BPOV
it didn't take us long to see the town come into view. I saw Billy standing in front of the town hall, with my increased eyesight I could see he wasn't happy.
As we got closer, I saw his eyebrow raise and a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Sam, Bella." He motioned for us to come into the hall, we went to the same room I stood in as an eight-year-old child. "I believe there is something you need to tell us." Billy sat in his chair, Sue in hers, her husband beside her and old Quil in his chair.
I knew now that Sam sat beside him, but as he's informing the council, he won't be making any decisions. He's even more embarrassed because it's obvious that they know what we were doing for the last hour instead of coming straight here.
"There is a coven of vampires just outside of our territory?" Old Quil looked pissed off.
"You mean to tell me, instead of coming straight here you… Were too busy?" Bingo!
"We do not know much about imprints, but the need to mate is harder and harder to ignore the longer you try. Since Bella turned into her wolf the need to… mate was stronger than ever. The moment our lips touched we were unable to stop. My wolf took control in that moment with the man trying to make sure her needs and wants were fulfilled. The wolf doesn't understand human emotions or the desire to save oneself. Believe me I was having a harder time to make sure the wolf didn't go insane.
I managed to tell Paul and Jared to run patrols to ensure our borders and people were safe." I blushed at his words, I knew he was struggling but I didn't want to wait, it felt perfect and right to have him take me on his bed. I would have settled for against a tree on the dirt floor as long as he took me that's all that mattered.
"What of Jake my son?"
"As Jared is my second in command when he took over as head wolf, he knew he was in charge then."
"You're lucky you're a good Alpha Sam and put these strategies in place." Sue rolled her eyes but was smiling at me.
"When I found my imprint, I knew this might happen as she got older, Jared, Paul and I spoke about it at some length and came up with a plan to keep everyone safe. How did you know why we didn't come?" Sam asked.
"Jake checked up on you, when you hadn't arrived, he went to your house. Imagine his embarrassment when he heard certain things coming from your home." Billy was grinning, I looked away from them all, I could feel the blush staining my cheeks.
"Are you able to go to the coven of vampires and organise a meeting between us and them? Preferably not on our land?" Sam nodded, took my hand in his and together we set off towards the vampires nest. We took off our clothes once we got into the tree line.
"Are you sure you're ok Bella?" Sam was looking down at my thighs, so I followed his gaze, there were clear large fingerprint bruises where he had gripped me.
"Yeah babe, I'm fine. You were scratched up on your back from my nails, but they're all gone. I swear I'm fine." I made him lean down and I kissed him and quickly shifted back into my wolf.
Sam watched with a very appreciative gaze before shifting himself.
Bella, Sam? Jared was still in wolf form.
Jared, are the vampires still in their nests? Sam and I were running side by side to them.
Yeah, Paul called dibs on the big one. We rolled our eyes, it was typical of Paul.
I think it's the one with scars that needs to be watched. A vampire with lots of scars means he's a warrior. He'll be the most skilled fighter. We all gave a verbal nod, I saw Jared pacing just ahead of us.
Bella, you're amazing as a wolf. I've never seen a white so pure.
Well, she ain't pure no more! Pauls mind cracked up laughing, we all groaned at the phrase of wording.
SHUT UP PAUL I yipped as I snapped at him, which was embarrassing enough.
Come on Swan, I can't call you duckling anymore. You're all grown up!
Come here and I kick your ass five ways to Sunday!
I heard Paul charging before I saw him, so when he finally did break through the trees on my right I jumped as high as I could into the air and falling back down behind him, I snarled and snapped my teeth. He did the same, but I could see the mischief in his eyes, the relaxed posture of his body. This wasn't a real fight but a way for us to blow off steam.
So, I charged at him, as fast as I could which was faster than him. He grabbed the back of my neck in his teeth and threw me away from him using the force of my speed against me. When I landed against a tree, I pushed off it has turned around and launched myself at him again.
We kept going it was only once he launched at me and we ended up tumbling over one another out of the forest and heard a scream we stopped fighting and looked around us. We'd come to just in front of the vampire's home, the littlest vampire had her hands covering her mouth as she squealed.
The vampire with many scars was beside her in a moment staring at us fighting with amusement, the biggest vampire was cracking his knuckles with a giant smile plastered on his face. "No none told me we'd be fighting today! I want to have a turn!" The blonde female smacked him across the back of the head and glared at him.
"Don't be an idiot Emmett. They were obviously play fighting and took it too far. Where's the alpha wolves?" She stared at us like we were scum beneath her shoe, Paul and I stood shaking out our fur.
How much trouble do you think we're going to be in? Paul was thinking of getting a smacked ass by Sam. Maybe you'd like that? It wouldn't be much of a punishment for you. He snickered.
"Oh, come on Rosie! Now they're even telling jokes I can't get. It sucks not being part of the cool team." I heard another wack, Paul and I snickered.
Sam came out with Jared beside him, I saw him shaking his head at our antics, he was obviously watching the vampires to make sure they were as innocent as they claimed to be. We heard a crashing noise upstairs and a hushing from a female to someone else. We all looked towards the window where the crashing came from.
"Don't mind that, Edward is just… Temperamental at the moment." The blonde with many scars spoke. We turned to Sam and he merely nodded. "Not that I don't mind guess what you all are saying, but are we able to speak to the alpha as a human?" I felt a strange sensation come over me, it was like someone was pushing an emotion over the top of mine to make me less suspicious.
He has a gift! Do not trust your emotions! The minute I'd said the words the bronze haired vampire came out of the house.
"They know what you're doing Jasper." Fucking leeches. Paul spat, the boy turned and glared at him. "Mind your language, some of us are not accustomed to your curses."
He is fucking serious. What a snob. We all agreed with Jared's assessment. If you don't like it leech, don't listen. The boys nostrils flared as he seethed.
"WE cannot converse like this, I demand that the girl make an appearance so we can discuss terms." Every one of us turned and stared at him like he was insane.
Did he just order the alphas mate? Jake asked.
Seems like it Jake. I replied.
Sam went back into the trees and shifted back to his human form, he was only wearing his shorts, so his muscled back was on display to me right now, I was watching the way the muscles moved as he walked nearly salivating at the thought of touching him again.
Fucking cool it Swan. We get it, you're in love, you wanna bang like rabbits, doesn't mean I want to see it! Paul snapped, so I snapped back.
Fuck off Paul. The boy turned all his attention on me once he realised, I was the girl he was speaking to earlier, Sam growled even in his human form when he didn't offer him the respect due to him as alpha, I matched his growl perfectly.
SPOV
I didn't want to be a human among vampires at the moment, but it was impossible to speak to all the vampires if the boy didn't convey our entire message across. I didn't trust him, the way he was looking at Bella even in her wolf form was disgusting. She was my mate, and he was salivating over her like she was his.
When I growled and she matched the frequency of it I was filled with a burst of pride, she was connected to me in a way he would never be able to appreciate. So, when he finally tore his eyes away from her and had to look up into mine, I was a bit more than smug at the hint of fear I saw in his eyes.
"Where is your leader?" I made my voice as deep as possible when speaking to them, it bordered on my alpha voice.
"Carlisle and Esme are upstairs, they're coming down now." I could hear them coming down the stairs whispering words between them, the boy was trying to look back at Bella but I stepped in front of her so he couldn't.
"Wolves back into the trees." I didn't trust him.
"I'm sure that's not necessary." The boy spoke only to be slapped by the blonde female.
"Edward, shut up." She snarled, then turned to me with an apologetic look, I didn't return it.
"Alpha, it is good to see you in your human form." The male vampire approached me as slow as a human would, smiled without his teeth. I felt he was genuine in his feelings, which was unusual considering what he was.
"I wish I could say the same. I am here to discuss the meeting, our elders have granted your request. They wish to meet with you tomorrow, you will not come to our land we will come to you. But not here."
"Somewhere neutral, I understand. For simplicity sake, do you have a name I can refer to you as?" He was too nice, it was weird I didn't like it.
"You may call me Sam." He nodded and looked back towards the trees.
"Were the other wolves here Sam?" I nodded.
"Are they coming back?"
"They have not left, I do not trust the boy, so they are hidden from his gaze." I pointed at the bronze haired boy.
"Understandable, I apologise about that. Esme, can you take Edward hunting somewhere so I can speak to Sam please?" She nodded and gripped Edwards arm and immediately took him out of the area.
We didn't speak for a few moments, I wanted to ensure he was out of range before we spoke any further. I heard a small yip from Bella that signalled that the vampire was now out of range, so I nodded for them all to come forward. Bella was in the middle flanked by Jared and Paul, next to Paul was Jake and next to Jared was Collin.
"There are so many of you." The leader exclaimed. "Sorry forgive me, I haven't seen shape shifters in a long time."
"We are common then?"
"Not exactly, they tend to favour more indigenous cultures for example the Native Americans. There are colonies or rather mobs in Australia with the indigenous peoples. There are rumours they transform into multiple creatures like snakes, spiders, and the like. The Volturi the rulers of the vampire world they did studies on the people and found that they shifted to be able to protect the humans against any and all threats, including us."
"Are there any other tribes you know of that shift?" I heard some of the wolves begin to whine, they would love to know if we have other colonies that do the same thing as us.
"There is a colony in Wyoming that shifts into bears, we met them long ago and forged a pact that we would not hurt their people if they would keep our existence a secret." Bears… Not far from here either… Christ.
"You would like a pact with us as well?" I raised an eyebrow as I stared down at him with my arms crossed over my chest.
"It would be preferable, only in times such as these we don't need to worry so much about the humans because any in your tribe keep your secret so by extension, they'd keep ours hopefully. But we can help with brining back things from the main cities to help your town. We could help with solar power, clothes, seeds for farming. All we'd ask in return is to live our lives the way we wish." It was a good deal…. These vampires are golden eyed meaning they feast on animals the same as us, they only wish to live in peace… Like us.
Maybe these aren't so many creatures of us to destroy but something for us to live in harmony with? I'd have to talk to the elders without any of the wolves nearby and listen. Maybe bringing the leader to speak to the council face-to-face would be a good idea.
"I still do not trust the other one." This couldn't be ignored, he was obsessing over my Bella, to allow him near her equates to danger. The leader placed a hand under his jaw as he began to think.
"What if we kept Edward away from your mate?"
"How would you propose that?"
"If your mate is to go anywhere by herself, merely allow us that knowledge and we can ensure that Edward has a… Chaperone at all times. This means that nothing untoward will occur towards your mate."
"What would you do if the roles were reversed? If it was me or one of the other men staring at your women that way? Would you allow us to 'chaperone' that person, to have the knowledge she is alone?" The big ones face scrunched up at the thought.
"It would be difficult to trust one another…"
"Yes. We do not trust vampires, we are born to kill them. Allowing one to act that way towards my mate goes against all my instincts to keep him alive, but I believe you. I believe that you do not harm humans, but I do not trust him." The leader sighed heavily.
"What do you propose instead Sam?"
"I do not know." I looked at Bella nodding at the trees for her to shift and come stand by my side, she was still in my shorts and shirt not looking quite as enthralling as her first visit but she's still the most beautiful woman I've ever seen.
"I suggest we have a sit down with Edward, Sam by my side, you the leader by his and discuss why he is feeling this way." I glared at her, suggesting she go anywhere near him was a bad idea. The big vampire nodded.
"I'd hate for Edward to fuck this up, she seems like an awesome chick." I smirked at his comment, earning me a grin in return.
"I'd love to arm wrestle one of these days, I wonder who is stronger, vampire or werewolf." The big vampire laughed loudly.
"Rosie!' He yelled "I like this one!"
"Sorry if this seems rude, but we did not learn your names." I looked down at my little mate, we don't learn their names before killing them.
"I am Carlisle, the one who escorted Edward away was my mate and wife."
"I am Rosalie and my husband and mate Emmett. Excuse his stupidity." He big guy waved at Bella, unlike Edward I didn't want to kill him instantly, he seemed like a Dennis the Menace type.
"I'm Alice, this is Jasper. My mate and husband." A little tiny vampire spoke, her mate was the vampire with scars littering his body, but when he looked at her, he reminded me of the way I looked at Bella, it was unnerving.
"And you have gifts, Edward obviously has the gift of reading minds but not understanding the context behind the thought. Terrible gift really. Jasper you look like a terrifying person, but you have the gift of reading and changing people's emotions?" They all looked shocked as they started at Bella.
"Yes ma'am." Jasper had a very southern accent. "How did you know earlier by the way?"
"The emotion felt false, a huge pack of supernatural wolves and you try to make us calm? It didn't make sense, I didn't trust it." She shrugged.
"Makes sense, thank you for telling me." She smiled at the scarred vampire and he smiled back, the little, tiny thing seeming to jump for joy.
"What are your names if you do not mind me asking?" Carlisle spoke, Paul snarled.
"I can only disclose ours…" Bella looked up to me and I nodded, it was her name after all. "You know Sam already, my mate and imprint. I am Bella."
"Pleasure to meet you." Carlisle spoke softly.
"Sam I'm going to shift back." I nodded and gave her a swift kiss on the head before she ran back, I felt her shift back into her wolf as I looked at all of them.
"As alpha of the pack I grant you temporary protection until the meeting of our council and your leader Carlisle. Our council will be going down to a small shack near a river about 30 miles south. You will not cross over our territory line whilst travelling as this will break the temporary treaty we have in place. "Carlisle nodded and smiled slightly.
"What time would they like to meet?"
"Now." I knew Bella was already running back home, she'd alert the council and they'd get in a car quickly and head towards the meeting point whilst we escorted them to the shack ensuring they stay off our lands until something else is decided. "Bring Esme and Edward as well, I do not wish to have him out of my eyesight for long, not whilst my mate is not near me." They called his name and he quickly came running.
We all travelled together, I shifted back into my wolf and we found that we were the faster runners but kept pace with them to help them know where they were going. Edward was apparently the fastest runner, but they compared him to a mountain lion often. I disagreed, he was fast but not nearly lean and agile enough for me to make a comparison.
When the shack came into view, I saw Bella sitting beside it, she had shifted back into human form only instead of wearing my shorts and shirt she had another dress on, no doubt something stolen from Sue's wardrobe as it seem familiar.
I saw the Jeep they all travelled in and quickly shifted back into human form shoved some shorts on and went to Bella. "Hey baby." I kissed her forehead and heard Edward grumble. I knew from Bella's expression that she wanted to say something but as we were working out a treaty, she refrained from doing so.
The council came out of the shack bundled up in their winter furs and stood in a line whilst receiving Carlisle and his coven. Carlisle kneeled in front of them, and the others did as well, he made a great show of being respectful to them although he knew they were human.
"Carlisle, you have requested a meeting of our council to ask to live near our people. This is a usual request, but the alpha and his mate have convinced us to listen."
"Yes chief, we have lived countless years surviving on the blood on animals, I have never taken a human life since the night I was turned into a vampire. I have travelled the world and studied many things, but it was my passion in life to become a doctor, helping the less fortunate, the sick and dying. I've saved more human lives than my family has ever taken." I saw Billy's face change to one of surprise for a moment.
"So, you wish to live on our grounds for what purpose?"
"The human world is all but extinct, we cannot live amongst them because we do not age. Your tribe already has their own people who do not age and they are accepted, cherished. I do not ask for that same respect, but it'd be impossible to gain, but I ask to live on the outskirts so if you do have any humans that require medical treatment, I might aid them."
"But not with venom?"
"No. Never with venom, I understand it's poison to your wolves."
"It is… So, you wish to help our people in exchange to living in the one area permanently?" They all looked between themselves, it was an incredibly good offer, a doctor who can actually help our people would tremendously help us.
"Yes."
"What of your people?"
"Can I ask they speak for themselves?" Billy nodded so Esme stood next.
"I was changed when I fell off a cliff after I had lost my child in birth, Carlisle changed me into a vampire when there was no hope of saving me from traditional medicine, even if there was, I would have just attempted to throw myself off a cliff again anyway. Finding him, my mate allowed me that time to heal and become someone other than what my ex-abusive husband required.
Over the years I have dedicated myself to becoming a designer, I am an architect by degree, finding the best ways to build homes, businesses, and towns to become efficient and cost effective. I understand this is not a trade you require, but I would have happy to help in any way possible." They nodded, not as impressed but building in a huge part of our lives, and designing the homes sucks, she'd also be able to help track down the best places for materials for the buildings.
"I am Rosalie, I will not go into my past but know I'm an excellent mechanic I've worked on everything from planes, tanks, general cars. Before the world collapse, I was working with solar technology and wind farms. I enjoy everything in that area of expertise. I also can work as a teacher, I got a degree from university in 1990." They were definitely impressed by the blonde bombshell.
"I'm Emmett… I was a carpenter before and after I was changed, I help Esme with her designs of her house, but I've made boats, houses, buildings, all sorts. I really like working with it, but I'm a builder by trade, my strength exceeds standard vampires, so I've broken a lot of stuff." He laughed, he got a grin out of Sue, and even a chuckle from Harry but old Quil was frowning.
"I'm Alice… I design clothes, I'm an excellent seamstress. I also dance and can teach multiple styles of it too. I also love gymnastics. I play multiple instruments, all already creative flower as Carlisle calls me."
"I'm Jasper… I have no real talents beyond my ability to strategize. I was in the civil war when I was turned, I was a major in the confederate army. I brought that skill into my afterlife. If I am allowed to help, I can teach history to the children within your schools with an assistant to ensure what I'm teaching isn't against your beliefs. I will also help any war councils and tell you the weak points in your town and help make it stronger." Old Quil liked that.
"I'm Edward." He was staring directly at Bella. "I have multiple degrees ranging from getting a doctorate in medicine to help heal the sick, to mastering many different scientific fields. I have a master's in musical theory, I play the piano the best, but can play majority of instruments. I don't have any skills in labouring because I'm an academic. I am single whereas the rest of my family is not, I believe in looking after oneself, I love to read books." I looked at Carlisle and saw he had his head in his hands when he was speaking, I was growling softly.
Bella looked downright annoyed. "Why did you not look at me when you were speaking boy?" Edward gave an annoyed glance at Billy before returning his eyes to Bella, she decided to storm off, he started to walk towards her until Paul in wolf form sat in his path
"Okay I was going to do this with Bella, but it can't be helped she's walked off. Billy may I ask some questions?" He deferred to me with a nod. "Why do you keep looking at my mate like that?" I pushed myself to my full height, I felt my muscles twitching ready to strike the fucker.
"I don't know what you mean Sam." I showed him the memory of how he leers at her. "It's not at all like that, Bella is special, she deserves to be revered. Not stuck in this hole of a place forced to work and shift into a dirty wolf." He snarled the words, his whole family back away from him at that point signalling that they weren't with him on this, Billy nodded to me to show he realised, and this one vampire will not doom them all.
"She is my mate." I spat out.
"How is she to know that? She hasn't spent any time with me! I know if given the chance she'll come to see how much better it'll eb with me, surrounded by my love and affection. She's pure so we'll fit right in with one another." He's…. A virgin. A vampire virgin…
Everyone was staring at him, we were staring in horror and shock, his family merely looked embarrassed and horrified. "You're a virgin." I couldn't help but ask.
"I may not have a soul, but I would not disgrace hers by taking her virginity without first marrying the girl." I couldn't help punching him in the face as hard as I could, he flew backwards into the arms of Emmett who put his grip around his arms forcing him to keep still. I was trying to fight back my wolf, I was trembling at the thought of him touching her.
Bella chose that moment to intervene. "HE SAID WHAT?" She charged back into the meeting and immediately went right up to Edward, her hair flowing around her in a furious haze. My wolf was fighting with me, it wanted to kill the vampire, to take away the threat to our mate but I knew it would be an act of war we may not want just yet. I was arguing with the wolf, trying to get him to see reason.
"HOW FUCKING DARE, YOU." She screamed. "Who gave you the fucking right to decide who comes and goes between my legs? As if I would have you my mortal enemy, the one thing that can kill me quicker than anything else as my lover. What part of MATE do you not understand? Sam and I have been destined for one another since I came to the reservation, he has watched me grow into the woman I am today, he allowed me to make mistakes, fall over and break my arm, he helped me become a fucking blacksmith you stupid fuck.
AND YOU TALK ABOUT MY VIRGINITY! YOU DO NOT EVEN KNOW ME!"
"Bella, Love, please!" She snapped her fist back and punched him square in the nose. Emmett was trying not to grin as he held him still for her to tear into. "TOO LATE EDDIE. Sam and I already consummated our love if you want to be all fucking flowery and shit. GO SIT ON A STICK AND ROTATE!" She punched him again for good measure than shifted into her wolf and ran away, my wolf had begun to calm down after she left, thankfully Paul went with her.
"Go sit on a stick and rotate?" Billy was shocked by Bella's speech.
"Something the kids say at school, I didn't realise she knew the phrase." I chuckled slightly. "I think it is safe to say we cannot accept you in our lands or even near our lands whilst Edward is with you. We will allow HIM one hour to leave these lands. After that, it's open season."
"What of the rest of us?" Alice spoke, I turned to the council and saw they all agreed, it was very rare when they didn't. They normally had a plan already in place before a meeting too effect. The nod was to ensure the plan was still in effect.
"You will all be allowed to remain, we graciously accept your assistance in our tribe. We can even build you a home in our town, you will be treated as one of us, but you will be expected to contribute to our way of life. You will not be above the law." They all nodded at Billy's words, Alice was smiling widely but they turned and went back to their homes.
"Jared and Jake, follow them silently to see what they decide. If Edward doesn't leave within the promised hour… Howl." They nodded and ran off behind them.
"We're allowing vampires on our lands under the promise they will not hunt humans and will contribute to our way of life, what if they do not?" Old Quil asked.
"Then we kill them." I shrugged, the answer was simple.
"I might go pay a visit to Charlie, maybe we could go fishing tomorrow." Harry got a nod of approval from his wife.
"I'm going to go find Bella." They all laughed as I quickly shifted and chased down my spitfire of a mate.