I don't want to be one of those annoying authors, that post crazy AN's at the beginning of every chapter but I wanted to thank those of you who read the first chapter. I'm not 100% where I'm going with this story, although I have a rough idea and my updates will be sporadic because I'm a part time working student. Thanks for reading!

Chapter 2

"Bella, I've- I think- I- Can we," he stammered, he was so nervous he was almost blushing.

"Let's go talking outside, huh Quill?" I smiled as his shoulders relaxed. We left the house together.

"Oh fucking hell Quill, you're not serious!" Paul was furious, following Quill and I off the porch. His insults became steadily worse as we continued to ignore him. "Just wait til you have children, she'll drain them dry-"Quill whipped around on Paul so quickly that I barely saw it, even as a vampire.

Quill growled low and menacing at Paul, causing his knees to buckle with fear- and something else that I couldn't place my finger on. He looked up at the taller boy but averted his gaze as Quill stepped forward, pressing his chest to Paul's. Paul let his knees collapse, laying low on the ground. With a satisfied nod, Quill continued his path to the forest.

"What was that?" I asked, catching up to him easily. I was breathless at his display of dominance. We made it into the forest, Quill's instincts took over and I followed.

"I'm the Alpha, Bella."

"You're the Alpha?" I was stunned. "But, why did Jake go get Sam?"

"Because Sam is my Beta and I was at the hospital with my sister. She's just had a baby." He smiled. "I heard the boys howl for me to come back. But Bella," he looked at me seriously, "I've imprinted on you. I know that things can't be easy on you right now, what with the Cullens letting you go and you only just coming back to Forks but I want to help you. And I can help you, if you'll let me."

Where was the shy boy who had blushed with embarrassment to see a pretty girl, when he first met me in Jake's garage? This boy was strong, fierce and determined.

"I'd like the help Quill," I smiled at him. "But, I do have to fill you in on all that has happened to me."

He nodded, stepping behind a bush and emerging as the largest wolf that I had ever seen. I whistled at him to show my wonder and he let his tongue hang out of his mouth, proud of my appreciation. He took off quickly into the woods and I ran after him, catching up with him easily, pushing myself faster, and laughing at his playful growl. We ran through the dense woods for nearly three minutes. With every passing second, the smell of the ocean grew stronger and stronger.

We emerged from the maze of trees together, at the utmost top of the cliff that I had jumped off of, all those years ago. There was a large timber frame house, that hadn't been there the last time that I had been, nestled into the tree line. It took my breath away; figuratively. Quill whined at me slightly and pawed at a rope tied around his neck, it had a single, silver key tied to it.

"This is your house?" He nodded at me, nodding his head in the direction of the house.

I took the key from around his neck and walked to the door to let myself in. The foyer was stunning, a beautiful handmade bench was pushed against the wall opposite the front door and I sat to remove my shoes. Looking to my left, I noticed a warm and inviting living room and made myself comfortable on the leather couch. Quill came in a moment later and sat on the lazy boy next to the couch, settling in for his lessons on Bella the vampire.

"Last year, I went to visit my mother and was turned by a stranger. He was trying to start a vampire army to take out an enemy coven in Florida but when I awoke, he was surprised by my powers and sent me to the Volturi as a gift.

"Aro, their leader, was amazed by my powers. He tried to take my blood and synthesize it but as soon as it leaves my body, it looses its power. He tried drinking from me, but it just made him sick. My venom heals humans but it kills vampires instantly. I never had the chance to test it on wolves," answering his unasked question. "I can read thoughts through touch and am much stronger than the average vampire. I don't feed on humans, I get sick from it and I don't glow in the sun half as much as regular vampires. And I'm not as cold either."

Quill sat silently, taking in the information I was feeding him. He was attentive and didn't seem terribly upset by what I was telling him.

"Other vampire's powers don't work on me, but if I'm around a vampire with a power for long periods of time, I start to gain their powers. That's why I can read thoughts through touch, Aro had that ability." I took a breath, waiting for him to say something, anything. "That's really all I know so far, there's never been another vampire like me so no one knows what to expect exactly. I came back from the Volturi because Aro deemed me worthless without human blood. I went to the Cullens because I had hoped that they had been worried about me, had wondered where I was."

"I'm sorry Bella, that they didn't care like they should have. Some people just aren't worth your attention," Quill slid off the chair and onto the floor in front of me, taking my hands in his. God, this woman, she brings me to my knees and I'm glad to be here. "You don't have to worry about people like that anymore Bella, I'll be here for you and so will the pack."

I had to resist the urge to "Aww" at Quill's sweet words, there was some voice in the back of my mind, telling me he wouldn't appreciate that. The moment was ruined, however; by the roaring sound of Quill's stomach. My mouth fell open at the sound, and Quill's eyes widened comically. Before I could stop it, laughter burst from me like a volcanic eruption.

"Hey now, no need to laugh at the hungry." Quill laughed to himself, happy that Bella was relaxed enough to enjoy herself.

"Okay, okay, I'm sorry," Bella would have been wiping away tears if she had been human. "Why don't I make us lunch while you tell me all about how you were lucky enough to become Alpha."

The two made their way into the kitchen. Bella went around to all the cupboards, familiarizing herself to the new kitchen. She checked the, surprisingly well stocked, fridge and decided on grilled cheese sandwiches. As she made lunch, she began questioning Quill.

"So, how long have you been Alpha?"

"For about, seven months," Quill propped his six foot eight frame against the kitchen's large island. "Sam wanted to step out of the pack completely, for Emily, but there's so much that he knows about our history and the pack that he couldn't just walk away. He's been teaching me everything he knows while staying on as Beta."

"But couldn't he teach you everything and leave the pack?" I wondered if there had been a big threat in the area; that would be the only reason to keep the pack at large numbers.

"That's the thing, we're not entirely sure," Quill pushed himself off the island and snatched a grilled cheese sandwich off the counter. "There was a large coven passing through Forks a couple of months ago, they were large enough that a few more wolves came of age from their presence. But when the vampires left, the younger ones decided that they weren't ready for the responsibility and stopped phasing. They don't remember any of their times as wolves."

"But you can't start up again if you stop, can you? And how were legends passed down if you don't remember what happened to you?" And who was this coven that had just 'passed through'?

"We've been reading a lot more of the old legends, taking them more seriously now then we used to. Most of the legends are written by our imprinted ancestors, we think you remember if you've taken an imprint as your mate.

"There was a story of people joining the pack again with a ceremony, but you can only come back the one time." I had barely piled the next two sandwiches on the plate before Quill was taking them. I rolled my eyes, his stomach let out a growl. "Some of these wolves were barely 13 though Bella, they couldn't handle the stress of doing rounds and going to school, let alone trying to keep out secret from their families."

I nodded, letting the information sink in. It was good to know, that in case of an emergency, wolves could decide to come back to the pack and help their brothers but it made me think of so many other things as well. What had happened here in the year that I was gone?