A/N: Congratulations to Geezerwench for this story's 100th review xx Alexis

Bella

Edward was flinching under whatever onslaught Esme was delivering straight into his head. Even as she stood over her husband like an avenging angel!

"I didn't do anything! Why does everyone blame me when something in their life goes wrong?" he whined like a petulant child,

There were several snots around the room at his inane comment. I'm sure ninety-nine point nine per cent is his fault. Just then Alice decided to walk away as if this had nothing to do with her either! But Rose told her to stay right where she is.

"You stop right where you are bitch! This chaos is as much your fault as his. How about you take some responsibility for manipulating your visions in both your and his favour. Always to the detriment of everyone else in this coven!" Rose growls and Alice quails in fear,

Oh dear Lord, did she think they didn't know! Is she really that dumb? I'm beginning to think neither she nor Edward ever grew up at all, not even by the tiniest percentage. They have laws about immortal children, but I think they need to include immortal teenagers from this and the last century as well!

"Edward, you attack a woman when her back was turned! Surely your mentor, the self-proclaimed paragon of virtue Carlisle Cullen taught you better? No, colour me surprised, not!" I couldn't resist and he glared at me and I laughed hard,

"I've had more than I can stand!

Why is it Edward can do no wrong in your eyes, Carlisle? Are you that blind to his disgusting behaviour? No, of course, you aren't! But if you can allow that, then doing this to me must have been easy! I can't believe I was so naive? I can't believe you ever even called me your mate, I'm obviously as much a pet to you, as Bella was to Edward!" Esme sneered at him,

"Esme! You can't believe that please! I'm..., wh..., you struck me!" he once more started to babble,

It appears that maybe he is finally realising, that listening to Edward for ninety years and then Alice since she arrived, might just have cost him his mate's love and respect.

"Oh, shut up Carlisle! I've had it with your many and numerous lies! With your pompous attitude to us less than perfect beings! With your destruction of my life and that of MY FAMILY'S!" she growled loudly still standing over him,

All this as he stayed sat on the floor, looking up at her guiltily and becoming more abjectly horrified as he saw she was not only angry but beyond sickened with him. Jasper was looking worriedly at Esme, was her bond with Carlisle gone or stretching to almost oblivion. Can that happen? Can a mate bond shatter if one is a blatant narcissist? I wonder if anyone knows if this has ever happened before. I doubt many vampires are stupid enough to test it out, unlike Carlisle who thinks he can do anything he wants because he's so special in his own eyes!

"Carlisle Cullen. In front of these witnesses, I challenge you for the leadership of this coven!" Esme said with deadly intent in her tone,

I have never heard her sound more like a vampire than she did right now, if I was Carlisle I'd be terrified! Everyone else froze in place at her statement.

"Wh..., I ..., you ...!" he spluttered, not understanding what was happening, how it was all getting away from him,

"A vote, I demand it! As is my right, a vote to be taken for control of this coven! Those in favour of Carlisle continuing to run this sham into the ground on Edward's behalf, raise your hands! Those who would back me, who would help me, make some drastic and highly necessary changes; please would you raise your hands!" She said her voice softening as it tailed off,

I have a feeling she's a little afraid, that they might reject her bid. But it's clear they would rather her than him. Even if they intended to leave eventually, however, I think Rose and Emmett might now change their minds.

"Three to two in favour of Esme!" Eleazar said happily and with a slight grin on his face,

He was clearly thinking this was long overdue, and as he'd known them the longest I assume he's right.

"You can't do this! I won't stand for it!" Edward screeched now finding his voice,

Oh dear, did the idiot think he still had any rights in this coven? Only to also be punched in the mouth, but by Rose this time, and end up sitting next to Carlisle on the floor.

"Oh, you will Edward, unless you'd like me to invite the Volturi here! Maybe Aro would read you all and sort out Carlisle's, Alice's and your lies for me your new coven leader!

Until you actually contribute to this coven you will no longer have any say in any way, on how it's run!

Maybe Aro will even tell me what it is you hold over Carlisle that would make him lie to my face for all these years!" Esme said glaring at them all,

"Oh, I can tell you that Esme! It's not as if it was that big of a secret, everyone who is, or was part of the Volturi knows of Carlisle's indiscretions!" Eleazar says and Carlisle basically deflated where he sat,

Edward looks none too happy about this revelation; he would be losing his hold over Carlisle and that will make him powerless. God, he's such an ass! Poor Esme, I'd be kicking Alice and Edward out if it was me and the way things are going possibly Carlisle too!

Tanya

It's now far past the time for me to leave for home; this farce has gone too far! I only ever wanted to remove that virginal chastity belt Edward has been wearing for the past ninety years. I didn't want him as a mate or in my coven; I just wanted to be the one to pop his cherry! I thought this would be my last chance since he was getting married! But this coven is, beyond, how do they say it, 'fucked up'! I remember now why we barely see them; it's so tedious and draining being around them for any length of time. They seem to thrive on the dramas of their own making. I'm actually quite glad for the human, not to be stuck with Edward for all eternity; he really is a childish prude. He has not only ruined his own coven but insulted Eleazar, from mine.

But his cowardly attack on my sister from behind, that is totally unacceptable and unforgivable. I will never allow him in our home again, as far as I'm concerned I no longer regard him as anything but a stranger, a nomad! Time for me to put on my coven leader mantle and put that imbecile in his place!

"I'm leaving, Irina, Kate, Carmen it's up to you whether you join me! Eleazar I'm aware you made a promise if it still stands!

Bella my apologies if I caused you offence, it was just a long-running game to me. But I'm glad you saw the light before it was too late and you were stuck with him for eternity. Esme good luck you'll need it with this rabble, I suggest removing several body parts to get through to them or just throwing them out without a penny.

You boy, you ineffectual spineless nonentity, don't ever come to my home again, you are now unwelcome to any house belonging to the Denali coven!" I say as he staggers to his feet,

He left his fool of a father figure still sitting there. Then I think what the hell and drop the pompous ass back down beside him, cracking his cheek in the process.

"Don't ever try to hurt a member of my coven again child or I'll burn you where you stand!" I coldly state,

Then I spit my venom on the floor between his legs, watching it eat away at the floorboards and the edge of his trouser leg. That is the ultimate insult to another vampire and he now knows or should know there is no way back over the line he crossed with my coven. The other's faces are shocked, that I would turn on him of all vampires. But they all know me; sex and coven matters are very separate things. Also, they know where I draw my line in the sand and that was it! Trying to physically assault a member of another coven in a fit of pique is unacceptable, just because it failed doesn't make a difference. Then I sweep out the door with only Irina by my side for now. I will not order them away; they are free to make up their own minds, unlike the former Cullens.

Bella

Tanya had shown her true self and I was very impressed. She's not the blonde airhead she pretends to be, I bet that catches many unaware. She proved herself a capable and strong coven leader. I'm really trying not to stare but damn, he is one of the most striking men I've ever seen. Why do I feel drawn to him? He's a married man! Is it just because he's being nice to me, no that can't be right or I'd feel this way about Jasper! Eleazar is outside talking to Tanya before she leaves. I actually sense he seems a little despondent, this crap with Carlisle and Edward has gotten to him I think. I hope he isn't regretting agreeing to help me. Because more than ever I need him here or is that I want him here? I have decided I'd like him to eventually change me, will he do it? Then there is the thing with the fake Carmen, should I say anything?

Or leave it for now, she's not actually hurting anyone, well except Eleazar with whatever lies she's feeding him! I'm conflicted, but then she is his wife and it's not my place to interfere in their marriage, is it! I need to talk with her, find out what is going on and then go from there. Maybe Jasper would come too, he seems to be hovering nearby, watching her. Does he think she'll hurt me? Damn it, my emotions are all over the place. Meanwhile, the Cullens are totally all ignoring each other, I think this is a tactic Edward and Alice have used before, but it's not having the desired effect on anyone. Rose and Emmett are helping Esme draft a, I want to say constitution, but it's not that. An agreement, an accord! No that's not it either, but it is a set of commitments, yes that's the word I wanted.

Something that is going to be fair to all parties as long as they all stick to it. This time it won't be all about what Edward wants or how Alice says she's seen it going down. In this scenario, it is about what Esme thinks is best for everyone in the coven, not just two members. That will be the problem, can Edward and Alice and to a degree, Carlisle, stick to this commitment? Or as usual will their entitlement spoil it for everyone and how will Esme handle that? Because if they don't I think those two will be in for a rude awakening and find themselves covenless! Rose also looked really happy when she was able to slash the spending budget of those two by about seventy-five per cent to be the same as everyone else. Esme loudly commented that since they had had so much money handed to them recently, they would be doing without for two years.

"After all you wouldn't want people to suspect favouritism. It must have been an oversight on Carlisle's part, but don't worry I'll rectify it! Once everyone else has had the same privileges, you'll get an allowance again, in a couple of years or you could just get a job!"

Maybe if she keeps it up she can drive them away, because they looked horrified at the prospect of actually working.

Teresa (Carmen)

I truly wanted to leave with Tanya, but I can't. I need to be here to see, to know if she gives me away. I'm not blind; I see them watching each other's every move. Maybe that's the answer; I could withdraw quietly like Carmen promised she would. I sit down to think and find a pencil and notepad, perfect.

Jasper,

I would like to talk with Bella and maybe lay my cards on the table. I assume you can see the way things are going with them, even if she doesn't for now. Can we three go somewhere to talk? I sense Eleazar and Kate will want to hunt soon.

Carmen

I rise and as I pass him to look out of the window I slip the note into his hand. He smiles gently at me and takes it as our fingers graze each other and I'm surprised how much kindness he pushes on to me.

"Bella? How would you like to show Carmen Forks? I think the others want to hunt and as she hunted earlier as did I, it would be nice for me to get a break" Jasper says and I nod in agreement,

"Perfect, could we stop by my house? I need to organise something for dad to eat, when he finishes his shift" Bella answers and we make our escape under Eleazar's watchful eye,

Eleazar

I watch as the three get ready to leave and I don't like it. But why? It can't be because Carmen is leaving. After all, she often goes away without me and it's obviously not Jasper. Oh! Oh, of course. How did I not see it before? I look up and Jasper nods to me, well he obviously felt it before I realised, does she feel it too? It looks like we all need to have a talk with each other. Carmen and I need to separate since I don't think Bella is the type of woman to come between a married couple, even if it hurt her not to. Then I need to talk to Isabella and find out how she feels, what she wants and if she'd let me change her? Once that is done I will inform Marcus, not only of her transition but of her new allegiances to me and possibly the Denali coven. But what of Carmen, where would she go, because I don't think staying is right for her or us.

Maybe we need to leave and start anew because it would be too awkward all around I think. If only one of the girls had a mate then I wouldn't feel so bad leaving them, not that they aren't capable because they truly are. But our world is still so misogynistic; it's really an antiquated and outdated way of life. Right, it's time for Kate and I to hunt, now that Isabella's gone I don't need Edward trying to dig around in my head. I'll speak to her while we're out and let's pray the Cullens don't tear each other apart while we're gone. I find myself a little more light-hearted than I was before, so this is what being mated feels like! Is so much more intense than merely being in love.

Jasper

"Who are you, ma'am?" I ask Carmen and hold out the little sketch Bella made. She inhales a breath of shocked air and falls to her knees,

"I haven't seen that face in so long; I haven't seen my own reflection since eighteen-seventy-five! I can't say my name because if Eleazar speaks it I die. I will age and die excruciatingly because I'm not a vampire, I'm a human!" she sobs painfully,

Bella, true to form comforts her as I slowly send out calmin' vibes and she starts to explain her story to us. Dear God, all this time as someone else, yes Alice has had me play someone else, but the face in the mirror was my own! This poor girl did it for what she thought was love, only to find it was just an illusion like her new visage was! Her mother, an apparently very gifted witch, helped her to get what she had so recklessly desired. Never realisin' Eleazar had loved the real Carmen and could not be fooled by her replacement, confused more than likely! Now so long had passed and she's truly trapped. I have no idea how to help her at all and for some reason that scares me. Thank God everyone knows how to hide their thoughts from Edward, because he would tell, just to get the limelight off of himself, right now!

"Damn! Sorry! That's a mighty powerful illusion, how do you survive? How do you eat? Just damn!" I say confused as all hell,

"You must have begun to increasingly feel trapped in a life you were unprepared for" Bella stated seein' her plight clearly,

"That's the weirdest part of all this, nobody notices I never hunt. Like today, they never come with me and I always carry something on me to consume. I often leave to go shopping or make some excuse and gorge myself on food in restaurants. Otherwise, it's instant or packaged, like dried meats etc. It's gotten easier over the years; humans are very inventive and clever.

Everyone pretending to be human has saved me several times, because I'm not as fast as them, but they don't see it. The illusion masks my scent and my heartbeat. Like right now it's pounding, but you don't hear it at all!" she explains and I'm impressed,

Not by this ruse, she's involved in, but the strength of it, the sheer power of this magic. I have over the years learned to accept many things, but to find out now that enchantments are real! It's mind-bogglin' and makes the gifts of so many others out there, make way more sense. It also brings into question things dismissed as myths and legends! Surely there must be someone out there who could help her. Did she keep tabs on her family; maybe someone is still alive that can practise magic?

"Would you like to have something to eat now? I am going to make a little for myself and leave some for my father too" Bella asks rushin' into her kitchen to cook somethin' for Carmen, when she agrees,

"She truly is a nice, a good person, isn't she? Does she know about her connection to Eleazar yet, hell does he?" Carmen asks me,

"He does, it hit him as we were leavin'. Bella only knows she's drawn to him, but not fully why as yet. But she's a bright girl she'll work it out" I explain and she nods,

"I'll have to go, I can't stay and watch him give his heart to her. Not that I want him anymore, but it would still be painful, knowing I was never enough for him, but Carmen and now Bella were!" she says sadly,

But not with jealousy, just latent regret. I lean forward and take her hand and squeeze it gently.

"Thank you, Jasper, you are being so kind to me" Carmen whispers,

Emmett

This has been an extremely eventful day; I can barely believe all that's gone on. First, we have a fake Carmen that only Bella can see. Then Bella calls everyone out on their shit and declares there is no wedding! Next, we have two of the Denali's defending her against Edward's badgering and physical threat, causing Edward to truly lose the plot and bring about absolute chaos. What was going through his head to think he could beat Kate with her power? Or did the moron think that because Bella stopped his working nobody else's would either! Finally, Carlisle compounds it all by taking her to task when it was he who attacked from behind. Carlisle truly showed us where his loyalties lie, until Esme pointed out the possibility of blackmail!

Esme is this close to throwing Edward out on his ear and the Denali's have banned him from their homes. I never thought I'd see the day when Tanya would drop him like a hot potato. I've already heard him grumbling to Alice, about this all being Bella's fault! So I warned him to shut his mouth or the next time I'll do it for him and it won't be the little love tap my Rosie gave him! Carlisle has been uncharacteristically quiet, I think he realises just how far up shit creek he is and nobody is willing to give him a paddle. I'm worried about Esme; I don't think this will work! Not with both Alice and Edward still, here, I think one or both need to leave or nothing with change! Maybe we should all live separately, still as a coven, but not all in the same place at the same time.