No one moved.

"Edward?" Esme called as she looked up at her adoptive son with unshed tears.

"I...I don't understand? She had been so ready to be changed. Everything was fine this morning and now…now this. "

A hiss was sounded by Rosalie.

"Are you serious! Edward do you not see the miracle that has taken place right now! I know you love Bella, but you wanted her to keep her humanity! And now she's doing it! and if keeping her humanity means losing you then what's the issue!?"

"I never wanted to lose her! I just got her back!" Edward hissed

"you never had her Edward! The day we left was the day we lost Bella swan! She's staying human! We can live our lives, tell the Volturi she died! Or that the wolves took her and leave It at that! Carlisle help me out here!" Rosalie petitioned.

Carlisle sighed.

"We must…respect Bella's decision. However, we need to know what caused her to change her mind literally overnight. I thought you stayed with her last night?"

"no…I needed to go hunt. I simply took her home and kissed her goodnight. I was frustrated about the vote and I needed to get my emotions in check. We met at school this morning and she was fine."

"wait, now that you mention it. Bella wasn't at lunch today. I don't remember her telling us why and I don't remember her ever coming back. Matter of fact, I haven't seen any visions of Bella recently. At least nothing important. Why didn't I see this coming?" Alice asked mournfully.

"no one saw this coming Alice," Carsile reassured.

"Let's give Bella a day or two and then we will talk with her. Edward, would you mind…if Esme was the one to talk to Bella? I think-"

"I want to do it."

All eyes turned to Emmett.

"why Emmett?" Edward asked not able to decipher his brother's thoughts.

"let's be honest. Bella won't respond to any of you the way she's supposed to. if anything she'll think you all are trying to persuade her and jasper, well, shell think you're trying to manipulate her emotions. I mean Alice, Esme, Carlisle you all want what's best for Edward and if that means having Bella by his side then so be it. you guys would be speaking for him. And rose, honey…...you intimidate Bella. She would never be honest with you. So... just…just let me try."

Edward hissed.

"you're going to convince her to leave me?"

Emmet stood to his full height and stepped back.

"No Edward. I'm going to convince Bella to do…what's best for her. and I mean no disrespect to this family but other than Rosalie and jasper it seems everyone has put Edwards's best interest at heart. I mean…what about Bella? have any of us ever thought about what took place after we left? I mean…has anyone truly checked on her and seen whether she was ok? I mean Alice you popped out the blue and asked her to help you save Edward, dragging her into a coven of human drinkers and then just brought her back here. Obviously chief swan was not happy and while he ungrounded her, she's still on a tight leash. So, for once let's put Bella's wants and needs first instead of manipulating her to do what we or preferably what you want her to do" Emmet said as he directed the last part at Edward.

With that said Emmett stormed from the room with Rosalie following him.

…..

Bella felt like she was suffocating. All of her decisions, all of her mistakes, all of her irrational thinking. It had all come crashing down on her.

"hey, breathe bell. It's going to be alright."

"I can't breathe Seth. I really can't. I just…I…"

Seth quickly pulled to the side of the road. She was having a panic attack.

"ok, Bell just focus on the sound of my voice and take slow breathes."

She did so and managed to get herself together.

"Thanks, Seth. I really appreciate it. I-hey? Wait, how did you know I was here?" she asked

"How did you know I coming for you?" he asked her

The duo stared at each other. A questioning silence between them.

"I think we both know why Bells. It's the connection. Whatever you …and he have. Whatever the hell happened between the two of you all those months ago…it changes things. It's almost like he imprinted but we both know he didn't. I've seen inside his head. Its nothing like that. he...he can't stand to be without you, and you him…but obviously the intensity of the relationship has heightened."

"I-Is he mad at me?" she asked quietly

Seth smirked and said "you know how he is. He's quiet. He doesn't do good with emotions. Damn it, Bella, you really made him go insane when you left. I mean, it's bad enough you guys are keeping whatever this is a secret. Ok, so actually it isn't bad, I mean I get it. you guys are in a way lucky to have each other. You don't have to worry about the pack and whatnot. At least for now anyway, cause let me tell when he sees you…it's going to be a storm. Bella let just tell you I am not mad at you. I don't quite understand it, but I am not mad at you. I think it just hurt him. I mean, you and Jake are best friends ...that's fine but to hear it from him that you ran away with a Cullen. It really hurt…him. no, it scared him, and you know he doesn't scare easily. He didn't think you would come back, at least not human anyway. But what really hurt was the fact that you got back with Edward and that you didn't go see him straight away. or the fact that you didn't come to the reservation soon enough so that he could at least know you were alive. It has been a few weeks. So, while you were gone, he's…never mind you'll see for yourself. You will be so proud of him Bell. He turned all that rage into something really productive, even made a business out of it. and it's been booming."

Bella didn't respond. As she looked out of the window, she finally admitted to Seth what she had been dying to say to the man himself.

"I love him, Seth. I'm in love with him."

Seth let out a belly filled laugh.

"I know you are bell but that changes things. A lot. Are you ready for those changes and the consequence?"

Bella didn't respond.

"where are we going by the way? And why are you driving!? You'll get in trouble." She scolded

"relax bell. One, we are going to the pack bonfire. The elders thought it would be good that you go. Don't you remember jake calling and inviting you a few days ago? It's the only reason why Charlie been so lenient. He thinks you being on the reservation, will keep you occupied and not around Edward so much. He's still banned from the house, right?"

Bella nodded and Seth continued.

"yeah, well dad and Charlie have been talking. Well, dad, Billy, and Charlie. They gossip like old ladies. Anywho, I'm driving …well, I'm driving because my wolf told me so. He led me to where you were and two, ever since you and he connected. My wolf and I have had these urges to submit to him and protect what he cared for and that's you. Besides, he's the only one who doesn't see me as a little kid. He kind of took me in. Especially after dad's heart attack. I- I've been having a hard time being around the family. I mean, with Leah's bitterness, Dad's frustration and mom's fear. It's been suffocating. I mean, look at me. I'm 14 and I look like I'm sixteen and don't get me started on Collin and Brady."

"who?" Bella questioned

"oh yeah that's right you haven't met the other newest pack members. So a week after you left, three new wolves phased, Colin, Brady and Jared's little brother Ramon and check this there 14, 13 and 12. Crazy right."

"there…all so Young. You all, are so young. I'm sorry Seth."

"Don't be Bell. All in a day's work."

The car ride went silent, but it was comfortable. For now, anyway.

…..

Sam looked around the fire in concern. They hadn't started the stories yet, but the food was almost gone.

Looking around, he noticed one person was missing. Seth. He ran back in his head where everyone was.

Embry and Paul were doing a quick patrol but should be back way before the stories started. Quil was sitting next to his grandfather. Collin, Brady, and Ramon were stuffing their faces and lastly, Leah was sitting next to her parents. With Harry having a heart attack, the council, himself included had asked that sue join to help carry the burden. So, if Harry couldn't make it at times, she would take his place. Sam sighed and Leah's eyes met his from across the fire. He saw it. the want, the hurt, the sadness…the love.

However, Sam looked away and instantly found Emily. She was sitting next to Kim, Jared's imprint and laughing. His heart filled with joy. As long as she was happy, he was happy. Nothing else mattered.

Sam looked up when the creaking of the front door sounded. Coming out of the black's house was Jacob and Jared, obviously bringing out more food but he could also see the disappointment and irritation on Jacob's face. Sam sighed. Bella Swan had returned from Italy a few weeks ago and as an olive branch to repair their friendship, Jacob had invited her to the bonfire. Well, it had also been chief blacks' idea hoping that by hearing the legends, she would change her mind about being around the vampires. Unfortunately, it looked like that wouldn't happen.

"oh, Jacob! Jared! You guys brought more hotdogs and hamburgers!" Collin cheered.

"hey! I hope you saved us some!" a voice shouted from the tree line.

Sam let a small smiled show as Embry and Paul came out of the forest. To his surprise, they were already dressed. Jeans and t-shirts. Paul was wearing a black leather jacket, even though he didn't need it.

They stopped in front of their alpha embry craning his neck to show a sign of submission and respect. Paul, however, stood stoic, his face blank and arms crossed a sign Disrespect, a sign that he didn't care.

"Anything?" Sam asked,

"all quiet out their boss." Embry commented.

With that said, Sam dismissed the duo. However, he stopped Paul.

"Hey...you alright? You've been off for a while."

"I'm fine Sam. Can I go now, don't want to miss out on the food."

Sam nodded.

The pack had finally found their seats as they chowed down on their burgers and hotdogs. Sam was still concerned Seth was still a no show.

"Hey where's Seth?" quill asked between bites of his burger.

And on cue, the sound of a silver jeep pulled up to the black's home.

"um, who is that?" Emily asked

However, her question was answered when Seth clearwater himself stepped out the jeep.

"Hey! Sorry, I'm late! Jake I gotta package for you!"

The passenger door opened and out came…. Bella swan.

…..

"Seth Andrew clearwater! What in the world are you doing driving that jeep!?" sue clearwater screeched.

The Clearwater family had stood when they saw their son and brother jump out the jeep, keys in hand.

Seth's once jovial mood had quickly changed into a mask of frustration.

"I just had to run some errands mom. Chill out will you? jeez."

"Seth!?" Harry scolded.

Before Seth could make another comment, Bella stepped in gently touching his shoulder.

"Mr. and Mrs. clearwater. Please don't be mad at Seth, he had helped me out today during an ...um during an emergency. He. He saved my life today. So please don't be mad at him. I could've driven but I just wasn't stable to do so."

What could the Clearwater's say? Their best friends' daughter had obviously been traumatized; it was written all over her face. She was paler than normal, had dark dark circles under eyes and looked like she hadn't eaten in forever.

"Bells?" Jacob called as he walked over to his best friend.

"hey…jake." She said quietly. Not even sure how she should approach him, the last time she saw him, she was telling him goodbye and speeding off to Italy. While she didn't regret saving Edwards's life, she did regret how it happened. It seemed like no matter what she did, her decisions hurt others and always caused some kind of drama. She needed to make better decisions and it had to start now.

So, with confidence, she reached over and hugged Jacob. she didn't make it too long, or too short but just enough to convey how she was feeling in that moment.

She tried to let go but Jacob held her.

"bells." He whispered.

"I'm back jake. Ok, and I'm alive. Let everything else stay where it may."

Jacob let go and looked at her. he wanted to say something, but he knew he it wasn't the time. So, he simply nodded. Was he still pissed at her, yes? Did he still feel like Cullen didn't deserve her absolutely but for now, he would let it go.

"I missed you. Now come on, dad's about to tell the stories.

"wait? I thought this was a party, this seems like a formal gathering."

"well, dad's going to tell the legends."

"legends?" she questioned

"The Quileute legends. The story of how we turned into wolves. Besides the elders thought it would be good for you to hear them."

Bella nodded, ready to face the judging eyes. But the only eyes she wanted to see were his.