Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight or any of the characters… why must you make me say such depressing things! :'(

Chapter 3: The Forest Awakens

He started to tell the legends. I listened completely focused. It was amazing: the story explained how the wolves had started. In the other stories all the vampires were evil. It was nice to know I was an exception to that rule. Then he explained how the wolves had come back so strongly because the Cullens had returned. How many lives had the Cullens ruined? Wasn't mine enough? No, they had to go on ruining the Quileutes' lives. It was a good thing the werewolf quirk had picked up again. The Cullens were very dangerous.

"There is another reason for our meeting tonight. Sam has something he wants to say." Sam stood slowly and moved to stand beside Billy.

"Today while I was running patrol in the le—Cullens' old land Bella was attacked by four vampires. She managed to kill them and save Claire." There were surprised whispers from those that hadn't already heard the story. I looked down. It had been nothing. When would they let it drop? "Bella, will you come up here?" I stood slowly and moved to stand beside him.

"Bella's lost her mortality because of what those leeches did. They hurt her, and now she can't see Charlie. Despite everything she is calm and controlled. She has been helping us since her change has been complete. I feel that Bella is one of us. Bella, I want to make you an official member of the pack." I stiffened slightly, shocked. Was he serious? "Will you accept?" He inquired.

"Yes," I replied still surprised.

"Then welcome sister. Brothers step forward and make our sister feel welcome." I smiled as they came up and gave me a high five or a hug. They were so kind. I hadn't even expected them to want to look at me, and now they were fully accepting me into their folds. I felt weird all of a sudden. I felt warm and tingly. No, I don't mean love. I knew what that felt like. This was different. The heat seemed to be coming from the center of my body. What was it? I shook my head to try to clear it, but it didn't work. The heat was spreading.

"Bella, what is it?" Jake questioned.

"I don't know. Back up for a minute." He did what I asked not a minute too soon. I backed away from the fire. The second everyone was far enough away the heat exploded from the middle of my body and spread throughout. I crashed down on four paws.

What was going on? What had happened? I tried to ask Jake but it came out as a whimper. "Bella," Jake questioned. Since I couldn't talk I nodded my head. I was taller then him right now. Wait, was I a wolf? "Sam, what's going on?"

"I don't know. It seems that when we truly accepted her she became one of us. She is our sister in all regards now." I cocked my head to the side. So that was how this had happened? It was still creepy. What was I supposed to do now? I didn't know how to shift back! I started freaking out. I kneaded the ground worriedly. I whined to recapture their attention. Jake came over and put a hand on my shoulder.

"I know its confusing Bella. You're doing great." I glowed with the praise. He'd explained that he had been wild when he shifted for the first time, crazy. I was in control… sort of. I leaned my head on his shoulder lightly. I didn't want to knock him over.

"Sam, she needs some help." Seth stated. I moved my head from Jake's shoulder and nodded. He was right. What the heck was I supposed to do? I felt a shimmer in the air while Sam shifted into a giant black wolf. It was strange to feel his mind merge with mine. While I could still think on my own I could think with him as well…

"Bella, how are you holding up?" He questioned mentally.

"I'm confused. Nothing like this has ever happened before has it?" I inquired cocking my head to the side.

"No, there's never been a… vampire the tribe has befriended." I rolled my eyes.

"You can say leech. I hate the rest of my kind just as much as you do." I informed him.

"Do you want to shift back?" I thought I could hear a smile in his thoughts.

"Yeah, this is weird." He nodded.

"Think about trying to force all the heat back to the center of your body. Try picturing your human form." He suggested.

"Hey, I am not human! Get your stereotypes right!" I teased him. He rolled his eyes.

"All right, then picture your vampire form.

"Ummm, wait. I need some clothes…" I trialed off. He laughed loudly. He pointed his nose towards Jake. He was walking towards us carrying a pair of clothes. I had been able to hear his movements but I hadn't paid attention. I could hear so much now. Was it just a wolf thing? I wondered. I grabbed the clothes Jake offered in my mouth and ran behind a giant bush to shift.

I pulled my vampire form to the forefront of my mind. It was a strange feeling to shrink in size like that. When I was back to 'normal' I pulled my clothes on quickly before returning to the fire side. Well, my hearing hadn't changed. I could still hear everything. I smiled as I stood by the fire.

"Welcome to the club sis." Seth congratulated. I smiled happily. I did truly belong here now.

"How'd you do that Bella?" Jake questioned. I shrugged.

"Sam's the one that made me part of the pack. Nature was just doing her job and making it official." They all smiled at that. Paul yawned loudly.

"Tired Paul?" He shrugged. "When was the last time you slept?"

"I don't know…"

"Paul, that's bad. Go get some rest. Who else hasn't slept in a few days?" They all looked away sheepishly. I rolled my eyes. "You guys can go get some sleep." Sam opened his mouth to protest. "Including you Sam. It pisses Emily off that you never go home at night. I'll take the shift."

"Are you sure Bella? Some of us could run with you." Sam offered. I didn't want any of them to suffer with me if I ran in my new form. They didn't deserve the pain.

"I'll be fine." I assured him.

"Good night then sister." Sam said walking down the hill with the others. I smiled at the praise.

"Night," I called after them. When I turned back to the fire I was shocked to see that Billy was still there.

"Congrats Bella," I smiled in response. I was doing a lot of that tonight, wasn't I? "It's nice to know you'll be watching while we sleep." He complimented.

"Thanks Billy," I carefully gave him a hug before he left as well. I put the fire out so I wouldn't attract animals… or cops, Charlie. Pain hit me hard and strong like a freight train. It was quickly followed by anger. That was yet another thing they had taken away from me. Because of them I could never see Charlie again. Because of them I was a fucking blood sucker too! I growled in frustration and pain.

I took off through the forest in an attempt to leave my pain behind me. As I ran my body, sensing my need for an escape, allowed me to shift forms midstride. I used my back legs to dig deep into the ground to rush faster through the trees. I thrilled at the feeling of the wind rushing through my fur as my paws dug up the turf beneath. I shook my head to clear it of the pain and hate filled haze it had sunken into. I was supposed to be running patrol, not sulking.

I banked sharply to the right so I was running the treaty line. There was no way in hell I was going into old bloodsucker turf. I arched wide to encompass all of La Push in my patrol. No one was getting through me tonight. There had been enough pain to go around for ten lifetimes.

I flexed my still sore arm. No one else would look into a pair of bright red or gold eyes knowing they probably wouldn't be living much longer. It was enough that Claire had been hurt, and I had been… I shoved that train of thought far away before I could be distracted. Instead I focused on the trail ahead of my paws. I was now used to this body, even the beating heart. It made me seem more alive, more normal.

Having reached my starting point I went straight instead of right the way my scent trail did to include all of the houses in my circuit. I made sure to go deep into the woods so I wouldn't have to worry about any visitors on the rez seeing something they shouldn't. We didn't need hunters out here.

It was a very uneventful night. As the sun came up the forest seemed to come alive with it. The animals didn't shy away from me as much anymore. The other creatures no longer hid as I went by. I smiled to myself a I ran. IT seemed most were accepting me these days. It was nice to feel needed. The hole in my chest flared as if to remind me there were others that didn't want me. I shook my head to clear it as I let out a pained whimper. I picked up my speed once more as I made my 40th circuit.

I froze suddenly as I caught the scent of vampire. You've got to be kidding me! I thought as I took off in the direction of the smell. I stopped dead as I saw they had Emily.

"Don't call the rest of them or she dies." The male with his hand around Emil's throat called over as I opened my mouth to howl. I saw Emily wince in pain as he tightened his grip on her throat. I growled angrily. Why them? Why couldn't they grab me instead? How did they all manage to grab imprints? It couldn't just be luck…

"Shift back Bella." The male ordered. My eyes widened in surprise. "Yes, we know who you are, now do it." I focused on pulling the fading darkness in with me. I reared up on my hind legs so I was standing. I shrunk to my usual size. When I looked down I was pleased to see I had clothes on. So it did work… I shifted my gaze to the threat before me.

"What do you want?"

"We were given very specific orders." The male said smirking as he ran his hand down Emily's side. I growled loudly at him.

"Let her go!" I ordered scared for her.

"We don't want her."

"What do you want then?" I interrogated.

"We'll let her go if you stay here."

"Like I would run off with three bloodsuckers on our turf," I spat back at them. They shoved Emily over to me.

"Bella, don't do this." She begged.

"I'll be fine. Is Sam okay?"
"They grabbed me when he went to meet with the others."

"I want you to run. Warn Sam for me. Please Emily: I'll be fine." She nodded before taking off through the trees. I turned to see not three but thirteen mature male vampires. I readied myself for the fight. They lunged as one. I kicked, punched, tore, and dodged as fast as I could, but it was hopeless. There were too many of them. I couldn't win. One of them grabbed me and pulled me to the ground.

I curled up into a ball on the forest floor crying. If I hadn't been so sad and scared I would've been shocked to discover I could actually cry. I pulled what remained of my dress together to cover myself. Why, why, why? Having my heart torn out of my chest wasn't enough? My self esteem and trust had to be obliterated as well?

Sometime later a twig snapped; I jumped up to face the source. I growled out a warning. The mountain lion took a step back and placed its bundle on the ground.

"Let us help you." As the creature spoke more animals stepped forwards.

"You can talk?"

"We've always been able o talk, but you are just now learning to listen. Can we help you?" I nodded settling down once more. She grabbed her bundle before coming over to me. She worked to rub salve over cuts and bruises I hadn't known it was possible for me to receive. She lapped up the blood before running over the bites. I hissed in pain. "I'm sorry," she said. Her gaze was sympathetic.

"I'm fine," I tried to assure her. She didn't press the matter. A deer came over with a water soaked sponge material and worked to rid my skin of the remaining blood.

"What's your name?" I asked the she-cat.

"Nala," she replied simply.

"Why did you help me? I hunt animals."

"I know, you killed my brother a few days ago."

"I'm so-" she cut me off.

"I don't hold it against you. You have to eat too. We'd just prefer if you could find a different way. We helped you because you help us. You're the protector from our legends." With that Nala and the other animals were gone.

I was in a legend? Could there be nothing normal? I stood wincing and looked around scared. Nothing was there, so I began the long walk out of the trees. Every step was agony. I was sore all over. There was no break or relief, because although the salve worked I was still aching. I followed Emily's scent trail back to her house. The guys ran towards me as I stumbled out of the trees. I crouched and backed away scared. They stopped confused.

"What happened to you Bella?" Jake called as he started towards me once more.

"Don't Jake, just don't touch me." I said wrapping my arms around myself as I looked down.

"What happened?"

"The state of my clothes isn't enough for you to figure it out?" I inquired looking as them. They started shaking as they worked to control their anger.

"Bella," Emily yelled as she ran over to me. "Please tell me they didn't…"

"They did," I forced out in a whisper. Pain wracked my body as I acknowledged that truth for the first time. Emily wrapped me in a hug.

"I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have left you there."

"There was nothing you could have done. I would have tried to kill them anyways. It was my patrol. I had to try to protect the tribe. I couldn't run away." I assured her. She hugged me tighter. I hissed in pain; she pulled back confused. "You're pressing on some of the bites."

"They bit you?" Jake questioned outraged. I nodded.

"Let me take a look at your wounds." Emily offered.

"Nala already took care of me."

"Nala," Seth asked.

"She's a mount lion. I can speak to animals." Their jaws dropped. Emily was the first to recover.

"At least let me get you some clothes." I allowed Emily to drag me to her house. I took a long shower before I got dressed. I still didn't feel clean, but I knew that wasn't going to happen for a while. I went out to the living room. I pulled my knees up to my chest, wrapped my arms around them, and put my chin on top. I watched as my brothers entered the living room.

"Bella, can I give you a hug?" Jake asked hesitantly.

"I don't know." I replied truthfully. He walked over and slowly, gently wrapped me in a hug. He pulled back and offered a hand. I accepted it. "Thanks Jake."

"Bella, what happened?" Sam questioned so I told him.