Chapter 13

Bella POV

I sat behind my desk waiting for Kira to walk through, I semi trusted Rosalie with her but there's no telling what Edward has planned with Emmett being back. And that girl he brought with him, I never even heard her speak and her presence annoys me. God I hope I don't have her in any classes. Thankfully I didn't have to wait long until Kira came walking in, I rose a brow when I saw her hand tightly in Rosalie's. Kate followed behind for once looking serious, and incredibly annoyed. They took their seats with the rest of class and I stood up to start class just as the door opened once more. "sorry I'm late, I'm new." She stated as if that was reason enough and every vampire in the room tensed. Her voice alone grated on me "then perhaps next time find your classes ahead of time. Take the empty seat over there." I snapped not liking it was next to Kira. She did as I asked and I was able to start the class, but it didn't last long until she leaned over and whispered something to Kira. "what could be so important for you to interrupt my class Miss?"

"Amber maam, and nothing sorry." I hummed and started my class again as I kept my eyes on Kira and the vampires in the room. Luckily the rest of class went by without her opening her mouth again, she did however keep shooting glances towards them. "Alright class this paper is going to have the instructions for your project on it, this is a group project of two to four, no more. You have two weeks to finish it. I suggest you pick your groups now." I stated as I started handing out papers, Amber once again leaned over to Kira "hey how about we work on this together." She glanced at her sideways "I'm working on it with Rosalie."

"Rosalie can work on it with Kate though."

"yah and me, Rosalie, Kate and Wyett."

"yah but-"

"she said no." Rosalie finally snapped but never spared her a glance. "she can speak for herself-"

"and she has." Kate also interrupted, she finally got the point and sat back with a huff. With those instructions I ended class quickly. Kira, Wyett and the two vampires I kind of liked stuck around as the bell rang. The other vampire stomped her way out of the room. When the door shut I turned to Rosalie and noticed her eyes were slightly darker, I rose a brow "you have been feeding I hope considering I am trusting my daughter with you?" She covered up her offended look before answering "of course, I would never hurt her Bella, and I would never allow someone else to." I hummed handing Wyett and Kira their food before continuing "are you ok?" She looked shocked I was asking her "I am fine thank you. I have made peace with what Emmett did, not so much with what they are all doing now."

"which is?"

"Exactly, I have no idea. And I don't like it. And I don't like her sudden interest in Kira."

"Now that we can agree on. My guess is Edward thinks they can use her to get to me, and my daughter will not be used like that." I was going to continue when Kate spoke up "Irina did just text me and said it looks like they are planning something for sure. They were all huddled up before she lost em." With a sigh I turned back to Rosalie, "your brother is really starting to piss me off." She sent me a small smirk "not my brother remember?" I let out a little chuckle as the door opened to admit the three vampires I didn't want to see. Edward wore that same stupid smirk while Emmett had on his old dopey grin that use to make me smile. His little girlfriend hung onto his arm and I wanted nothing more than to smack that stuck up look off her face. "Bella-"

"Mr. Cullen." I admit I enjoyed watching his lips turn down at my obvious disinterest. "there's no audience Bella, you don't need to pretend or call me that."

"your right. I don't need to do anything. I choose to. Funny how that works huh? How I can just choose something for myself and not worry about someone telling me that I am wrong or that they know more about what's best for me." His face took on that look it gets when your about to lecture a child about why what they did was wrong. "Bella you have to understand-"

"no Edward, actually I don't, again funny how that works out huh? If I don't want to do something then I can just, not. And no one has the right to take that away from me."

"Bella-Bear."

"Don't call me that Emmett." I rose a brow when it looked like his little girlfriend was going to speak up and she thought better of it. "ok , ok. Bella look, I get your upset but Edward only had your best interests in mind."

"Really now? So when he took me out into the forest, that was for me? The clumsy disaster prone human, out into the forest, ok? When he hit each and every single insecurity I had, was that also for me? Oh what about when he took away the family I had come to think of as my own, the family I thought felt the same about me? The only family I had. I take it that was for me as well?" as I continued my tone got more and more sarcastic, out of the corner of my eye I could see my daughter trying to hide her smirk in Rosalie's shoulder from behind as I showed them just how stupid I thought they were. Her arms had wrapped around the vampires waist probably thinking she could hold her back from starting anything, and it probably would. The vampire looked actually comfortable with her arms around her, I noticed she took the space between Kira and the vampires as soon as the door opened. "I'm curious Edward, how exactly was all that the best for me?" His mouth flopped open and closed before "can we please talk about this alone?"

"ahh so you do know how to ask instead of demand? No, we may not. And that's more for your benefit than mine, I'm not sure I would be able to stop myself from killing you. Not that I would really mind."

"you would really kill him?" I turned to the blonde wrapped around Emmett's arm, "absolutely. I would kill him, I would kill you, I would kill Emmett. Hell I would even kill Rosalie of it came down to it. No offence." I added with a look towards her, all she did was shrug not looking all that worried. But Kira did send a glare my way over her shoulder. The comment brought the other vampires attention towards them, Edward glared big surprise there, Amber's eyes narrowed and Emmett's widened. "And your ok with that?" she asked, Rosalie rose a brow "I have no intention of doing anything that would make her want to kill me. If I did than I would deserve it."

"you would fight Bella?" she turned to Edward her expression bored "you did see what she did to Carlisle right?" I held back my smirk along with Kira as she tilted her head "you should have seen what my mom did to Embry one of the wolves. He still has a bald spot when he shifts." Rosalie tilter her head to smirk down at the human, her eyes lighting up when they met hers. "oh I believe it." I turned back to Edward when he made a disgusted sound, his attention on Rosalie before turning back to me "you need to keep Rosalie away from her Bella."

"oh? And why's that?"

"the thoughts she's having are-"

"hers and hers alone!" my daughter snapped much to his surprise. I would have added more but "the bell rang, you all need to get to class. Now." My tone switched quickly from boredom to strict teacher that even the vampires left the room with a huff.

As soon as they were put of my classroom, my next class of students started filing in. And unlike the vampires at this school, they gave me little to no trouble beyond what high schoolers do. I gave these students the same project as the rest of my classes and watched as they partnered up.

Before I knew it the final bell rang and I gathered up my things as the last student walked out. I was just heading out the door when it opened before I got to it, there stood that fucking idiot I have been avoiding. He smiled "finally Bella, some alone time." He walked in and closed the door before turning to me with that stupid smile. with a sigh I set my stuff down now that he was effectively blocking my only exit. "what do you want Edward?" I he noticed my annoyed tone then he didn't show it "to talk."

"I have already made myself perfectly clear about anything you have to say."

"Bella it's just you and me right now. You don't need to do this." he took a step forward with his arms open as if I would just step into them. I looked at him so he knew how stupid I thought he was "what do you want? Because I want to go home." I spoke slowly as if talking to a child, he didn't seem to like his own medicine which made it so worth it. "Bella, I'm back."

"yes I see that, and you have been nothing but a pain in the ass since."

"I get your mad Bella, and you have every right to be."

"I'm aware."

"but it doesn't have to be like this. we can work this out."

"I don't want to work this out."

"we could get away." He continued talking as if he didn't hear a word I had said, and he probably didn't. I rolled my eyes before I could no longer take his rambling on, with a wave of my hand there was sweet silence. I smirked as he clawed at the ice over his mouth. I walked up to him and for once I saw real fear in his eyes, "listen good here Edward since I apparently didn't get my point across last time. I don't love you anymore. I don't even like you. There will never, ever, be another us. When I said I would kill you, I meant every single word of it, it was not some show for an audience. I would rip you limb from limb, right before your daddy's eyes. And then I would rip him apart, limb by limb. And anyone who stood in my way. Anyone who threatens my family, and as of right now, that includes Rosalie. I don't know what kind of game your trying to play bringing Emmett back here, and I don't particularly care. But don't cross me, don't cross us, you won't like the end result. I do hope we have an understanding now?" I waited for him to nod before patting him on the cheek "wonderful." With that I walked out not letting the ice melt until I was down the hall.

I let out the breath I had been holding in when I walked out of the building, the cold chill of the air calming me immediately. Rosalie's car was already gone so I'm assuming Kira left with her. Emmett and Amber stood in front of Edward's car looking confused when I walked out without him. Wyett stood in front of my car with his arms crossed not paying them any mind even though I know he was on guard. I also knew Amber was subtly trying to check him out. With a roll of my eyes I hop into the car as he held the door open for me before going around to the other side.

The drive home was silent and thankfully short. I parked my car next to Val's and jumped out. And then I was disappointed when I walked in and felt the house was empty. With a sigh I check my phone, Kira was with Rosalie and Kate working on the project. I let out a little growl when I saw the message from Val. "what?"

"she and Lauren are in Seattle looking into any vampire problems."

"…Lauren will keep an eye on her Izz." I let out a sigh as I tried to calm down, putting my stuff away as I replied "I know she will, I just don't like having her that far right now."

"I know and I get that, especially with her being pregnant, but this is Val were talking about." I let out a little chuckle "I know she can handle herself, but I also know her temper when pregnant."

"fair enough. So, you guys really didn't plan this?"

"this pregnancy? No definitely not. And I know that worries her."

"yah, Val never was one for surprises. But it was only a matter of time before the Higher ups got involved, Hayden especially."

"…what do you mean?"

"I mean my sister is damn good at what she does, one of the best if not the best. But she is also very dangerous, even for your kind. When she went rogue, she was near impossible to control because there was nothing she cared about enough. Now she has you and the kids, what better way to keep her…compliant?"

"you think they did this for more leverage?"

"I think Hayden would do anything to keep her on his leash." I let out a growl at the thought "why though? What does this gain him?"

"With one of the most powerful Fallen at his disposable? It keeps him near the top. Even the Volturi fear pissing him off lest he send her to Italy." Shaking my head "I never liked that creep." He chuckled "you know he actually wasn't to bad back when he was…smitten with her. I think he took the rejection pretty hard." He smirked when I narrowed my eyes at him. He turned pretty serious though "but for real, she broke the rules already Izz, and I'm glad she did, she's a different person with you. But that not how they all see it. If she keeps breaking them there no way to tell what they will do."

"She's been doing really well Wyett, I would think they would be happy one of their Fallen was back on the right track."

"they would be if they didn't fear losing their best weapon, well weapons now." I fell into the couch with a thud as he sat across from me. "it's just a theory."

"yah but it's also what most likely happened. If I didn't decide this and she didn't decide to do this, then it has to be someone who knows what to do to make it happen. And I don't know anyone without wings besides you, Kira and the pack who even know about it."

"your worried."

"I am."

"about having another baby?"

"No. We didn't really talk much about it since Aidan was born but I thought about it. I wanted another one, I think she did to just not now. And like you said, Val doesn't do surprises well. She does people making choices for her even worse."

"yah, she has been trying to get ahold of someone for days now, even the Hospital is vacant of anyone non-human."

"great."

"yah. But on the bright side." I rose a brow waiting for him to continue, he stared at me a for a moment before "I got nothing." We sat in silence for another moment as I sent a text for Leah to bring Aidan back. "Izz?" I looked up at his wary voice "are you ok?"

"…what do mean?"

"I mean with the whole vampire situation."

"I'm fine Wyett, we will deal with it as soon as we find the maker and-"

"not that vampire situation." I admit I tensed, "the Cullen's?"

"and Denali's, and the blonde mated to your daughter."

"I-honestly don't know how to answer that."

"…ok, let's start with the easier one. Rosalie and Kira." My chuckle was unamused "I wouldn't call that the easy one. I'm not happy about it, neither is Val. But, I don't know, I trust her with Rosalie, as much as I can at least. She has already proven time after time she would defend her. She's a completely different vampire with Kira than the one I knew."

"yah I will give the vampire that, she does seem to have Kira in the front of her mind." I nodded still not sure how I really felt about it, but he was right that was the easy situation. "what about the little one and her mate?"

"Alice and Jasper? I really want to forgive her, part of me already has. She was my best friend, my sister. But she still left, she still followed him without even checking on me before leaving."

"if Val were to leave?"

"…I would follow obviously, I know she left because Jasper wanted to. That doesn't excuse not saying goodbye."

"no it doesn't, but at least they are on our side with this mess. Jasper could come in handy with this vampire problem, as well as his 'brother'." I sent him a smirk "you heard him, he is no longer his brother."

"ha, yah that seems to be going around a lot lately. Speaking of brothers, what about the big guy?"

"ahh Emmett and his new little 'mate'. I don't know. Considering what he did I can't even say I really know him. He and Rosalie seemed like the perfect couple back then. For him to do that and then show back up with that girl. I don't like it."

"yah they are definitely planning something, Edward probably called them for back up, considering you two use to be close." And that is what pisses me off, I was close to him and he pulls this crap like its nothing. "and the Denali's?" my head shot up "what about them?" He simply rose a brow, "I have no issues with them, they aren't the ones who hurt me. And Val said they had made peace with what they are so they are where they should be."

"and that one…Tanya?"

"…what about her, I lump her with the others, I have no issues with her. She is on our side."

"oh I don't doubt that, but why? There is something more there."

"…probably because of Rosalie. And then her sisters mating with Leah and all." I replied but my voice sounded like I was trying to convince myself more than anything. Thankfully the door opened before I could think to much on it, Kira walked in stopping when her eyes landed on us, "is everything ok?"

"of course, where were you?"

"sorry, we bailed as soon as we could, Rose didn't wana deal with them. we went back to her house to work on the project with Kate."

"Rose?" her face reddened when I sent her a smirk, she shifted foot to foot before changing the subject "where's mom?"

"Seattle." She nodded and made her way to the kitchen, I waited for her to come back with her snack before patting the spot next to me. She sat down leaning into my side as I wrapped an arm around her "are you doing ok Kira?"

"why wouldn't I be?"

"well this whole vampire thing can't be easy on you either." Shaking her head "it wasn't me they hurt mom, that's what pisses me off, they hurt you and they think they can just waltz right back into your life."

"mm I know your worried Kira but you don't need to be-"

"what if tries something? Like actually tries something beyond his consistent rambling?"

"well, if he tried something with you, there is a long line of people who are going to end him."

"Damn straight." Wyett muttered. I sent him a smile, "and if he tried something with your uncle there, well I think we all know how that would end." He flashed her his fangs in a smile and she laughed before turning serious again "and if he tried something with you? Would you really be able to kill him?" I actually thought about it for a moment, yah I said it a lot but would I actually be able to do it? I loved him once, at least I thought I did. But he did more than just hurt me, he put my life in danger, he left me where anything could happen and no one would know. And then everyday from there I was a danger to myself because of it. "honestly hon, I don't know. I know I could for any of you, I would without a second thought."

"but for yourself mom?"

"…I don't know. I think I would be able to, but I don't know. What I do know though is even if I couldn't, your mother would."

"fuck yah I would." We all jumped at the quiet admission turning to where she stood in the door way with Lauren "Jesus Val, your like a fucking ninja." She sent me a smirk flashing me her fangs before turning to Kira, "my point is nothing is going to happen to your mom, either of us Kira. I would not allow him to hurt her again. And I would not allow him to hurt you."

"you would kill him?"

"I would, without a second thought. I would kill any of them if necessary." I felt Kira tense before Val continued "relax, your little blonde vampire is safe, for now."

"yah, I don't see Rosalie giving us a reason otherwise." She relaxed momentarily before "She wouldn't do anything to make you. How was Seattle?" She changed the subject clearly uncomfortable with the topic of Rosalie's death. Lauren walked around Val and took a seat on Wyett's lap as he wrapped his arms around her. Val took the spot on the other side of Kira after pressing her lisp to mine quickly allowing Lauren to answer the question. "pretty uneventful actually. We caught a few scents of vampires, newborns. But following them led to a dead end."

"how many?"

"not sure, maybe 5. But not a single scent was strong enough to be the maker. Which worries me, they may not be staying in Seattle."

"great, then what do we do?"

"right now nothing, I'm starving and exhausted, so we have dinner. Then we see." I turned to look at her, and she did look exhausted, her eyes had dark circles under them though I know she got some sleep last night. The red in her eyes was still fading so I also know she had kept them shifted for to long today, her eyes narrowed as of she had a killer headache, and she probably did. "alright, how about I order something instead then?" She nodded still a bit distracted, "aye." I quickly ordered from the only Pizza place in town, when I joined them in the living room again Leah had already dropped Aidan off and he was curled up in my wife's arms. "She not want to stay for dinner?" She shook her head "no, Jake has them doing some extra training or something." Makes sense, especially with all the vampire crap going on in this state. Dinner arrived shortly after and we all dug in catching up with everyone considering we have all been a bit distracted lately. It was nice to just have dinner as a family again, no vampires around, no vampires mentioned at all. No phones were checked, no distractions from just each other.

Kira eventually decided to call it a nigh before heading upstairs to work on the rest of her homework. Lauren and Wyett soon followed. For a minute I just sat there watching as Val put some movie on for Aidan. Eventually she murmured "I can feel your eyes you know." My lips twitched up into a smile and I held my hand out to her, she took it without question curling up into my side. I could still feel how tense she was, only slightly relaxing when I rand my thumb over her hip bone in hopefully soothing circles. She let out a little sigh leaning into me, "your worried." It wasn't a question and we both knew it, "what are we going to do?" I licked my lips thinking of a way to ease my wife's worries "well, for starters we aren't going to let this determine our lives and how we live it Val."

"isn't it already doing that?"

"yes, and that ends. Look, how about we have a meeting with the Denali's, and wolves together? I know your not their biggest fan, but it may help."

"How?" she ground out. "we come up with a plan, we split up if necessary and cut this vampire off, we finish this. with all of us on board we won't come up empty handed, one of us will find a vampire, and then we go form there." She thought about it for a second before nodding her head, then our eyes shot to the child in front of the TV who was currently cracking up at some nonsense on the screen. She shook her head with a smile, "and what about our other problem?" I admit I tensed "you see it as a problem?"

"…that's not what I meant babe."

"then what did you mean Val?" she flinched at my tone and I instantly regretted it. "it's a problem that someone is interfering with our lives." Taking a deep breath "…Wyett thinks it was Hayden." Her head shot up from where she laid it on my shoulder to look me in the eye. "what?"

"think about it Val. The higher ups are the main people who know what it takes, the rest are our family. Who else would have something to gain from this? The higher ups yah, true, but they don't care enough, not like he does."

"…he wouldn't" She uttered but the look on her face said even she didn't buy it. "what could he gain from this?"

"…leverage." Her hands were clenched into fists as she tried to rain in her temper and powers. "I'm going to kill him. He had to know I would if I found out."

"how?" her eyes flashed to me in confusion "Val, baby you can't go up there." I murmured it quietly but I still saw the pain in her eyes. I slowly brought my hand up to wipe away the lone tear she let fall "I trusted him. I treated him like family. I have done everything for him!" She jumped up and started pacing, thankfully Aidan unaware. "he calls and I jump. He needs something dealt with I deal with it! He gives an order and I follow it!" I let watched her pace back and forth ranting until she got It all out, until she sank back into my side. "…we could be wrong Val."

"yes, we could. But we probably aren't. I should have seen it coming."

"baby-"

"Don't Bella. I should have. The only way a Higher Angel keeps his wings that white is by having someone else do his dirty work. And that was me." She shook her head "come on baby, it's time for bed." She got up shutting the TV off and he turned to look at her like she ended his entire world. "you can watch it tomorrow." She swung him into her arms, "bath time first." I watched her until she disappeared up the stairs and then let out a sigh. I sent a quick message to Jake asking if he would be willing to meet with everyone. He wasn't happy I'm sure but he agreed. I made my way up the stairs knocking before pushing Kira's door open. She sitting at her desk putting her homework away when she turned to me. "hey ma, everything ok?"

"yah sweetie everything is fine. But can you do me a favor and text Rosalie to ask Tanya if her and her family would be willing to meet with us and the wolves please."

"sure I can do that right now."

"thanks, just let me know when she re-" her phone vibrated before I could finish and her face reddened. "she answers pretty quick. She said Tanya said yes, and to just give you her number. Here." I quickly typed her number in my phone. "thank you love. Get some sleep."

"I will, you to mom. Love you."

"love you to." I placed a kiss to her forehead before making my way to our room, I stopped in the open doorway of Aidan's room and smiled when I saw Val rocking him to sleep, and him fighting it the whole way. He hardly ever has to be rocked anymore except on his particularly stubborn nights. He can never fight it for too long as I watched his eyes finally close. A few minutes later and he was out, she placed him in his bed knowing he would most likely still end up in ours. I went to close the gate at the stairs and change for bed by the time she made it back to our room. she stripped out of her clothes and crawled into bed settling into my arms. "everyone has agreed to meet, we just need to pick the when and where."

"hmmm. Well it will have to be after school or on the weekend. Which do you think the Cullen's are least likely to crash?"

"does it matter? We will have a pack of wolves, the Denali's and us there, I'm not sure even Edward is that stupid."

"fair enough. Do you really think the Denali's would side with us?" I thought about it for a moment, they have had plenty of chances to take the Cullen's side, and they haven't really tried to hide their dislike of Edward. And with Emmett's return, I don't think they would defend them. "yah, I think they would, I'm not too sure about Esme yet, but the others, the Denali's and even Alice and Jasper, I think they would." She hummed in answer. "do you disagree?"

"I'm not sure. I'm not concerned with Rosalie, I have a feeling that girl would jump into an open flame if Kira asked." With a little chuckle "I have to agree."

"As for the pixie and her mate, I think they feel to betrayed by them to side with him. That and she seems to want your forgiveness to badly to go against you. And he will follow her."

"…she was like a sister to me." I murmured and she shifted to look up at me "for what it's worth, I don't think she was faking that, you were a sister to her to." She placed a kiss to my chin. "perhaps" was all I could manage and thankfully she continued "as for the Denali's though, I don't know. The other two will follow their leader, that I know for sure. But I don't see what they gain from siding with us, other than it being for Rosalie. But…"

"but?"

"but she genuinely seems to care."

"she does doesn't she. How about this weekend, up the mountain in that one clearing near the cliffs?"

"Aye, sounds good."

"then I will text them tomorrow and see if it works for everyone." With that taken care of I paced a soft kiss to her lips and let the darkness take over.

When I woke up the next morning it was before my alarm, and thanks to the finger poking me in the face. I cracked an eye open and came face to face with a smiling 3 year old. "momma!" he squealed into my ear. "mmph not so loud buddy." He threw himself onto me while trying to also burrow into the blankets. I wrapped my arms around him hoping to keep him still for the last 20 minutes before my alarm goes off. It did not work. "momma food." With a groan I turned my head towards the mass of red curls next to me, I didn't get to utter a work though and she never opened her eyes "not a chance love. I got him out of bed when he woke up. Your turn."

"right right." With a sigh I swung myself up taking the child hanging onto me with me. once downstairs I made him a quick breakfast and tried to get ready from work while also keeping an eye on him. Kira came down shortly after already showered and dressed. I placed a plate in front of her as she spoke "go on, I'll watch him." Placing a grateful kiss to her forehead I ran back upstairs for a quick shower. I threw on some work appropriate clothes and walked out where my wife was mid-stretch, the usual desire flooded through me as she caught my eye with a smirk. Shaking my head "you know what your doing." She let out a little chuckle before walking past me for her own shower.

When I made it back down stairs I ate quickly "is Rosalie picking you up?"

"nah, I'm going to ride with you today." I nodded and pulled out my phone to send the message to everyone about this weekend. Everyone agreed readily. "where's Wyett?"

"here." I looked up as he entered the kitchen running a hand through the mess of his hair. "you do own a brush yes?"

"ha ha. This is the best I am doing today." He managed through a yawn. "right, eat so we can go." He stuffed some food into his mouth and we made our way to the car. "so when is this meeting going down?"

"this weekend."

"…so tomorrow?"

"what?"

"Tomorrow is Saturday mom." Shit it was? "oh, well then yes."

"can I go?"

"yes, you and your brother will be going. I don't feel comfortable leaving you alone or on the reservation while everyone is meeting." she nodded her head as I parked. Rosalie was already making her way towards us as she hopped out. Her eyes lit up on Kira but she still seemed shocked when she leaned up to kiss her. Almost as shocked as the onlooking students that neither of them paid attention to. Kira took her hand as Rosalie turned to me, probably expecting the worst, "good morning Bella."

"Rosalie." She cleared her throat un-necessarily "Tanya had told us about the meeting."

"good, hopefully we can put an end to all this nonsense." She nodded before "were heading to class mom." She gestured to the three vampires walking our way. "of course." Wyett took up the spot between me and the trio leaning against the car with his arms crossed. "good morning Bella."

"Cullens." He frowned but covered it instantly as Emmett spoke "I wanted to apologize Bella."

"for?"

"leaving the way we did. It was uncalled for. We really did think of you as family." I rose a brow as Amber tried to send me a sympathetic look, as if she knew a damn thing about what happened, Edward simply nodded his head. "…that's nice." Was all I gave them and Wyett cracked a smirk that none of them missed. "Bella we need to talk."

"and here we go again."

"not about us Bella."

"oh? Then do tell." My voice dripped of sarcasm he didn't notice. "Rosalie and Kira." I tensed "tread carefully Edward."

"your daughter isn't safe Bella. Not with Rosalie."

"is that so?"

"it's only a matter of time until she slips up Bella."

"really? Rosalie? The vampire who has never not once had human blood, is going to slip up? Slip up on her mate?"

"Bella she isn't her mate, Rosalie is lying to you." He spoke as I if I were a child. "the way you lied to me?" his eyes widened before anger took over "what did Tanya tell you? She's lying Bella it isn't true, I won't allow it." …ok what now? "what does Tanya have to do with anything? And you don't need to allow anything as you have no say in anything that has to do with me, or my daughter." I didn't bother waiting for his reply and pushed off of the car towards the buildings, Wyett trailing behind after me.

Classes went by quickly and thankfully uneventful. I didn't even have to get after Amber in class, though her looks towards Kira were concerning, and pissing Rosalie off as I heard a growl start up multiple times, Kira having to put a hand on hers to quiet them. Each time she would look over gratefully.

When the final bell rang I let out a sigh and quickly gathered my things, thankfully when I walked out the door Wyett was there staring down the three vampires down the hall. They looked like they wanted to

walk over here but thought better of it. He walked me to the car like a body guard and not a single vampire tried to approach me. It was great. Kira was already at the car with Rosalie standing guard, her hands wrapped around her. they said their goodbyes as I got closer, "I will see you tomorrow Bella." I nodded. We swung by to pick up Aidan on the way home as Val went to work today.

When we got home we sat in front of the TV and ate leftover pizza while Aidan played around with his toys. We then all went our separate ways, Kira went upstairs to most likely talk to Rosalie on the phone. Wyett took off to pick up Lauren and then head for the reservation. Aidan was still rolling around on the floor so I decided to get some chores done before Val got home, or at least started. Dishes were done, laundry was going, the floors were clean and nothing was laying around other then Aidan's toys by the time Val got home. I was laying on the couch grading a few papers when she walked through the door. Of course Aidan went running for her and she swung him into her arms. She kissed him all over her face as he squealed. She made her way to me and placed a kiss to my lips and swiped a piece of pizza in one move. "how was work?"

"not too bad, we have a few clients being released. Alex is still a pain in my ass. Nothing unusual. How was school?" I frowned at the mention of the doctor, he didn't exactly hide the fact that he had a hard on for my wife, going as far as to blatantly flirt and ask her out. Shaking the thoughts out of my head "fine. Wyett kept the little vampires away."

"ahh where is the pup?"

"the reservation with Lauren."

"mmm and Kira?"

"sweeping!" Aidan yelled "she's sleeping?"

"doubtful, she's probably on the phone with Rosalie." She rolled her eyes "of course." She set him down and took the papers from my hand before laying down on top of me. My hands automatically went to her hips to keep her steady. I ran my hand up her back, "I've been thinking." She murmured into my neck. "uhoh." She poked me in the side and I had to chuckle "alright alright. What about?"

"after this is all done, and we can actually get ahold of the higher ups."

"yah?" I could feel her purse her lips against my skin, "when we pay off your debt what do you want?"

"what do you mean?"

She sat up so she was straddling my waist, "when we pay off your life debt, what do you want to do? My wings will still be black, Bella I will never be allowed back up there. And I have made peace with that but-"

"hey hey hey, stop…your worried I will leave?"

"I'm worried about what will happen if you don't." She quietly admitted and my heart nearly froze. "Val?"

"what if you stay and regret it? What if you blame me? What if-" I silenced her with my lips. "it's not going to happen" I murmured against her. "you know why I want to pay off this debt Val?" She shook her head. "Not to open that door. Not to get in good with the higher ups. I do it to keep them off our

back. I do it to keep them off of yours. I have no intention, I have never had any intention of going up there when this was done and over with. If you wanted to stop working for them here and now I would agree, of you wanted to leave and disappear I would follow. If you wanted to burn this entire place t the ground, I would stand by you." She let a couple of tears slide down her face that Aidan walked over to try and wipe away, "no momma." She chuckled watery before placing a kiss to his cheek. "it's ok baby." She turned to me, "I may have been able to walk away from this in the past, but I can't anymore, not while people are dying, and not while there a chance of exposure. But after, maybe I'm done answering to them."

"they will come for us."

"I know." She laid her head back down on my shoulder. "maybe it is almost time for us to find somewhere else?"

"yah, maybe it is." We laid there in silence for what felt like hours until Aidan was continuously yawning, "I think it is time for bed my love? We have a meeting to attend tomorrow and I know how you are when tired."

"ha ha ha" she mumbled but climbed off of me. I went to pick Aidan up but he wanted to walk himself to bed, so I spent the next 10 minutes making sure he didn't fall back on the stairs. Eventually I made it to our room where my smirking wife was already in bed and joined her.

When I woke up it was thankfully not a an alarm, or anyone poking me in the face. The spot next to me was empty and getting cold so she had gotten up awhile ago. I stretched out before taking a quick shower. Throwing on some jeans and a t-shirt I made my way downstairs where my family was eating breakfast. Val was helping Aidan eat his waffles and keep him from shoving the entire thing in his mouth and Kira was eating while texting, my guess Rosalie. "no phone at the table, you know that." She rolled her eyes but sent one last message before tossing it to the counter. Wyett sent her a smirk until Lauren backhanded his stomach. I grabbed my own plate and dug in as they bantered back and forth. When everyone was done I cleaned up and started the dishwasher. "what time is the meeting supposed to be at?"

"I told them around noon. So we should probably get ready soon."

"alright then we should change." With that they scattered upstairs to get ready. Aidan was already dressed and my wife was wearing workout pants and a tank top. "so how do you want to do this?"

"…no idea yet. I'm hoping with all of us we can maybe corner one of them. Or at the very least follow one of the newborns."

"and if we come out empty handed?"

"then we push out farther." She nodded her head and finished wiping the baby's face clean. The others came down shortly after dressed in clothes that would be easy to move around in, workout clothes and sweats. We went out the back door and into the forest "Wyett why don't you shift, that way you can carry Kira and Aidan. We'll hang on to your clothes." He nodded before quickly removing his clothes and falling to his knees. Unlike the shifters his change wasn't painless, wasn't exactly painful, but definitely unpleasant. I turned my head with my family as bones started to crack. It only took a moment before a

huge black wolf stood in his place, he shook out his fur before dropping down to the ground. I helped Kira hop up before Val handed Aidan to her. "we will meet you guys there. Lauren?"

"I'll stick to the ground, just in case." I nodded and unfurled my wings, nothing beat the feeling of stretching them out. I turned to see Val doing the same, her black wings such a contrast to mine. They were littered with white and gray feathers, but she was right, they would never reach that pure white it takes to go up there. I knew it, she knew it, and they knew it, yet they still led us around with false hopes. She rose a brow in question at my staring but I only shook my head and shot into the sky, she soon followed. Ok maybe I was wrong, this was the best feeling with the wind on my wings, the air getting colder the higher I got. When I was high enough I stopped and waited for Val to catch up, which she did easily, and we took off for the clearing. Looking down I could see the heat signature of Wyett and the kids. Lauren was off to the side of them flying through the trees.

It didn't take us long to reach the top of the mountain where the vampires already waited. Lauren's wings disappeared before she was close enough to them to see, Tanya may know what we were but the rest didn't unless she told them. When we were directly over them I shared a smirk with my wife as our wings disappeared and we plummeted towards the ground.

I saw just about every vampire's face turn to horror when they looked up, all but Tanya's. With a gust of heat from Val our descent slowed enough to where we hit the ground without a sound. Their mouths opened and closed, and it looked like Alice would faint if she could. "great your all here." Val grabbed Aidan before helping Kira down who was instantly joined by Rosalie. "you just fell from the sky." I turned to Kate as she stated the obvious. "I'm aware."

"how?" I rose a brow but her sister beat me to it, "were here to discuss the vampire problem in Seattle Kate. I'm assuming?" I nodded when she turned to me. "yes, were hoping that with every ones help we can maybe finish this. Find the vampire making them, or at least a new born we can get information out of."

"and how do we plan on getting that information?"

"I will deal with that." Alice turned to Val for a second looking wary, but Jasper turned on his soldier "you have a plan?"

"yes and no. We were thinking of splitting up with everyone, hit the locations of the farthest disappearances and move inwards."

"you want to block them in."

"yes."

"and then what?"

"if it's the vampire causing the disappearances we deal with it."

"how?"

"…how do you think? This vampire is not only a threat to your existence, and humans, it is a threat to us. And we will deal with. We're not asking you to kill them, just help us find them." he nodded but still looked uncomfortable "what if we come across a newborn?" Alice asked. "we deal with it."

"you mean you kill them to? They had no choice in the matter Bella, we can teach them. Killing them makes us just the same monster their maker is."

"you already made my point Alice, they had no choice in the matter, they did not ask for this, no more than the humans asked to have their own on the menu. But whether they asked for it or not they are killing people who don't deserve to die, who aren't supposed to die. They are fucking with the balance, and that lands on us to fix. You judge us for something you know nothing about. Do you know what happens when the world is out of balance? Chaos." Val put a hand on my shoulder to calm me down knowing just how I feel about this topic, knowing just how much I despise our job, she turned to the pixie "we like this no more than you do vampire, but we have a job to complete, with or without your assistance. People are dying who shouldn't be, their souls in limbo. If killing this vampire steadies the balance then that is what we will do. If Killing each and every one of their newborn vampires is what it takes, then that is what we do. I enjoy taking a life no more than you do, but this is the world we live in."

"says who?!"

"beings beyond your reach."

"bull. These people, yah they are people, and they didn't ask to be turned. They can still be helped, we can give them a chance like the one given to us. You don't get to make that decision. You don't know what will happen if-"

"yes I do!" Val finally snapped handing Aidan to me before walking up to her, Jasper tensed. "I have seen the hell it rises child! I have seen the war it brings, the death, the blood that soaks the ground. I have seen what it does to the world and all that inhabit it. I have seen it cause lovers to take their own lives, I have seen it make a mother smother their child to death, I have seen it pit brother against brother, for nothing. That is what an imbalance does Alice. It ends the world."