AN: Hi everyone!

Sorry for the delay in posting! it's been crazy busy these past few weeks.
I'm hoping to do two chapters today and hopefully another tomorrow, so stay tuned :)

Anyway here is the next chapter.

To everyone still reading I hope you'll enjoy it!

Chapter 36 -

BPOV

A month passed by rather quickly. We found a good rhythm on the Rez and the big house and it seemed everything was finally working out in my favour for once.

I had freedom, I had space. I had independence.

I also thankfully didn't have any wolves trailing me anymore. After that first day with Jacob houding me I'd gone straight to Edward and demand he call off his dogs. He'd vehemently protested that he had anything to do with it, and although I doubted him at first, Rosalie had assured me it wasn't Edward this time, but that it had been Sam. So I'd gone to Sam and given him a piece of my mind as well. He'd been rightly put in his place and since then I hadn't had any unwanted bodyguards anymore.

That didn't mean that I didn't hang out with Jacob and quil and emby, because I did often enough. But that was my choice, not because they were forced on me. They were fun to hang around. The rez had bonfires every few nights and it was nice to see the tribe come together and pull me into their circle this easily.

Before I knew it I was hanging out with Emily, Sam's wife and Rachel, Paul's girlfriend almost as often as I was hanging out with the boys. It was nice to have girlfriends again. Especially non vampiric ones who had no idea about the intricate politics of running a coven and were just happy to live here.

I was also gradually spending more time with Esme, Rosalie and Alice as well. Alice was absolute ecstatic about it and asked to take me shopping at least every two days. So far I had successfully evaded her shopping trips though. And I planned on doing that for a while at least. I had a feeling I was not ready for something like that. Alice did not let it deter her though. We spent most afternoons together, talking about the various charities that they all ran.

After my first meeting with Rose and Esme I had quickly asked them if I could be useful in their exploits. The charities were amazing. Most of them focussed on vulnerable women and abused women and children. They helped house them, feed them, clothe them. It was heart warming to be able to do so much good. Rosalie and Esme also shared their stories with me and it opened my eyes to a lot of their reasoning and why they were so understanding of my need for space and freedom.

They knew Edward had fucked up and they didn't try to excuse his behaviour. They knew what I'd gone through, at least to some extent. They could empathise and understand what I needed to finally start healing. They didn't try and force us together and they focussed on getting to know me as a person, rather than as something they could use.

It felt good. I started to feel part of their family, slowly but surely.

I trained at least once a day in either Jasper's or Emmett's class. There were other classes, but I just enjoyed Emmett and Jasper's teaching styles more. They were always delighted to have me and would focus more attention on me and making me laugh whenever I was around. I was glad the other vampires didn't seem to mind, but seemed to enjoy it as well.

Those sessions usually turned into half training seriously, the other half just goofing off and enjoying spending time together. I got to know the coven mates that way too and learned we had vampires from all over the world. Some with rather unique abilities like my shield.

Edward and I went running every night. I enjoyed it almost as much as him it seemed. It was freeing and amazing and I loved gazing up at the sky and watching the stars and moon. We usually ran togher, pushing each other to go faster, trying to make bets and see who would get to the clearing first. Most days he would win, that fucker was fast, but these past few times I had nearly beaten him.

I was getting faster every day it seemed.

We usually spent about an hour or two in the meadow, talking about what he'd gone through. He had been true to his word and had sought help. He was talking regularly with a psychologist now. A vampire psychologist non the less. We spoke about how that was going and how he was feeling. Day by day, week by week, I could see him get his confidence back. He was healing. Slowly but surely he was getting past what he'd been put through and learning to be confident in himself and his abilities once again. He was still mostly out of the public eye, but I had been persuading him to start that back up again. He was a born leader, I just knew it. I knew that if he took his place back again and stopped fearing what his coven would think that he would get back in his role of coven master without difficulty and that it would give him the extra boost he needed to get over this last bit.

I was mulling this whole past month over and realizing that I felt good for the first time in my life about where I was and what I was doing. I sat down on a rock not far off the path I had been walking and just smiled for a moment to myself. I'd come far it seemed. And I was sure I would go even further.

Today I'd felt like taking a hike to the ocean on my own. Jacob had of course offered to come, he still offered quite often, but I turned him down usually just as often. I had a feeling Jacob wanted something more than friendship and I wasn't prepared to offer him that.
I gazed out over the sound not far from the treeline and sighed, listening to the calming sounds of the ocean in the distance and the gulls overhead. It was nice peaceful.

A twig broke in the distance. Leaves swished as if something was streaking past it in great speed. I frowned. These woods were pretty much emtpy always, except for animals. But this didn't sound like an animal. I sniffed the air cautiously. Not a wolf… a vampire?

It wasn't a scent I recognized off the top of my head. Friend or foe? I bit my lip unsure for a moment what to do. I wasn't really scared that it was someone from the Volturi. They wouldn't sent one person. I was sure of that. We'd humiliated them to the bone, so when they came, and yes that was a when, they were going to go all out. The entire army and all their fanfare.

It wouldn't be a single vampire in the woods. In broad daylight too.

I sprang up from my perch and turned to face the direction the sounds were coming from. I had about one or two minutes I judged from the speed. What would I do?

Run back to the rez? That would draw possible danger on unsuspecting humans. I couldn't do that. Run to the house? I could go fast, but I wasn't sure I was the target. If I wasn't I could again endanger the humans by leaving.

Could I call for backup? I wasn't sure anyone could get here fast enough. I hesitated but then took a deep breath. I had to face this on my own. I was fairly confident I could handle whatever it was that was coming. I was strong, I was quick… I knew how to fight. I could do this.

I crouched down and waited, making sure my senses were all open and my shield was tightly tucked around me.
What I didn't expect was that the vampire running towards me would not notice me at all and barrel straight into me.

He ran at me, colliding with my body at full speed, knocking us both down to the ground in a tangle of limbs.

'FUCK!' the vampire yelled in a deep baritone voice.

'What the fuck?!' I yelled back completely taken by surprise. If you were sneaking up on someone you wouldn't knock into them as if you had no idea they were there.

'Where the fuck did you come from?' he demanded trying to disentangle himself. I was doing the same, pushing at him to get off me.

'I was standing in the road, asshole. If you'd looked you'd have seen me!'

'God damn woman! Sit still!' he yelled.

I growled at him and pushed at him harder, using my legs to kick free and finally roll him over so I could get to my feet. He was up in the next second.

Surprise flickered in his eyes as he looked at me. 'Isabella?' he asked, his jaw slightly slackened.

I frowned. No one around here called me that. I took a closer look at him. He was tall, well built, short sandy hair, an angular jaw with a slight stubble.

'Demetri?' I asked incredulous. Then I sank down into a crouch, immediately back on guard.

He held up his hands immediately. 'I'm not here to hurt you.' he said.

I frowned, not straightening up just yet. 'What are you doing here?' I demanded.

His eyes roamed over me and his tongue snaked out to lick his lips. I gave a warning growl. He jumped slightly and his eyes focussed on mine again.

'I'm on your side now. I deflected.'

That surprised me. I straightened up and quirked an eyebrow at him. 'What?'

'Damn Isabella, you grew into a fine lady.' He said, his eyes darkening slightly. I crossed my arms over my chest. 'You're a yellow eye these days?'

'Answer the question, Demetri.' Ignoring his obvious ogling.

'What?'

'What did you mean you deflected?'

He grinned at me and sat down on the boulder I had just vacated. 'You left quite a shitshow in Volterra. Your little spat with Sulpicia was overheard and spread around. Everyone saw what you did to poor Jane's face… Aro was completely shaken up after the entire episode railing and moaning about any and everything. It's been pretty eyeopening to be honest. They're planning a large scale attack and Aro doesn't care about the lives that will be lost. He's been thteathening his own soldiers with death.'

I frowned at that. Aro usually was smart enough to play on the feelings of his people to make them loyal to him, and otherwise he used Chelsea on them. Did we really throw him so out of sorts with our little stunt?

'Did he sent you?' I asked Demetri point blank. He quirked an eyebrow at me.

'I know we didn't really speak much before, but you know I never really felt at home in Volterra. Same as Angela. I helped her escape you know.'

'Why did you chose now to escape yourself?'

'He's been an absolute tyrant. I usually keep my distance from Volterra only coming when I'm summoned to help track someone down. He sent out an order that everyone has to join in the capital and be at his beck and call all the time. I think he's using Chelsea to control everyone.'

I rolled my eyes. 'of course he is. He's been doing that ever since I've known him.'

Demetri looked surprised. 'What?'

'You didn't live at court so he probably used her on you quite minimally, but Marcus for instance is kept in a permanent state of sedation. Otherwise he would have killed everyone around him and himself a long time ago.'

'I thought that was odd, that he's still so functional after losing Didyme.'

I nodded in agreement.

'But fuck… that means he's literally controlling veryone.'

'I thought you knew.'

'Well, not to that extent. Fuck. Isabella…'

'It's Bella.'

'Bella… we have to help them.' His expression was frantic and serious.

I sighed. 'I won't let the Cullens walk into a trap Demetri. We're not going to Volterra. We're waiting for the army on our turf. I know Aro is coming for us. I'm helping the Cullens to get rid of them.'

'Good then I will join you and help you take them down.'

I looked at him suspiciously for a moment longer. I wasn't sure if I could fully trust him yet. 'Alright. I'll introduce you to the Cullens and we'll see if you're truly here to help us.'

He gave me another once over. Then shrugged. 'Fine by me. I've got nothing to hide.'

I nodded once and pulled out my phone. I mused for a second who would be best for this. I knew we would need Edward's mind reading to know if he was speaking the truth. But Jasper could diffuse any potential tension or distrust on both sides.

I sighed and decided to call Carlisle. He could probably help me figure out the next step. The line rang twice and I was acutely aware of Demetri's eyes on me.

'Bella?' Carlisle asked, concern in his voice. I hardly ever called Carlisle.

'Hi Carlisle. I have a bit of a situation. Are you alone?'

it was quiet for a moment. 'I am now.' he said after what sounded like a door closing. 'What's going on?'

'Can you get everyone together quietly and meet me out in the woods over at the lake?' I asked. I figured neutral territory would be better for this meeting.

'I think so, yes.' Carlisle paused for a moment. 'Are you in danger?'

'Not at this moment.'

'Can you tell me anything at all?'

'Just don't come in guns blazing. I've run into someone in the woods… I'm fine and he's fine… but I think it's best if you all meet him first and we can decide what to do from there.'

'A vampire?' he asked.

'Yes.'

'And you're sure you're alright? Can he hear me?'

'I can.' Demetri called out. Grinning at me while I threw him a glare.

'Look he's nothing I can't handle. I'm fine. Just get here calmly.' I said. Carlisle wasn't entirely convinced but agreed. He'd be there in ten minutes.
I hung up and put my phone back into my pocket. 'alright.' I said to Demetri. 'Let's go.'

'Where?'

'To the lake, idiot. I know you heard everything.'

'I thought we were already at the lake.' Demetri said, cocking his head to the sound of the ocean lapping at the shore.

'That's the ocean.' I sighed, rolling my eyes at him.

He grinned sheepishly before springing to his feet. 'Alright then. Lead the way.' He said dramatically bowing and sweeping his hand out for me to pass by him.

I rolled my eyes at him again, but couldn't help the small grin forming on my face.

We started running and Demetri kept pace with me easily. we were there in a few minutes.

'So tell me how you came to the Cullens?' Demetri asked. 'I've been quite out of the loop for a few decades it seems.'

'What do you know?'

'Honestly? I helped Angela escape because she felt trapped and after that I had to lie low for a bit. Aro wasn't exactly pleased. So I made myself scarce. I think I've been back four or five times in the past few decades. Last time I heard everything that had happened when you guys attacked and I couldn't really believe that one of ours had joined the Cullens. So I went out and did some research and then I came across everything Aro was doing so I figured if you could do it, so could I. and I left.'

'After angela left things went kind of downhill for me.' I said. 'I was Volterra's doormat for quite a while.'

He frowned at that. 'I'm sorry.'

I shrugged. 'I'd disappointed Aro one to many times. I thinkg you can understand that.'

He nodded.

I continued explaining the cliffnotes of what happened after that and how I came to the Cullens and my stints living in humanity before joining back up with the Cullens after our fight with Aro.

Demetri was silent for a moment. 'I'm sorry.' he said again. 'I wish I would have been around more to help you. Aro was a damn fool. But honestly I'm glad you got out, however you got here.'

'I'm glad too. The Cullens have been great, giving me space and freedom. I'm finally getting to live.'

Demetri smiled at me. 'That sounds good. I could get used to that. No looking over your shoulder. no answering to some asshole's whims.'

I grinned at him.

Demetri was easy to hang out with. I'd met him a few times before and he'd always been kind and fun. It was easy to settle back into that pattern with him without a second thoughts. He wasn't threatening or imposing. Sure he was big and muscled and sometimes had this air about him that would make the hair on your body stand up. He was lethal when he wanted to be. But he was also kindhearted. And that shone through right now.

The sound of running reached my ears and I stepped slightly in front of Demetri.

'The rest is coming. Don't do anything to antagonize them.' I warned him.

He grinned and shrugged. 'Can't promise anything.'

'If you want to be taken seriously, Demetri, you will promise me that.' I warned him sternly.

'Look Bella. I'm here to help. If they don't want my help I'm on my way again. It's their loss. Not mine.'

I sighed and shook my head. I guess I couldn't exactly hold that mindset against him. He was free from the Volturi and nothing binding him to the cullens. If he wasn't treated kindly why would he stick around? I would just have to hope everyone would be reasonable.