AN: I've decided to let you guys have chapter 21 super early (I'll post it tomorrow). Two chapters in one weekend, guys! You will have to wait a week for the last chapter, though, and there will probably be a few weeks before I start posting Book 2 (as I am still outlining it).

Now, many of you are begging for Bella to speak up and I agree with you, but here are some of my thoughts about her. This Bella has always been an outsider (where they lived before), she's been bullied and she isn't used to putting her foot down or standing up for herself. There is a fire building in her and a strength that is just bursting to get out. I can promise that this Bella will be a force to be reckoned with. I mean, come on, she is a BADA** wolf and a witch! Being able to stand up for oneself and not simply follow the crowd is difficult. Remember also that although the story itself has gone over several chapters, time really hasn't passed that much in the story itself. She basically moved there about 2 weeks ago. She has been met with a whole lot of new information and things she's had to deal with, poor girl is overwhelmed and has not found her footing just yet. She's also learning who she can trust and rely on and for now the connection with Edward is mostly physical and the connection they have (imprint) is confusing and is taking over some of her decision-making. Edward and Bella's relationship will definately evolve and strengthen in Book 2 and they will BOTH learn to stand up against those they don't agree with.

Last comment, forgive Edward in this chapter. Things are not always what they seem.

Also, I've decided to join the Fandoms for Hope and Relief where I will be posting a special Outtake from this Mate Series - LEAH AND PAUL'S IMPRINT! Woooohoooo! More info coming soon.

A Council Meeting

Leah gives me occasional directions to the Town Hall, but other than that the truck is filled with an uncomfortable silence. I'm apprehensive and on edge, constantly doubting my decision to go along with this. The ominous feeling that's been growing in the pit of my stomach keeps building and when we pull in to the parking lot, I am seconds away from just turning the truck around and returning home. There are quite a few cars parked next to us and I begin to wonder how many people are actually here. I quickly recognize my father's car and Edward's truck. My wolf is surprisingly jittery as well, but her ears perk up at the prospect of seeing Edward again. I drag my hands over the steering wheel, noticing how sweaty my palms are. This really isn't a good idea, but just as I'm about to inform Leah that I've changed my mind, she opens her door and jumps out.

Great.

I exhale shakily, trying to calm myself for a moment before reluctantly opening my own door, stepping heavily onto the asphalt. Leah is already walking with purpose-filled steps in the direction of the building, but she stops and looks behind her to meet my gaze. Without saying anything, she tilts her head towards the main entrance and mouths "Come on!". Locking my shoulders, I force my legs to walk in her direction. When I finally reach her, I recognize that she is trying to ease my nerves by sending me a reassuring smile. The smile, however, doesn't reach her eyes and after a quick glance, I realize that she's just as nervous about this as I am. She's braver than I am though, and proves this when she takes my hand in hers and squeezes it gently. We both take a calming breath before continuing to the main entrance.

The large door is heavy, but unlocked. It leads us to a large, open hallway. I wince when the hinges of the door squeak slightly as we enter. Luckily no one comes to investigate, so we continue. My mouth drops open in awe at the large mural painted on one of the main walls in a large circular room that Leah leads us through. I recognize it instantly as the beautiful emblem from my family ring. The wide variety of colors the painter has used in portraying the sun rising over the mountains is exquisite. I would have loved to spend hours studying the mural, but I need to rush to keep up with Leah. She obviously knows the building well and leads us through a maze of rooms. Abruptly she slows her steps and I almost run into her. She turns her head, placing a finger at her lips to signal for me to be as quiet as I can.

Immediately I hear the soft mumblings of several male voices and the closer we get to them the clearer they become. A door to a neighboring room is slightly ajar and I realize that this is where the meeting is being held. I hardly dare to breathe as we edge our way closer to the door, keeping our backs glued to the wall. Leah is just slightly ahead of me. She has a determined look on her face, but I know her well enough now to recognize the hint of fear written on her features. Since the door is closed, we won't be able to see anything and I realize that we will have to rely on our other senses.

My wolf quickly lifts her nose to use her strong sense of smell to distinguish whether we are in danger. The individual scents of multiple powerful male shifters is overwhelming and rushes over me like a tidal wave. My wolf immediately cowers away, keeping her head low in submission and I unconsciously take a step back. I easily recognize my father and Billy's scent. Edward's rich and comforting essence is like a calming balm to my distressed soul and I instantly feel a little more at ease. This is quickly overshadowed, however, by a chill of anxiety when I recognize Carlisle's dominant aura mixed with the scent of several other unfamiliar, but powerful shifters. My wolf is a weak pup in comparison to the shifters that are present at this meeting and she is begging for me to flee the scene as quickly as possible. Not even Edward's presence is enough to calm her. I am just about to do exactly that when an enraged voice rumbles through the room and I become frozen in place.

"SHE CANNOT BE ALLOWED TO STAY HERE!"

My heart beats hard in my chest that I'm convinced someone will hear. The man is yelling so loudly that I can almost feel it as vibrations through the wall.

"Father."

Carlisle's voice is low, but I can hear the strong warning in his tone. I feel my stomach drop as my mind quickly pieces together who the vicious voice belongs to.

"No, Carlisle! I will not stay silent as you pretend to discuss this with the Council. You know what needs to be done. This weak and manipulative halfling has no right to even set her eyes on my grandson, let alone conjure up an imprint to bind him to her!"

He's talking about me. A shocked breath escapes my lips and my stomach rolls with nausea. The deep hatred in his voice is directed towards me and I can feel entire my body revolt in reaction to it. Spit fills my mouth as I desperately try to swallow back vomit. My wolf growls in anger, but then whimpers out in pain. She recognizes the power and authority in this spiteful voice. The voice that belongs to Edward Cullen Sr., Edward's grandfather and former Alpha of the Pack.

I'm distracted when the room is suddenly filled by the rumble of several chairs scraping harshly against the floor, some of them actually falling to the floor. Then a loud slap echoes through the room. The sound reminding me of someone hitting a wooden table with an open hand.

"Carlisle."

I recognize my father's voice immediately, but there is an edge to his tone that I have never heard before. The warning there is lethal and I feel the small hairs on the back of my neck rise as a chill runs down my spine. It's as though the entire room is waiting in suspense and I can feel the tension through the door, all the way to where I am standing.

"I will not stand by and allow this man to bad mouth my daughter. I may not be completely healed, but I will be forced to retaliate if this continues. The Law requires it," my father continues.

"Do not lecture me about the Law," Edward Sr. bites out harshly and I can hear a flurry of movement before it is replaced by an eerie silence. Oh, how I wish I could see what was going on.

My heart stutters in my chest. I don't know if I can handle another fight and worry for my father's wellbeing skyrockets. Leah reaches out and takes my hand in hers, her touch immediately bringing comfort. My shoulders drop in relief when we finally hear the chairs move back into place. The standoff that undoubtedly was going on, is apparently over for now.

"As I was trying to say, we are gathered here today to discuss the romantic relationship between Edward Anthony Cullen and Isabella Marie Swan."

My jaw becomes rigid as my teeth snap together when I hear my full name fall from Carlisle's lips. I can feel a rush of irritation join my anxiety. Why does a relationship between Edward and I warrant the need to gather an entire Council? And what right do they have to decide anything concerning our relationship? Isn't an imprint something that is natural and predetermined and can't be stopped? What is the big deal? I feel so confused and frustrated.

"Most of us have already noticed the strange connection between the two of them ever since their introduction, but from what my daughter relayed to me yesterday, the relationship has evolved exponentially since their first meeting."

I feel my cheeks heat with embarrassment as I try to imagine just what details Rosalie decided to convey to her father. Her betrayal leaves a bitter taste in my mouth and I don't know if I will ever be able to forgive her for her actions.

"Carlisle?"

I quickly recognize Billy's voice and can hear the subtle exasperation in his tone. This meeting is clearly something my Uncle disagrees with.

"Why have you summoned the Council to discuss something that we clearly have no control over? Yes, perhaps Bella and Edward are entering into a relationship a little prematurely considering her 21st birthday is approximately a month away. But a relationship between two of our Pack members has never been a topic of discussion in the Council. Ever."

There is a sharpness to my Uncle's tone and I can sense that he is trying to force Carlisle to quickly get to the point. My heart warms and I feel eternally grateful to him.

"Isn't it obvious, Billy?"

A new, unfamiliar voice joins the conversation and my entire body cringes at the undeniable disdain in his voice.

"Edward is the future of our Pack and should he imprint with the halfling, the consequences could be detrimental."

I can hear my teeth screech as I grind them tightly together. Whoever this person is, his opinion of me is unmistakable in his use of the simple term: the halfling. Is that all I am to these people? A weak halfling the Pack was forced to take in because of my father and my familial connections to the Swans.

"You can't know that, Jamie," Billy responds, his anger towards this "Jamie" apparent.

"You know as well as I do how a weakness like this can cause a riot within a Pack, Billy. Wolves are simple creatures, if they sense a weakness in their leadership they will challenge it. The strongest will rise, not matter who is in the way."

There is a brief pause and I can hear increased mumbling of several other members in the room. Most seem to agree with Jamie.

"Edward will be challenged for his role as Beta left and right if they imprint and that will cause an upheaval in our Pack. We can't afford for that to happen again. You know this, Billy, don't pretend to be blind just because she is your niece," Jamie accuses, deep disgust clear in his voice.

"My daughter is not weak."

There is an undeniable pride in my father's strangely calm voice that causes my heart to brim with happiness. With all of these hateful words being fired against me, his words become a shining light in the darkness. Unfortunately, the attacks against his claim quickly follow like thunder.

"Please, Charlie, we all saw her at the Initiation. She's the size of a small twig. I could break her at the simple snap of a finger."

My wolf begins baring her teeth at the sound of Jamie's voice and the room fills with the sounds of bone hitting flesh. Again, there is a wave of shuffles and displeased murmurs. It almost sounds like someone is trying to pull someone apart, but I can't be sure.

"You fucking coward, Jamie. You want to talk about weakness? Take a look in the mirror," Billy's voice is furious.

"You are all wrong to underestimate Bella!"

My father is seething, breathing heavily.

"Bella's wolf is smart and agile. Yes, she isn't the largest nor the strongest, but she makes up for that. Believe me! She stood up against Carlisle, for God's sake."

His voice has turned almost pleading and a creeping feeling of dread builds within me, because I realize that his words are falling for deaf ears. The majority of the Council doesn't agree with him. There is a small part of me that wants to burst open the door and give each and every single person in that room a tongue-lashing, but I know I'd never be brave enough to do so. Before I can even begin to contemplate what those soft murmurs might mean, they are silenced by a strong, familiar voice. Surprise washes over me.

"She is a formidable witch."

My eyes pop open and my body tightens when I recognize Aro's voice. What is he doing here? I don't have time to consider this, because he quickly continues.

"I've never seen powers like hers. They are unprecedented."

Aro's voice is steady and calm. There is even a slight hint of awe when he mentions my powers as a witch. The room has grown completely silent until Edward Sr. decides to open his mouth.

"And that is probably how she managed to worm her way in and gain my grandson's affections. Just like her -."

The thud of a chair falls loudly to the floor and both Leah and I jump at the sound.

"Don't."

My father's voice is enraged as he warns Edward Sr. not to continue.

"Don't you dare speak ill of my wife, Edward, or I swear to all that is holy, I will kill you."

My entire body goes cold as ice. The promise in my father's voice is lethal. Before any of them can continue, however, Carlisle's cool, but steady voice cuts through the sharp tension like a knife.

"This isn't getting us anywhere."

Yet again there is a long uncomfortable pause. Everyone appears to be holding their breath for what Carlisle will say.

"In truth, we don't know what will happen should Edward and Bella imprint," Carlisle pauses.

I begin to wonder why Edward isn't speaking up. Doesn't he want us to be together? Why aren't they asking him for his opinion? Frustration rises within me and I feel like screaming out, demanding insight into what Edward feels about the matter, but I can't. I need to know Carlisle's decision.

"In fact, halflings are so rare that we have no idea what they are capable of," Carlisle stops and exhales deeply as if he is debating with himself.

"Bella is a sweet girl and in the short time she's been here she has already proven herself as both a brave and loyal member of our Pack."

His kind words are nice to hear, but I can't help but feel that they are simply the prelude of something horrible that is about to come. My heart hammers against my ribs and my breath catches. A deep sense of desperation rises in my gut. Why isn't Edward saying anything?

"But I will not lose my son."

Carlisle's words strike me like a knife to the chest. My stomach drops and I feel sick. I don't know what exactly this means, but I know it isn't good. My wolf begins to pace nervously within me. Carlisle's voice has turned hard and is filled with purpose and complete decisiveness. There will be no argument to his decision.

"Carlisle!" Billy begins to speak, but is quickly silenced.

I'm struggling to swallow because my mouth has completely dried up in fear and I can feel my body begin to tremble. I feel like I am some criminal that has just been found guilty of a crime I didn't commit. My judge has passed his verdict, but I have yet to know the punishment. Carlisle hasn't said anything about what this means, but I just know that it will be heartbreaking. My wolf whimpers as an agonizing pain begins to spread through me. My ears perk up when I hear Carlisle's voice soften slightly.

"I won't risk it, I can't."

There is a faint apology in Carlisle's voice and I realize that he is addressing my father, but his words are like placing a Band-Aid on a large, gaping wound. His death blow follows shortly after, the cold and indifferent command of the Pack's Alpha returning.

"Bella must leave the Pack before her 21st birthday."

There's a strange buzzing sound in my ears and suddenly I feel faint. Leave? Leah quickly moves and places her hands on both sides of my face and forces my gaze to hers. Her dark brown eyes are vibrant, alight with rage and obvious of concern.

"Bella?" she whispers and I realize she's asking if I am alright. Her movement and touch has given me focus and renewed energy and I'm able to stop myself from losing consciousness.

"You're banishing her?" Billy's voice is one of complete shock.

"She will leave willingly," Carlisle answers simply.

A harsh chortle fills the room.

"You will use your power as Alpha and compel her to leave her family and friends without a second glance?"

My father's voice is incredulous, shocked. Tears immediately begin to flow from my eyes as Carlisle's decision becomes clearer. I have to cover my mouth with my hand to muffle my increasingly heaving breaths as my body is wracked with sobs. I haven't lived in Forks for long, but this is the only place that has ever felt like home to me. What will I do without my new family? My father? Edw…

Carlisle's silence is all the answer my father needs to his question.

"This is NOT what we agreed upon!" he suddenly shouts and I can hear that he has taken several steps in Carlisle's direction.

"We swore that we were going to be different, Carlisle. That under our rule no Pack member would ever be forced to give up their free will. You promised!"

The room becomes so quiet that you can hear a pin drop.

"Yes, well, we never did get the chance to rule together did we?" Carlisle answers, bitterness dripping from his tone.

"What happened to you?"

My father's question appears to bring out the fight in Carlisle.

"I was left to pick up the pieces after the chaos that you left, Charlie! You want to know why everyone is afraid of disturbing the balance in our Pack? Because we know what it is like when the structure of our Pack has fallen to pieces. I can't let that happen again, and I won't." Carlisle takes a deep breath as though he is trying to calm himself.

"I was never meant to be Alpha, that was your destiny," he pauses.

"But when the time came, I did it for the well being of our Pack. The Pack that you turned your back on when you chose Renee."

Someone releases a shaky breath.

"I don't want to do this, Charlie, but what other choice do I have?" Carlisle's voice is softer, filled with deep regret. My father's opinion matters more to Carlisle than I ever realized.

"Have you even asked your son about what he wants?"

At my father's question, I instantly draw a shaky breath and hold it, anxiously awaiting his answer. Desperate hope rises in my chest.

"Edward knows his place in the Pack and is fully aware of his responsibilities."

Carlisle's voice is now devoid of emotion and his answer absolutely guts me. There is my answer. Edward doesn't want me, everything that has happened between us is simply because of the imprint, nothing more. My wolf howls out in agony.

"I will take her," Aro's voice cuts through the pain and I can feel confusion begin to rise. Take me?

"She is my family. She will stay with me."

Aro's sure and confident voice acts as a healing balm to my open wounds.

"She needs to leave Forks, Aro, and she may never return, I can't risk her seeing Edward after she is of imprinting age," Carlisle commands, his voice sharp as if he doesn't trust what Aro is agreeing to.

The prospect of never being able to return knocks the wind out of me. To be honest, after everything that has happened since I arrived in Forks, there is a growing part of me that actually wants to leave. I don't deserve to be treated this way.

"I know that," Aro answers firmly.

"We'll relocate. Seraphina has family in Italy and Bella will receive the best training there."

I release a shocked breath. Italy? Leah's hand is squeezing the life out of my hand, but I can hardly feel it. My body begins to grow numb, as though I've decided that the emotions are simply too much to deal with at this time. There is a part of me that wants to fight this, but I don't know how. The decision has been made. I feel a deep resentment begin to grow within me towards Carlisle and the Pack.

"What about the Coven?" Carlisle continues, almost as if he's testing to see how serious Aro is about this.

"Caius is ready to take over the responsibility as leader," Aro answers as though the decision is simple.

"You would do this for my daughter?" My father's voice is broken and a sharp pain shoots through my heart as I realize that he's crying.

"She's family."

The answer is so simple and yet so powerful. The Pack is banishing me while the Coven is welcoming me with open arms. No questions asked. Complete silence fills the room.

"Well, since that is settled, the only thing remaining is to persuade-," Carlisle begins, as though he wants this meeting to be over quickly.

"You mean force," Billy bites out, but Carlisle simply continues as though he hasn't heard him.

"- Bella to willingly leave with Aro. She will need to submit to me, as this didn't happen the way it should have at the Initiation," Carlisle reveals this with a hint of unease in his tone. It is almost as if the fact that I didn't submit to him yet is something he didn't want certain people in the room to know.

I'm suddenly reminded of the conversation I overheard between Carlisle and Edward just before the witches arrived. The memory feels distant, like it happened so very long ago, but in reality it's been just over a week. Now I can understand Carlisle's use of the word controlled. I'm remember of something else he said as well. "We need her on our side."

Well, that isn't going to happen.

"I'll do it."

A new voice fills the room and a thrill of excitement shoots through me before I can stop it. Edward. My numb body immediately springs to life and hope begins to yet again grow in my chest, before it is quickly shot down.

"I'm supposed to meet her later. She's already submitted to me. I'll do it," Edward says, his voice ice cold as if I don't mean anything to him.

"You'll compel her to leave?" Carlisle's voice reveals a hint of doubt.

"That's what you want, isn't it?" Edward asks in such a hard voice that just breaks me.

This time, I'm unable to hold back the sobs that wrack through my body and they quickly fill the room. Before either of us are able to move, the door opens wide and my eyes immediately lock onto those familiar vibrant green eyes from across the room. Edward's eyes widen in shock and deep regret spreads across his face. I can see that he had never meant for me to hear those words, but it doesn't make his betrayal any less painful. No need to compel me, I'll leave willingly. My eyes go blurry with tears as I wait for him to give the final blow. To see him cover his emotions with that horrible mask of indifference, but that never happens.

Instead, he closes his eyes and his chest expands as he inhales deeply through his nose. When he suddenly opens his eyes, a jolt shoots through me expelling every ounce of breath as I'm met by the electric hypnotizing green eyes of his wolf. I feel a shift within me and notice that my wolf is rising to the surface, but in a very different way than anything I've ever experienced before. I have no control over it whatsoever. She isn't taking over, but she is joining me. It's as though wolf and human are slowly molding together as one. Each and every emotion and thought I've had during this whole meeting is being replaced by a single and powerful urge to join and deepen the connection with our mate. Nothing else matters.

Thousands of invisible threads appear to be flowing from Edward in my direction, each one grabbing ahold of me, binding me to him. As each thread takes hold, his expression becomes more and more feral and an animalistic urge unlike anything I've ever felt before propels me into the room. I feel as though each of those threads are pulling me towards him and potent anticipation burns within me. The only thought in my mind is that I need to be as close as possible to Edward. Everything around us disappears and all I can see is him. The one I'm meant to be with. My mate.

"NO!"

A rage so strong rises within me and I feel the Earth tremble beneath my feet as someone tries to step between Edward and I. Edward's deep and savage growl sends a flush of deep satisfaction through me. My mate is strong and he won't let anyone stand in our way. Arousal flows through me as the person who dared step between us is thrown across the room.

In that moment, our eyes lose contact for perhaps less than a second, but it is enough to pull me back to reality. I stop mid-step and shake my head, trying to clear my blurry thoughts. What the hell was that? My breath hitches in my throat as I suddenly feel the weight of several eyes on me. Eyes revealing their scorn, their hatred…towards me and everything comes rushing back. All of the feelings I felt before locking eyes with Edward return and crash into me like a semi-truck. Before I even realize what I'm doing, I sprint out of the room, fleeing. Away from them. Away from him.

It doesn't take long before all of those threads that have essentially bound me to Edward, begin to tighten their hold. They are furious with me and my decision to leave. Excruciating pain flows through me with each step that I take away from my mate. There is no doubt in my mind. The human part of me has joined the wolf within me and has imprinted with Edward, but I know I can't complete the bond, not when so many in the Pack don't want me. Edward doesn't even want me. Not really. It's just the imprint and that isn't enough for me.

My heart is pounding in my chest. It's as though each of my limbs are at war, because I am forcing them to run away from him. My entire body is trembling and I have to use everything in me to move forwards. My wolf is howling in anger, battering against my control. She doesn't understand why I am running away… and she disagrees wholeheartedly. It takes every shred of self-discipline and strength to hold her at bay.

My fingers become numb as I touch the final door handle and for a moment I'm actually unable to open the door. Cold fear spreads down my spine as I wonder if my body will rebel and simply wait for him to find me. Relief washes over me as the door gives way. Fresh air filling my lungs. The oxygen acting as a soothing balm to my racing heart, but I know I can't stop. A dull pain has begun to grow in my lower belly, causing me to double over as nausea spreads through my stomach. Breathing heavily through my nose, I press on, the pain growing with each step I take away from him. I shudder, unsure of what consequences this might bring, but I press on. I feel for the keys in my jacket and sprint towards my car. Behind me I can hear heavy footsteps beating against the ground.

"BELLA!" His usual calm-as-ice voice is frantic. A spurt of energy spreads through my limbs at the sound of the anger in his voice.

"Shit!" I whisper as I jerk the door of my truck open, wincing at the screech it makes. I don't dare look back, knowing that if I see him, it will be game over. My body will never allow me to leave. With trembling fingers I push the key into the ignition, press down on the gas pedal and fly out of the parking lot. Away from him. My mate. My other half.