Hello my loves. This chapter is somewhat shorter than the others as we'll be getting into the action in chapter 12. I didn't want to start the action and then stop half way, and I didn't want to add it all into one chapter as it would be horrendously long.

Normal disclaimers apply.

Marcus sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. We had been going over what I had seen for almost two hours now.

"Bella, like I had said -several times already- it was for the good of the pack."

"For the good of the pack." I mocked. "What about for the good of your family?!"

"Are my family not a part of the pack?" He raised a brow at me. "Because the last time I checked they were."

"You know what I mean." I huffed, crossing my arms over my chest.

"I do, and you should know by now, from your lessons, that when you're Alpha the pack is regarded as a solid unit. Protect one, protect them all. Betray one, betray them all."

"Then you have betrayed all of us!" I threw my hands up and started pacing in front of him. "Did you, or did you not, swear to protect and guide the entire pack when you were sworn in as Alpha? To lead the people to a better future for everyone? Yet here you are, changing the future and putting your own life on the line for just me. I am not the whole pack. I am not fit to run this pack. Do you know how many times I've thought about running away since I killed James? How miserable my life has become? I am not leader material. Not like you." I stopped my pacing and stared my grandfather down, breathing heavily through my nose.

The hard look on Marcus' face softened. "Do you know what I see when I look at you my child? I see a fiercely loyal young woman who has done nothing than put the welfare of the pack before her own needs. You're strong. Independent. Caring. And I've seen you put more than one member in their place since you've been here. You believe in one member so much that you even made him your Beta when others would have overlooked him. Bella you are the future, and it's about time you started believing in yourself. What you saw in that memory today was not me putting myself in your place. It was an alteration. Kind of like when Maleficent cursed baby Aurora to die on her sixteenth birthday, but the three good fairies changed it so she wouldn't die. You are the last in the Swan bloodline. If you were to die that would be it for our legacy. What would happen then?"

I didn't have an answer for his question, but I did know he had to stay away from that Disney plus subscription.

"Now, are we going to discuss what happened at school today?" Aaaaand his steely gaze was back.

000

*Come on Bee. Talk to us.*

It had been three weeks since the showdown in the cafeteria at school and I was out on a run in my wolf form when I had been ambushed by Emmett and Jasper.

*We're sorry okay. We listened to Alice's side of things without hearing you out too. Please Bella.*

So far I had done a fantastic job of ignoring them, but they were getting more persistent.

*Tell us what really happened, because I'm sure Alice coated over some of it and we know you'll tell us the whole truth.*

When their begging failed to work, Emmett took to nipping at my hind legs until my temper erupted and I pinned him to the forest floor, snarling in his face.

His tongue lolled out and his tail thumped happily against the damp earth.

*Fine! You want to know what Alice did so badly, here...* I assaulted their minds with the last conversation Alice and I had, which resulted in me slapping her. Every nasty word she said played through the packs connection. Every member who was currently in their wolf form saw Alice for who she really was and not the sweet, fake persona she put on every day.

Jasper whined as he saw his mate's true self and Emmett growled from where he was pinned beneath me.

*Alice really said that?* Jasper sounded so conflicted.

*Of course she said that, you idiot!* Emmett snorted. *You can't alter memories and Alpha's can't lie. Can you?*

*You'll have to ask grandpa about that. I'm not the Alpha yet.* I replied, stepping back and letting him up off of the dirt.

He shook himself off and tried to tackle me again, resulting in me pinning him to the earth once more. Just like that, our familial camaraderie was back.

*You've been practicing cuz.* He praised as I let him up again. *The lessons with Felix are paying off.*

*I know right. I actually bested him twice during our last session.*

*You're going to be a formidable force to be reckoned with.* Jasper added.

*He said the same about you. He's really pleased with your skills as a beta.*

*Thanks.* He ducked his head under one of his paws.

*What about you Em? How have you been getting on out on your patrols with Peter?* I asked my other cousin, who was attempting to lick himself.

*It's going great. I can fully detect and track an imposters scent. With the new patrols they've set up, rounds are going to be run more frequently. Hopefully when an invasion on our lands happen again we can stop them before they get too far in.*

*That's fantastic Em. You'll make a brilliant addition to the security team.*

Emmett puffed out his chest and huffed with pride, making both me and Jasper chuckle. I nudged my shoulder into his, which on turn made him bump into Jazz. Before they could retaliate I took off running back towards the pack house.

*Hey! No fair Bella!*

*Yeah. You play dirty!*

*Catch me if you can cousins.* I laughed, pushing my wolf to go faster. I evaded their snapping jaws and broke through the tree line just moments before they did. *Ha! Beat you!* I gloated as they tackled me to the grass.

*That was no way a fair race Bella. I call a rematch!* Emmett exclaimed while we tussled on the lawn.

I beat them both again before I sat back on my haunches to catch my breath. That's when I noticed the stoic figure of my grandfathers wolf sitting on his balcony watching us.

*You did well my child, but please come inside now. I have some news for you.*

My cousins bid me goodbye with the promises of hanging out again tomorrow.

*I'm gonna get that rematch Bella.* Emmett stated before he and Jasper raced off in the direction of his house.

I went inside and phased back, changing into the clothes I had worn this morning.

I found Marcus in his study. It's a smaller, less informal room than his office, set at the back of the library. I knocked and let myself in without waiting for a reply. He looked up from a file he was reading and motioned for me to sit down.

"I know you're wondering why we're meeting in here and the answer is I have far less valuable items in here than my office if you decide to break something."

That piqued my interest. I quirked my brow at him and motioned for him to continue.

"According to my sources, it would appear that Edward is indeed under the capture of Alpha Black."

I stiffened in my seat.

"Bella please listen to me. I am going to do everything in my power to save him once more."

"Grandfather, with all due respect, I am going to be leading that rescue. I don't care what anyone else has to say. Edward is important to me and I need to be the one to save him."

Marcus stood and embraced me, holding me close. "What I was going to say was; be careful. I can't lose another family member."

I stood there shocked, but held him all the tighter for it. He was finally trusting me.

"You have five soldiers under your command and three members of the guard, including both of your male cousins. Felix is at the Cullen residence informing them both now. Try not to get any one of your team killed with brash decisions. Listen to them and whatever you do, don't close your mind off from the pack."

"I won't. Mom and dad don't know about this, do they?"

"Charlie does. Renee, not so much. She'll be told once you cross into Black territory, so prepare for an onslaught upon your return."

"I will. Thank you for trusting me with this sir. I won't let you down." I turned and left the room. Edward, hold on. I'm coming for you.

Who's up for a rescue mission?! Edward, we're all coming for ya!

See you all next chapter.

Much love x