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I growl at him and say: "Really, Peter, that's what you focus on? How the fuck did that envelope get into our living room? It was hand-delivered! Someone was in our home, and we didn't notice. I want to know how the hell that was possible when we were all here the entire time!"

Jasper - JPOV

I notice that Caius is holding out his hand and pass the stack of papers to him. He passes the envelope to Demetri and says: "Any traces, Captain?" Demetri takes his time smelling the back and front of the envelope, before shaking his head no. Caius lets out a low growl and moves to the table with the papers to look through them.

I raise my brow at Peter and say: "Any sensible remarks, Captain?"

A soft touch on my arm draws my attention, and I find Bella looking at me with tear-filled eyes. I place a kiss on top of her head and whisper: "Yes, pumpkin?"

"Don't be mad at Peter, Jasper. He's on our side. Is there anything we can do to save Charlie? Please tell me that we can still save him."

Bella's voice breaks, and I hug her as she takes a moment to compose herself. God, she is such a strong woman. A sharp intake of breath draws our attention to Caius, and we watch as he stares at the photo of Bella's dad and mutters: "Impossible." I raise my brow questioningly as a sense of recognition manifests itself inside him. He turns to Bella with the picture in hand and points at the two men next to Charlie. "Who are these men, Bella?"

Bella's worried face softens a little as she looks at the picture, and feelings of love flow through her. She moves toward Caius to take the picture and traces the men's faces with her fingertips as she says: "This one is Billy Black; he's my dad's best friend. They go way back. I remember lots of trips to the reservation so that they could go fishing or watch baseball while I played with his son, Jacob. God, when was this picture taken? I can't believe how grown up he is. He's only 15 if I recall correctly. He's huge, that can't be normal."

Caius nods in agreement and says: "You're right, my daughter. He is not a normal boy. That tattoo on his right shoulder indicates that he is a protector of his tribe. The gene has been activated again, probably because the Cullens took up residence in Forks. Your childhood friend, my daughter, is a shape-shifter."

Fucking hell! Of course, the damn treaty with the Quileute tribe, all made so much sense now. Carlisle always presumed the last wolves had died years ago, but we all still respected the treaty, that was signed all those years ago. What he didn't realize was that the gene lay dormant in the DNA of the descendants of the previous pack. It was our presence in Forks that made them shift again.

Bella is staring at Caius as if he sprouted a second head and says: "So, you're telling me that Jacob, the boy that I made mud cakes with when I was four, is a mythical creature that can turn into anything he likes? What is next? Gnomes?"

I roll my eyes as Peter says: "Oh yeah, nasty little fuckers". Bella turns to him with wide eyes, just as Char slaps him against the head hard while hissing: "Shut up, Peter. Can't you behave yourself for once, for fuck sake?" Char gives Bella a loving smile and says: "Don't listen to Peter, sugar. He just can't help himself sometimes. There's no such thing as gnomes."

Bella - BPOV

I shake my head at Peter, and he, at least, has the dignity to look a tad guilty for trying to fool me. Caius sounds annoyed by the interruption as he starts answering my question. "The boy from your youth is no longer, Bella. The activation of the gene made him grow faster and taller than he normally would have. Shape-shifters aren't that uncommon. There are several tribes in the US that we know of.

Jacob is a member of the Quileute tribe; they shift into a wolf. Carlisle came across the former pack around 1930 when he first moved to Forks and negotiated a treaty with their leader, Ephraim Black. If I were to guess, I would say that Jacob is his great-grandson. Being a Black, he was destined to be a wolf if vampires ever came back to the region. Do you know if there are any boys his age with the name Uley or Ateara?"

I close my eyes trying to remember the names of Jacob's friends but come up empty. The name Ateara does ring a bell, but I don't know why. I slowly shake my head and say: "No, I'm sorry. What's so special about those names?"

"There were three members in the previous pack: Ephraim Black, Levi Uley, and Quil Ateara II. Their great-grandchildren are most likely the members of the new pack and they are the ones that will keep your father safe, Bella."

I feel the anger rise inside me at Caius's words. How can a couple of teenage boys that turn into wolves keep my father safe from Victoria? I scowl at Jasper as I feel a wave of calmness wash over me and say: "Don't you try and calm me down, Jasper Whitlock. That's my father we're talking about! He's being hunted by a deranged vampire and the man, that claims to be my father in this life, wants to leave Charlie's life in the hands of some overgrown puppies?! I've got every reason to be pissed off. I advise you to come up with a better plan or I'm hightailing myself to Forks to guard him myself."

Jasper snickers as he pulls me into his arms and kisses the top of my head as he says: "You're underestimating the strength of a shape-shifter, darlin'. Let Caius explain his plan before you jump to conclusions and run headfirst into danger. I promise you that Charlie will be fine."

I put my nose against his chest and inhale his scent which calms me down instantly. I give him a quick hug before turning around to look at Caius and say: "Okay, I'm listening. What's so special about the puppies?"

"I bet they would love that nickname, piccola *. I took great interest in the Quileute tribe when Carlisle reported their existence. Let's just say that wolves and I don't get along. The details as to why that is, are best kept for another day. It would lead us too far from the actual topic.

Just as other shapeshifters out there, the wolves of the La Push pack are our mortal enemy. They are faster and stronger than most vampires. Their teeth are the one thing that can rip a vampire's body apart with ease. They know how to kill us and never hesitate to do so. They only left the Cullens alone because of the treaty.

There is no doubt in my mind, Bella, that they are perfectly capable of keeping your father safe. Carlisle provided me with the contact information of the tribal Chief years ago. If the boys are shifting again, then they know of our existence as well. I'll contact them and tell them your father is in danger. They can handle this."

Jasper – JPOV

Bella is feeling so many emotions at the same time that it's hard for me to get a read on how she's actually feeling. I fight the urge to calm her, seeing that didn't end well the last time I tried. I shrug my shoulders as Caius raises his brow infinitesimally. I don't have a clue how Bella is going to react this time. Suddenly Bella sighs and says: "What if they get hurt? This isn't their fight."

Caius smiles as he says: "They would disagree. They hate us with a vengeance. I'm surprised that the treaty with the Cullens is still standing because the hatred for our kind runs very deep. They wouldn't hesitate for a second if they saw your red eyes to kill you, Bella. It's their life's purpose to purge the world of vampires. They are built for it, and even if they were to get injured, they heal insanely fast. A broken leg only takes a few hours to heal completely."

Bella nods as she starts to pace the room. Caius pulls out his cell phone but waits patiently for his daughter to come to a decision. A couple of minutes pass before Bella suddenly comes to a halt and turns back to Caius to say: "Can a few of us go to Forks, just to be sure?"

Caius takes a firm stand and shakes his head 'no'. Bella opens her mouth to say something but stops as Caius raises his hand and says: "We're not going to split up. Divide and conquer? I'm not falling for that old trick. I was over a thousand years old when Julius Caesar supposedly invented that strategy. I'm calling the wolves, and they will handle this. End of discussion."

Bella plops down on the couch with a scowl on her beautiful face. I sit down in front of her and tuck a loose strand of hair behind her ear as I say: "Caius is right, pumpkin. I need you to trust me on this. I love you, Bella, and I know how much you love your father. I would never agree with Caius's plan if I wasn't one hundred percent sure that the wolves can keep Charlie safe. Just like we are going to make sure that nothing happens to you."

Bella lets out a sob and throws herself into my arms. I tap into her emotions and pull her closer as I feel the whirlwind of emotions that rages through her. The events of the last couple of days are taking their toll on my newborn mate. I place a kiss on her temple and say: "Talk to me, darlin'."

Bella - BPOV

I purr softly as I feel Jasper's love surrounding me and say: "You know that I trust you, Jasper. I don't know why I got so angry. It's getting harder and harder to control my emotions. I feel like slapping you and kissing you at the same time."

I bury my face in Jasper's chest as I hear the vampires around me chuckle. He snickers as he strokes my hair and says: "Just ignore them, pumpkin. You need to hunt. You will feel better when the thirst is gone."

I raise my head to look at Caius as he starts shouting out orders. "Alec. Jane. Join my daughter and the Major on their hunt. Whoever placed that envelope can mask their scent. Keep your eyes and ears open. Demetri, call Marcus. I want to know if he has information on vampires with such a trait. Peter, I noticed that there are security camera's throughout the house. Take Felix and Char, and see if you can find out who our intruder was. I'll make sure that your father is safe, piccola. Have a nice hunt."

Jasper takes my hand in his and leads me out the backdoor while Jane and Alec trail right behind us. It isn't until we run into the forest that I realize how thirsty I am. Jasper smiles and says: "Have fun, darlin'." A faint heartbeat to the right pulls my attention, and I make quick work of draining the poor mountain lion that crossed my path. Jasper is smiling as he walks up to me, and I purr as he pulls me close. "You feel better now, pumpkin?"

I nod as I lean my head against his chest. I notice that Jane and Alec are standing a few feet away with a concerned look on their faces. I smile as Alec whispers: "Are you okay, mom?"

"I'm fine, sweetie. Victoria will pay for what she did to my mother. My amazing family will make sure of that. Now, come here and give your mom a hug."

Jasper – JPOV

I watch as Bella opens up her arms and the twins rush over to hug her. I smile as I feel the love that flows through them, and snicker as I say: "I didn't know that we were adopting, pumpkin."

* Piccola = Little one

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