A/N: Finally some time with the Cullens.
Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight or any of the characters I'm just taking them for a spin.
Rosalie huffed in exasperation as she turned suddenly to look at her giggling sister following shortly behind her.
"Could you please be mature and shut the fuck up for 10 seconds?" She glared at the pixie-haired Alpha who only seemed to laugh harder "You're scaring all the deer away Alice, C'mon!" To Alice's utter delight Rosalie stomped her foot emulating perfectly a petulant child throwing a tantrum.
"Now whose scaring away the deer!?" Alice teased her sister devolving into further fits of laughter at her own joke.
"I'm sorry Rose." Alice managed to force out "It's just you're, you're-" whatever she was going to say was interrupted as Alice was seized by another fit of giggles.
Rosalie waited patiently on the verge of punching her sister.
After a moment Alice seemed to compose herself. "You're going the wrong way, Rose." She said somewhat hesitant as her laughter died and she finally noticed the look on Rosalie's face.
To anyone else, it would have seemed Rosalie was beyond irritated, and of course, she was, but Alice had been Rosalie's sister and best friend for decades now she could see the hurt behind the frustration. "Hey." Alice tried to catch her sister's attention.
"How long were we going the wrong way?" Rosalie wouldn't meet her eyes as she asked.
"About 15 minutes?" Alice sighed out.
Rosalie flinched at the words. "Jesus Alice you don't have to be such a bitch about it. You could've told me!"
"Rose, you know I don't mean anything by laughing. Besides you're the one who told me not to help you." Alice defended. "At least this time you were following a scent, right? I mean you followed it backward but still!"
Rosalie's anger seemed to deflate some at that. Alice was right, she had picked up the scent of a deer and followed it. That was better than the last time when she couldn't even pick up the scent. Not many Omega vampires were willing to even try hunting and here Rosalie was making progress.
"Most other Omega vampires have an Alpha to hunt for them." Rosalie's inner Omega intoned.
Before Rosalie could react to the thought or continue the argument both hers and Alice's cellphone notified a received text.
Text Received: Wed 11:00am
Wolves called a meeting. Come to the Reservation.
~Carlisle
"C'mon Rose I'll find us a couple of deer and we can head to the Reservation," Alice stated as she scented the air around them moving swiftly in the direction her senses picked up the scent of prey.
Rosalie checked her watch noting it was 11:15 as she waited for Alice to finish draining her 3rd deer "Alphas" Rosalie thought rolling her eyes.
"Hey Alice, don't mean to rush you but we should head to the rez we're probably late," Rosalie called out.
Alice was at her side in a moment. "Race ya!" She yelled before sprinting swiftly towards La Push.
"No fair Alice!" Rosalie yelled racing after her sister. Rosalie knew she had little hope of beating an Alpha in a foot race without a sizeable head start, but damned if she wasn't going to try.
As she ran Rosalie thought about how lucky she was to have Alice for a sister. Although she was an Alpha, and prone to some of the more pompous and annoying behavior, Alice never tried to make Rosalie feel lesser for being an Omega like others might. Alice would never give Rosalie a headstart nor would she let the blonde win, knowing Rosalie preferred to succeed or fail on her own. She teased Rosalie as siblings do but it was all in good fun.
Her thoughts were derailed momentarily and she came as close to tripping as a vampire could just as they passed the Forks Welcome sign. Rosalie felt her entire body hum as the most enticing scent of Petrichor and pine met her nose. As she continued after Alice Rosalie vaguely heard a crashing sound behind her.
Some short minutes later Alice and Rosalie arrived at the Reservation just in time to follow their coven into the rec center.
"Thank you for agreeing to meet with us on such short notice Carlisle." Began the gruff voice of Bradley Cameron the La Push Alpha. "There has been a development that I feel may affect your coven. You have always dealt with us honorably and I would like to maintain that confidence between us. We have a lone wolf who will be living in the area and who must attend Forks High." He stated plainly.
"Thank you for informing us, Bradley" Carlisle responded genuinely "I've had a few run-ins with lone wolves in the past. I know just how unpredictable they can be." Carlisle paused momentarily considering his next words. "You don't seem too happy about this new wolf. Why allow them to stay at all if it's such a concern?"
Bradley's gaze hardened slightly as his Alpha reacted to the challenge of Carlisle questioning him. He took a moment to calm himself before responding, aware of his earlier statement on camaraderie and confidence, he readied himself to explain the complicated nature of his packs entanglement with Isabella Swan.
"We were compelled to allow her the rite of safe passage for two reasons. First, we owe a small debt to her sire. Second, she bears the mark of our sister pack so we are honor bound to help if we can." Bradley was not accustomed to explaining himself but he awaited the questions he knew would be forthcoming.
"Why must she attend Forks High? For that matter how can you trust it to remain stable around the humans unsupervised?" Carlisle wondered aloud.
"Her sire left us instructions of how to handle her upon his death, which recently came to pass, she is to be kept away from wolves as much as possible and educated at the human school. I'm sure her sire took precautions with her to ensure the humans, and our secrets, safety." Bradley stated plainly.
"So she is a loner by choice then? Since she comes from your sister pack she could earn a place here and leave Forks high?" Carlisle questioned confused due to his limited knowledge of wolf relations.
Bradley couldn't help the snarl that pushed past his lips at the thought of Isabella joining his pack. "She could never be one of us" He spat darkly. "She bears the mark of our sister pack but the blood that runs in her veins is poisoned. She is born of a malevolent pack who have plagued our people for generations intent on ruling the wolves of this world. Their queen, her mother, is a ruthless and barbaric woman who clings to her superstition, greed, and tradition. If it were not for the debt we owe this loners sire she'd have been killed the moment she entered our territory. Pack mark be damned." He finished, yelling slightly in his anger.
The Cullens stood still observing the Alpha as he tried to regain composure.
"When will she be starting school?" Carlisle asked after the tension seemed to leave Bradley somewhat.
"I think she starts today, actually" the female beta member spoke this time.
"Very well. I will have my coven stay out of school for a day or so to allow her to acclimate." Carlisle replied. "If that is all we'll take our leave. Thank you for sharing this information with us Bradley."
"One more thing Carlisle" Bradley's voice stopped them from exiting. "She is an Alpha and as I am aware of your unmated Omega coven member, I thought it prudent to let you know. I'm sure you'll take every precaution to keep your Omega safe." Bradley's eyes slid briefly to Rosalie and his hungry gaze did not go unnoticed by the blonde.
Rosalie bristled as he spoke about her as though she weren't even there. She hated the way Bradley looked at her; like she was prey he'd be all too happy to hunt.
"Thank you, Bradley." Carlisle smiled tightly "We will definitely keep an eye on this newcomer." With that, he turned and ushered his coven out of the meeting room. As they were reentering Forks proper they ran into Edward heading home as well.
"Ah is the meeting concluded already?" Edward questioned "I was hoping to crash the party. I've got some new's you'll all want to hear." As he finished his gaze rested on Rosalie with a look she did not appreciate.
"Whatever your news Edward it would be best if we discussed things at home. We can fill you in on the topic of the meeting as well." Carlisle made to once again head for the Cullen residence when Edward spoke again.
"Oh I already know the wolves have sent an Alpha to forks high." He stated casually.
"Well that will certainly save us some explanation then. Still we'll be having a family meeting when we are home. The presence of an Alpha wolf among the humans will surely pose some...potential risks to us. We should devise a plan of how best to approach this turn of events." There was a finality in Carlisle's tone that stilled any further comment from Edward until they were safely back on their own land.
Carlisle spent a brief few minutes summarizing the details of the meeting that edward didn't know before opening the floor for ideas of how to proceed.
"Alright Carlisle I thin-" Edward was swiftly cut off by Rosalie's angry voice.
"Let's get something clear immediately. I am NOT changing any part of my life because some loner mutt is too defective to be with it's own kind." She stated crossing her arms and daring any of her family members to argue against her.
"Rosalie." Esme admonished. "Don't be so cruel. From what Bradley said this loner could probably use some compassion. It must be such a burden to be alone in the world and at the center of such a violent political web."
Carlisle nodded along to his mates sentiment. "I'm sure that's true Esme. And I agree we shouldn't go out of our way to be cruel to this wolf. And of course, Rose, we would never ask or expect you to do anything of the sort" He reassured the agitated blonde woman.
"But you went along with Bradley's stupid alpha bullshit?!" Rosalie countered remembering the conversation that had unfurled about her as though she weren't even in the room.
Carlisle nodded once again. "Yes, I did. Only to keep from agitating him. You know as well as I that the wolves view of the supernatural hierarchy is outdated at best and downright barbaric at worst. We will simply be cautious of the wolf until we assess the threat, if any, that she poses to all of us."
"Honestly Carlisle Rosalie is the only one who should be concerned." he snickered slightly at the confused looks on his covens faces.
"What do you mean by that Eddy?" Jasper questioned as he put a hand on Rosalie's shoulder holding back the woman who looked like she wanted to slap the smirk off Edwards face.
"I told you not to call me that." Edward snapped "And to answer your question. I saw the wolf at lunch today and, after reading her thoughts, found she's quite enthralled with our little Rosie." He said the last portion with a cutsey voice to further agitate his sister.
"Bull-fucking-shit! Our powers don't work on the wolves! Alice-" Rosalie yelled as she pushed Jaspers hand away from her shoulder.
"Alice's powers don't work I-" Edward began to explain.
"Why have you never shared this information with us Edward?" Carlisle questioned.
Edward shrugged slightly in response. "I didn't know until now. After Alice's power was ineffective I never felt the need to test mine. Besides there is nothing I've ever needed to know from the wolves minds." He finished truthfully.
The room fell silent after that with each vampire engrossed in their respective thoughts.
"In light of the...insight that Edward gathered today I really do think it best if we allow this wolf to acclimate to the school without your presence for a few days." Carlisle's voice broke the silence. "You all missed today already we'll keep you out tomorrow as well and have you return Friday. That will give you a day to observe the new wolf and then we will have the weekend to strategize further." He looked around for any signs of discontent on his covens faces. "Are we all in agreement with this plan?" He asked to be sure receiving clear nods in response.
With that the Cullens scattered to their respective corners of the spacious home. Although slightly put out at the reason for it, most of the younger Cullens were glad to have some time spent away from the humans they saw every day at school. Of course, that was due in no small part to the fact that time away from school was usually time spent with their respective mates.
Rosalie sighed as she watched the various couples. Alice and Edward chose to spend Wednesday evening and most of Thursday playing chess; locked in a battle of supernatural gifts. Rosalie marveled at how perfectly their coupling worked as she passed them sat unmoving across from one another "a psychic and a mind reader...what a perfect couple." she mumbled as she continued towards the garage.
She could hear the sounds of a PS4 somewhere in the house and determined that Emmett and Jasper were likely having another 24-hour video game-a-thon. "Wonder how long that'll last." She thought and not a moment later the sounds of the game were interrupted by a deep moan followed by the slamming of a door upstairs. "There it is." Rosalie rolled her eyes as it seemed the game-a-thon had just turned to a fuck-a-thon.
As she sat down in the garage a sense of calm washed over her. She gazed at the various cars around her in pride. This was her sanctuary. No one knew more about cars than Rosalie and she proved as much anyone who thought they could impress her talking shop. It always started off the same with them belittling her knowledge or ability and it ended the same way every time as well. She'd send them packing, pride between their legs. Rosalie frowned remembering times, particularly pompous Alphas had been feeling too brave. "At least in this life I have a family who'll protect me." She smiled, remembering Alice and Jasper defending her against unwanted handsy suitors several times.
Even as she laughed at the memories a part of her stirred with something like regret. "You could be a little more welcoming." The thought flashed across Rosalie's mind.
Rosalie sighed. "Why should I have to pretend to be something I'm not? Why can't they meet me halfway." She wondered, moving to gather some tools and heading for a red car on the left side of the garage.
Rosalie began to work on her latest project and continued her silent musings. She thinks about how she can't stand being an Omega. The way people treat her. The way her own mind and emotions betray her constantly.
Rosalie can't stand to be seen as weak or helpless but that's all anyone sees in an Omega. A prize to be won, a hole to be filled, someone who needs protection.
"What's wrong with having an Alpha to worship you?" And without Rosalie's permission images of the happy couples within her coven flashed across her eyes.
She felt an aching in her chest as she remembered adoring looks between Alice and Edward, the laughter of Jasper and Emmet, and Carlisle and Esme's constant air of contentment.
Somewhere deep inside Rosalie admits to herself that she doesn't hate how much she yearns for a partner. Though she does view it as another stupid Omega trait that she refuses to indulge. She sincerely doesn't mind being unmated. Except for the gentle aching in her soul, which she absolutely refuses to acknowledge, at the prospect of endless loneliness.
A/N: R & R Please.
