The Alpha Female

JacobxBella

Rated M

Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight or the franchise, as it belongs to Steph Meyers

The Alpha Female

Chapter 23

Three weeks had passed since the news of Bella's pregnancy had been found out and announced. During that time Bella, while spending time with Jacob, Charlie, and the Pack, had also been preparing for final exams and graduation with Angela and Jessica. It was nice being able to spend time with the two girls, but she knew she was always closer to Angela. The two of them had more in common than she did with Jessica and thus it made it a better friendship.

During this time, Angela had started dating Embry—which Bella thought was a great thing—but she still didn't know about the Pack or any of the underlying supernatural. When she asked Embry about why he hadn't, he admitted that it was because he wanted to protect Angela, to which she could understand. She knew if Jacob could protect her from it, he would have. Unfortunately, she was deep in it all before her boyfriend even got fully involved himself. Embry did state however that should the time come for him to tell Angela the truth about him and the Pack and such, he would tell her.

"Hopefully she won't view me as a monster and break up with me," Embry had told her.

"She won't. She'll just want to understand, but she won't break up with you," Bella had told him in reassurance. Of course, she hoped she was right as well. Angela had never looked so happy than when she was with Embry and vice versa. She wanted them to continue to be together when the truth came out.

One day after school Bella and Angela were at the Swan house studying for finals, as well as discussing what they were going to do for graduation. Lauren had said that since the Cullens had moved and weren't going to have their party like Alice Cullen had spread around, she'd throw a party at her house. And as if to make a point, she did not invite Bella. Angela, who had been invited, opted not to go if Bella wasn't going. When told this, Jacob and Embry stated they would throw their own party for the two girls. Charlie even agreed to host it at his house, something he was sure to regret later but worth it for his little girl.

Looking up from her notes, Angela was about to ask Bella if she understood the second half of the AP Calculus question they were studying, only to stop seeing the brunette eating pickle chips out of the jar with a fork. Bella had said she was going to get a snack, but she didn't think she'd grab those. She wouldn't have thought much of it had she not spotted the bottle of chocolate milk on the floor next to Bella's feet. Thinking that couldn't possibly taste good together, Angela said, "Um, Bella?"

"Hm?" Bella said looking up at the bespectacled girl.

"Why are you eating pickle chips and drinking chocolate milk? I don't mean to pry, but that can't possibly taste good together."

Bella hesitated for a moment as she swallowed the pickles she had been eating. She wondered if she should tell Angela she was pregnant. Would she judge her? Would she support her? Angela wasn't like Jessica or Lauren, so she would accept the situation without spreading it around. And she was with Embry now and Embry knew, so it would only be a matter of time before she heard it anyhow. Deciding to just bite the bullet, Bella looked Angela in the eye and said, "I'm pregnant."

Angela stared at Bella in shock before asking, "Really? You and Jacob are going to have a baby?"

"Yes, I am and we are. I just found out three weeks ago."

"Oh my gosh, congratulations! You're going to be a fantastic mother."

"Thanks Angela. You know, motherhood is something that I've never even thought of or considered until I found out I was expecting. And as excited as I am about it, I'm also nervous. I mean, my parents had me young and as much as I love my mother, I honestly don't think she was cut out to be or ready to be a full-time parent. She's very flighty and never seems to be grounded about anything. And honestly, growing up it was more like I was the parent and she was the child. She also treated me more like her friend than her daughter. Honestly, I was glad when she married Phil, because it would be him dealing with her rather than me. I know that seems harsh, but that was honestly how I felt. I guess part of my fear comes from not wanting to fail my child. I don't want them feeling the same way I felt growing up, that my mother and father could never be there for me."

Taking Bella's hand in hers, Angela gave it a gentle squeeze before saying, "Bella, you're not going to be the same mother your mother is. I'm not a parent, but I don't think any man or woman is fully prepared to be a parent. I think it is all about how you handle parenthood when the baby arrives. From the sounds of it, it seems as if your mother wasn't truly ready and probably wasn't completely sure about what to do raising you. And I'm sure Chief Swan is a fantastic dad, but he didn't get a lot of time with you while you grew up; you admitted that yourself to me before. But I do know for a fact that despite your upbringing, your parents love you more than anything. And I know you and Jacob are going to love this child and be there for all its milestones and all the moments that matter. Your fears are perfectly valid, but don't let them control how you raise your child and how you perform as a mother. You will be amazing, and your baby will think so, too."

Tears had unknowingly filled Bella's eyes and she sniffed before hugging Angela, thanking her for her words of encouragement. Angela rubbed her back and held her for a moment before pulling away. Smiling she said, "Don't worry about it now. Now, let's get back to studying this problem."

Bella giggled and nodded, wiping her tears before turning back to their work, studying well into the evening until Angela had to leave. Charlie came home later with pizza and a double order of fries; Bella had called and asked him to bring the fries. The two of them sat at the table and ate, discussing each other's day with each other. Towards the end of dinner, Charlie cleared his throat and said, "By the way kiddo, your mother called me at work today."

Stopping in her chewing, Bella looked at her father before covering her mouth and asking, "Why?"

Charlie let out an almost exasperated sigh before saying, "To tell me about her special "feelings". According to her, they've told her that a new blossom is blooming in your life and growing every day."

"What?"

"I said the same thing. When she finally stopped talking in code, she told me that she believed you to be pregnant. I swear, I didn't tell her, but she knows somehow."

The brunette stared at her dad in disbelief before letting out a long sigh and putting her head in her hand. Closing her eyes briefly Bella said, "Well, I guess she was bound to find out sooner or later. And I guess she deserves to know, but I don't want her knowing the baby is part supernatural, let alone that I am now."

Charlie placed a hand on her free one and replied, "She won't, kiddo. So long as it is kept a secret, she will never know. But let's just cross that bridge when we get there, alright? Besides, she said that with Phil traveling she doesn't even know when she can make a visit. She actually stated you should go visit her instead."

"Yeah, I'll think about that. It's just, there is a lot going on right now and I can't just leave. Besides, Jacob and the Pack need me around."

"I know, but just think about it. And if it makes you feel better, discuss it with Jake. He's a real understanding kid, so I'm sure he'll understand, especially considering how Renee can be."

Bella giggled and smiled, Charlie grinning in return. The two of them finished eating before departing the kitchen, Charlie headed for the living room and Bella to her own bedroom. She settled on her bed with her school books and notes, preparing herself for more studying. As she got comfortable, she looked down at her stomach and placed a hand on it, smiling at the thought of what her and Jacob's baby would look like.

Leah and Quil walked through the woods in their wolf forms, following the scent of the redheaded leech that the Pack have been trying to track down for a while. She had a companion, but there were also other vampires' scents that made them wary. Why were there so many vamp scents lingering around? Before long the scents they were following got stronger and stronger until it was almost unbearable. Stopping feet from what seemed to be the edge of the woods, their eyes widened at what they were seeing.

There was a whole entire hoard of leeches, all of them fighting with each other and being in their most feral state. Among them was the redhead's accomplice, breaking up a few fights while others continued to crush and rip each other apart. There was probably one or two that weren't involved in the fray, standing off to themselves while looking around almost skittishly. As he looked at the large crowd of vampires, Quil said through their mind connection, "They're a bunch of newborn vampires. Where the hell have they come from?"

Leah shook her head in response, not knowing the answer to her companion's question. A breeze went through the night air, bringing the sickly stench of all the vampires towards them. Leah scrunched at the smell, though she was glad they were standing downwind of them, thus not alerting them of their presences. Deciding that they should alert Jacob about this, they were about to leave when the redhead suddenly appeared in front of the newborn hoard, a wicked smile on her face. Looking out at the crowd she began to speak.

"Hello again, my army. I have come to tell you all that the time has nearly arrived. The time to exact revenge on the human that is set on ruining our lives as the vampires we are: Bella Swan! Not just her, but the clan that think they are better than us because they refuse to drink the blood of humans." Many of the newborns hissed in response. "Unfortunately, the clan has dispersed from these parts, but one of their members still lingers, and all for the retched human that is no good for our kind. I want her annihilated, her and her pack of dogs. And that is why I have created you, my precious army. Together, we will rid the world of them and purge it of all humans that dare to ruin our ways, kill our mates, and ruin our immortal lives by being involved where they have no business. We will!"

As the newborn army cheered in response to the redhead, Leah said, "Can you believe this?"

"No," Quil replied. "This bitch is crazy! She wants to kill us and Bella. What is the reason for it? There has to be a legit reason other than just wanting to."

"I don't know, but we better warn Jake."

With that, Quil and Leah turned and ran off back towards the Reservation, wanting to quickly relay what they heard to the rightful Alpha. Hopefully he would know what to do, especially now that he, they and especially Bella was in danger. Or rather, more danger now that she was pregnant. This definitely wasn't going to be good, and it was obvious that the weeks of casual bliss was over. Whether Jacob or Bella wanted to or not, it was time to get battle ready. Because with that newborn army present and led by that crazy leech, that was what it was going to come down to: a battle.