When I made it to my feet they had just came out of the trees completely ruining my mood. Edward walked up to us first in the middle as if he was the leader and not Carlisle. He sent me a glare as he read my thoughts before turning to Tanya. "you know her?" he demanded but my sister was no push over as she crossed her arms "yes."

"how, what is she?" She rose a brow, "why don't you go ask her because I'm not telling you her secrets." He let out a pathetic growl "I have a right to know who my mate is around!" I felt my own growl building. She didn't look impressed "and once you find the unlikely woman…or man who is your mate I may agree."

"Bella is-" Carlisle stepped forward placing a hand on his shoulder "son calm down. Tanya tell us everything you know about her please." She looked at him as if he was stupid. "It will help us deal with this vampire problem-"

"how so?"

"Tanya-"

"don't speak to me as if I am a child Carlisle, you forget I have millenniums on you. And we are done here." With that she led us through the forest in the opposite direction of the house. It wasn't long before we came upon the backyard of a house. I recognized it as Bella's from the jeep in the driveway her friend drove. She knocked on the back door and waited. As soon as the door opened I caught the scent of human blood coming from the cup in the woman's hand. She blinked a couple of times before I heard Bella's voice "Jesus Catt just let them in." Catt rolled her eyes but stepped aside as she took a drink. We followed her through the kitchen into the living room where the wolves seemed to be leaving. "your drinking human blood" Jasper spoke up. She looked him in the eye and took another long drink finishing with licking her lips. Nodding her head "yes it does seem like that was human blood." She murmured. He turned to the wolves "and you're ok with that but not us?" The Alpha looked up from reaching for the door, "yah, I like her, I don't like you guys." And he walked out the door the other wolves following. At least he seems like a better Alpha then the last. "are we interrupting?" Tanya asked Catt who simply shrugged taking the seat next to Bella. Bella shook her head while rolling her eyes "no, we might as well talk before they show up." She gestured to the few empty spots to sit, of course I took the one right next to her. She scooted closer into Catt's side who threw an arm around her setting the empty cup on the table. "What are you? You feed on human blood." She shrugged "sometimes." He regarded her with a new light before changing topics. "So about this vampire problem, are we sure it's James?" Catt looked at him for a moment before blinking "when I went to investigate a couple weeks ago we ran into a vampire, he gave me the name and told me what he was after." She gestured to Bella and my entire body tensed at the thought, no way in hell is some vampire going to get my mate. "I assume that vampire is dead then?" He nodded only to look up shocked at her "no, I let him go."

"what why?!"

"I promised him I would." She said as if it was nothing. "you…-" he shook his head. "ok, ok you had mentioned that the scent wasn't shifter."

"shifters are involved, but so are werewolves."

"Werewolves? As in children of the moon werewolves?" I asked in disgust, just what we fucking need. She nodded her head, face blank. Tanya shifted looking uncomfortable for a moment before speaking up, "I thought werewolves didn't get along with shifters?"

"they don't, they don't see them as wolves at all."

"then why would they work with them, and vampires?" I swear I saw Catt pale for a moment, "force." She uttered, and I wasn't the only one who looked confused. Bella placed a hand on her thigh as she ran her own through her hair with a sigh. "Werewolves have a beast, they have a wolf inside of them. Shifters do not, they shift from magic alone." She licked her lips and I admit I stared. "Shifters can break from packs they essentially don't need an Alpha, there are many rogues. This is not as possible for a werewolf. They will eventually lose touch with reality, become feral, and need to be put down." Her face was blank as she explained but her eyes held a pain from the past. I wanted so bad to reach over and comfort her. "could this be a rogue then?"

"no there were to many scents, it was too strong. There must be an entire pack, with an Alpha."

"so the Alpha is forcing his pack to work with the shifters?"

"not exactly, no Alpha with any amount of honor or pride would work with shifters, it would make them look weak. Someone has to be forcing the Alpha."

"how is that possible?" I asked when she wouldn't meet anyone's eyes. "only the strongest of the strong would be able to bend the will of an Alpha. There are few alive with that kind of power that I am aware of, that have lived that long." Bella squeezed her hand but Catt didn't continue so Irina spoke up, "there has to be something bigger at play here, all this for a human? No offence Bella, I just don't see it."

"no it's alright, your right I don't see it either. If it were just James he would, I don't know stick with vampires or something, he enjoys the hunt too much." Jasper shook his head, "we need to figure this out and put an end to it before the Volturi decide to intervene and see the two humans with knowledge about us." Catt waved her hand dismissively "I am not worried about your Kings."

"The Volturi are not vampires to mess with." I added. She looked into my eyes and I saw a ring of yellow expand for a moment "for you perhaps, I am not concerned about them right now." Was all she gave me. I watched as she tilted her head before shaking it with a murmured "no." Tanya stepped forward "what do you need from us Catt?"

"…as of right now…I don't know. I need to think. Were going to need to patrol to make sure this doesn't keep happening but…"

"But what?" she licked her lips "Tanya, vampires are, without proper training they are no match for a true werewolf, not one with age, power and skill behind them." She murmured meeting my sisters eyes "even one your age, with your skills would struggle. Your Kings would even fall before them simply because they don't know how to fight them. Add that to they heal near immediately if feeding properly. They are not easy to kill" I could tell from the look on Jasper's face he didn't like hearing that and wanted to argue, he took great pride in his fighting abilities, and I don't blame him, he's good. "then what do we do?"

"I need to find the Alpha." I stood up at that "Hold up! You just now said a vampire was no match for one of these, these things and now you want to find their fucking leader?" I almost yelled. "I am not vampire." She stated with a raised brow as if that was enough. I threw my hands up "so fucking what?! A fucking werewolf! You want to find the Alpha Werewolf!" Her brows furrowed, "that is what I said yes" before turning to my sister her accent shining through "your sister, she is uhh…slow?"

"No I am not slow!"

"Kate-" my sister warned "we can't just let her-"

"Kate!" I spun around at Bella's yell, "sit down please." I did as she asked without question, she nodded and turned to Catt "can you take on a werewolf?"

"without question."

"Can you take on an Alpha werewolf?" she pursed her lips, "I suppose that depends on the Alpha, and how big their pack is, they draw power from them. But I am fairly certain I could yes."

"fairly certain isn't good enough Catt." Thank you! "But-" she was silenced by a look. The other human spoke up "would it help if you turned us now?" Irina's head shot up to the human "TURN?" But Lauren's attention was on Catt who shook her head looking around the room "tis to close to…" she didn't finish her sentence but Lauren seemed to understand and nodded her head. "your going to turn them?" Jasper asked. "eventually." She crossed her legs and leaned her head back closing her eyes. "you're in pain so soon again?" Bella whispered but we all heard it clear as day. "Catt are you ok?"

"I am fine" she murmured but never opened her eyes. Tanya spoke up seeming to understand "perhaps we should finish this conversation later. It's getting kind of late."

"only if she promises not to go after the damn animals" I mumbled. Her eyes shot open and they were now slanted and a yellowish green "do you have a problem with animals!" she snarled. Bella threw herself onto her lap "alright everyone out!" Tanya practically pulled me from the room and out into the yard as I caught not only the anger but pain in her eyes. Irina was also practically dragged out "we can't seriously be leaving the humans in there with her!"

"The humans aren't the ones in danger from her right now! Let's go!" With a groan I followed her through the trees. "really Kate?" she turned to face me. "what?"

"you called her an animal!"

"no I called the wolves animals."

"she is-"

"a wolf? Yah thanks for sharing that." She pursed her lips with a scowl before shaking her head "she isn't a wolf." She murmured. "but that is all I am saying, you want to know more ask her. you know, your mate, who you just insulted." I let out another groan "I know!"

Catt POV

I was vaguely aware of Bella dragging us up the stairs to her room but I wasn't in control. She shoved us down onto the bed and placed her hands on her hips. "Saphira." she almost growled and had I not been a tiny bit scared id have been proud she could tell us apart. "she called us an animal!"

"no she called the wolves animals."

"we are-"

"an animal?" she questioned with a raised brow and even Saphira was speechless. "she doesn't know what you are Saphira. And since when do you care what others think about you?" I felt our eyes widen just before Saphira switched places back and I winced at the sudden change "fucking hell Saphira."

"Catt? What's going on?" I have no fucking clue. "Saphira?" I asked but she was quiet. A frown took over my face "I don't know babe, she isn't speaking to me right now."

"…is she ok?"

"of course, she seems to just be, preoccupied. She will talk when she is ready." Bella nodded her head but still looked worried. "About what Lauren said…" I let out a groan and fell back into the bed. "Catt-" throwing my arms over my face "I wasn't being complicated babe. It's too close to the full moon. You know that."

"I know, but after. We could help-"

"you are not going anywhere near a werewolf!" I growled. I heard her sigh and felt the bed dip as she crawled over me to straddle my waist. Her hands pulled mine from my face so she could peer into my eyes. "you were upset when rogue wolves were mentioned." It wasn't a question. "no, you were hurt, I saw the pain in your eyes."

"you want to know what happened." With a sigh I brushed a strand of hair out of her face. "his name was Cedric, he was a good wolf under a terrible Alpha."

"what happened?"

"the same thing that happens to all Rogues." I murmured getting lost in the past. "he didn't want to bow before an Alpha like Andre, and I don't blame him, he knew the cost when he broke free."

"then why did he?"

"…Andre had killed his sister. And while Cedric was strong, he wasn't strong enough to beat Andre, so he ran, broke through the pack bond and ran. Wolves aren't meant to be without a pack Bella. Even shifters, but at least they have the option. He lasted longer than most. 6 months, he ran for 6 months with the pack chasing him down." I met the watery eyes of my mate, "when he found me he was already dead, and he knew it." I felt the tears fall from my eyes "he begged me to kill him, and I did." She leaned down and kissed the tears that were now falling freely away. "there were a million other things I could have done had he found me sooner, had I found him sooner. Had I tried."

"it wasn't your fault-"

"I could have saved him Bella. I could have beat the Alpha. I could have found him another pack. I could have-"

"you said so yourself he was already gone baby." She is right Catt, there was nothing we could do other than grant him his last wish. I closed my eyes knowing they were right, but not believing it. "Saphira is back." I murmured and all she did was nod. "I have another question?"

"yes love?"

"what about you?"

"what about me?"

"your Were but not a part of a pack?"

"mm Panthers don't live in packs, they don't even live in prides. And the few that do usually rule them, at least they use to."

"that's why you haven't, well gone crazy?" I sent her a small smirk "who says I haven't gone crazy?" she rolled her eyes. "you know what I mean."

"mm yes it is why I am still sane. Ish." I added. "what did you mean about they use to rule?"

"ah. I am one of the three last panthers in existence today. That we are aware of at least. It is very possible there are some out there hiding."

"wow" her eyes widened "what happened to them?" I shrugged "my mother, mainly. She does not like competition for that top spot." she nodded her head a million questions in her eyes until she shook her head. "Saphira?" I heard her sigh echo in my head The vampire, Kate. "what about her?" Silence, "I assume she's talking about Kate?" I nodded at Bella. "Saphira?" I asked. …We have Imprinted on her.

I felt the color drain from my face in horror. "that's not possible."

"what isn't? Catt?"

there is no mistaking it child.

"Bella…"

Is still ours, I was not mistaken with her. She is our mate.

"so?" I managed. A triad child, we are mated to both. I felt my heart race as I looked up into Bella's concerned eyes. "Catt what's going on?"

"I'm sorry" was all I could utter. "for what? what happened." I licked my lips, "Saphira, she uh-she imprintedonthevampire" I rushed out. She looked confused for a moment before it all clicked. She hopped off of me and got as far away as the room allowed, tears streaming down her face. "Bella-"

"You lied to me! You said she imprinted on me! You said we were meant to me! Was this just some game to you!"

"No of course not! Bella I-"

"your leaving me for a fucking Vampire!"

"no I'm not!" she went for the door and I flashed past her top slam it shut "Bella listen to me!" I yelled trying to keep my own tears at bay. She shook her head backing away "Bella I did imprint on you! I didn't lie!" she shook her head wiping furiously at her face. I semi forcibly took her face in my hands as she fought me the whole way forcing her to look me in the eyes "Bella I love you. We are meant to be. We ARE mates!" My heart broke at the look in her eyes "then how! Why?" her broken whimper nearly killed me but the door slammed open, we turned to a wide eyes Lauren. "Bella it's your dad." Was all she said, we followed after her to the living room where the TV was on.

The perpetrators are still in the building as far as we know. The cops were investigating a string of murders when screaming was heard in the warehouse off of 4th and Saints street. We have word of two officers down. Forks Chief of Police Charlie Swan is on the scene after pulling the downed officers out he has ran back in.

"oh god."

"stay in this house." I said before turning for the door "where are you going?" I never turned back "to get your father out of there."

I flashed through the trees faster than I have ever run before. It wasn't long before I caught up to the vampires headed in the same direction. "Catt, you saw the news?"

"yes." She nodded never slowing her pace as Jasper spoke up, "Alice is on the way to keep an eye on Bella with Irina and Kate. What's the plan?"

"to get Charlie out of there." I stated as if it was obvious. "well yes but how, he is human, how can we do this without him finding out?" I barely spared him a glance. "I am not letting my mates father die, the rules be damned." With that I sped up even more leaving them behind. Once I reached the edge of the forest I took cover as the helicopter circled above, only moving when I saw the camera facing the other way. I made it to the building over and could already scent the blood and death. The entire building was surrounded. This is a problem. I let out a frustrated growl before pulling my hair back into a pony tail and pulling my hood over covering everything the best I could. I made a run for it as human as possible and made it to the fire escape before I was noticed. Ignoring the police yelling for me to stop I jumped form ladder to ladder until I reached the roof. The helicopter swung around to focus on me but I managed to kick the door in before it could. I gagged at the scents knowing it was going to be 100 times worse down there. When I reached the railing that overlooked the warehouse my stomach dropped. Body parts littered the floor, blood was caked over everything. Dear God. A shot rang out echoing through the room. There stood Charlie covered in blood firing shot after shot as a smirking vampire advanced on him slowly. Bullet after bullet fell to the ground until the gun clicked empty. The vampires smirk grew, "my turn." He took a step towards him then spun on his heel when he heard me jump down, I landed in a crouch snarl on my face.

We circled each other, most of my attention still on the frozen human. Unsurprisingly the vampire charged me first, I managed to twist out of the way as his arms reached for me. I grabbed for his outstretched arm and ripped it right off relishing in the loud screech that left him. Tossing it to the side as he spun at me again in a frenzy, venom dripping from his teeth. I launched myself at him but he managed to move before I could wrap my hand around his throat. Her tackled me from the side, we hit the ground with a thud him on top until I rolled to the side, once I got him under me I looked him in the eyes as I pulled on the fire inside of me. He turned to ash below me just as another shot rang out. My shoulder jumped back as the burning pain registered in my mind. I looked down as the blood started to soak through the jacket, the hood falling back, "bloody fuck." Was all I murmured as I fell back. Catt! It didn't pierce my heart, but the bullet was still in me and I wouldn't heal with it, I could still bleed to death. Catt! You have to get up! I tried, it felt like I tried, but my body never moved, my vision blurred just as Charlies face came into view. My ears were ringing, my head was pounding, and then it all came rushing back "Catt!?"

"hey Chief" I murmured as he put pressure onto my shoulder. I really shouldn't have given up regularly feeding. And then everything went black.

Tanya POV

I let out a growl as I watched from the trees as she kicked the door in just before the helicopter could zoom in on her. The cops yelling at her to stop not sure if they should follow. I could hear the gunshots from inside the warehouse and quickly made my way towards the back of the building, the others following. Lucky the cops that were back here had ran towards the front when the gun went off. I barely made it to the door when it was flung open. There before me was the police Chief covered in blood looking panicked as he held an unconscious Catt, blood seeping through her coat. He looked up at us with wide eyes and took a step back. I could hear the feet running our way, Rosalie stepped forward "Chief Swan hand us Catt so we can help her before they find you guys."

"your-you're a Cullen."

"Technically yes, but were here to help, and she needs help now before she bleeds out."

"she-she-she"

"We know, but we have to take here before they find out and you can't just disappear." He seemed to think it over in his panic and desperately handed her over to Rose, we disappeared just as the other cops flew out the door checking on him. I didn't bother listening to whatever story he told them as we made our way far into the forest to set her down. "the bullet is still inside her, we need to get it out so she will heal." Rosalie thankfully went to med school once with Carlisle and was able to pull the bullet out quickly, but she still wasn't healing. "here Tanya put pressure there." I did as she said as she went to wrap her jacket around her over the wound. "she should be healing, Tanya what is she? I don't know what she needs." I know exactly what she needs, but had no idea how to get it to her "…she needs blood."

"Jasper go find a deer."

"No, she can't feed on animal blood."

"…well we can't exactly feed her a human!"

"no…no but she was drinking human blood at Bella's. Let's go." This time I picked the unconscious woman up and ran as fast as I could without jostling the hole in her shoulder too much. We made it to Forks in record time and circled around until we were in her backyard. Kate was immediately before me "what the hell happened is she ok!" I don't think I have ever seen my sister look so frantic and downright scared. "Kate I get your worried but I need you to move, now." She let out a growl but did as I asked. "what happened?" I didn't bother knocking, I set her down on the table as Bella and Lauren walked in, well rushed in. "what happened?!"

"I don't know but she isn't healing do you have any blood left?" she nodded and went to the fridge pulling out a thermos. I lifted her head slightly so Bella could hold the thermos to her lips, the blood slowly made its way down her throat. She never woke up but I watched the bullet hole close before my eyes. I fell back into the chair with a sigh, now sure she was going to be fine. Bella turned to me with a look in her eyes that I admit scared even me, "what happened?"

"I don't know, your father carried her out unconscious."

"my father? Is he ok?"

let out a relieved breath her watery eyes going back to Catt. "she saved him?"

"looked like it yes." Kate stepped forward and placed a hand on her shoulder ignoring how much she tensed "is she going to be ok? Now that she has had blood?" She took a deep breath and stepped away from Kate, "she should be but I don't know this close to the full moon." Kates face dropped, as much as she jokes around I know how much finding her mates means to her. She was about try again when Catt started stirring on the table, Bella rushed forward helping her as she tried to sit up, "Catt, Catt can you hear me? Are you ok?" she rubbed her back as she coughed up some blood. Kate grabbed her some water to wash her mouth out with as she caught her breath. "Catt what happened? Is my dad ok?" she nodded, "…I don't know?" she looked around until her eyes landed on me "I killed the last vampire before I was shot, is he ok?"

"As far as I know yes, we took you from him right before the other cops got to him. Who shot you? A vampire wouldn't use a gun."

"no, it was Charlie."

"my dad shot you!"

"well, he didn't exactly know it was me when he pulled the trigger. He got me out of the building?"

"yes he was carrying you out the back when we got to you."

"shit, he is going to want an explanation." She murmured shaking her head. When it looked like Catt was ok and sitting on her own she took a step back crossing her arms and putting a blank look on her face. She however couldn't hide the tears in her eyes no matter how hard she tried.

Bella POV

I was trying so hard, God I was trying hard not to let the tears fall. I saw the pain in her own eyes as I took a few steps back. How could she have lied to me this whole time? How could I have fallen for it? How could I be so stupid? How could I had ever thought this gorgeous amazing woman could be mine? That we were meant to be. She reached for the thermos and finished it on one swallow as the vampire took a step towards her "do you need more?" She really was beautiful, they would make a much better couple, it makes more sense for them to be together. I looked down at the ground clenching my fists, hoping no one saw the tear I wiped away. And then an incredibly warm finger was lifting my chin up until I met her green eyes filled with her own pain. "I did not lie to you." She whispered but I know everyone in the room heard anyways. Thankfully Tanya spoke up, "you clearly need to talk, we will leave you be, but please let us know what happens with her dad." She never looked away from me but she nodded. "Kate where is Alice?"

"…circling the house." With that they filed out of the room, Lauren doing the same. When the door closed behind them I let the tears fall freely. She hesitated for a moment before taking me into her arms, once more whispering the words I wanted so badly to believe "I did not lie to you. We are mates Bella." I clung to her as the tears fell, she held me for what felt like forever as I sobbed into her shoulder. Eventually I pulled away and focused on what was really important, "what happened? At the warehouse." She let out a sigh, "well when I got there the only ones in the warehouse, alive, was your father and one vampire. Your dad was firing at him, and obviously it wasn't doing anything. I distracted him, killed him, then the Chief shot me." I shook my head "I still can't believe my dad shot you."

"…well, as I said he didn't know it was me, until it was too late." I crossed my arms "how are you feeling? With that and the full moon coming up? I wasn't sure you would heal the same."

"I am fine, had I been feeding regularly I would have heeled faster."

"you have been feeding."

"yes but not regularly, not enough for a bullet hole apparently. I only feed on blood when the full moon is close, it makes me…well weaker. I do not heal as I should, as another Were would." I nodded taking that in before whispering my question "you didn't lie?" she met my eyes, tears in hers "No Bella, Saphira did imprint on you. And this doesn't take that away. This doesn't change anything."

"how can it not Catt? You imprinted on me, and then you imprinted on her. So which is it? What does it mean?" She looked down at the ground for a minute before meeting my eyes, "It doesn't have to change anything. Basically, a triad formed."

"…a triad?"

"aye, while in most cases there is a mated pair, sometimes, rarely but possible there are three who mate together." I took a deep breath, "so basically, I am your mate, and she is also your mate?"

"yes." I watched as her eyes shifted just about everywhere but me, "and? Your hiding something."

"your right, I am her mate and she is my mate. But with a triad, well, you're her mate to." I admit my mind blanked for a moment, but I didn't have time to reply as the house phone rang. I rushed over to answer it, "hello?"

"Bella? Bella is that you?"

"dad? Yah It's me, are you ok? I saw the news." I heard his sigh of relief and locked eyes with Catt. "look Bella I want you to stay inside ok, lock all the doors and just stay inside. Don't let anyone in. Are you alone? Is Lauren with you?"

"uh well yah she's in the other room. And uh, well Catt's here to." I rushed out only for him to pause before quietly, "Catt is with you?"

"…yah dad she is right here."

"…has she been with you all day?" I closed my eyes knowing he was questioning his sanity, and then I met hers. She knew what this would do to me, what it would do to him, so she sent me a small smile and nodded her head. So I took a deep breath "…No dad, she hasn't. But you already know that." He lowered his voice not knowing it wouldn't make a difference "Bella are you safe with her there?" I looked at her in time to catch the offended scowl on her face, "dad, no place is safer." A soft smile lifted her lips. "ok, ok. I still want you staying inside until I get home and we talk."

"ok dad, are you coming home soon?"

"yes, I am just going over reports, trying to, figure things out. What to say."

"…dad…-"

"I know Bella, not like anyone would believe me." With that reassurance we said our goodbye and hung up. Catt stood there with her arms crossed looking more nervous than I have ever seen, maybe even a little scared, the question just slipped out "do you still love me?" She looked up shocked but there was no hesitation "more than anything." I felt my heart beating faster but I kept going "and Saphira? Does she still love me?" Her eyes flashed completely until I knew it was Saphira behind them. "we are still yours Isabella, that has not changed." I couldn't stop the snort, "yah except now I have to share you." Her eyes shifted back "not if you don't want to." Raising a brow "doesn't look like I have much choice Catt."

"you will always have a choice with me Bella. I would never force you into anything." I took a deep breath "I don't want to have this conversation right now. I need to think." A pained look was on her face at her next words "do you want me to leave? I do not feel comfortable going far with everything going on, but I will stay outside if you wish? Or I can call Jake. Or-"

"I don't want you to leave Catt." She nodded her head but said nothing, but I saw the relief in her eyes before she covered it up. I fell into the couch now that I knew my father was ok, "what are we going to tell him?" She took a few tentative steps towards me "whatever you want to tell him."

"and you think the Cullen's are going to be ok with that? Telling him the truth?"

"I don't really care what the Cullen's think about it. If it is what you want to do, then we will."

"and what about these Kings Jasper mentioned."

"they don't have to know, just as they don't know about you and Lauren. And if they find out I will deal with it. I am not concerned with them. But is that what you want? To tell him the truth?" I really thought about it for a second, he was already questioning his sanity "I can't lie to him."

"then we tell him. And explain the importance of secrecy." I nodded thankful she was so open about it. I finally couldn't take it and got up walking over to her and into her warm arms. She held me without a word, her hand running up and down my back soothingly. I backed away as a throat cleared, turning to Lauren who stood in the hallway, "sorry but I really had to pee." Catt chuckled "it's fine, we decided to just tell Charlie." She nodded to probably already assuming we would. "And about turning us?" Well shit. "we haven't gotten that far yet, perhaps he doesn't need to know that part right away." I nodded "true but Catt my dad is a smart man."

"aye, he may question it anyways, if he doesn't shoot me first." I sent her a smirk, "he already shot you, I think he gets it won't kill you."

"haha. He still might try." I shrugged "it will probably be awhile until he gets home, we should get some food."

"I thought your father said to stay inside?" I turned to Catt and deadpanned "are you suggesting you can't protect us?" Her lips turned up into a snarl but Lauren interrupted before she could snap "maybe we should just order a pizza or something?" We both heard her but continued to stare each other down. I knew I was being unfair, I knew it was hurting her, us. I also knew she had no control over it, but that didn't mean it didn't hurt like hell. "fine, we'll order pizza" I finally said.

For the next 30 minutes while we waited for the pizza, me and Lauren sat in front of the TV, neither of us really paying any attention. Catt stood in front of the window looking out, her hands clenching every now and then. I knew the pizza arrived when she moved for the door, she tipped the boy and closed the door, dropping the food on the table in front of us before going back to the window without a word. "are you not going to eat?" I asked and she never spared me a glance "I'm not hungry."

"Bullshit Catt, I know how you get when it's close to the full moon. And you were just shot." She turned to me blinking a couple of times "I'm fine Bella, really." I took a deep breath so I wouldn't snap "Catt, come eat. Please." She blinked a few more times before silently doing as I asked. She sat as far away from me as possible, her face blank, but her eyes were pained as if she was trying to prepare herself. She looked uneasy with each bite she took, as if her stomach was as uneasy as mine. I made the decision then, as I watched her face that I believed her, that we were in fact mates, that she didn't lie to me, that every time I looked into her eyes and saw the love it was real. That I was in no way going to give that up. I got up and moved over until I was sitting right next to her, I felt every inch of her tense as my side slid against hers. She stared down at her pizza as if she was unsure what to do next, when she finally looked over to me I whispered for only her to hear "your still mine. As of right now that's all I know." She nodded and slowly started to relax against me. Eventually one arm wrapped tentatively around me as if she thought I would slap it away at any moment. We sat there in silence for what felt like hours, the only sound was the low volume of the TV that no one was watching. And then we all heard it, the sound of the cruiser pulling up in front of the house. I took a deep breath as I heard the car door shut, all of our eyes going to the front door as it opened slowly.