A/N: Apologies in advance for the short lemon. They are not my forte.

Chapter 10

Growls and snarls filled the clearing, echoing into the forest around it.

"Whoa there, doggies." The male raised his hands. "I got somethin' for Miss Bella Swan." He held up an envelope.

"Is it from Alice Cullen?" she asked from behind her wolf.

"Why yes, ma'am, it is. She said she's sorry she's breakin' her promise but she figured that you'd want to know that the witch is dead. She didn't mention anything about puppies."

Bella raised his arm and peeked out. "What promise?"

"That she and the others wouldn't contact ya. They took a chance when your daddy died, but since you didn't respond, they figured you didn't have anything to say to 'em."

"Bella's been sick for nearly a year now," Billy said as he wheeled forward. "Since the Cullens left."

The female frowned. "What were her symptoms?"

"Catatonic for several weeks then walked around in a daze for a couple of months," Sue described. "Loss of appetite, nightmares leading to insomnia."

The vampires shared a look. "Miss Bella, how long did you and the virgin date?" the male asked.

"Six months," Jake snarled. "The only time he wasn't around her was when he hunted."

"And of course one of the others stayed with her," the female muttered. "It sounds like she's an addict."

Snarls ripped through the air again. "Calm down, doggies," the male said. "Damn, wish Jasper was here."

"Explain," Sam barked.

The male sighed. "If a human is exposed to a vampire or vampires for an extended length, they become addicted to their scent. Take away the vampire. . ." He shrugged.

"And the human goes through major detox," Sue said. "Why the hell didn't we think of that?" she asked Billy, slapping at his shoulder.

"But that doesn't explain the past six months," Quil said. "She did the exact same thing."

The female shrugged. "Deep depression. Her daddy died."

"Well, folks, this has been fun, but me and the missus has to go. Miss Bella, here's your letter." He placed it on the ground and backed up inside the trees.

All the wolves heard the female say, "Damn, baby. Wish I was human again. I woulda loved to lick them."

"Did you see the tits on her?" Brady asked. He was hit from various directions. "Ow, what? She may be dead, but she still has a smoking body."

Her wolf went and retrieved the letter. She traced her name in flowing script.

"Bella?" She glanced up at Sue. "I have letters for you from the sympathy cards that they sent."

"Thanks, Sue."

"Come on, baby. Let's get you inside."

Bella stared at the four letters in her hand; three from June and one from that day. She opened the most recent letter. A clump of fiery red hair fell out. He growled at it. She glanced at him.

"Smells like the bitch we've been chasing since spring."

Bella,

I'm sorry that I'm breaking the promise again, but I had to. Carlisle received a call from Aro this summer. Seems like there were a lot of unsolved murders and missing persons in Seattle/Tacoma area. Jasper and two of his old friends went to check it out. It seems as if Victoria made an army and was going to descend upon Forks. They took care of it. This lock of Victoria's hair is all that's left of her. The Olympic Peninsula is now considered off limits to vampires. Jasper's friends, Peter and Charlotte, are going to spread the word.

The email address is still active if you wish to contact me. I miss you.

Love,

Alice

She looked up at her wolf. "I'm confused."

"Read the other letters, baby." She opened the one from Alice first.

Bella,

I am so sorry about Charlie. I tried to call when I saw, but I was too late. I've been keeping my promise to not actively look for you. But sometimes the visions just come. Hold on to the memory of the fun you and Charlie had on that awful fishing trip. I laughed so much, Jasper started laughing. Don't let grief get you down. I miss you so much. Jasper says he's sorry, but knowing you as I do, you forgave him immediately.

Love,

Alice & Jasper

P.S. I actively looked. I can't see anything. I'm worried. Please be safe. We want you to grow old and gray.

PPS I activated a new email. It's majorpixie . Email me if you'd like.

She grabbed the next one. Something was off.

Dearest Bella,

We were grieved to hear of the passing of Charlie. We had great respect for him and found him to be a great man. I know we promised never to contact you again, but we had to express our sympathies. We hope this letter finds you well.

Esme & Carlisle

BellaBoo,

Let it out, little sister. Get mad, rail at God and throw things. Kick the bastard in the balls. Charlie was one of the greatest men we've known I wish I was there, little sister. Rose won't play video games with me. Yes, I'm pouting. Seriously, I know you didn't want to hear from us, but I still see you as my little sister.

Miss you,

Emmett & Rose

P.S. Here's my email: monkeymanmccarty

She frowned. "I don't get it." She looked up at her companion. "What promise?"

Emily and Bella were cooking casseroles, rolls and desserts for Christmas dinner, which was in a few days. The Native girl glanced over at her friend.

"I'm glad you're back."

"Me too. You guys should have chunked my ass over the cliff months ago."

She laughed. "Yeah, we should've. Damn." She checked the recipe against the ingredients spread over the counter. "I'm out of chocolate syrup."

Bella stared at her in shock. "Emily, we bought six bottles yesterday. What happened to them?"

Pink tinged her cheeks. "Um, Sam and I got a little frisky last night."

"And you used all six bottles?!" she asked in stupefaction.

"NO! No. Just one."

"Where's the other five?"

"Other five what?" Kim asked as she walked into the kitchen.

"Bottles of chocolate syrup. Seems our esteemed Alpha couple got frisky with a bottle last night."

"You too?" Kim turned her attention to Emily. "Jared and I snagged a bottle when we left last night. I know Leah and River did the same."

"That three down," Emily said. "What happened to the other three?"

The door slammed behind Collin and Jules. Both had chocolate around their mouths. Kim groaned. "Please tell me you guys just ate a candy bar."

"Um. Yes, we did. Emily, do you have any sweet potatoes?" Jules asked. "We ran out. I told Mom that we needed about 40 lbs. She only got 15."

"I need to go to the store to pick up more syrup, so you can go with me."

"That's still two unaccounted for," Bella reminded.

"Quil grabbed one. He said that he, Claire and his Granddad were gonna make ice cream sundaes last night and have chocolate milk this morning," Collin said. "Turns out you bought all that the store had."

"And the last one?" They all glanced at each other and said, "Paul."

"Well, let's go so we can get back. Kim, you coming?" Emily grabbed her purse.

"Sure. You know, there must be something in the air to have six wolves to be like that."

"What?" Collin asked. "Hornier than fuck? We're teenage werewolves."

"Yeah. But last night was intense," Emily said.

"You mean it's not always like that?" Jules asked as they all filed out of the house.

Bella shook her head. If Collin didn't keep a lid on his thoughts, Jared's going to neuter him. Hot arms wrapped around her waist and a nose was pressed behind her ear. After a deep inhale, a growl rumbled out.

"Mate."

She smile. She glanced over her shoulder and stilled. Not a speck of brown showed in his eyes; they were all yellow. It was the wolf and not the man. "Wolf."

He sniffed the air. It smelled of his brothers and sisters. Den, he needed a den. Taking his female's hand, he headed for the stairs. He paused at the door. Again, he could smell his brothers, but nothing recent. He led her into the room and closed the door.

"Mate," he growled again.

"Yes, I'm your mate." He ripped open the zip and let his shorts fall to the floor. "Oh, Lord."

"Off." He reached for her sweater and yanked it over her head. He grumbled when he saw a tank top underneath. With a tug, he split it in half. Another yank and her bra was gone. When she tried to cover her breasts, he growled. He popped the button on her jeans then ripped the zipper down. Kneeling down, he pulled her underwear and pants off in one go. Her socks got stuck in the pants legs and got pulled off with them.

His face was pressed against her stomach. Every time he would inhale, a purring growl escaped his lips. She could feel herself become aroused at the sound, causing him to do it more. In the blink of an eye, she was staring up at the ceiling and his lips were on her clit. Her back arched with a cry as he inserted a finger and crooked it. Her fingers threaded through his hair, alternating between pulling him away and closer.

Another growl rumbled from him into her. The vibrations of his lips and stimulation of his fingers caused her to explode. She screamed as the orgasm hit. Her body sagged bonelessly onto the bed.

"Mine. Mine," he growled as he covered her body with his. He pulled one of her legs up to his hip. With one thrust, he seated himself inside his chosen mate. He snarled at the sensations; she gasped at the sudden fullness.

"Go," she begged. "Oh God, please move."

He pulled back then slammed back in. Her legs hooked over his hips as he began a pounding rhythm. He tipped her hips forward, making her cry out. He lost himself in her body and cries. He came back to his mind at the small pain of her teeth in his chest. Looking down, he saw his small mate with her teeth his chest over his heart.

"Yes," he snarled. His thrusts increased. "Mate. Mine."

"Yes. Oh God, yes!" Her head was thrown back. His orgasm seemed to begin at his feet. With a roar, he came.

He hung his head, panting for breath. She opened her eyes then smile. Then her eyes widened. He gently pulled out and sat back on his heels. Her gaze dropped to his dick. His still erect dick. She met his tawny gaze.

"Over," he grunted. She slowly rolled over. He grasped her hips and pulled her up to her knees and straight onto his cock. She gasped at the sudden penetration.

Emily and Kim waved off Jules and Collin. They paused in the kitchen doorway.

"Where'd Bella go?" Kim asked.

"I don't know. There's no note." She glanced around and frowned. Everything was exactly as it was when they'd left. "Go check upstairs before calling Jake." A minute later, she heard Kim exclaim, "Holy shit!"

"Kim!" Emily raced up the stairs to find her friend up against the wall from the guestroom. "What happened?" The girl pointed.

Glancing into the room, her mouth fell open. Bella was lying naked on the bed, her head hanging off. She glanced at the boy on the bed with her. No, not boy; wolf. Saffron eyes stared back at her. He growled softly as he licked at the wound on the girl's neck. His gaze never left them.

The girls in the hall barely noticed when other joined them.

"Hey," Quil said. "What are you looking at?"

"God, it smells like sex up here," Paul stated. He glanced in the room. The growling became more pronounced and aggressive. His eyes widened. "Shut the door and get back downstairs," he directed softly.

Once they were in the living room, Paul gave them directions. "Emily, Kim, finish up in the kitchen. Quil, go get your granddad."

"Paul, what's going on?" Emily asked.

"I'm not sure. I'm gonna wait outside. He's still growling up there."

"What is it, Daughter?" Old Quil asked Joy.

She sighed. "I know you've been explaining this for weeks now, but I guess I'm lost. From the journals, I thought that a gang bang was going to take place."

He choked on his coffee. An eyebrow rose. "Gang bang, Joy? Really?" She shrugged. "In question to the journals, I also thought the same, but Sue brought up a good point. None of the other wolves had imprints. We do. We've had six out of eleven wolves imprint; one is a double imprint. We also have the first female."

"Did you ever figure out why Leah?"

"Yes. Ready for me to go on?"

"Yeah. I'm with you. Them, no imprints. Us, imprints."

"When I spoke with the ancestors, they agreed that the old way wasn't needed for today. Bella has a wolf; Mary Elizabeth didn't. Now imagine Bella's soul as a wall." He pulled a sketchpad and pen from a drawer and drew several lines on it. "Each line is a fracture to her soul, a crack in a wall if you will. When each member of the pack spoke the words to her, he or she filled in those cracks." He shaded over the lines. "They are forever linked with a special bond. Closer than natural-born siblings. Bella is truly a member of the tribe now."

Joy opened her mouth to say something else when Junior slammed through the door. "You have got to come to Sam's. Seth's done flipped his shit."

A/N 2: (::) (::) Cookies to those who picked Seth!