Closure

by BBMelissa

It has been 5 years since Edward left Bella broken and isolated in the forrest. Now, he has come back to Forks to claim her. However, things have changed and Bella has created a bond with Jacob that not even Edward or fate can destroy.

36. Chapter 35:Awakenings

A/N: Happy Fourth of July! I hope that everyone enjoys their holiday. As always, I want to thank my Beta and my close friend for their invaluable help editing this chapter. A reader suggested in one of the reviews that I have an synopsis to make things easier to remember and I thought it was a good idea. Let me know if you approve. As always…enjoy!

Synopsis: Chapter 34 "Family Gatherings"

Bella finds out that Brandon is her twin brother and is excited about their relationship although Jacob is somewhat hesitant. The pack meets up at Embry's house and gets to know his new girlfriend, Veronica. Veronica reacts strangely to Bella bracelet and makes a mysterious phone call to her sister-in-law about her grandmother's "curse". Jake and Embry bond for the first time as brothers. Bella and Jake tell the pack their good news. Leah finds the strange claw marks and blood in the woods and tells the others. She and Bella discuss old loves and heartbreaks, displaying how vulnerable Leah actually is. Bella remarks that she wishes she had had an opportunity to have closure with Edward when he returned. Sam realizes the pain that he's caused Leah and apologizes for his treatment of her in the past. Leah is a bit conflicted when moves in with Noah, instead of Emily. Emily's mother pressures her to take Sam back frustrating Emily who realizes that things aren't the same anymore. Leah goes off by herself in wolf form and finds herself being hunted. Kenya is frightened by her new found power but asks Sasha not to say anything to Roman.

Chapter 35: Awakenings

"The past was nothing to her; offered no lesson which she was willing to heed. The future was a mystery which she never attempted to penetrate. The present alone was significant."

Jane

The sounds people talking, vendors selling their wares, and aroma of food, permeated Jane's senses awakening her from her strange deep slumber. Light streamed in from the windows in the tower room alerting her to the passage of time. The vampire lay in the mist of the bed enjoying the feel of the sheets against her naked body, something she hadn't done since she had been a young human girl. She couldn't believe it, she had actually been asleep, something vampires didn't do unless they compelled themselves to do, which she hadn't. Images of the night before bombarded her mind as a slow satisfied smile made its way on her lips. I'm now a woman in everyway. She thought thinking about the pleasures that she had finally been allowed to enjoy.

Aaron, The Immortal, had done things to her body that had sent shivers up her spine. He had taken her wildly, roughly and in ways that she never thought that she'd like and loved every minute of it. So beautiful with his ripped lean body as if the Gods themselves had come down and carved his chiseled body out of magnificent sacred stone. Aaron was so powerful, so masterful and so incredibly dangerous. The combination of such attributes was intoxicating to her. When he had taken her blood from her, it had been so wickedly pleasurable. The way that the pain had mingled the pleasure, she had never felt such a thing in her life. She knew that he was the ultimate predator. IF he had wanted to take her immortal life, he could have and Jane knew that she would have been powerless to stop him. Her power, one that worked on so many others of her kind, did nothing to him. That alone should have enraged her instead it aroused her.

Sliding from the bed she strolled into the master bathing room. As she did she passed a mirror she noticed an image. The image stopped her dead in her tracks. Jane's eyes widened at the striking image she saw in the mirror. Her cold fingers touched the smooth glass as a breath seemed to escape her body.

"How…"

Those same fingers slowly touched her face. It was her face, but with the bolder lines and the refined elegance that maturity brought. Gone was the baby face that she had secretly abhorred. In its place was something much more alluring with much more mature lines. She looked like a fragile porcine siren. Her lips were pink lush and full. Her lustrous white blonde hair now fell in waves to the small of her back. But it was her body that captivated her the most. She now had a body of a woman, not a young girl. She was still thin, but her hips had a curve to them and her breasts were fuller, like small apples with pink tipped nipples. She cupped them loving the feeling their weight in each of her hands. She was no longer bare, but had small amount of soft white hair to cover her sex. A child-like giggle of happiness escaped her mouth as she turned to look herself from behind. Her backside had filled out giving her a small heart-like bottom. She twirled around as a joy that she couldn't express filled her. This was what she would have looked like if she had been allowed to mature to the age of 18. She looked as if she were mixture of refined beauty, innocence; with a hint of sexuality … she looked like a woman.

Do you like your transformation? Aaron's thoughts were like a caress in her head.

Jane raced out of the bathroom and looked around the empty tower room when she spied the opening toward the outside belfry. She quickly stepped outside; Aaron sat on the high ramparts. She studied him for a moment with pure adoration in her eyes. If possible he was even more handsome in the morning light. His magnificent chest was naked except for his tattoos and he wore nothing but his leather pants, his fingers strumming Come as You Are, by Nirvana. Her sparkling eyes studied those same fingers that had played and stroked her to the most unimaginable pleasures the night before. In the light he looked more human than any of her kind. But he was no mere human, nor was he a vampire; instead she was convinced that he was a God.

"No Jane, I am not a God." He remarked looking up from the strings as he played. She moved toward him, naked and uncaring as she fell to her knees in front of him in a display of submission that she hadn't given anyone since she had been a victim to her human father. He stopped playing; putting the guitar down to gently caressed her face as he pulled her up to face him.

"How did you do this?"

His teen-like face became solemn. "Yours is not to ask how, just be grateful," he gently admonished as he kissed the lips slowly. "I knew your deepest desires and wanted to give you something you've always wanted. Are you not happy?" He whispered.

"Happy is such a lacking word compared to what I feel." Jane uttered with more raw emotion then she had had in all her centuries of immortal life. "What you've done and given me is a gift that I will forever cherish."

"I know that you will." He remarked softly, his dark hair falling over his shoulders. "It is a thank you for the gift of your blood."

"Do you give everyone who gives you their blood a gift like this?"

"No. I don't. You, my dear are special."

Pride filled Jane's chest. She was special to him and he was like no other creature in this world. Dispite his words to her he was like some sort of immortal God. For centuries she had adored Aro giving him her loyalty and love. That had not changed, but now she realized that the love that she had thought that she felt for her Sire was nothing compared to the love she was beginning to have for Aaron. What she felt for this magnificent being whom she had only know for less than a day was something deeper, something darker.

Pure adoration and devotion radiated though her eyes. "Do you have need for more, because it is yours if you ask?" She ought to be abhorred at the thought of being food for him. However she didn't look at it that way anymore. Anything Aaron need, she'd make sure he had. "I'm yours for asking and for the taking."

"That, I already know."

He stood moving away from her to look down from the rampart to the humans down below in the city. His face darkened for a moment as if he spied something that displeased him.

"What is it?" Jane asked as she followed his gaze.

He turned back to her. "Nothing." He softly smiled at her.

"I've never felt more alive than I do today. Last night, this gift, it's more than I ever expected." She grasped his hands as a single blood-red tear escaped from the corner of her eye as she brought his hand sup to her mouth to kiss them. "Thank you." She closed her eyes.

Aaron looked at the creature that he had transformed. He ought to be thanking her for what she had unknowingly given him. Jane was a key player in the Volturi stronghold a formidable predator who kept the balance of power in their hands because of her unusual talent. And she was a creature he was willing to exploit to get what he wanted and to see his personal agenda come to pass. True, he had known about her for centuries, however he had been very patient, waiting for the right time to step in. The Fates had allowed him to know that this was the time to begin making his move. Things were happening and soon the supernatural would soon be coming together and the ultimate power play would begin. This is what he had been waiting more than a millennia for.

True he didn't completely condemn Jane for some of her actions for she had been a victim of serious abuse and had been turned too young. Her mind was twisted, full of pain and a perverse need for sadistic pleasure. He knew that a creature like her, if not able to be changed would have to be put down. Jane was a vicious in nature, a predator, almost heartless. And she was so fucking perfect for his plan. Taking her had been easy. He knew that she had wanted more than anyone, that she had wanted desperately to be seen as a woman, taken as a woman, and given the body of a woman. Using his powers, he had done what no other being other than the most powerful of the Fae could only do. His power in fact went beyond simple fae glamour/ he had actually changed her cursed vampire body altering it to slightly more mature age. In addition, he had done much more taking her blood and along with it inheriting her ability to cause pain to other vampires with a mere thought. There were things that Aro didn't understand about him or his abilities, things that Aaron had no intention of sharing. He was the first of his kind, the Alpha; however he planned to be the Omega when his goal finally was at hand. Aaron was part Fae, cursed, but along with that curse came the ability to absorb powers from those who were special. Jane was simply a part of just one of the many in his "collection" however she was all part of the Endgame.

He looked down at Jane whose face was still full of adoration "Jane, would you be willing to do anything for me?"

"Yes." She uttered with pure a worship reserved for nuns in church when praying to the cross. Like them, her loyalty, her body even her free will was his for the taking. He nodded showing her his pleasure before he leaned down to kiss her. Jane's body melted into his. Her tongue stroked against his own as he deepened the kiss. Jane was a catalyst in his ultimate goal for his Endgame. He pulled away lifting his head. He looked off toward the opening toward the tower room. "Now it's time to eat."

Jane leaned her head back allowing him access to her neck.

He smiled loving her submission to him as his finger caressed the slope of her neck.

"No, our meal has arrived. Go and open the door to let them in." Jane paused for a moment using her vampire sense, she hadn't heard anything. She headed back inside the tower room. When she made a move to cover her nudity with his shirt, he stopped her. "Do not cover you new body. I enjoy looking that which I have given you."

Jane nodded and headed to the door and opened it, unabashed, enthralled with her new and improved body. One of the guards, Leon, was standing on the other side with a human pretty female who looked to be nothing more than a scared little rabbit.

"That will be all. I'll send if we have need for another." Jane reached out, pulled the female into the room and shut the door. She turned to find Aaron standing in the room. He had striped and was naked. His cock was hard and pulsating. Jane licked her lips wanting to sink to her knees and take him into her mouth as she had done the night before.

"Come." He uttered.

Jane stepped forward for a moment when she realized that he wasn't addressing her but the human female.

"You have nothing to be frightened of." He said to the human with his face that seemed to belong to a fallen Angel. The human calmed, her breaths settled as if under some sort of trance. The female stepped forward. "Strip." He told her and moments later the female found the fastenings to her dress. "Good."

Anger coursed through Jane as she watched the voluptuous female.

"Beautiful, isn't she?" Aaron stated. He moved behind the female lifting her heavy hair to caress her dark skin."Pershian …my favorite."

He caressed the female's neck. "Come Jane."

Jane hesitated for a moment when she saw the fire in his eyes. It wasn't a suggestion, it was a command. She complied much like the female and came forward. He smoothed the hair away from the female's neck. "Drink, feast, and take all that you need."

Jane stepped forward hunger filling her. She heard the female's blood running through her veins. She smelled the blood. She moved with vampire speed, her mouth open. When she moved to strike, Aaron caught her around her neck with his grasp. "Gently, take it gently; you do not need to savage her." Fire sparked in Jane's eyes. Her hatred for the human who had Aaron's care grew. As if he read her hostility, he leaned forward hand still pulling her hair and stared deep into her blooded eyes "Do not press me on this Jane. When you deal with me, I want your complete submission. Do you understand?" He persisted.

A part of her was aghast she was now under a man's thumb yet another part loved the fact that he was so masterful.

"Fine." She relaxed in his grip. He released her and she leaned forward gently biting down. The female's blood coursed through her mouth, coated her tongue and slid down her throat filling her. The delicious taste overwhelmed her. She pulled the female toward her, not caring that she was nude. She just wanted to drink and drink and drink.

The female moaned but not in pain, instead with pleasure.

Sometime Later

Jane kicked at the naked dead body of the female causing it to fall off the bed unto the floor where the other two dead females lay. She and Aaron had drunk together taking their fill. At first, Jane had mistakenly thought that Aaron wanted them to join their bed play. However he had explained that although he had taken more than one woman together in the past, that wasn't what he had truly wanted from her. Aaron would in fact savor the human's blood, igniting their pleasure with his bite, teaching Jane to do the same. As soon as they were lost in the euphoria he's drain them dry killing them coaching Jane to do the same.

"They actually liked it." Jane said wiping her mouth speaking about the new experience.

"If you can control yourself and the bite, humans will like it and not fight. Although you still need to kill them so they won't be transformed into vampires. Jane turned toward him seeing a rivet of blood on the side of his mouth. She slowly licked at it with her tongue. "Not all things need to be conquered with aggression."

The women hadn't seen it coming. They had been so enthralled with the bite that when both she and Aaron were done their bodies empty of their life force, he simply took their heads between his hands and snapped their necks quickly… no muss or fuss.

Although she wouldn't really want to admit it seeing Aaron act with such brutal practicality made her extremely horny. Unlike her who had taken the female's blood from their neck, he had taken from their inner thigh. Watching him suckle the blood had almost been like watching him make love. She was fascinated by him. His body had been bathed in the sun, his touch almost gentle, when suddenly the predator would surface. Jane realized that he was a male that she'd never quite figure out and she liked it.

"Full?"

"Yes."

"Good."

"I can have the guard to come to remove the bodies." Jane suggested though she was loath to have anyone else come and interrupt their time together.

"Later…"

Aaron pulled her toward and under him with vampire speed pushing her thighs apart. "I have a taste for something else right now." With that, he lowered his head between her legs and his mouth latched onto her.

Aaron stepped out of the hot shower, steam billowed in the air. His body was tight, lean full of cut muscles. He pulled at the Egyptian cotton towel to dry his hair. He studied his image for a moment before he left the bathroom. He glanced toward the bed where Jane was in an induced sleep. He dropped the towel on the floor and went to his leather backpack. There he took out specialized oil. The three females they had killed where lying as if simply asleep on the floor. He then knelt before each of the female anointed their foreheads saying a prayer for their souls. For a fleeting moment, he let down his guard and there was sorrow in depths of his eyes. This was who he was; it had taken him a long time to accept it. Although unlike the others he could control his blood lust from time to time, substance could only come from feeding off humans or other vampires. He had tried to feast on animals but their blood seemed to make him ill. Therefore, this was the creature he was forced to be. This cursed thing. The human females had been innocent as many before him had been but at least their souls were released to go somewhere, not trapped on earth in an unending madness. They were the blessed ones. He was cursed. What he wouldn't give to be like them, free.

One day, I will be free of all this madness. He thought as he pulled on his clothing. He reached for his backpack, his I-Pod. He put the earplugs in, pushed the button as JayZ's New York filled his ears. Then with one little glance at Jane knowing she'd never awaken before he came back. And like a flash, he was gone teleporting out of the Volturi stronghold to New York City, where, he had a very important meeting to hold.

Emily

A shooting pain pierced Emily's side as she jolted awake. Wincing she allowed herself to feel the pain, not tensing or becoming alarmed. Slowly the pain resided and she sighed. She rolled to her side and found Sam's side of the bed empty. Her fingers touched the pillow.

What am I going to do now?

She had no idea. Her life was in limbo. She was pregnant, had a son and a missing husband. A husband that was very much in love with another woman. A husband who may not have cheated physically but had certainly cheated emotionally, which was just as bad, if not worse. Emily wasn't even sure how to deal with her own feelings at the moment. She wanted to curl up and cry. Everything that she knew, that she counted on was falling apart.

She glanced at the clock. Could it be right? It couldn't' be, it was almost 10 in the morning. How in the hell was it possible that she had slept so late. Eric could have cried out hours ago. Fear that something had happened to her son motivated her as she got up as quickly as she could. Moving from her bedroom to her living room she found a note the kitchen table. Her mother had come in early and gotten Eric for the day. At least she'd have a reprieve from her mother's hounding if only for a couple of hours. Turning counter she turned on the coffee maker, breaking her own rule about coffee during pregnancy. At a time like she needed the caffeine some coffee in times like these. She had just placed a croissant the microwave when the doorbell rang. She opened it expecting one of the visitors but was surprised to see Sam standing on the other side of the door.

"Sam." She whispered. She was surprised by his appearance and the lock of white hair in the front of his head. Other than looking a little wary in the eyes, he seemed to have healed.

Sam looked at Emily. She had always been quite beautiful and pregnancy certainly agreed with her. He couldn't help to glance at her ring finger where a gold band of a wedding ring lay next to a solitary diamond.

"May…uh..may I come in."

"Sure." She turned to let him in and went into the kitchen. "Would you like some coffee?"

"Yes, please." He responded as looked around.

Emily watched Sam as she got a mug. There was look at his face as he moved around the living room studying everything. It almost seemed like he were seeing it for the first time.

"Is everything alright?"

Sam looked at his wife. Wife, fuck, I still can't believe that I'm married to Emily. His eyes found her rounded belly. His life was growing inside of her.

"There is a lot to talk about."

"I know."

"Emily…I just want you to know up front that I'm so sorry."

Her lips pursed for a moment. Then she looked down to play with her wedding band. "I see. So, you've felt it too, right. What am I saying, of course you felt it." She looked up at him. "I guess it's disheartening to find that most of those feelings were only because of the Imprint."

Sam was confused.

"Listen, I don't think that we need to make this even more difficult that it is. I get it. Your with Leah now and.."

"No. Wait." He moved toward her. "Is that why you think I'm here to tell you that I've left you for Leah?"

" I'm trying to be as adult as I can about this Sam. I just can't take anymore. Of course you are, I know that you love her. I know that you've always loved her. I tried…I really did. I know that if it hadn't been the Imprint you never would have looked at me. True, I did always have a crush on you but it wasn't until the Imprint that things escalated between us. Then you suddenly looked at me at a way that I never thought you would and I suddenly had this need to be with you. But now, we know the truth don't we? What I felt, what you felt, it was the Imprint all along wasn't it? It wasn't really us. All this time you've been fighting your feelings for Leah, now you don't have to do that anymore."

Sam was stunned. "Emily. That's not…that's not what I've come to say." He looked at her pain filled face.

"It isn't?"

"No." He sighed. " I messed things up, didn't I?"

"Yeah, you did."

Sam went to her. "I'm so sorry. For all the pain. For the way that I treated you. For the way that I betrayed you because of my feelings. Marriage is a serious commitment and I take it seriously, you've got to know that. But…" He looked away for a moment. "I fucked it up just like it seems like I fucked up everything." He reached out and touched her hand. " For the pain that I caused you…I am truly sorry."

Emily looked down at Sam's hand resting on her own. It was no longer the warm burning hand that it was when he had the wolf. It was cool like her own. She studied his eyes. Love filled her heart. It wasn't the burning passion she usually felt, but something gentle and sweet. He was hurting just as she was. But there was something else there under the surface that she sensed from the man who shared her home, her bed and her heart for so many years. "Something's happened hasn't it?"

An Hour Later

Sam looked through the photo album turning the page to study the images of his son. "My God, he's so beautiful."

"He is." She looked over his shoulder. "He has your smile."

Sam then smiled at her. "I know."

Emily snuck a peek at Sam. His story seemed so unbelievable. But he had told her about how he had awakened unaware of their life together, their marriage or even their children. And although it pained her somewhat, it explained a lot. This Sam seemed different.

She touched his hand. "I'm sorry."

" YOU have nothing to feel sorry about. I'm the one who's an ass apparently."

"Not all the time." She smiled. "You are wonderful father and most of the time a very loving husband."

"When I wasn't making you feel horrible or insecure."

"It wasn't like that."

"No." He said. "Noah told me the truth."

"Noah's protective of you."

Sam laughed.

"What?"

"Yes, he is protective of me, but you too. And after what I've done to you, Leah and him. I can't believe that he's even talking to me, let alone allowing me to stay in his home."

"What do you mean by that?"

"Nothing." The last thing Sam wanted to do was to bring up things from the past. He stood. " I..uh…would like to see him."

Emily nodded. "Alright. You can come over for dinner. I'll make stuffed pork chops. It's your favorite."

"I would love that." He paused. "Emily…"

"I know that we have a lot to talk about." She caressed her belly. "Things to work out, but right now neither of us has the answers. But I know that you need your son and Eric needs you. I'm his mother and I'd never take him from you, you need to know that. Besides I think that it would be better to wait to explain that you don't remember him. Right now he misses you, he needs your love. You may not remember him but I know that you'll love him the moment you see him."

Sam was truly surprised by the compassion Emily was displaying for him. She was such an amazing woman. After all that he had done to her, she had welcomed him home. Listened to him and been such a supportive woman. Emily, he knew was no doubt an amazing wife and mother. It truly was too bad that although he loved and cared for her, he was NOT in love with her.

Emily was in the process of taking a loaf of homemade bread out of the oven when there was a knock at her screen door. She turned and was pleasantly surprised to see Noah standing outside. "Noah, come on in. I was just finishing lunch."

"I guess that I came at the perfect time."

"Yes, you did." Emily smiled. She watched as Noah came inside. For a moment she noticed how handsome he was. He looked somewhat like Sam but not with all the harsh lines. She had never noticed how muscular he was in a lean way or how beautiful his chocolate his eyes looked. His hair was long as he fell to the middle of his back in a ponytail. Wow…Noah is actually hot. How the world had she never noticed him before. Her finger brushed against the bread plate of the burning it. "Ouch!" She cried out.

Noah rushed her to side to take her hand in his and pulled her injured thumb under the cool water. He smiled down looking at her. "Are you alright?"

"Yeah…just clumsy."

"You are never clumsy." He said looking down at her. His body was so close to hers that she swore she could feel the heat coming off of it. Suddenly a little uncomfortable being so close to him she pulled away from him giving him an awkward smile. Noah's turned away to go to the fridge. There he pulled out an icepack and put it on her thumb.

"What brings you by?"

"What? I can't spend drop by to see how my favorite person is doing?" He asked with a handsome smile. Emily thought that Noah was a wonderful man. He worked hard to become an architect and had currently been working the last year or so. He had even added a few ideas to Bella and Jake's house. Not only that, he was generous. He coached for free at the neighborhood middle school helping kids, and always seemed to have time for the elders in the tribe. Many of the single women in the tribe were attracted to him. Although he dated, he never seemed to have any permanent and she had never understood why. Watching him with Eric, she knew that deep down, more than anything, Noah wanted his own family.

"No. You can. You know that I love having your around." Noah was Sam's family. At first when she and Sam had gotten together, he had been angry. With Sam and she suspected, with her as well. He had stayed away. Over time though things changed and she found Noah had been a great source for her. "But I know you." She turned toward him as she based the bread with butter. "You're checking up on me. It's not necessary. I'm fine."

"Emily."

"I am and I know it sounds crazy." She paused cutting the bread and placing some Gouda cheese, that she always had on hand just for him, sliced grilled chicken and red bell peppers, then she placed it on the pani press to make him a hot sandwich. "Sam came by but I think that you already know that."

"He seemed changed when he came back to my place, more relaxed." Noah remarked taking the plate as Emily opened up container with her famous red cabbage coleslaw. Then she cut up some watermelon and sprinkled mint on top of it for them.

Noah poured them both glasses of iced Green tea. "Sam's different."

"You sense it too."

"Yes." He said biting into his sandwich. A look of pure heave crossed his face. Nobody cooked like Emily. He knew that she had always wanted to open up her own restaurant, but somehow that dream of her hers had been waylaid like so many.

"So."

She cut herself a piece of bread spread on her homemade marmalade on it and sat next to him. "So what?"

"Emily, what are you going to do?"

"I don't know."

"You don't?"

"No." She paused taking a bite. She said nothing for a long while as she chewed. Noah let her. He knew that she needed time to adjust to everything.

"He still loves her." He finally said.

"Even more now...I know." She added with a resigned faraway look in her eyes.

"I'm sorry-"

"It's gone Noah." She interrupted. Her fingers brushed his.

"What is?"

"My love for Sam." She whispered with fear shining in her eyes. She needed to get this out to be truly honest with herself and she knew that she was telling the one person who would keep her secrets. Over the years, Noah had proven himself to Sam, but as a confident to her. She had found in the last year or so it was Noah she spoke to about her dreams and wishes. It was he that she had confided in.

Within the depths of his deep dark eyes, there lingered compassion."I know that you are upset with him but I am very much aware how much you love him-"

"Noah. It's not about Leah. It's…" She sighed trying to figure out to explain it. "I still care about him so much. He's the father of my children, but ever since that night. Something's different." Her gaze held a great sadness. "I'm different. It's like I've been reset or something. I can't…" She paused looking for the right words to say when she had none. "The Imprint is broken and not just on Sam's side, but mine as well. I'm afraid that I'm no longer in love with him and even if he wanted me back and was no longer in love with Leah, I'm not sure if he's what I want."

Leah

Leah snuggled her face into the cozy mattress. A groan escaped her mouth as the raw masculine scent of spice and chocolate permeated her nostrils; she inhaled the sensual aroma deep into her lungs. Her body screamed out in protest as she rolled over onto her back. God, she ached all over-her arms, her thighs, and even her back. It was like she had been in poor physical condition and been forced suddenly into one of Jillian Michael's personal training sessions from The Biggest Loser. Her mind repelled against the pain however it slowly came to her semi-conscious mind that it wasn't just her limbs that ached. There was soreness in between her legs as well. Leah slowly opened her eyes; as usual a pillow covered her face. Sam had always teased that she was a wild sleeper, taking up half of the bed, twisting about in all sorts of crazy positions. Pushing the pillow away, sunlight hit her directly in the eye. Squinting she covered her eyes with her arm while her eyes blinked to adjust. It took a few moments and when she did she realized that her right hand was bandaged and that the cherry ceiling with the double tiered ceiling fans above her head were not her own.

Leah quickly sat up to find that she was naked in a tremendous bed located within in a massive L- shaped bedroom. Where the fuck am I? She wondered when, suddenly, as if her brain were downloading the events from the night before, everything came back to her in a flash.

Flashback

Leah took off, running at fast as her four legs could take her as the massive wolf hunted her. It was fast and bigger than her but she had learned over the years that her size could be an advantage. She was agile and quick, able to fit in some of the smaller spaces that the other members of her pack couldn't. Although the woods were not her own, she relied on her to her natural instincts to help her.

If she weren't so far from home she'd be able to call out to her pack members but she was hours from the others.

Fuck! She thought. Why in the hell had she been so reckless as to come out here alone? The pack had upped their patrols at home so she'd figured she be safe and besides, she needed time away to deal.

Leah raced on, self perseverance foremost in her mind. Her thoughts centered on her mother. How much Sue loved her and how much she suffered when her father, Harry, had died. She didn't want her mother to have to identify her mangled body.

Fuck no! I'm not going down like that, without a fight. She thought.

So she pressed on.

The creature was behind her, getting closer. She could hear its paws hitting the earth behind her. Suddenly, she felt a pain pressing hard against her in her mind. It felt as if he brain was going to explode. It was so debilitating it caused her to lose her footing-and down she went as a tree suddenly crashed near her.

No! Her mind rebelled as the wolf suddenly bounded over her. Instead of lading on top of her as she expected, it landed almost ten feet ahead of her. Its massive head looked around in the dark and she couldn't help but to feel as if it were waiting for something. The wolf's behavior confused her. Why didn't it attack when it had the advantage. Then as quickly as it started, the pain in her head suddenly dissipated as if it had never happened. It was then that Leah realized that there were other sounds coming toward them. She spied shapes, two massive ones. They were tall almost seven feet. But they weren't human. Instead they looked like a beautiful mixture of wolf and man. The creatures ran on two feet, their faces animistic with wolf like eyes, their bodies muscular covered with a fur that looked bluish-black. Leah couldn't believe what she was seeing as the wolf, which was already three times as big as Jake actually grew in size right before her.

The creatures moved quickly toward the outsized wolf. They attacked together in sync with one another both trying to take on the wolf when the wolf's massive paws struck at one of the creatures, sending it reeling off into the air causing it to hitting a tree. The other creature, the wolf pounced, catching it with its heavy it jowls. The wolf's mouth latched onto the creature's jugular. It let out the most painful scream that Leah had ever heard tearing it to shreds as blood poured down its neck. The creature tried in vain to stop the attack, its claws sinking into the wolf's fur tearing at it as it fought for its life. The other creature had rebounded and come out of nowhere face racing toward Leah. Although she had a cut paw, Leah tensed to launch herself at it when suddenly she was hit from the side by the bigger wolf. The blow was so intense that Leah instantly blacked out before she hit the ground.

When she came to, her head was spinning with pain. A whimper escaped her mouth as she slowly sat up. Leah was no longer in wolf form but instead, her human one. She winced as she lifted her head and was horrified to see that both creatures were torn to pieces. Their heads were gruesomely separated from their bodies. In all of your years, she had seen a lot dealing with vampires, but they at least ended up as ash, not like this bloody mess. She couldn't help to turn her head in disgust hoping that her stomach wouldn't retch at the sight and stench.

Her eyes slowly searched through the darkness of the night. Where the hell was the wolf that caused this damage?

That was when the back of her hairs at her nape stood up and she knew that she was no longer alone. Slowly Leah turned and there was colossal wolf stood. It stared at her long and hard but made no aggressive move toward her.

Leah knew that she wasn't in any condition for a fight. She needed to buy some time before transforming. If the wolf did this to those creatures who had been faster and most likely stronger than her, only God knew what it could do to her. Still, she wasn't about to simply lie down and die for anyone.

She watched the wolf, assessing it for any notable signs of weakness, yet saw none. The claw marks that had been red and bloody were now gone, as if they had never been. And then there were its eyes. It didn't have that wild look in them instead it almost seemed as if it was trying to tell her something. As she stood there, naked, bruised with a bloody hand she held her ground never lowering her eyes in submission, waiting for the inevitable attack yet nothing happened. For a moment she wondered if she had had it all wrong. Maybe the wolf hadn't been hunting her? What if it had been trying to protect her against the creatures? One thing she knew, just by sheer size, this wasn't some wolf. Maybe it could understand her. Knowing it wouldn't hurt to try, she communicated with the wolf.

"I don't know if you can understand me or not. But I think that maybe you were trying to protect me, not hurt me." She whispered. She waited for something in it's eyes to let her know that he understood her when the wolf transformed and standing in its place was a very sexy and very naked Lucian.

"You're correct Leah; I was trying to protect you from them. I'm sorry if I hurt you when I tried to push you out of the way."

Lucian looked at his mate with pride. She was magnificent in her human and well as in her wolf form. She had courage and strength, something he deeply admired. The night before, she had been willing to take on the Children of the Moon even after seeing the damage it could do. He respected her greatly because she hadn't run however he couldn't have allowed her to take that creature on knowing that would have killed her. She wouldn't be ready for that type of fighting until he trained her properly. He was old born during a time in which females didn't fight but Lucian was different. He and his brother had been trained to fight and he planned to train Leah to do the same, just as they had trained Nafre.

"You…" Leah stood flabbergasted as her eyes drunk in Lucian's magnificent naked body. In all the things that she had seen in her life, she hadn't expected this. Leah actually looked confused. "I don't understand…how did you get here? How did you know that they were even here?" She asked suspiciously. A part of her was furious. All the hope that she had for something normal was now gone. How the hell did you find me?"

There was no way that he was going to explain to her their connection just yet. That would be too much for her to take and he was afraid of scaring her off. "I sensed them. Those creatures have a signature that I can pick up. I had to stop them before they were able to hurt you."

Leah knew that they would have killed her but that didn't mean the type of violence he displayed wasn't unsetting, it was. His fighting was ruthless and precise, utterly without mercy. She looked over at the mangled mess with revulsion. "You tore them to shreds. You took their fucking head off!"She bellowed.

"If I hadn't, they would have healed in no time and come after you again." He stated with anger as he advanced on her. His eyes turned amber and animalistic reminding her of the creature he had been. "YOU are what they wanted. They smelled your scent. If they had gotten to you… you would have wished for death by the time they were through. I know the type of violence these creatures can cause if they aren't handled. They both planned to rape you." Lucian failed to mention because of what she was, they wouldn't have simply drunk her blood and killed her. No, they would have kept her and tortured her in unmanageable ways. He closed his eyes. His hands curled into claws that bit into his skin. His body tensed as he tried to control his aggression. It had taken great control not to turn and take the Children of the Moon in his beast form. His beast form, he knew would frighten her, which she'd mostly likely be more agreeable to seeing his wolf form instead of the other. The last thing he wanted to do was frighten her.

He cursed himself. This was his fault. Once he had met her their chemical energies would have combined and without him fully claiming Leah, she'd be at the mercy of every Child Of the Moon, since her scent like an aphrodisiac especially to the ones with little control over their beast.

Watching him with cautious eyes and distrust neither Leah nor her wolf didn't liked this situation. Clearly there was much more to Lucian than she ever would have figured. She wasn't even sure if he was a shape shifter like her or what his true agenda was. All she had to go on was one semi-date, a sexual encounter that she still dreamed about, and a multi-million dollar painting he had sent her. But now she had images of his wolf tearing those creatures to shreds. A part of her was abhorred at the violence yet deep down; there was another part of her that was attracted to the fact that he had done this to protect her life. That frightened her, that she could feel that way. Although she often took the form of an animal, she never considered herself to have the cold emotions of one. Part of her was grateful because he has no doubt saved her life. Yet another part was truly fearful of the type of raw power he had. The type of raw power he used to kill. Lucian, the man was powerful, engaging, and sexy as hell. Lucian, the wolf, was a dominate, powerful and vicious killer. She could never forget that. This was no ordinary man. And for the first time in her life, Leah backed away from a fight.

"You need to stay the fuck away from me." She backed up.

Lucien's predatory instincts needed to be assuaged. Although no virgin, he wasn't sure she was ready from him or his wild needs. He was more animal than man, at the moment. His instincts ruled him in a way that they hadn't since he was young. His claws grew and sliced into the palms of his hands. Pain was a good thing; he hoped that it would keep his instincts at bay. With predatory eyes, he watched her. "Don't run from me." He growled in an almost inhuman voice. But then again, he was anything put human. Her eyes darted to the dead creatures once again. The ones he had eviscerated as if they were nothing. "I don't want you to be afraid."

"I don't know who you are or what you are up too. I don't even really know why you are interested in me. Is it because I'm a shape shifter?" She demanded the truth. Something inside of her ached.

"No. I didn't know that you weren't human."

"Fuck that. You knew what those creatures were."

'That's because…." He paused for only a moment. "That's because I'm part of what they are." He admitted as his breath came out hard and heavy while an animalistic like grown escaped, reminding her that he was anything but human. Red swollen deep claw marks raked his chest as blood seeped from his wound. Yet it seemed as if didn't bother him at all.

She looked down the savage pieces of mangled bloody flesh. Her stomach revolted. Leah had to get out of here. "Stay away and leave me the fuck alone!" She turned and ran.

His head cocked to the side as he tried to anticipate her next movement. "No.. Leah don't run." She ignored him as she took off with great speed."Leah…please…wait! Don't run…please for God's sake don't…" Lucian turned away from a second as a growl escaped him. As much as he tried to reign it in, it didn't work, the beast inside of him came alive. He had stupidly waited to two long to claim her and now the beast wouldn't let her go, he turned and chased her.

As she ran, she became aware that more and more of wolf inside of her enjoyed the chase. There was real fear but something else as if some sort of strange aphrodisiac was filling her. Her body actually tingled. She could hear him crashing after her. Fear raced through her. Her heart pounded fast and hard in her chest as she ran yet strangely enough she could hear his heart beating as well as if it somehow were intertwined with hers.

He's not going to give up. She thought as she pressed harder. There was only one way this chase was- could end. She bounded over a huge fallen tree when she suddenly "felt" him lunge for her. She tensed for the crashing impact of his heavy form when suddenly she was in his arms and he was on the ground twisting to take the brunt of the fall.

He was large, his muscles tight. She could feel his heart beating faster than any humans. His face still had those animalistic eyes as he captured her.

After a moment Leah was somehow able to twist fee again. She ran as fast as her legs could carry her in the deep dark wood. Trees whipped by her, fast. Fallen limbs and pieces of debris on the forest floor sliced into her bare feet, unaware that the coppery smell of her blood would only make him more crazed. However she didn't care, nor did she care that she was naked, sweaty and increasingly bloody as she ran. It didn't matter that tree branches sliced into her skin, cutting her adding to the trail of blood in her wake. All she cared about was getting away from him. Faster she moved hearing him ever closer as he bore down on her, he was the predator and she was his prey. The adrenaline pumped through her veins as she moved as fast as she could, a sprinting gazelle pursued by the wolf in man's flesh. Suddenly a fallen tree limb came out of nowhere; she fell hard hitting the ground scraping her knee. Blood poured from her wound, but she didn't care as suddenly a hard calloused hand grabbed her ankle and pulled her back. Her fingers grasped the dirt making claw marks on the ground as a scream issued from her mouth as she was flipped on her back. She looked above her; Lucian was now laying on top her was masculine and raw with power as a feral growl emanated from his chest.

In a flash she remembered, this had been the dream she had had when staying at the Cullen's in Boston.

How in the fuck is any of this possible? It wasn't? But here she was living the very dream she had. Her vagina clenched thinking about how that dream ended.

The raw power he emanated! She ought to be afraid, disgusted by the blood that dripped down the side of his mouth but there was a part of her that was titillated.

Yours! Her mind called out.

Sweaty, naked and aroused, she could feel the hardness of his muscular body above her, his cock was large with a silky hardness against the taunt muscular confines of her own stomach. She looked up into his face which was an erotic mask of handsomely hard features while his amazingly multi-colored eyes seemed to change right before her. She knew she was caught. She had nowhere else to go. One of his hands trapped both of hers above her head causing her pert nipples to scrape across his muscular chest. His hand snaked in her hair knotting it on his fist as he pulled her toward him. "Don't run….from me ever. They would have killed you. I couldn't have allowed that to have happened. I'm not a monster even if I seem like one."

"You killed them." She yelled up at him.

"For you! Don't you understand I'd kill anyone who dared harm you." His fingers pressed against her upper shoulders.

Tears formed in her eyes and one escaped.

"Please Leah…don't…" He closed his eyes and held onto her tightly his weightily body trembled. "Don't be afraid…I'd never hurt you."

Her chocolate eyes found his. "I can't trust you. I don't even know you."

"You know who I am. I'm that man that you met at the art showing. And the rest, I promise you will learn. Everything and anything about me, you will know." He shuttered against her. Her hot sweaty body was pressing against his. Her hard nipples rubbed against his chest. He wanted her so badly. "I've wanted you from the very moment I saw you. I should have been with you protecting you but my sister needed me. Oh…God…Leah I'm so sorry. Not that I killed them. But you had to see me like that before getting to know me. But I'm not sorry that I killed them protecting you!"

Then, Lucian's mouth came down hard on top of hers hot and aggressive, and God, help her, loved it. She loved the feeling of his sliding tongue in her mouth.

Yes…this is what I want. Her thoughts and body betrayed her senses because she so desperately wanted him even though she knew him to be a killer. Leah's body sang, betraying her inner most thoughts to him as she arched her body into his. Sweat pooled between her pert breasts as his head moved down. His mouth was on her body catching her taunt nipple as he suckled hard. Her body ached as she fed him her breast. Her body was hit was a wave of pure lust as if she had no control over her body.

She pushed him away slightly to look at him in his eyes. What are you?" Her voice came out so husky that she almost didn't recognize it as her own. He flipped them so that he was on his back and she astride him.

"Yours, that's all you need to know. I'm yours to do what you've always wanted to do.!" He responded almost with a snarl.

The skies began to open up and warm rain poured down on them. However neither of them cared. Lucian parted her sleek thighs and cupped her smooth bottom to position her so she was above his mouth. His mouth found her slick, wet and as delicious as she had been when he last tasted her. He stroked his tongue against her clit causing wave of pleasure to explode through her. Then, he thrust his tongue inside of her heat to stroke and taste her inner walls. Leah's taught thighs gripped his head as she rode his mouth. Her fingers grasped at the ground as she tried to balance herself. His fingers cut into her butt cheeks as he continued to feast on her. He was like some sexual god. His tongue doing such wonderful, wicked things as he stroked, blew, and suckled her. Such pleasure filled her and she lost her resolve as she orgasmed on his tongue while still he tasted, liked and feasted on her cream. "Lucian!" she screamed his name into the night. Her legs suddenly felt weak as if she couldn't take it anymore and she collapsed.

He flipped them once again and she was now on the ground lying with her legs sprayed open.

She looked at him. This handsome, sexy, powerful, magnificent creature she didn't understand.

He had fought for her, killed for her, and chased her.

And now she was his prize.

His multi-colored eyes flashed from blue/green to an eerie amber color. It almost seemed as if his powerful body was actually growing. "I need you…" He gritted out. He looked with a mixture of disbelief, reverence and pure adoration in his eyes. She didn't understand it. But THAT was the look she had always been wanting. And it was reserved for her. Regardless of what he was, there was no going back from this.

God, help her. THIS what she had so desperately wanted.

Lucian cupped her face pulled her head up for a kiss. His mouth mated with hers and she was able to taste herself on his bold tongue. The kiss was full of fire, passion and promise. "I'm sorry…next time I'll take my time." He gritted out. "I just fucking need you Leah. Only you."He groaned out against her lips.

He didn't need to apologize to her. There would be time for love making but tight now, deep down, this was what she wanted as well. A fucking, so long and so hard. It had been too long.

Lucian moved above her. She looked at the huge cock in between his legs as it grew even bigger. He took her hands and pulled them over her head. Then he went to his knees. He dragged his tongue over her neck as if licking her. She shuttered. His mouth move toward her breast as his other hand palmed them, rubbing her nipples as she cried out. Then suddenly he turned her over onto her stomach. Her hands were still captured with one of his as his muscular chest pressed against her naked back. The other cupped her breast and played with her nipple as they met the cool wet grass beneath her.

She was stretched out in the most submissive pose she knew as she instinctively raised her bottom up. He growled as he parted her things allowing thighs. His fingers parted her finding only rich cream.

Fuck…she's so fucking wet and ready for me. He wanted to play it out, to give her more, to prepare her more. Yet the animal in him rebelled, needed to be sated.

"Wider," he commanded. She spread herself wider for him while position himself behind her, his hands running down her spine. Then he felt gently spread her open to him. He thrust two fingers inside of her, feeling her tighten around him.

She hissed drowning in pleasure. God, it felt so fucking goooood.

He moved his fingers in and out of her trying to prepare her, then added a third. She moved back against the fingers penetrating her. She glanced over her shoulder and saw the raw look of intensity on his powerful face. She felt his fingers pull out of her and felt his large heavy member against her lower back. Then, there was look of pure gratification as he slowly entered her. Leah dropped her head and stifled a cry as she bit her lower lip.

"So fucking wet…" He groaned with pleasure. He pushed in more. She pushed back and although there was a tight stretching pain of him entering her, she wanted this. "So…tight. After tonight, no man will ever touch you again."

He closed his eyes. He wanted to thrust in hard. But he couldn't rip her apart with his size.

Leah panted. It had been so long since she'd had sex. And although Sam had been well endowed, it was nothing compared to Lucian's size. She pressed back against him, her breath coming out in heavy pants.

She shivered and gasped. "Please," she cried out.

"Fuck.." He groaned against her. He couldn't help it as he yanked her body under his. He had wanted to be gentle, to be the type of controlled,patient lover he wanted her to know, but her scent was too strong. She wasn't a human, but a shape shifter stronger than any human and more able to excite and calm the beast inside of him. Above them it seemed as if the skied opened up around them as the wind picked up mirroring his chaotic feelings.

He placed a hand at her waist, the other still on her hands captured above her head.

"I've wait too long for this." He groaned out as he plundered inside her. Her body replied and undulated at the same time. Against he thrust inside of her, Leah's answering cry immediately followed. He thrust falling back onto his knees. She arched back loving the powerful thrust. He groaned her name in her ear as he moved in and out of her, pushing her head down further. Her inner muscles clamped tight around him. Each time he moved she whimpered with the mixture of pleasure. Her body let go as she convulsed around him.

Lucian tightened his grip on her as she came. It took everything in his power not to follow her but he held on. His balls tightened and filled with his seed. He arched over her, ramming harder. His eyes started to change color. His mouth pressed against the small of her neck as his canines lengthened. He then bit down, as he pulled her back. Her body ached like a bow as his fingers played with her nipples. Her arms over her head around his neck. Her sweet blood gushed filling his mouth.

The bite burned Leah yet it wasn't painful, instead her insides felt as if they were being strummed together by an invisible string. His finger moved from her breast to stroke down in between her legs to stimulate her clit.

Lucian thrust harder. Her breaths came out hard as he let go and he fucked her hard like the animal he was.

But she loved every minute of it as she came once again.

Then Lucian roared as he pushed her back onto her hands and he trembled hard and dared, deeper and deeper inside of her. His teeth and cock sunk into her, sending her flying. She gripped him tight as her body's tight spasms tried to milk him for all he was worth.

Lucian opened his mouth. A roar tore out it echoing to the heavens, as he erupted giving her his hot copious seed.

End of Flashback

The rest of the night was nothing but a delicious blur of intense sexual images in her head- of him taking her over and over again; images of her riding him while his mouth attached itself to her breast. Her hair wet and her body moving in a wild manner as something came over her. He - standing against the tree and her body undulating against him as he thrust inside of her. Them - coming together in the mud with the type of passion that even she didn't think was possible. No wonder she felt as if she had been hit by a train. Leah's dry spell was certainly over. Somewhere along the way she must have blacked out because she didn't remembering coming here to his house or this bedroom.

Leah studied her surroundings. The large room was L-Shaped as if two large rectangular rooms come together. It was somewhat masculine with its dark rich European furniture, its rich burgundy walls, rich high cathedral ceilings; Leah found the simple elegance of the room pleasing especially with the beautiful pieces that covered the walls. Leah currently lay on a massive bed located on a dais. The bed no doubt custom made with what looked to be hard carved headboard. The bed was located at the very zenith of the L-shaped room the regency column bed was located on a dark cherry dais. There was a stone alcove with two large curved windows allowing her to look outside. Not caring about her lack of clothing, Leah moved in front of the window to look out at the vast land. The view from the window was glorious. She strolled away from the alcove past the bed to the center of the room where perpendicular lines of the room formed. Located there, was a massive stone carved fireplace, on each side was floor to ceiling curved windows which allowed natural light to cascade through the room. The rest of the specious and elegant accommodations included a large chocolate sofa, dark cherry coffee table, and matching dark cherry hardwood floors covered what looked to be a handmade Persian rug. Two paintings both by Salvador Dali were located on the east and west walls. There was another alcove with inset lighting located on the right left of the fireplace, it opened to two large French doors with sidelets.

Leah was too curious to pass it up, so she opened the door to walk outside to a wrap around third floor veranda. The bricked veranda lead down to three stairs that opened up to a breakfast area with a stone table and lounge chairs. There was an intimate pool and a waterfall. She inhaled truly being able to study the beauty of the landscape loving the smell of the fresh air. It was beautiful, his house was amazing. Leah walked back up the stairs to the instead of heading back into the bedroom, she moved toward another large curved window that took off half of the wall. She looked inside to see a personal weight room with the finest fitness equipment, the flat screen located on the wall was left on with CNN giving updates on the stock market.

Leah moved back toward the bedroom and found the roomy his and her dressing rooms, vanity and closets. They opened up to the master bath with a spacious tub that she had faint memories of being washed in. She stared at her naked body inspecting herself.

What the fuck?

Leah had expected to be bruised from the event from the night before along rough love making however she looked unscathed, but changed. Her fingers caressed the skin at the nape of her neck that Lucian had bitten; it ought to be marred with torn skin however he skin was perfect regardless of her healing powers, she didn't heal overnight. But that wasn't the only thing that disturbed her as she looked at her neck.

What the hell did he do to me?

If she hadn't awakened here, if she hadn't been changed then she may have thought this some weird erotic dream, but this wasn't. It had happened, and she had so many questions that she just didn't have answers too. Leah quickly used the facilities then stepped into the three-person shower stall to take a hot shower to wash. When she came out of the bathroom, she found that someone had been in the room to make the bed. There were fresh flowers were on the coffee table and a black short silk robe had been laid out on the bed. She pulled on the robe that fit her perfectly when her stomach growled, she was starving, but food would have wait until later.

Leah went to the only set of doors that she hadn't opened and stepped out into a large hallway. She traveled down the long hall passing closed doors until she found a landing that opened up to a massive stone spiral staircase which took her from the third landing down to the first floor. Once there, she walked through the open foyer until she passed what looked to be a large sitting room, a library, and music room. Further down, she reached the center of the house that had a stain-glass circular ceiling surrounded by beautiful intricate stones above an in-house stone fountain. Leah kept exploring through the huge estate until she found a modern kitchen furnished with its double range, glass fridge, marble counters, and expansive large windows which allowed the natural light to shine though.

"Oh…excuse me Madame." An attractive mature female with exotic skin from the Indies came through a door holding basket full of fresh flowers. She looked elegant with her soft black hair with few threads of silver streaks cut in a sleek style. The woman had an air of refinement in her fuchsia silk blouse with tiny gold etching, dark pants and small fuchsia shoes. A small gold medallion and a wedding band made of rubies were the only jewelry she wore. There was something about her and the way that she studied Leah for a moment. Warm currents of energy seemed to come from right off of her. "Good morning. I am Farzanna. I am in charge of the house." The female remarked what sounded like a British accent. "Can I have the chef prepare you something to eat? Your breakfast can be served in the informal dining room, the outdoor veranda, or breakfast nook off your quarters? Which would you prefer?"

Served? Her quarters? Leah was confused. "Where am I?"

"The Blackstone Estate, of course we are on our way to officially changing the name. The masons have already started on carving a new symbol on the gate.

The Blackstone estate? Leah thought for a moment when she remembered the handsome stranger Kingsley had told her that his employer had recently purchased it. She now knew who the mysterious owner was.

Lucian. She thought. But why?

Leah had no idea what was going on, but she planned to get to the bottom of it. Regardless of having the best sex she had her entire life, it didn't change the fact that she didn't understand who or what Lucian or understand his motives truly were. Nor did it explain the changes within her. She may have liked the fucking, but she surely didn't like anyone fucking with her.

"Where is he?" She demanded, her ire growing by the minute.

Farzanna didn't pretend not to know whom Leah spoke of. "Lucian is in the Great Room located in the back of the main house. He wanted to let you rest this morning. I believe he's taking care of some business of some matters; however he's requested that I see to your needs. You may wait-"

"Wait, for him? As in wait for my master?" Leah raised an eyebrow. "He must be getting me confused with one of those stupid bitches he usually fucks -"

"I assure you, Lucian isn't." Farzanna interrupted Leah's rant. "In all the years that I've known him, he has never brought someone home with him, until now."

Leah scoffed. "Believe me; I may not know him very well, but I'm sure that a man of his confidence, wealth and looks is never been at a loss for female company."

"I did not say that he didn't take women in his bed. I said that he's never brought one to any of his homes before. That is a very different thing." Farzanna gave Leah a look of interest. "Nor have I seen him look at any woman the way that he looked at you when he brought you home last night."

Home, home. This isn't my home! She thought. Leah turned away slight. She didn't want to hear this. She certainly didn't trust Lucian. With him, nothing was as it seemed. She wasn't about to let her libido rule was she going to get caught up in the beauty of the grandeur of his lifestyle. "Where are my clothes?"

"You were unclothed when he brought you home last night." Farzanna remarked. Leah slightly colored, realizing the female had seen her naked and muddy. "I can however have clothes sent up to you. Lucian has already arranged for clothes to be purchased …"

"No. I don't need him to fucking buy me clothes." Leah stopped when she saw the look of reproach on the Farzanna's gentle features. She closed her eyes and sighed allowing the air and ire come out of her. Leah knew she had a foul mouth at times, but this female was an elder and Leah was brought up to respect elders. "Listen, I'm sorry for cursing and getting upset with you. It isn't you. Nor is this situation your fault. You have to understand that I'm not one to be kept by any man. I'm not that kind of woman, I never will be." Leah told her with a no nonsense look.

Farzanna studied Lucian's mate knowing the fates had chosen well for him. This female would not make things easy for him. Nor would she simply get fall into line. There was fierceness inside of Leah, not to mention a quick intelligence that Farzanna noted. Leah's beauty, independence and supernatural abilities were all positives for the young woman. She went to the fridge and took out a glass pitcher and poured the yellow liquid drink in a tall glass topping it off with a piece of mango on the side. "It's a mango and banana smoothie. It had additional protein and will give you the additional substance you need, at least for the moment." As responded as held the glass out for Leah. "Please drink something at least."

Leah didn't want to be rude, so she took the glass and a sip of the cool delicious liquid.

Farzanna looked pleased. "I can see why Lucian is so intrigued you. Beauty, brains and you don't back down. I also have the feeling that you aren't interested in money, a woman like you it wouldn't be her motivation." She stated while waiting for Leah to finish the contents her glass.

Leah felt as if she were back in school under the gaze of one of her teacher. She finished off her juice. "Thank you."

Farzanna softly smiled taking the glass. "Go down this hallway back toward the indoor fountain then take the southern south hallways. You'll go pass some other rooms but eventually it will open up to the Great Room. I'll have chef make you something. How about a fresh spinach omelet with mozzarella and tomato and some fresh grilled lamb, cooked rare with mint and hummus and pita bread." She studied Leah with an assessing eye that only elders seemed to have. "With your metabolism you need to eat constantly." A shiver when up Leah's her spine and her eyes narrowed. As if reading her mind, Farzanna answered her unspoken question. "My husband and I have worked with Lucian for our entire lives. We know that he anything but human. I am aware that that you are a shape shifter, like Lucian's sister, although she's very different kind of shifter than you."

Leah had little time to get over the news that the human knew when she was when her mind processed Farazanna's last comment. A shifter? His sister? A myriad of thoughts filled Leahs head. Which of his sisters is a shape shifter?"

"He only has one sister, Nafre." Farzanna sighed. "She can be challenging sometimes."

Nafre? Leah's mind went back to Lucian's beautiful sister. Then, she thought about the facts that she and the pack had learned about the Quileute named Nafre. No…it can't be possible.. According to Jake, this female would have had to have died by now and couldn't have been the beauty she saw. Besides, Lucian's sister wasn't Quileute. There were too many questions that Leah needed answering, maybe Farzanna could help her.

"Is Lucian a shape shifter ?"

"You'll have to ask him those questions, not me." Farzanna remarked as she placed the dirty glass in the sink then handed Leah a black linen napkin to wipe her mouth. "Lucian can be a little old fashion at times. The true Alpha male, no doubt, but when he loves….he loves deeply. And he will do anything to protect you." She moved toward Leah. "I should know, you see, he protected my family and my village from vampires who had been preying on us a very long time ago. My family and village have been under his care for more than two centuries.

Two centuries. Just how old is he? Leah thought.

"Someone in my family has always worked for him in some capacity. We care of his wellbeing, just as he has cared for us and protected us against vampires for all those times. No longer are we at their mercy. He's ensured our safety, and I'm not the only one. There are a select few humans who know what he is because they and their love ones have fallen under the scope of his protection."

Farzanna sensed the fear inside Leah. She knew that the young woman was wary and would no doubt have a sometime difficult transition with all it would take to be mated to one such as Lucian. Yet, she had hope. The Fates, she had no doubt, had chosen corrected. She reached out and gently touched Leah's hand. " Regardless of what other else he may be, he is a good man." She remarked with emotion.

It was clear to Leah that Farzanna loved Lucian and was extremely loyalty to him.

Leah thought about her conversation with Farzanna's comments as she followed the instructions to find the Great Room. Once she reached it, she stepped down into the tremendous rectangular shaped room that looked was the size of her entire house. This main house of the estate reminded her of those large ones in England with its artwork and elegant yet unencumbered decor. The Great Room comprised of another massive fireplace that took up most of eastern wall large, while large widows were set inside the stone to allowed authentic light to shine through on the western walls. Furnished similar to the master suite, he room was furnished with massive sofa, Windsor chairs, Persian carpets, huge brash coffee table that matched the two large brass chandeliers handing high in the ceiling. But what caught Leah's attention wasn't so much the room, but the commanding man standing inside of it.

If she had thought him handsome the before, it was nothing compared to how he looked at this moment.

"No, those stocks are important. I don't care who you have to threaten, bribe or even fuck, get them to sell." Lucian turned as he inhaled as he caught Leah's scent. "I'll talk to you later." He hung up the phone and turned toward her.

There he stood with a dark black dress shirt that had to be tailored for his fantastic body. The shirt was open allowed him a glance at his amazing chest, the same chest that she had licked and sucked the night before. He wore that with a simple pair of dark jeans while he had left his feet as bare as his chest.

Lucian drunk her in. The black silk robe covered her body. He wanted her naked and again, he wanted to see his mark on her.

"Leah…"

It was as if the mention of her name snapped her out of the spell she had been in. "You fucking bastard ! What the hell did you do to me?" She pulled away at the robe to show her nape. Leah had what looked to be some sort of beautiful stylized tattoo of interwoven scrolls made of brilliant red, soft pink and intense black ink embossed on the slope of her neck. It was beautiful to him, seeing her with his mark, knowing that all other creatures would see that she belonged to him. When the time came, and she bit him, he too would carry her mark and their bonding would be complete.

The mark began to warm on her skin as the colors became more vibrant as is affected by her anger. Leah moved fast, faster than she ever moved before, to take a swing at him. Her fist connected with the side of his jaw, as she anticipated, however it was with such force that Lucian flew off his feet into the stone wall over 20 feet away his body breaking the wall.

Leah looked at him dismayed at what she had done. Fear crept up her spine. Yes, she was strong, but he was no mere human, she shouldn't have been able to do that type of damage to him. She felt sick inside. "What the hell did you do me?" She whispered with fear.

Leah watched as he stood up as if he weren't hurt or even upset by her anger. Instead there was a smile on his face on his handsome. With his speed and strength, Lucian could have stopped Leah's punch however he allowed it because he understood her anger. He had known that this wouldn't be easy on her. "I've made you stronger than you ever have been before. What you were before is nothing compared to what you are now."

Her anger reignited and without thought she moved again to strike him. Lucian's caught her arm in his. "I allowed it the first time, but will not allow you to touch me in anger again."

Leah tried to pull away from him but she was no match for him even with her new strength. "You bastard!" She seethed as struggled for a moment. But with her fight, her robe fell open and his naked chest was brushing against her aching nipples. Images of the night before filled her brain. Her body once again became aroused.

Her arousal scented the air as he inhaled.

You want me. His thoughts filled her heads. Once again stunning her with the powers that he wield. Just like I want you.

Then, his mouth took wild possession of hers.

Bella

Bella walked through the front door of her house carrying a plethora of shiny, colorful plastic bags hung by silk braided cords from some of the boutiques she had visited in Port Angeles. "Jake," she called out hoping that he was home, she couldn't wait to show him some of the darling onesis and booties she has purchased for the baby. She just couldn't resist some of the plush toys too, especially when she saw a littlee russet stuffed wolf on one of the displays. She hurried up the stairs to their bedroom. "Jake?" Hadn't she heard him upstairs? Maybe her mind was playing games on her. She turned to place the bags on her bed.

"Bella…"

Everything slowed down as she heard a voice that she hadn't heard in years. "Edward." She turned toward it. Edward was standing in the middle of her bedroom. She was stunned. "What are you doing here?"

"I tried to leave you alone. I tried to do right by you but…I couldn't stay away. Not anymore." His pale beauty hit her as he came toward her. He hadn't changed, he was just as handsome as he had been when she had seen him last.

Suddenly as if by will, the light outside changed and it suddenly became cloudy and dark. "Edward, you shouldn't be here, not in my house like this. How did you get in?"

"Do you really think that an alarm could keep me away from you?" He asked quietly. He reached out to take hold of her hand pulling her closer to him. "Nothing can keep me away from you. We are connected and will always be, now and forever."His fingers caressed her stomach.

Bella jumped up with her heart was racing a mile a minute. She looked around to find herself lying on the sofa in the living room. It took her a moment for her to realize that Edward wasn't in her bedroom talking to her and it was just a dream.

Edward.

Bella stood and walked through the room, down the sunlit hallway into the kitchen. Pouring herself a glass of cool water, she took a long drink then she leaned with both of her hands on the kitchen counter.

Edward hadn't been an issue for years, but now maybe on some subconscious level, he was now. She had meant part of everything she had said to Leah the night before; she wished that she had an opportunity for closure.

She used to dream about him all the time, but it had been a very long time since she had. This however was not too surprising considering that Edward had been on her mind more than ever especially after what happened earlier that day when she had been in Port Angeles to meet with Niki to review the finalized copy of her book. When she left the building to go to a little café across the street for lunch, she found Jasper standing by the front door looking dapper as ever in a elegant Persian blue dress shirt and dress pants, waiting for her. She hadn't surprised that he had been there; after all she knew that Jasper often watched her when she left La Push, however the fact that he approached her since Jasper always took steps to avoid her.

Flashback

Bella looked up from the menu. "I'll have the turkey club with fruit on the side and green tea."

The waitress looked at Jasper, who had surprisingly taken the seat across from Bella. "And you?"

"I'll have iced tea and a blueberry scone." He answered.

Bella looked at Jasper once the waitress moved away. "Pretending to eat?"

Giving Bella a mischievous look, he responded. "I'll admit. I've been out of practice for a while."

She placed the linen napkin on her lap then leaned forward."So why don't you tell me what you'd like to say."

"To the point, aren't we?"

"There is no need to beat around the bush, certainly not with the likes of you. "

"The werewolf has rubbed off on you, I see." Jasper admitted. He liked this version of Bella much more than the quiet mouse Edward had courted.

"You've been married for almost more than a century; you know how it is couples who spend time together."

"Yes, I do. And my beautiful wife is the reason that I'm here."

"I figured as much since you've never been much of talker. But I really think that you may be wasting your time."

"I know that you are angry with her." He remarked.

"You have no idea what I'm feeling at the moment." Bella responded, then she paused feeling a stupid saying that since if anyone knew how she felt it would be Jasper.

However he only gave her a soft smile and did nothing to dampen her emotions or anger. "Then enlighten me."

Bella was again reminded how disconnected vampires could be. I guess that could happen when you had literally all the time in the world to let bygones be bygones. "She lied to me."

"For good reason."

"Really ?" Bella leaned forward with ire in her eyes. "Because from where I stand, there isn't a good reason."

"You know what Edward means to her. He's more than her brother; he's one of her closest friends next to you."

"No. That ploy isn't going to work, I've already fallen for that once."

"It's the truth. I know how she feels about you. How much she loves you. You are like a sister to her. Your friendship means the world to her."

"Bullshit."

"Don't make light of her feelings Bella." Jasper said with a hint of anger. "I know how deeply she was affected by your friendship and the lack of it. I'm also aware…" He paused as the waitress came over with their drinks. He waited until she finished placing them down. "I'm also aware at how much your displeasure is hurting her."

"She should have been honest with me."

"Do you really think telling you about Edward would be the wisest thing? He had already left and she desperately wanted to your friendship back."

"So she ignored the fact that Edward had broken into my house." Deep down Bella was bothered very much by that particular fact. It had been one thing for Edward to sneak into bed with her all those years ago when they had been dating, but to break into her home as an adult when she was married to someone else needled her to no end. "I don't think that you understand how difficult this has been for me. When Edward left, he left me in pieces. I was hardly myself…just a shell, broken. I…" Bella looked away for a moment. "Edward should have been honest with me all those years ago but maybe I can understand now why he wasn't. I would have tried to follow him. I would have given up my life…but now. I'm older. He should have called me. Talked to me, dealt with me face to face, not break into my house."

Jasper realized that Bella spoke the truth and agreed with her assessment. "Edward should have done things differently. I think that he wasn't…thinking." Jasper was silent for a moment. "He was in a bad place. I can sympathize …I'm not Edward. Had it been Alice, I wouldn't have been selfless to let her go the way that he did for you. Edward made mistakes." Jasper thought of Jessica's dead body. "But regardless of what he did, you know that I know that you've forgiven him."

"I didn't say that I hated Edward." Bella had no intention of discussing her feelings about Edward to Jasper.

"Then how can you be so angry with my Alice?"

"Because she was supposed to be my friend." Bella felt a great deal of pain well up inside of her. "I know she's Edward's sister but she was MY friend as well. I gave her a second chance and she lied."

Jasper's head tilted in thought, "I didn't tell you, so why are you not angry with me?"

"You weren't my best friend Jasper." Bella answered with an exasperated sigh."Your loyalty has always been with Alice, where it should be. But Alice's…"

"Has been divided Bella and at cost to her." He sighed showing more uncharteristic human like gestures. Talk of Alice always seemed to expose him in some way. "Withholding your friendship from her is a price too big for what she did."

Bella was still unconvinced, "How can there be friendship without trust? Alice keeps secrets."

"There are no more." Jasper gave her a leveled look.

The fact that Jasper could lie so easily with a straight face annoyed her. "Really? How about the fact that Esme was the architect of my house?"

"You cannot blame Alice for what Esme did out of her love for you, it's not fair. Nor is it fair to be upset when my mother only wanted to give you a gift, a gift given out of her amazing raw talent. Esme spent countless weeks working on the most perfect home for you although she knew that she'd never see it. It was given out of love because you always meant a great deal to her even if you and Edward were not together."

Jasper's words made Bella ashamed. It wasn't that she didn't appreciate what Esme had done; she had designed the most beautiful house Bella had ever seen. She loved her home and now that she knew that Esme had designed it, it actually made sense looking at the intrecate detail, the glass hallway, the wide rooms.

"I know that you've been through much more than anyone should ever have gone through. After what happened to your father, you should hate our kind. I'm thankful that you don't." He paused for a moment allowing his words to seep in like wine. "My wife made a mistake but she still loves you very much and when she hurts, I'm most unhappy." He stood. "You weren't the only one who suffered Bella with Edward's decision to leave, Alice suffered as well. I know that I played a part in this and for that I'm truly sorry. But you need to stop acting as if you were the only one who was hurt with his decision to leave. "Jasper gently chided as he walked away.

End of Flashback

The conversationwith Jasper still lingered on her mind greatly and clearly had reached into her subconscious if she was all of a sudden dreaming about Edward. She looked around her beautiful simply designed home, perfect for her and Jacob, a rare gift given by Esme. Esme's gentle serene image lingered in Bella's mind. The Cullens had never truly abandoned her the way that she had originally thought. Jasper was correct; Esme had taken her time to design a wonderful home for her although she had been married to someone other than Edward. And when Jacob had needed help, Carlisle had stepped right in to do just that. The truth was, she had missed the loving warmth of their family. And even though she was very angry with Alice, it didn't mean that Bella had stopped loving her. Still, it didn't mean that she could just pretend that Alice's dishonestly didn't bother or affect her when it did. Alice had been her friend and Alice had kept pertinent information from her. Still, there was something that Bella needed to do. Bella went into her writing room and found her personalized stationary before sitting down to write.

Dear Esme and Carlisle.

I know that it has been a very long time since we last saw each other, however during recent events; I found that you both, in your own way, have been an essential part of my life….

Something Later

Bella checked the bubbling sauce in the tall pot and added fresh basil and oregano. She had already made fresh lamb and sausage meatballs and would grill them later to add to the sauce.

"Mmm…something smells good." Jacob uttered walking into the airy sunlight kitchen. Bella put the lid over the pot and hurried into his arms where he pulled her into a long languid kiss before finally pulling away and caressing her face. "Just what I needed, it's been a hell of a day so far." Jacob nuzzled the top of her head with his chin. "I missed sleeping next to my beautiful wife and child." His fingers gently caressed her stomach. For a moment Bella felt a sense of déjà vu as the dream of Edward doing something similar hit her and a sent a shiver through Bella. "What's wrong?" Jake asked concerned noticing how stiff she had become in his arms.

"Nothing…it's just that I missed you." She snuggled deeper into his arms.

"It's more than that." Jake was much more perceptive than most males. Sometimes it wasn't what Bella said, but her body language that spoke to him. "Tell me."

There was no way she was going to tell Jake about her strange dream. "Okay…I'll admit it. I'm a little worried". She was concerned about the claw marks they had found the night before. "I'm not the only one, Kim's on edge too." Kim was typically loquacious but that morning she had been solemn watching Bella as if she had wanted to say something. She'd come by this morning continuing to act very strange. I think that she's just nervous about what might be out there."

"Hawk talked to one of Alphas last night." Jake told her as she reached for a cold water in the back of the fridge. "Bear's going to come down to check the markings out. Until then we are going to be have to be very careful. I talked to the Quil Sr. this morning a Council meeting has been called for later this evening." Jake yawned, downed the eater what's this? and headed over to the table to sit down. The pack had upped the patrols expanding to Forks as well. So when he returned from Port Angeles the night before he'd patrolled all night until 5 am before going straight to work to open the shop. He had only come home to check on Bella and to get a couple hours of rest before going back. They were all going to be pulling late hours and rotating shifts of they were going to meet their promised deadlines to various clients.

Bella saw the weariness in her husband's eyes and once again was reminded of all the pressure he was under. She moved behind him and began to massage his tight shoulders. "Why don't you go and take a hot shower before you lie down? The pasta was supposed to be dinner, but I can have it finished early so you can have something to eat before you go back. I'll pack a container for whoever is at the shop. She knew that Jacob loved her pasta made with angel hair, fresh herbs, vegetables and homemade meatballs.

"You'll make that garlic bread?" He asked allowing his body to become languid enjoying the feel of her tiny hands working on his muscles.

She laughed. "With extra fresh garlic and added mozzarella cheese, just the way that you like it."

"That sounds great," He uttered as she turned to pull her into his lap. Jacob sighed deeply as rested his head against her chest for a moment closing his eyes. They stayed that way for a few quiet moments just enjoying each other. "Hey, have you heard from Leah today?"

"No, why?"

He sighed again. "She didn't come into work, that's not like her, she didn't call in either. Seth stopped by her house but it was empty."

Bella played with the short strands of Jacob's silky hair. "Maybe she needed some alone time. I talked to her last night, about Sam."

"And…"

"She said that he was going to stay with Noah."

"Good. That last thing that Leah needs him fucking with her head by staying with her."

"Right now Sam's not in the condition to do much. From what I heard he's very confused about everything and sorry about his behavior. Right now he's just trying to get his memories back. Marley came around a couple hours ago to check up on me and give me the name of a good doctor. She got a call to let her know that Lorena was back with Naje, they are all over at Noah's to see Sam. Naje going to try to help him get his memories back."

Conflicted, Jake said nothing for a moment . Although was relieved that Sam was no longer an issue for the pack, he didn't like the idea of Sam running around with no recollection of the last six years. His mistaken belief that he and Leah were still together would only worsen the situation. "Good. I hope she can help him."

"I went to see Emily."

"You did?"

"When?"

"An hour ago."

Jake had wanted to see Emily. But he wasn't sure what to do or what to say after what had transpired between himself and Sam. "How was she?"

"Different - I don't know." Bella remarked as she looked into Jake's eyes. "She says that she doesn't blame you for what you did, that Sam was out of control and making bad choices, making everything personal." She caressed his face lovingly feeling the prickle of sprouting facial hair. "She said that you did the right thing and was still able to spare his life."

"But…"

"I kinda felt like that there was something else she wanted to say, but she didn't. I guess she was very distracted."

"Did she say what she was going to do about her marriage?"

"No. She just wanted to let me know that she still considered us family." Bella's face lit up. "I told her about the baby. She was so happy for us." Bella stood up and headed out to the hallway a few moments later she came back with a book. "She gave me this, it was her copy."

"What to Expect When You're Expecting." Jake couldn't help but smile. That was typical Emily, always thinking of others. Deep down Jake was relieved that she wasn't blaming him for what happened.

"I know you feel guilty about what is happening between she and Sam, but this isn't your fault. Sam and Emily have a lot to work out and to tell you the truth, Imprint or not, I'm not sure if their marriage can last. Sam went into that marriage with his heart divided from the start, regardless of the Imprint. Looking back, I'm not sure how Emily married him knowing that he still have feelings for Leah."

Jake was quiet for a moment. "Because she loved him, Bella." he uttered gently. "And sometimes that kind of love is all that matters. You hold onto the dream that maybe the person who you love more than life will one day grow to feel exactly the same as you do or at least close to it. And maybe that your love would eclipse any other love that is there for someone else."

Bella felt the pain of Jake's words, knowing the source in which they came from, his own feelings of inadequacy from the past. "We were all so young…I'm so sorry for all the pain that I caused you back then—

Jake stopped her. "Hey, you weren't responsible for my feelings back then. I knew that when we got married that you loved me. I knew that I could make you happy. It's just-I wasn't sure how much of your feelings for Edward was left."

"Yet you married me anyway?"

"I wanted you to be my wife. I knew that we could be happy together. I was willing to take the risk."

"And you do make me happy. Happier than I ever thought I could imagine. I'm so glad that you didn't give up on me or on us."

Jake looked at his wife. He could never give up on her, even if he tried. She was his entire world. "I'd never give up on you." He whispered pulling her into his arms for a kiss. Bella enjoyed the feel of his tongue, the strength of his body. She felt his erection grow and push against the stomach. Desire crept up body, her nipples ached, her core pulsated.

"No." She groaned pulling away from him.

"No?" Jake looked perplexed.

"Look down." She pointed to the floor behind the table next near the baseboards were two sets book bags sitting near the baseboards.

"The kids are here?"

"Yes, they are outside."

Sasha's mom dropped them off. She had to go to work unexpectedly and today camp's only half day today so I told her I'd take them for the rest of the day. This way she can work and Roman can get some rest, I know that he patrolled with you last night. We are going to be making personal pizzas." Bella nodding to the colorful bowls on the table that had mozzarella, tomatoes, spinach, red and yellow peppers, cut chicken and pepperoni that were sitting on the island countertop.

Jake headed toward the door.

"What are you doing?"

"I've gotta play with them." He remarked with excitement in his eyes he loved spending time with Roman's siblings. Bella knew that her husband was going to make an amazing father.

Nevertheless she determinedly hid her smile. " You need some rest." She sternly pointed out.

"Aww, come on Bells, it's only for a couple of minutes." He said with puppy-dog eyes. Somebody's gotta teach Sasha the art of a perfect somersault." He remarked heading over toward the door before she could say anything else. "I'll just give him some pointers and then I'll get that nap. Then later, when I come back, I can finish what I started." He remarked giving her a knowing look. Opening the back door, Jake paused for a minute as if he just thought of something. "Hey, who pulled out the trampoline? Bella, you're pregnant and that thing weights a ton."

"I had help, don't worry." Bella said resigned pushing him out of the door. She watched with delight as Jake crossed the lawn. The children squealed with happiness as Jake bounded on the trampoline with them. They took turns launching themselves in the air to do summersaults and back flips. It was moments like these that warmed Bella's heart; seeing Jake look so carefree and happy with the children. This is how it should always be. She thought as she turned from the door. The look of joy on Bella's face was slowly overshadowed by a look of concern. Jake was right, the trampoline had weighted a great deal, but she had been able to move it effortlessly; and more importantly why had her first impulse been to lie? "What's going on?" She whispered.

An Hour and a Half Later

"Mmm…it looks really good." Kenya said with a smile. She currently had a missing tooth, only anyone else it would have looked crazy, on her, it look adorable.

Bella took the personal pan pizzas out of the oven and placed them on the cooling rack as looked over her shoulder where Sasha was setting the table. " Do you want me to get Jake?" He asked.

"No. We are going to let him sleep, he's really tired."

"Roman gets like that sometimes. It's really funny because he sleeps like he's dead. Nothing…I mean nothing seems to wake him up." Kenya said with a laugh as she ran over to help Sasha.

Bella took removed the pizzas from the pans and placed them on the plates. Kenya hopped into her seat next to Sasha. "Cool…they turned out great." Kenya demonstrated real artistic ability by creating a flower using red and green peppers as the stems and chicken as the petals on her pizza. Sasha went for a "happy face" full of pepperoni.

"You know we can share slices." Sasha said. "I'll take one of yours and you can have one of mine."

"You are so greedy." Kenya gave him an assessing look before she Kenya held out her hand to Sasha. "Deal."

Bella had made a bigger pizza for her and Jake loaded with everything. She cut the pie into eight slices, took two for herself and headed over to the counter with her tossed Caesar salad before returning to the table where Sasha was going for her piece.

"Hey…grace, don't forget." Kenya admonished.

Bella hit her smile. The little girl was used to ordering her big brother around and it seemed that she did the same to Sasha, who always seemed to give her what she wanted. Sometimes Bella found herself watching the two children. They were always together, almost inseparable. Some of the boys, she knew teased Sasha for always hanging with a girl, but the young boy didn't care. Sasha was different, confident for his age and very bright. Sure he liked the things that all boys did like sports and animals, but he didn't let the teasing get the best of him. He was always himself, and an introvert. Kenya on the other hand was like a firecracker. She was always talking, singing and planning something. Yet sometimes when she and Sasha were together, they didn't say a word and it was almost like they communicated secretly or something. There were times that Bella felt there was something odd about their friendship; it was like they almost revolved around each other as if they were somehow connected. If they were older and Sasha was a wolf, she'd almost think that they were Imprinted on each other, but that wasn't possible. Little children didn't Imprint. A tingling went up Bella's spine as her mind opened up and a long forgotten memory came back.

Flashback

"Jake…there is something wrong with him. She cried to her parents who had been asleep in their bedroom. I need to see him."

"Bella this is insane, we've told you over and over that Jake is just fine. He's with his mother and father."

"He doesn't like storms, he's scared!"

"Go back to bed." Charlie admonished picking her up to take her back to hers.

"But he's scared I can feel it, inside."

"Bella…you can't feel someone else's pain."

"I know I shouldn't be able to, but I do. Sometime Jake and I can just feel one another or just know things. Sometimes we don't have to say it aloud, we just feel it."

Charlie threw a worried glance over toward his wife.

"Please Daddy, take me to him; I know that I can make him feel better." Bella cried as tears formed in her eyes. Her father became quite alarmed; his daughter had never be one to cry.

End of Flashback

"Hey, Bella, are you alright?" Sasha asked.

"Huh…." Bella blinked. "Yeah…I was just remembering."

"What?"

Bella shook her head. "Nothing…ah important. Just something that happened when Jake and I were kids." She headed to the table. "Okay, whose turn is it to say grace?"

"Sasha's." Kenya said pointedly.

Sasha looked at her for a moment. "Okay, God bless the sun, the moon and the stars. Good bless the cook. Let's eat."

Kenya rolled her eyes precociously. "Typical man, short and to the point."

Bella couldn't contain her laugher at the young girl as she bit into the pizza. The mingling of three cheeses, hot sausage, and veggies were perfect.

The doorbell rang. "I'll get that you guys keep eating."

Bella stood and headed to front door, she wiped her fingers as she did. Opening the door she was surprised to see Paul standing in the doorway. "Paul…"

"We've got a hell of a problem. Is Jake still here?"

"Yes…but…" She spied two other cars pulling into the drive. Following the cars was what looked to be a red Japanese motorcycle, Bella didn't know enough about them other than the pictures she'd seen in some of Jake's motorcycle magazine. She wondered who the rider was for a moment when the bike stopped and the rider and pulled off her helmet to reveal Naje. The beautiful young she wore a striped blue and white top that knotted above her stomach to bare her pierced mid-drift, dark cut-off jean shorts, and short black biker boots. Looking a little more kick-ass than when Bella had seen her last the in the clearing, she pushed her long damp hair out of her face and twisted it up into a knot. Lorena and Marley stepped out of their cars and Naje followed them up the stairs to the front door.

Shiloh sat high up admits the trees and watched as visitors went within the Black household. Something was going on, his gut told him. He wished that he knew what, but he couldn't risk going into the house, not with the Seer there. He recognized her when she pulled up on her bike from the fight, and unlike the humans she would be able to see his natural form. At the moment he preferred to remain invisible. He still wasn't sure what type of powers she could wield. The more powerful ones would be able to see through not only his glamour but the "shade" which allowed him to become invisible.

At the moment, Bella was safely on the reservation where she belonged. She had spent most of the morning in Port Angeles with some book agent. Of course the strange vampire, Jasper, had followed her to offer her protection. Shiloh still found the relationship between the vampires and shape sifters too fucking strange for him. There was certainly was no love lost between the two sects; however for the moment they worked in conjunction to protect her. He had truly expected to be "outed" by the vamps, the only one of their kind he trusted was Jin, but surprisingly, they had kept their mouths shut and he still wasn't sure why. Acts of altruism didn't inspire him, as he had experienced so few himself.

Who the fuck am I kidding? I'm hiding in a tree, spying on shape sifters to protect a human shield all from a coven of vampires, when I should be off somewhere getting my dick sucked.

If that wasn't altruism, he didn't know what the fuck was.

That he could lose his head in this cluserfuck remained astounding. Because the truth was, if the Fae ever found out what he and Reign were doing, protecting the future Queen of Queens—what the Volturi could do would do to her and the pack was mere child play compared to the assault that would rain down on them. The "monsters" that would be sent after the Blacks and pack would be like him.

Still he was here. Shiloh had given his word and he wasn't going to turn back on them now. He would give his immortal life protecting Jacob and Bella Black. Truth be told, it wasn't his loyalty to the Queen and of all Queens he was doing this for, he was here for only one individual, Reign. Reign had had his loyalty, his devotion and if need be his life. It had been that way since they were young and that was never going to change. He often wondered why the fates did the things they did. Reign deep in her heart, although an assassin, didn't have the darkness inside of her that the others like them did. She actually cared about others. IT was her greatest quality and her deepest flaw.

Shiloh looked around for a moment and dropped softly to the ground. He held out his hand opening a portal that took him thousands of miles away from La Push. The other side revealed a tranquil immaculate home. He moved across the dark wood floor to the screen door leading to the bedroom and slid the matching wood panels apart.

Inside there was woman standing over the bed, she was Fae, and like most of their kind, visually stunning.

"V" He uttered.

V looked up, her amethyst eyes somber. Normally her beautiful dark skinned face would be full of expression. V lived life to the fullest whether telling a raunchy joke, drinking someone under the table or having exuberant wild sex. Although small in stature, standing no more than 5'4, she was built shaped like a man's wet dream. Full big breast at least a D cup with a small waist and ass for days, she often looked like a pin-up-doll. Not the mention, she had a mouth on her which she used to curse out or heal others. It was also that same was a lush full mouth that could do the wicked things on a man's dick. He ought to know. Fucking V was always an erotic experience. She was tiny but so fucking dominate at times and it turned him on.

Even right now although her concern was on other matters, his dick was rock hard. V always had that affect on his body. She often dressed like female dominatrix with a fetish for leather and on her it rocked, especially when she wore her stiletto boots. That alone, addressed the seriousness of the matter. She was dressed simply in a black cotton empress style with flowing hem that stopped right above her bare feet. The dress displayed the tops of the mounds of bountiful bosom and chocolate toned arms. Long hopped silver earrings were embedded in her ears and a huge silver ring was on her middle finger of her left hand. Like all healers, she had tattoos of their healing symbols on her inner arms. V's waist length dread locks were deep burgundy in color, the beautiful locks were piled up in like a detailed twisted crown of no doubt, weighty mass on the top of her head. Although she looked like sex on the stick, there was no mistaking her power or her intellect in her eyes. V was one of the best healers of their realm. She had studied for over two centuries with Melena. She also was one of few people that Shiloh could trust with Reign. "There's been no change."

Shiloh moved over toward the bed to where Reign lay.

Reign was in some sort of coma that they didn't understand. Energy of some sort of bluish force-field "protected" her as her body lay within it confides. She was in her Fae form; her hair had grown long and gone back to its natural color of a fire engine red. Her body almost glowed as her tattoos looked like glistening gold, garnets and pink sapphires sparking against her skin. It wasn't just the force field that perplexed both V and Shiloh, it was the fact that Reign's mental connection to Shiloh seemed to have been have been mysteriously cut. He couldn't reach her at all. V had used her powers as well, but all they got was silence. It was as if the force field, were to reach inside her mind, but something was keeping them out and they couldn't get past it. Neither physical or magical means had helped them reach her.

"I just don't understand this. I've never heard of something like this happening before," V's husky sensuous voice cut through the silence, "Physically Reign appears to be in good condition…but I'm just not sure. And the fact we don't know what placed her in this condition only makes it more perplexing. Maybe we ought to go to the royal healers with this."

"No."

"Shiloh…"

"I said no, V." He snapped. "We can't. They'd ask too many questions, questions that I can't answer."

V turned to hide her frustration. She knew as Guardians there were many things she couldn't ask. But this was Reign, one of her closest friends - and this condition was serious. She had nothing to go on and her powers were completely ineffective.

V looked up at Shiloh and saw the concern in his face. She was shocked by the raw emotion there. Shiloh was a hard man, a hardened killer, an assassin with no equal. Usually cold and calculating, today she saw none of those traits as she watched him kneel beside Reign's bed. His fingers reached out for a moment yearning for a chance to touch her. She almost felt intrusive for witnessing such an intimate yet vulnerable moment from him.

Shiloh said nothing more, his eyes focused on the woman on the bed. He wished that he had some answers to give V however, he didn't. He had come home the night before when Reign hadn't shown up for her turn to watching Bella. After some time he went home to find Reign had been in bed, but not with Roman. Not that he expected bed play to be the reason she was late. Instead, she had been asleep and although he did everything to try to wake her, nothing worked. He couldn't leave Reign in such a vulnerable state when she had so many enemies, so he brought her back to her home to Japan, where her home's protective markers would serve at least some protection. Then he contacted the only healer that he'd knew would have the ability to help her and that he could possibly trust with the truth about Rein's condition. Since Melena had gone to ground, he couldn't use her to help her daughter, so he'd contacted V, but it seemed that nothing she did matter. Reign, it seemed was trapped and there was nothing he could do about it.

Bella's House

"What's going on?" Bella asked the group standing her living room.

"She fucked Sam up." Paul growled. "That's what's fucking up."

Naje gave Paul an aggravated look as she crossed her arms over the chest. "I did not fuck him up. There are certain unforeseeable events that can occur when separating the wolf from the human." She remarked.

"The man can't remember his wife or his fucking kids and you call that some fucking unforeseeable event!"

Naje strode straight up to Paul looking him directly in the eye, "Like I said earlier you watch your tone when you speak to me."

"Are you fucking kidding me, little girl." Paul growled back at her not giving a fuck that he towered over her. "You'd better do whatever it takes to get Sam's memories back or so help me I'll-"

Naje waved her hand in front of him and suddenly it was like Paul was frozen with a feral look on his face. His words stopped in mid sentence, his body frozen.

Bella was stunned as were the others. "What did you do to Paul?"

"I'm giving him a timeout since he's acting as if he's five." She remarked, her accent more apparent with her ire. " He's been getting on my nerves yelling and carrying on for the last half an hour. I don't know how you all put up with him. There is one just like him in my brother's pack, Caine, they must have been brothers in a previous life."

"Your brother's pack?" Marley asked.

"Yes, they are jaguars instead of wolves." Naje supplied.

Bella turned her attention to the exotic young woman. "He's going to be pissed when you release him."

"Be glad that I didn't turn him into a toad."

"You can do that?" Marley asked.

"I can do a lot of things." Naje said with a smirk before sighing and waving her hand again. Paul was suddenly animated once more. Incensed he started in again, "You little bitch…"

"I'd watch my words if I were you." She remarked with a malicious gleam in her eyes, a finger pointing up and directly at him before looking down at his crotch. "One little wave from me and you won't be able to get it up in weeks."

Bella watched Naje and realized there was way more to her than "just some teen". The young female held a great deal of power and the last thing she wanted was Paul phasing in a house with children around or Naje using whatever powers she had in retaliation. Feeling like she was back in the classroom, she morphed into teacher mode. "Okay, everyone, let's stay calm and remember we are on the same side." She turned her eye on Paul giving her brother-in-law a no nonsense look. "Paul please go and stand over there, your anger isn't helping the situation, and you know that Jake would be furious if you phased in his house or around me in my condition." Paul glared at Naje for a moment but wisely moved away for which Bella was thankful. "Now, will someone tell me what's going on?"

"I'm going to try to see if I can restore Sam's memories. I'll need the amulet that I gave your husband, but I must be honest, I'm not sure I can separate the memories from the wolf." Her even mature gaze met Bella's with thoughtful regret. "I'm certainly going to try."

"What if it doesn't work?" Marley asked concerned about her patient. "Will they ever restore on their own?"

"I'm not sure."

"You're not sure?" Paul's voice rang out, " You caused this!" He retorted.

"It took a great deal of power to get that wolf out of him and keep him alive; power in which I gave off a great deal of energy to my own determent. I'm sorry about his memories, but he didn't lose his life. Honestly, I did that best that I could do." Deep emotion and regret flashed in her eyes.

It was in that moment Bella realized that although very powerful and no doubt mature for her age. Naje was still a young woman probably no more than seventeen. It was unfair the way they were placing demands on her.

Paul however was frustrated. He didn't like the girl or the type of power she wielded. As far as he was concerned, she was a witch and that was very unnatural. He certainly didn't like the idea that all of Sam's memories seemly were wiped out of his head as if they had never happened. But what bothered him the most was the fact that the lack of Imprint that affected both Sam and Emily. It frightened him to his core and made Paul feel vulnerable. If Naje could do that to Sam, she could do it to him and cost him everything he held dear. "I don't give a fuck about your being sorry. You but him in this condition now you need to do something about it. You can't play with someone's life like this!" He bellowed.

"What the hell is going on?" Jake came down the stairs wearing nothing but a pair of shorts and flip flops with his hair all muzzled looking furious. "Paul, for Christ's sake, stop cussing around my house. Kenya and Sasha are in the kitchen.

Paul looked toward the kitchen for a moment then back to Naje. "Tell her to fix Sam." He growled.

"Sam knew the risks and he agreed to losing his wolf." Jake reminded Paul.

"It's not just his wolf that he lost. He lost his memories. How would you feel if you lost your memories of Bella? That's not the only thing Sam lost, she destroyed his Imprint—"

"No, I didn't."

"Yes - you certainly did! He doesn't feel the Imprint anymore and-"

"Breaking an Imprint takes a great deal of power. The type of powers, which I currently don't have at my disposal or will I probably have for at least another decade if not more. Unlike you, my power increases as I get older and as I study. It takes the time, the strength and the ability to do the things I've done. It isn't easy, I've been under my grandmother's direct guidance and teaching since I've been six." Naje failed to mention that when her grandmother passes from this life to another, that Naje would automatically receive some of her powers as a gift. Naje was quite aware of what Paul felt her and deep down his fear was palpable. This wasn't her village in which people more readily accepted special gifts. Regardless of the Quileute's believes and connections to the spirits, she wasn't about the take the chance of making the wolves to fear her, after all, she needed to be able to live among them. "My grandmother can break Imprints, but not me," she continued. "There has to be a specific unbinding ceremony which is very arduous and painful. Both of the people have to be involved in order for it to work. It's certainly not something that "just happens" Naje informed. "Besides, I didn't break his Imprint because there was no Imprint. All I did was separate the wolf from Sam and to do that, I removed the Love Spell that had been cast on him. I'm powerful enough to do that."

The room was stunned by Naje's declaration.

"Love Spell?" Jake asked.

Lorena's eyes suddenly got wide.

"You can't be serious." Paul remarked.

"I'm very serious; somebody cast a strong spell on him."

"Not possible." He responded, pissed that the little bitch was lying just because she fucked up.

"Says the person who changes into a wolf?" Naje scoffed. Naje looked at the silent group. Dread hit the pit of her stomach. "Wait a minute, you all didn't know?"

"Look, I know what an Imprint bind looks like; I also know what a Love Spell looks like. As a Seer, I can see it. It was like a coating all over Sam like an aura. It had layers to it, so it meant that someone reinforced by continuing to cast the spell again and again. It was powerful earth magic, but my power deals with all the elements: earth, wind, fire, and the spirit so I eliminated it. But come on! Pack magic is just another form of earth magic. None of you could tell something was…wrong with Sam? None of you ever wondered what might be causing his twisted behavior?" Again, there was silence. "Didn't you grow up with him? You would have had to have seen the drastic change in him. Love Spells are quite invasive, they eat the person from the inside out causing self destructive behavior and almost sociopathic tendencies. Most packs could not survive as a unit with such an adverse force in their midst." Naje wasn't sure how they did. With Sam being the Alpha, it should have affected the others. It was strange that it did not. "None of you thought something was amiss with your friend, your pack mate, your alpha, all this time?"

The group remained in shocked silence. Naje could only respond one way, "UNBELEIVABLE!"

Eventually she went on after looking at the ground and shaking her head before looking back up, "Besides, even if I had been able to remove the Imprint, the love that the two people had for each other would still have been there. The Imprint only makes the love grow stronger and the bind thickens as the years go by, the bound strengthens like a muscle. The love never would have faded.

"So…you are saying that Sam and Emily never Imprinted?" Bella whispered.

Naje gave them a "duh" look before continuing, "No, they didn't. But someone worked very hard to make Sam's relationship look just like an Imprint. When I saw Sam for the first time I just assumed you knew about the caustic magic and wanted my help, so when I removed the wolf, I took the spell off as well. This explains why Sam suddenly doesn't feel "love" for his wife, Emily. It also explains why he is very much in love with another woman. His "love" for Emily was more of a sickness than an Imprint; his feelings for Emily were never real."