you the way you want me to. Too many things have happened between us," I whispered, too many things have changed, I added mentally.

"So this is it? You are breaking up with me?"

"Yes, I'm sorry. But trust me, it is better like that, I just don't trust myself to see you in person at the moment."

"Beeb, beeb, beep," of the dialing tone.

I gave Alice her phone back.

"Promise to see us soon?" she asked me as she hugged me good bye.

"Of course." I kissed her cheek. She looked at me again like she knew something I didn't before she turned around left. I could swear she was sizing me up or maybe this was my imagination.

I lay on my bed. Since my rapid and unexpected transformation from few hours before my senses were highly enhanced. I could hear Charlie snoring in his room. I could hear his steady heart beat.
I looked at the clock and it said twenty four minutes past midnight. I could not wait any longer.
I had to go and see him. It was like some sort of pull was drawing me to my Jacob.

I looked around in my room for a piece of string. I remembered that detail. I would need my clothes later on.

I jumped from my window and landed softly on my bare feet. I could feel the rich texture of the grass. I looked around and I could see the forest in the new light. Everything was so clear. Then
I remembered my biology lessons. Cats were mostly night hunters, so they had to have good senses.

I ran into the forest, stripped and phased. I could suddenly hear two distinct minds. I recognized them as Embry and Quil.

Hey dude, did you feel it? It was Embry.

Yep, someone has phased, but I don't recognize who. Something's different about this one, was Quil's response.

Let's go investigate.

I decided that I didn't want to face the entire pack just yet. Something was telling me now that I musn't let them know of what I became. Not yet anyway. I pushed myself further and after few minutes I could no longer hear their footfalls. Only their thoughts.

That was strange. Whoever this is, I can still feel her, was Quil.

How do you know is her? Wait, you are right. I can feel it too.

Anyway, whoever that is I didn't feel any hostility, but we better inform Sam.

Then I could hear howls. Signal for the wolf pack to meet up. I could feel them entering my consciousness, but my mind stayed closed to them.

I decided to shut them off and concentrated on how I would come back home without being noticed.

Luckily for me I found the gap in pack perimeter and slipped past into Forks and then into my house. It was just before dawn when lay again in my bed. I pretended to be asleep when Charlie checked on me. He was going fishing with Billy all day.

I went downstairs soon after he left. I was famished. The transforming business was a strain on my metabolism. I prepared myself Jake-size breakfast and dug in. Only then I spotted a note left by Charlie. Alice called. She said that boys are out hiking so she is kidnapping you for a sleepover.

What? That was weird. I heard a knock on the door.

"Come on in Alice," I shouted from over my breakfast.

"Hello kitty-kat,"she greeted me.

"Hi, why do I have to have a sleepover in your house?"

"You don't," she simply said.

"I don't? I thought..." I trailed off. That was confusing.

"Well you need to practice your phasing and since I am the only one in on a secret I thought I will take you somewhere remote for a weekend. I don't think Charlie will appreciate giant white lioness in his back garden," she chuckled, "besides seeing your changed physique I say, shopping, and there is no use in protesting," she said smugly.

"Ok, you win. That sounds reasonable," I knew that my wardrobe was in need of updating, especially my underwear, since it didn't fit anymore. That was the only department that changed considerably.

"Here, there are some clothes for today," she handled me a bundle. I quickly showered and changed. I took a time to look at myself in the mirror for the firs time. Although my skin was darker than before, it had a lovely golden glow now making my ice blue eyes stand out even more. I think I was an inch taller and I filled up in few places too. My hair was more shiny than before. On top of red streaks, I could see shades of golden and raven in it too. I smiled to myself, I kind of liked the new me. Luckily enough the changes were subtle and only someone with as keen senses as myself or Alice would be able to tell the difference.

First we went to Seattle and for once I enjoyed shopping. I begun to question myself as to why I hated it before. I would not join the fan club of shopping lovers of course, but I decided that a little bit of it now and then would not hurt.

By the time we finished Alice's Porsche was absolutely filled with shopping bags. Most of them were mine of course. Alice also convinced me not to throw a fit when she spent the money on me.

"I'm a psychic remember? Technically I'm cheating when I play with our money in the shares market. It's not like I have to work my little feet off to earn those millions, so you might as well use some of it."

So that shut me up. After we were done shopping we drove and drove.

"Where are we going?"

"We have little cabin near Bigfork," I raised an eyebrow at her, "yes I know. Funny we like the cutlery so much though we don't use it. When we go hunting in the Flathead National Forest it looks suspicious when we leave our cars in the middle of the forest. You know, we are keeping up appearances," she laughed and winked.

Some time later we pulled into small forest road. It looked like a typical Cullen driveway. After about three miles we finally reached the cabin. Well, if the called it a cabin then I was an Easter Bunny. It was a mansion. The house was a bit smaller than their house in Forks. It was two-story this time and there was no garage. The walls were beautiful golden brown and there was not so many windows. Though the house was like a villa it belonged in there in that wilderness.

I stepped outside the car and inhaled the fresh forest air. Besides Alice I could not smell any other vampire scent. I realized that they haven't been here for a while.

"Ok. so let's be done with the necessary first and then we can have some fun," she squealed. I rolled my eyes and groaned. I knew that the fun stuff involved dressing up and playing Barbie Bella.

I went behind the house, stripped, phased and run back to bouncing Alice.

"Yay, I have never had a cat," she started to pet me and I rolled my eyes yet again, "ok, let's get back to business. I think we should race first to test your speed. I'm the second fastest in the family so we'll see if you can catch me," the second she finished talking she took off into the forest.

Cheater, I thought to myself. I started running after my favorite vampire and I soon find out that I could catch her and even get ahead. Wow, I'm fast. I dug my claws in the ground and stopped. Alice went past me but soon turned back with sheepish smile on her face.

"Wow, that was fast. I bet you could put Edward to shame. I thought that with a head start you would not catch me. You are obviously faster than the wolves. I wonder if you are stronger too? Come on wrestle with me," she said to me.

No way, I shook my head.

"Come on, you won't hurt me and even so I heal pretty fast," she raised her eyebrow in anticipation.

I shook my head again, there is no way I'm attacking her, even for a fun. She is so tiny. It was like she could read my mind, I swear.

"I might be small but I can take care of myself," with that she crouched and jumped at me. Within seconds my instincts took over. At that moment there was no Bella and Alice, I was fighting of my enemy. I could feel my body colliding with her stony frame but I did not feel the pain of the impact. I was strong. The fight stopped almost as soon as it started because I remembered again that it was Alice. I jerked away like I was electrocuted and sat down on my hind legs. The look of horror in my eyes. Did I hurt Alice?

"Ouch, that actually hurt," she was rubbing her left forearm. I could see a small gash there which was already healing before my eyes. Within ten seconds her limb was as good as new. I let out a gust of air I didn't realized I was holding, "you are strong, way stronger than the wolves. I'm sorry Bella, but I scratched you pretty bad," I didn't let her finish. I ran out behind the house and phased back. I could not stand not being able to speak to her. When I got back to her I hugged her and started crying.

"I'm sorry Alice, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you, I don't know what came over me," I sobbed into her shoulder.

"Shh, don't you worry. I knew you would not attack me willingly so I played with your instincts. Besides I'm fine. I'm experienced fighter, after all I live with Emmett in the house so I need to know how to defend myself," she winked, "but how are you? Did I hurt you?"

"No, I barely felt a pressure. You definitely did not pierced my skin. I'm fine, really."

"Yep, I could tell that your skin was soft yet extremely strong and durable. But did you hear the pack while you were in your lion form?"

"Yes, but I found out that I can shut my mind to them. I guess it's a matter of choice since I'm of different species. I don't think they sensed me this time round."

"All right then. Lets get inside to do fun stuff now," she giggled and I groaned which made her laughing even harder.

Sunday was pretty much the same. More practicing, without barbie stuff. About one in the afternoon we prepared ourselves for our journey back. It was a joy ride home. We were talking, laughing and singing to all the songs on the radio. When we were about twenty miles from Forks Alice suddenly pulled over and here eyes had that distant look. I knew she was seeing something and by the look of it it was something bad. Like on the cue I could smell it seconds later. Strong scent of three vampires, traditional vampires at that.

"Bella?"

"I know. I have to go, I will be fine. Wait in the woods near my house," I slammed the car door behind me. I could hear the howls. The lone wolf was calling the reinforcements. As I stripped and phased in mid air I could hear another howl, this time the wolf was crying out in pain. Please let me be there on time.

Hang on in there, I shouted mentally.

Who is it? Female voice answered.

Doesn't matter at the moment, just don't die, but I could feel her consciousness fading. The others were already morphed but I was much closer. I had no time to loose. When I got to the clearing I saw one of the vampires about to twist the neck of the small gray wolf.

No!

A/N Shípa (pronounced shay-puh) in Quileute means black, yes, I've done my research. I thought I would give Blacks a powerful ancestor.

Wow, that is my longest chapter yet, so please tell me what you think. Pretty please.

I know I'm a terrible updater, but this story is talking to me, while all the others are silent, but I'm hoping it's only a temporary matter. Keep your fingers crossed.