AN: My editor and I are on diff schedules so please excuse the long wait. I took a slight sabbatical and thought I could get away with it but it seems there are some fans of this story out there. Sorry for the wait. Just so you know this chapter isn't fully edited because I'm still waiting, so with that said chapter 10. When I get it back from my editor it will be updated with corrections (minor).

10 Let's get together

I wasn't by any means a leader when I was younger. No-one ever said hey let's ask Bella Swan, or what would Bella do? No, I was usually the one to go with the flow and at least try to appease those around me. That's what made my friendship with Jacob so easy. He was a natural leader, had these ideas and ways to execute them while I was still trying to wrap my head around everything.

Therefore, when Jacob told me about the meeting he had requested with the elders I was hesitant. My friend on the other hand, looked confident. He saw this meeting as a preliminary and necessary evil. In Jacob's mind the matter was already settled, the pack would follow him. It was just in his best interest to get the Elder council behind him beforehand.

The Elders didn't enjoy their fall from power. When had Sam first begun to flip, they knew their time was over. Eventually, a stable leader of the pack would emerge and their hold over the tribe would be limited. It was a hard pill to swallow, especially having to look at the same face that was just in diapers years ago, tell them how things would be. Jacob Black was destined to lead yet, that still didn't make listening to this fifteen year old any less awkward.

The boy looked, carried himself and acted like a man. As he stood in front of the room addressing the tribe, some people shifted uncomfortably. Jacob knew the power he held over everyone. His mannerisms, even the way he looked at others had changed. It was a new era and this was the way it had to be.

"As the leader of the pack I say we have to join with the Cullens now. There is no time for counsel meetings and discussions. They have the knowledge we need to defend our land and our people. If we work together, we can eradicate the constant fear we live in," Jacob pleaded standing up to the dismay of the elders.

"I say we do it!" Seth agreed stepping forward next to Jacob.

The boy had grown taller in a short time. His small frame gave way to his new form. He was on the cusp of flipping, any day now the boy would have his pelt. He would have followed Jacob into the depths of any unknown.

"Young one you have no say here, not yet," Billy replied annoyed with the direction of the meeting.

"Why not? My Father is at home barely awake, I am the man of the house now," Seth replied his anger boiling.

"Says who?" Leah asked challenging her brother. "I'm the oldest I've already flipped."

"So you don't think we should help then?" Seth asked

"I didn't say that. I actually agree with Jacob," Leah replied turning towards Jake her eyes didn't quite meet his.

The girl could feel the ebbing of confusion and hurt coming from the boy. Jacob felt for her as she did for Sam. The longing, the pain of rejection she wished they could have been each other's mates. Things would have been so much easier if that was the case. Yet, nothing ever worked out that way, not for her. Leah had a theory that life was never going to be easier for her. She was the only female in the pack, which pretty much cemented her entrance into freakdom.

"Then are you with us?" her little brother asked. Leah met Jacob's eyes before he turned away quickly.

"Look, I realize you think you know what's the best for the pack, but the truth is you've never flipped before." Leah started addressing the Elders. Jacob stood back a bit, she was amazing and would have made a wonderful mate if they were meant to be. "We follow Jacob, wherever he goes and I say it's about time you fall in line."

It was unusual to see a sixteen-year-old girl talk to a room of adults as if she were their equal. Yet, that's what she was. The first female to flip and have a second nature was something highly revered. With her father sick and Leah being the eldest, she now had a place at the elder table if she wished to take it. The girl was the type to take it, another natural born leader. Leah was fast, witty and beautiful. Lately she had been a shell of herself but at that moment, she was a vision.

"You are just a pup," one of the elders replied. Jacob didn't see who it was, his focus was on Leah.

"At least I have a second nature. Maybe you haven't realized this yet but we are the future of this tribe. We protect your hides, so I suggest you let us do our job. Grant Jacob the permission, it is my will."

The Elders looked to each other defeated. They knew Leah was right, this meeting was called out of respect. It was their turn to return the gesture. If the council were to refuse Jacob would have taken over by force.

"Very well," Billy finally answered turning back towards his son. "We agree and are at your mercy. But beware, the Cold Ones are not like us. The Cullens may be trusted but the others ... that remains to be seen Son. Don't let your guard down for one instant."

Jacob turned away from his father hiding a smirk before meeting his gaze.

"I know what's best for the pack and this tribe. So leave it up to me Pops," Seth laughed following Jacob out of the room. Leah watched for a few moments following the two boys. Outside the pack waited already aware of the good news. They were just as excited for this fight as Jacob was. The idea of joining forces with the Cullens left a bad taste in their mouth, but still a battle was brewing. This was what they had flipped for, it gave meaning to their dual existence and the thrill was exhilarating.

Waiting for Jacob to send word back was like watching water boil. Edward knew I was going to be anxious and picked me up early that afternoon to spend the day worrying by his side. As we gathered in his living room, I could sense something was different about today.

"Carlisle has spoken with Italy," Edward whispered leaning towards me protectively.

"What does that mean?" I asked, the mention of the Volturi causing my pulse to race.

"It means they will let us handle this. For now," he finished sending chills down my spine.

"Edward!"

"I know," he sighed holding me close. "The Denali's are coming to assist us."

"The Denali's?" I asked annoyed and scared. "Just great."

"We need them."

The Denali's, the name should have given me a sense of ease. Nevertheless, with all the good they could do I was still leery. Alice had shared enough of their history to make me nervous with their upcoming arrival. While I was happy they could help, the damage they could cause was also in the back of my mind. Tanya Denali, I had heard the little jokes about the beautiful vampire whom Edward had refused long ago. She was the only Denali who had yet to take a mate, the very idea that she could have been waiting for Edward after all these years made my stomach lurch. She was beautiful no doubt, one of the original Succubus from what I could gather from Emmett.

"Now?" I asked, not bothering to whisper when the Cullens could easily hear me from a distance.

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner," Edward sighed holding my hand tightly.

"It was a last minute decision and I did not want you to worry."

I looked up into my boyfriend's eyes. He hadn't fed in a while, the golden irises receding to a black pool. If he could sleep I feared he would nod off for days. I wasn't sure how well vampires took stress but, Edward had been through it all this year.

"You still should have told me Edward," I chastised as Rosalie looked up from the couch before quickly standing. They had all been so still, listening and collecting their thoughts that the sudden movement was jarring.

"They are here," Edward murmured lowering his head like a dog who had just been reprimanded.

I held my breath as the new Coven entered the Cullen home. I stood close to Edward as they formally greeted Edward still unaware of my presence. "Is the human here?" A tall man asked, his voice had the hint of a accent, it sounded Italian or Spanish.

"She is," Carlise replied. Edward held my hand tighter.

"That's Eleazar, he can sense your powers Bella. Or at least what they will be." he smiled turning towards me. I couldn't see the others, they were behind Eleazar talking with Esme.

"Please my friends come in," Carlisle insisted as the room opened up and I could get a good look at the Denali coven.

Of course they were beautiful as all vampires are. Edward whispered introductions in my ear but there was one face I couldn't tear my gaze from. She was beauty personified and I knew it was Tanya by the look in her eyes when she spotted Edward speaking to me. Her long curly hair fell behind her shoulders perfectly. There was a tint of crimson that sparkled slightly in the sunlight. She looked older than Rosalie perhaps turned in her early twenties. Her lips were ruby red a sign that she had just made a kill, the red in her cheeks made her seem like a porcelain doll.

"and that's Tanya," I interrupted Edward not even listening to him.

"Yes," he replied looking up and greeting the guests.

"Edward," the woman smirked holding her hand out. Edward took is gently turning towards me. Tanya was a woman for sure. She had no insecurities of being turned as a teen or the inhibitions. She was a seductress, even my heart beat erratically as she eyed me up and down. I wasn't even competition I was a preliminary snack before she took on the real challenge.

"This is My Bella," Edward grinned brightly at me. My boyfriend emphasized the word 'my' and it wasn't lost on the woman before us. I wondered how he could even refuse Tanya let alone introduce me as if I was comparable.

"So you are Bella Swan?" the beautiful vampire grinned, her white teeth looked antagonizing even against the rubied flesh.

"Tanya," I replied gripping Edward's hand tighter, he responded by pulling me slightly away and acknowledging the entire Coven.

It was as if I had stepped into an old film with the most beautiful stars. I was merely a spectator as they spoke quickly and quietly all trying to gather information that was too sensitive to share over the phone. Alice was at my side the moment Edward was called over to speak with Carlilse.

"Quite a spectacle don't you think?" she whispered comically. The entire room could hear her, there was no need for whispering.

"Where will they stay?" I inquired turning towards my friend who smiled knowingly.

"We have a house for them, don't worry Bells. You are hungry, Esme already prepared something." I was pulled towards the kitchen with Alice leading the way. She was right, I was hungry, my stomach growled just as I sat down at the counter.

"What's going to happen Alice?" I inquired. It was the first time I had ever asked her that. My friend wasn't a magic eight ball but I still needed to know what she did, that was paramount.

"They're coming," she answered vaguely handing me a plate. I smiled staring at what was to be my lunch. Vegetable lasagna, it was one of my favorites and Esme had perfected her recipe.

"How many?" I questioned taking my fork and napkin.

"Enough," Rosalie answered with Emmett trailing behind her. "I'm guessing you two couldn't stand to be in there either?"

Emmett laughed sitting on the other side of me as Rosalie took to my right. "They couldn't smell ya Bells," the boy added smirking. "You're all they're talking about."

Rosalie made a face rolling her eyes, "That and the fact that we're about to have a slew of new vampires invading."

Emmett grinned. He loved the fight, he shook in anticipation of it. The very idea of a slew of new young vampires coming to Forks was enough to make him feel alive again. The idea of fighting side by side with Jacob's Tribe made it even more exciting. Jacob and Emmett had been training together for weeks, the two had become fast friends.

"It's going to be good, you have to see what Kate can do Bells," Emmett laughed standing up quickly.

"Emmett no!" Rosalie ordered but it was too late. I was a toy and Emmett wanted to show me off. "This is her," Emmett laughed introducing me to the tall woman in front of me.

"Kate," she replied. Her long blond hair fell under her shoulders it was straight and light like a tree elf. Holding out her hand the woman smirked waiting for me to take it. I did tentively as her smile fell. Emmett whooped in excitement as Rosalie smacked him on the back of the head.

"I told you!" the boy called out to his brother. Jasper shook his head in defeat.

"I don't understand," I looked to Emmett and then to Rosalie who rolled her eyes.

"My powers don't seem to work on you Bella Swan," Kate answered turning my attention back to her.

"Your powers?" I asked as she grinned nodding. The woman reached out towards Emmett making the boy recoil in pain.

"Ow, damn!" he cried out rubbing the spot where her finger had just graced his arm.

"Serves you right!" Rosalie chided ushering her husband away from the crowd.

"You are a shield, Eleazar was right about you. Very interesting and still human," she was talking at me and not to me. Her eyes tracing my outline full of wonderment.

"When will you be turned?" she inquired her gaze drifting to Edward. The room fell silent every member all wondering the same.

"Soon!" Alice replied emerging from the kitchen just at the right moment.

"Alice!" Edward chastised exasperated.

A tall man that looked like he was a woodsmen in his other life laughed heartily. His hair was wild and sandy brown.

"It cannot be helped Edward," his sister replied coiling her arm through mine.

"She's going to be powerful," Kate added. Alice tilted her chin up almost in defiance.

"She will be," the two stared at each other for a moment some kind of unspoken conversation taking place.

"I should take Bella home," Edward announced moving quickly towards me.

"I'll take her!" his sister offered not letting go of my arm.

"Alice, please." Edward met the small girl's eyes for a moment and she released her grip.

It wasn't until we were half way to my house before Edward spoke. "Perhaps I should have prepared you better for that Bella."

I turned towards my boyfriend. He seemed tense unable to read my thoughts was like hell for him.

"How could you Edward? How do you even begin to prepare someone to meet another vampire coven," I smiled trying to inject humor. "Besides, I think at this point nothing can shock me."

Edward smiled shifting the car into a higher gear as he sped down the road.

"Kate tried," he laughed as I narrowed my gaze.

"She did? So that's her power. Tanya is very beautiful. I'm not sure why you turned her down."

My boyfriend looked down for a moment before back towards the road.

"Is she?" he asked finally turning towards me.

I nodded slowly, filled with jealousy.

"She's perfect, and she's stayed without a mate for this long Edward."

He sighed pushing his foot down harder, speeding up. The scenery became more and more unfocused as we cruised past.

"If you could only see yourself Bella, the way I see you." My boyfriend took my hand squeezing it gently and reassuringly.

After Edward had dropped me off he had to go back to finish with the Denalis. It was odd to watch him go, when I was so used to him staying by my side. Jacob was still in his meeting and if all went well, the entire pack would be fighting with us. I had to have hope, there was no way this could be done without them.

Jacob would fight with us, that much I was sure of. Yet, with the elders behind him it would make the fight official. I was alone in the house for the next few hours. Renee was still out for the day and of course, my father wouldn't be home until after her. As I sat up in my room, I played with the icons on my laptop loading some of the pictures I had taken in Maryland. The cemetery, Alice's old house, even the plantation where her father had been raised. It was all surreal. I should have been anxious or frightened. Yet even with Jacob and Edward far away, I felt protected. I had tried to describe the feeling to Edward. The dreams of being watched, the shadows below my bedroom window at night. What should have been a nightmare calmed me, I felt safe.

My boyfriend worried that my dreams had seeped into reality. That there was something I wasn't telling him. He would stare out my window some nights, hoping to catch a glimpse of what I had described. So far, to him, they were merely visions of a tired human. I knew it was more, it had to be. Sometimes when I was alone, I would stare out the same window lost in thought.

It was hard for Edward to leave me. He hated when we weren't together. I could sense his urgency to return to my side, it was thoughtful and endearing. Yet, sometimes I basked in the privacy. To the Cullens and now even Jacob I was fragile, weak and I felt like an outsider to their world of supernatural. But, in my own home, alone or with my parents it was a different story.

When Edward had made it home that night, he was greeted with worried stares.

"How is she?" Esme asked her maternal instincts were always in affect.

"She'll be fine," Edward replied taking her hand for a moment.

"I know you hate leaving her alone Son," Carlisle replied looking at Edward with understanding.

"Jacob just called, they're in," Emmett announced holding his cellphone up for proof.

"Jacob?" Tanya asked slightly intrigued. Is that what the wolf's name is? Is he attractive?" she turned to Rosalie who rolled her eyes annoyed with the woman's presence.

"If you enjoy the smell of wet dog," the younger girl replied.

"Well that all depends," Tanya smiled licking her lips at the prospect of Jacob.

Tanya was always thinking about men. The look on Edward's face had told her all she needed to know. No matter how many tricks she tried, he was gone to her. If there was any shred of hope before, it was now completely gone. The woman should have known as much last year when the Cullens had come to their aid. Nevertheless, that was the thing with Tanya. She wasn't used to the word no, didn't understand it or accept it. Yet, there was something about this trip that seemed final. She had let the idea of Edward being her mate go, it was finally over.

"You can see for yourself," Alice chimed in sitting on the couch holding Jasper as the others spoke around them.

"He's close," Edward announced looking towards the door.

The vampires in the room turned their noses to the air. The Denali's braced themselves, the smell of a Skinwalker was new to them. Their natural instinct was to flee or fight. They had heard all of the stories. Fighting against their wills the new coven stood still, as Carlisle opened the door to greet Jacob. The boy was just changing back to his human form. He did so with the greatest of ease, the most skilled of his pack.

"I see we have company today," Jacob joked.

He was half-naked, his torn jeans hung against his taught hips. Tanya took him in, loving everything about the boy. He was broad shouldered, smelled rugged and wild like her dinner from last night but in human form. If her blood was still pumping, she knew she would have blushed at that moment. He was something new and a challenge.

The boy looked up holding his breath at the room full of vampires, double what he was used to. "Jacob, this is the Denali's," Edward introduced the boy as Emmett walked towards his friend hoping for some exorcise later.

"Good to have you here," the boy replied surveying the room. His instinct was to guess how many of the newcomers he could take out before they bit him.

"There won't be any need for that Jake," Edward warned causing Emmett to chuckle.

"Can't be helped," the boy shrugged.

"What can't?" Tanya asked walking forward making herself known to the boy.

Jacob couldn't help but swallow hard. He was used to beautiful vampires but none that looked at him this way. Rosalie usually wanted to kill him. This one seemed to have something different on her mind entirely.

"Oh, I ... uh?" Jacob looked to Emmett who was holding in a snicker.

"Tanya," she held out her hand as she had done with Edward. Jacob looked at it for a moment before taking her cold hand in his and shook it.

"You're so hot," she laughed grasping his hand a little longer than normal.

"They run a fever," Carlisle explained.

"Do they?" Tanya asked. She was flirting shamelessly causing Jacob to look around in shock.

He had expected a cold welcome, but not a beautiful vivacious vampire to seduce him.

"Can I see you change?" the woman asked quirking an eyebrow. Emmett finally snickered audibly.

"Tanya some tact?" Carmen chastised tilting her head at the boy who had just stunk up the room.

"Not now Carmen," the woman replied surveying her newest prey.

"There will be plenty of time to see that," Emmett laughed wrapping his arm around Jacob's shoulders and walking him to the other side of the room.

"I hope so," she commented under her breath watching Jacob walk away from her.

"How soon can they be ready?" Garrett asked, directing the question to Carlisle and not to Jacob. The boy was used to the disrespect, he let it slide as Edward tensed trying to block all the voices from flooding his own thoughts.

"My pack is ready for whatever, whenever," Jacob answered locking his jaw as Emmett pat his back.

"And what exactly can they do?" Eleazar asked, turning towards Jacob unable to read his abilities.

"Why don't we give them a demonstration?" Emmett offered heading towards the sliding doors that led to the backyard.

Carlilse smiled nodding to his son.

Tanya looked pleased as the vampires walked outside to get an idea of what the Skinwalkers were capable of. "Finally some action."

Emmett took off his shirt as Jacob grabbed for his pants. He was wary of Tanya's eyes watching his every move. She had set her sights on the boy and he knew it, could feel it. As he shifted into his wolven form, the vampire became even more enthused. She jumped from the porch where the others were watching and approached the chocolate wolf. Jacob watched as she approached him, her hand held out begging to stroke his fur. When her coldness met his coat, he shuddered a bit.

"It's amazing, I can feel him inside," she laughed leaning in close whispering in Jacob's furry ear. "Show me something wolf."

Jacob patiently waited for her to move away before he stretched his muscles eager to prove what his pack could do. Emmett was excited for a fight, he stretched his chest broad and wolf like. The two boys had done this so many times they now knew each other's weakness and strengths.

"How many are in the pack?" Eleazar asked as Jacob threw Emmett into a tree the crack echoing through the woods.

"Right now, there's about fifteen that have flipped, but more are coming of age everyday."

"And he's the Alpha?" the dark haired vampire inquired.

"He is, nearly killed the previous Alpha to prove it," Carlisle finished turning to his friend.

"They are created to kill us, you do realize that?" Eleazar added.

Carlisle laughed dryly shrugging. "Then it's a good thing they're are on our side,"

Eleazar smiled turning back to the fight as Jacob and Emmett out of breath circled each other ready to pounce.

"Boys! Demonstration is over, come inside."

Emmett turned towards his father as Jacob tackled him to the ground pinning him down.

"Come on Jake, that's cheating!" Emmett called out as Jacob back flipped off the large vampire changing back into his human form laughing.

"Fair is fair Emmett," the younger boy smirked.

"Yeah when I'm distracted, I call redo!"

Jacob shook his head pulling his pants on as he walked away from his friend.

"You can't call redo, you told me that last time!"

The vampires smirked as they listened to the two friends argue outside.

"It seems your family has become quite acquainted with them, how trustworthy are they exactly?" Eleazar asked walking into the kitchen. The room was a prop as far as he was concerned, he eyed it annoyed grimacing as Carlisle countered his statement.

"This is their home as much as it is ours. They'll fight with us not because we ask but because it's in their tribe's best interest to do so."

"And because I tell them to," Jacob added swinging his feet over the railing of the porch. The twenty foot jump was an easy feet and he was met with Emmett who had made the jump a moment behind him.

Eleazar turned to Carlisle his eyebrow perked up with a slight smile on his face.

"He's a brave pup I'll give him that."

Jacob smirked as Emmett tried to trip him on his way into the house.

"Boys, please," Esme chided glad the demonstration was finally over.

"You texted Bella," Edward confirmed with Jacob, the boy's smirk fell for an instant before he answered.

"That's a bad habit you have Cullen, I told you to stay out of my head."

"You know Bella as well?" Tanya asked moving closer to the two boys her eyes searching theirs for some clue to the story.

"They're childhood friends," Edward admitted locking his jaw causing Jacob to shake his head.

"Best friends," the russet skinned boy corrected. The hair on his back stood on end as Tanya approached. She had a sexual energy that made his instincts kick in. She was a temptress, he had never been affected quite this way before.

"Interesting, and you two are vying for her affections?" Tanya guessed incorrectly causing Jacob to grimace and Edward to sigh.

"She's like sister to me, just ... no."

I was at home attempting to write the story that was ruminating in my head. It wasn't coming out, the stubborn words refused to form as I stared at the white screen annoyed. Jacob had just called excited and on his way to the Cullens. He had good news, it should have excited me or at least calmed my nerves. Instead, I felt like this made everything final. Full of apprehension and fear I laid down trying to nap before Edward's return.

Like one of those half awake nightmares I was frozen in fear when Edward shook me awake. He stood over me his amber orbs searching every feature for some hint as to what I was dreaming about.

"Bella, are you alright?"

I wasn't sure what had happened. Peering over a the clock I realized how much time had passed, two hours felt like a small moment.

"I'm, fine ..." I answered looking around the room, the dream had seemed so real. Edward followed my gaze, his nose in the air searching for something out of place.

"Someone was here, in my room watching me sleep. But, it wasn't you Edward!" I tried to explain the dream clearly with every passing word Edward's face dropped more and more.

"No-one was here Bella, I just came through the window myself. It was another dream."

I nodded slowly but my heart sped up. It wasn't just a dream, I had awoken that much I was sure of. There was someone there, watching me as Edward had so many times. It wasn't creepy, but jarring. I was stuck in-between consciousness and a dreamlike state unable to process the figure before me. As quickly as it appeared, it vanished leaving me dumbfounded.

"I was dreaming again," I sighed sitting up, my Mac still warm laid next to me.

Edward smirked, the smile barely reaching his eyes, "Remind me not to leave you alone Bells. Did you get any writing done?"

I shook my head, the frustration of being unable to write for the last few months bubbling up. My boyfriend grinned cupping my face in his cold hands. He felt good, calming as he kissed my forehead gently then my cheeks and finally settling on my lips. He was so cautious and apprehensive. His own desire to protect me conflicted with his need to be with me as a man. I could feel the turmoil within him as he sighed pulling away. His hands softly holding me close to him.

"You're tired I'm sure," he urged laying me down next to him as I snuggled closer my head on his shoulder.

"How did the Denali's like Jake?" I laughed closing my eyes as the memory of the recent dream ebbed.

"I believe Tanya might be taken with him," he chuckled causing my eyes to open quickly.

"My Jacob! Edward!" he shook his head running his hands through my hair.

"Don't worry, they have already spoken to her about it. She knows why she is here."

I sighed unable to keep my eyes open any longer. "I don't trust her."

"I do," Edward retorted kissing my eyelids as I fell into a deep sleep.