Rosalie stayed as far away from the bonfire as she could not fully convinced someone wouldn't just shove her into the fire. The wolves had been overly polite to her and each shook her hand and stared into her eyes in awe with the obvious changes. She wanted to be annoyed but one look at Bella's relaxed face made this whole experience worth it.
She had never really seen Bella in a social setting before. It didn't really count at school and when they hung out with her family it was just that, a bunch of family hanging out. Now as she watched Bella talking to a group of elderly women she saw who Bella truly was.
This wasn't Bella Swan she was gazing at,this was Bella Shurlong of the American royal Shurlong line. This was Bella the politician. Working the crowd diplomatically giving each person her full attention and easing any worries they had with her calming voice and easily sharing smiles with the most serious members of the group.
Rosalie found that the shifters weren't the only ones in awe of her mate. She couldn't believe this was the same girl she had wiped chocolate sprinkles off the chin of hours before. A smile came to her face as a young girl ran up to Bella to show her a doll.
"What do we have here? What is your name?" Bella asked the girl.
"My name is Claire. This my friend Becky." Claire held the doll up for Bella to see." Is it true you're the white tiger aunty Em told me about?"
"Yes I am the white tiger but you can call me Bella."
A woman ran over and picked Claire up and said apologetically. " I'm sorry white tiger. She slipped away before I could stop her from bothering you."
"Nonsense. She wasn't bothering me and please call me Bella." Bella told the blushing girl.
Sam walked up just then introducing the girl." Bella this is my imprint and fiancé Emily Young. Emily this is Bella."
Bella shook Emily's hand. "Congratulations. It's nice to meet you Emily. Let me introduce you to my imprint Rosalie."
Rosalie joined Bella and offered Emily her hand which Emily took carefully."Your hand is a lot warmer than I thought it would be. You could pass for a human that just came in from the cold."
"Yes one of the perks of being Bella's mate. My eyes and body temperature allow me to blend in with humans better." Rosalie gave Bella a smile.
"That's amazing. We heard about the white tiger all our lives and to meet you is such an honor." Emily stammered.
"The honor is mine. You have all been most welcome to myself and Rosalie. You truly are gracious hosts." Bella told her.
"Will you show us your tiger?" A young boy with two missing front teeth asked as he ran up to Bella with a group of children.
"Eli it's not polite to ask people to shift if you aren't in danger." Looking at Bella,Sam said. "My apologies Bella. The young ones are just excited."
"Do all of the tribe members know about shifters?" Rosalie asked curiously. She was under the impression that the wolves only found out if they shifted themselves.
"Yes, we try to prepare them the best we can in case they shift. Before we were secretive and were only allowed to tell our imprints but as the number of wolves that change grows bigger every generation we find it best to teach them control early on so there are less issues when they do shift." Sam explained.
"That's a good idea. I knew nothing of shifting until one day I turned into a white tiger. It was quite the surprise to both myself and my grandparents." Bella said with a laugh,remembering her grandma's expression when she burst into Bella's room the night of her first shift.
"So can you shift for us?" Eli asked again getting bored with the adult conversation.
"I suppose if it's alright with your elders and your alpha I could shift for you." Bella told the children.
"You really don't have to white tiger. Like I said they are just excited." Sam said.
"It's no problem for me if you don't mind. I don't want to make anyone uncomfortable." Bella promised.
"We would definitely not be uncomfortable at all Bella. If you wish to shift then we would gladly appreciate the opportunity to see your tiger." Billy said from across the fire having heard the conversation.
"Alright then let me just go change in the woods. I'll be right back." Bella and Rosalie jogged to the woods where Bella stripped and handed Rosalie her clothes.
"You really don't have to do this." Rosalie said taking a minute to look at her very naked mate.
"I know but I kind of want to. It's nice being able to be myself. I'm more comfortable as my tiger and being able to be around others who can shift is nice." Bella kissed Rosalie and jumped away from Rosalie's wondering hands shifting into her tiger immediately.
Rosalie smiled as they walked back to bonfire where she saw the many adults trying to keep hold of the squirming children that were trying to run to Bella. Bella was having none of that though and trotted up to the boy Eli who had made the request. He let out a loud squeal as Bella grabbed him by the shirt and put him on her back.
Rosalie ran over to make sure that Eli was secured."Hold on tight or you will fall off and get hurt." She told the boy who readjusted and fisted Bella's fur tightly in both hands.
Once the boy was settled Bella playfully stalked the children every so often grabbing one to put on her back with the help of Emily to keep them secure and make them take turns.
Rosalie smiled as she watched her mate. Bella was such a natural with children. She seemed as happy as the kids were as she jumped and stalked them. Looking around she saw the proud faces of the children's families as their child got to play with the great white tiger.
"They will be telling stories of this for many generations." Sue told her as she stood next to Rosalie.
"I don't know who is having more fun the kids or Bella." Rosalie said.
Sue smiled. "It looks almost equal. It's nice to see the white tiger so happy. With such a great burden on her shoulders it's good to see she has such a great imprint.You complement each other so well. The white tiger needs a imprint that is her equal and you seem to be exactly that."
"I'm not as strong as Bella."Rosalie disagreed.
"When it comes to the imprint bond equality doesn't mean equal in strength. It means equal in devotion. You are just as devoted to Bella as she is to you." Sue explained. "I never thought I would see an imprint bond between a shifter and a vampire but seeing you two together I know that no other would ever do for either of you.I think you are the only one who could stand side by side with the great white tiger."
Rosalie thought about that. The mate bond between vampires usually matched you with someone you complemented. You were strong where they were weak and weak where they were strong like two puzzle pieces. She realized then that she needed to stop thinking of their relationship in terms of the mate bond. Bella being the white tiger had already changed so much about her that it was actually quite obvious that they had a more dominant imprint bond. Vampire traits and expectations didn't fit in their relationship.
Rosalie laughed as she watched Bella topple over and roll on her back to let all the kids jump on her stomach. She let loose playfully soft roars causing the children to redouble their efforts at winning the fight against the great white tiger. As she looked around she could tell the other shifters were itching to join the fun. Even Billy looked like he was seconds away from shifting.
Looking at her watch Rosalie realized it was about time to leave. She signaled Bella with a thought and after Bella untangled herself from all the children she gently grabbed her clothes in her teeth and ran off to the forest.
Rosalie heard the gasping from all the people around her. Confused she looked around trying to see what happened. As she took her first step to follow Bella she relaxed as she heard.
"She's so fast!"
"I've never seen a shifter move that fast."
"She moves faster than vampires."
Rosalie smiled watching Bella walk up to her fully clothed. The smile widened when Bella gave her a soft kiss.
"So I guess we should we get going. We have school in the morning and I'm sure you want to get the kids into bed." Bella said to Billy.
"It has been a great honor Bella. You and your imprint are welcome anytime and if you need anything please let us know. We are at your service." Billy told them shaking both of their hands in good bye.
"I would love to come back and maybe go running with the pack. It's been years since I've been running with a shifter." Bella said.
"We would welcome that whenever you want Bella." Sam replied enthusiastically.
"Thank you for the hospitality. Please keep in touch." Bella told them giving a small wave to the group and walking with Rosalie back to her car.
"Let's go home." Rosalie said giving Bella a kiss on the cheek.
"Let's go home." Bella agreed as they got into the car and started driving towards her house.