Chapter: Pack bonding

The bonfire was blazing as the pack finally got to sit down. It was very rare for all of them to be present, but Sam knew that the Cullen's wouldn't bother them as of right now. Yes, he was on alert but not so much that he couldn't relax.

Sam looked around the beach. Emily, Rachel Claire and Marcy were setting up the food at the various tables. Quil, Paul and Jacob were gathering more wood for the fire.

Raven, Brady and Collin were getting the pies and drinks ready and from a distance he could see Seth and Jared helping Billy black and Charlie swan down to the were the rest of the elders were.

For the first time in a while, Sam was at peace. The whole pack was togather and working like a well-oiled machine.

The only person missing was Bella. From what Jared had told him, she had been meeting with old quil at sunrise for the past two weeks. After that, she would go for a morning run which some of the pack had wound up joining her for, then she would go to work. She had a daily routine but for the past few days, Bella had been off. Jared and raven confiding in him that Bella had seem a little distant and even a little depressed.

Sam couldn't figure out why? Was There something she wasn't telling them? Charlie was out of the hospital and had been staying with Billy. Something both the older men needed. Sue clearwater had been helping nurse Charlie back to health since he couldn't live alone just yet. Sam did his best to stay out of her way, though. If Sue clearwater resented him back then, she would surely resent him now. She was pissed that Leah had imprinted and left not too long after the conversation he had with her. It took Sue for a loop. But with Charlie in the know of the secret, maybe it would help Sue not feel so alone. When Bella told Sam that Charlie knew, he honestly couldn't be angry. It just mean more eyes and ears where he couldn't be.

Seth had been happy for his sister and yet saddened to see her go. But it never stopped the smile from shining on his face. That's something Sam admired about the teenager.

Sam's thoughts were interrupted when he felt something tackle his leg.

"Swam!" Amy cheered as she held her arms up. Oh yeah…Amy. Amy was Marcy's younger sister. She didn't bring the girl around much, but Marcy's mother had to work and didn't give Marcy a choice.

Sam picked up the small girl and walked towards his pack. He just hopped Bella would arrive soon.

…

Carlisle was surprised to see his soon to be daughter in law on his doorstep. At least he hoped she would still be his daughter in law but after what Edward had done, he wouldn't be surprised. At the moment, he was the only one home as everyone else went on an extended hunting trip and a visit to Edward in Alaska.

So, in a way, he was glad to have her to himself.

"Bella! what a surprise. Please come in." After he ushered her in, he asked "what brings you by? Not that I mind. I'm always glad to see you especially when it's not in a hospital setting."

She smiled at him as they sat down. He quickly went to retrieve a drink for her, even though she didn't ask.

As she drank, he took his time looking over her features. She had indeed changed. Her body was toner and ore muscle than what it once was and her eyes, if looked at by a supernatural creature held a small rim of yellow and gold around the iris.

It was a beautiful thing to see.

"Bella...your eyes...What has caused them to change?"

She smiled at him and shyly said " I have been going through some changes that pertain to the supernatural."

"IS that why you've been ignoring our calls?"

He knew his words were soft but still full of hurt and he was glad she recognized it.

Bella breathed out and her scent filled the room even more. It smelled of strawberries, green apple and vanilla but under that was the slight smell of wolf.

"oh Carlisle, I know the first person I owe an apology to is Edward so – "

Carlisle growled when he heard make an excuse for his selfish son.

"you owe Edward nothing Bella. He out his hands on you and no man, should ever put his hands on a woman. And that includes my son. So whatever actions you want to take henceforth, I support you."

Carlisle watched as Bella's shoulders sagged and tears formed in her eyes.

He was over to her in an instant.

"I can't...I don't want to marry Edward. I'm sorry Carlisle but I just can't. and I know you put your time and money into it. I've wasted all your time."

Carlisle gently put his hands-on top of Bella and said "oh Bella married o Edward or not you will always be my daughter. And its completely alright that you don't go through with the weeding. Yes, it is going to hurt for some time, but we will get over it. I know it will take some time for Edward to adjust but he's deepest desire is for you to be happy, safe and human. Now, tell me more about what's on your mind."

Without realizing it, Carlisle and Bella found themselves talking for a few hours before Bella watch vibrated signaling that she had to leave.

As he escorted her to the door, Carlisle gave Bella a reminder

"Bella please remember that you will always be apart of this family and we care for you deeply. I promise to let you know when I allow Edward back home, so that you both can talk. Don't worry about Canceling everything. I will handle that. oh, and Bella…Thank you for coming by."

With that said, he gave her a kiss on the forehead and watched her drive away.

…..

Jared was leaning against a log as Billy went over the legends they once thought of as just silly fantasies. It always seemed like no matter how many times they heard them the stories never got old.

Suddenly, Jared felt a tingle on his collar bone. Bella, Jared felt a panic he didn't even know he had wash away from him. With ease and without causing a scene Jared left the bone fire to walk up the Sandy hill. Leaning against her truck, in a pair of jean shorts and red button-down shirt with sandals was his mate.

He resisted the urge to growl when he smelled the small traces of a Cullen on her.

"I'm sorry I'm late and I'm sorry for the smell. I took a shower, twice but I guess it won't go away. and I'm sorry for being late…I had to meet with Carlisle to cancel the wedding."

Jared looked at her and could see the fatigue but also her eyes were bloodshot red, like she had been crying.

He quickly scooped her up in his arms and carried her toward the bonfire.

"We missed you." He growled into her hair "and we hate sharing."

He mumbled as she saw Raven sit up and zone in on her imprint.

Jared let out a warning growl for his sister to stay put. Bella was his mate and just because his sisters wolf imprinted on her didn't mean she got first Dibbs.

Raven however let out a low growl of her own. Bella was her imprint and she had a right to see her too.

As soon as Jared sat down raven was by his side, threating her fingers through his mate's hair.

"alright. Enough you two. Billy is still speaking, and you don't want to interrupt him. So pay attention."

Both wolves immediately gave Billy their attention who hadn't stop talking, even though he saw everything.

What the trio also didn't notice except for Bella was the concerned eyes of the elders and a few pack members. Would Bella's connection to the two siblings caused them division and why didn't the girl smell strongly of leech?

So many questions and no answers. Sam knew they would have to get their answers before the bonfire was over.