"Well Carlisle it seems you are moving up in the world. Friends with American royalty now." Kate said as she and the rest of the Denalis followed Carlisle into the sitting room where the Cullens, Bella and Victoria were seated.
"Well yes, Bella Shurlong is a very close friend and happens to be Rosalie's mate." Carlisle told a now wide eyed Denalis clan.
"Her mate? I've not known a human to be mated with a vampire before." Carmen looked to her mate Eleazar.
"It has occurred although it is quite rare. Usually a human doesn't feel the bond until they are turned though." Eleazar said thoughtfully."Are planning to turn your mate?"
"Let us make introductions before we begin asking personal questions." Carlisle said."Bella these are our cousins Carmen, her mate Eleazar, Irina, Kate and Tanya."
Bella stood and reached out her hand."It's a pleasure to meet each of you."
"I assure you the pleasure is completely ours." Tanya said holding Bella's hand longer than necessary.
Rosalie jumped in front of Bella and pulled her behind her back. She had tried to let it go. But she didn't like the seductive lit to Tanya's voice or the way that each of the sisters and even Carmen were looking at Bella.
Hearing Rosalie's growl Tanya put her hands up and took a step back."No harm meant cousin. I simply wasn't prepared for how attractive your mate is."
"Thank you." Bella said pulling Rosalie to her side and giving her a kiss on the cheek."I appreciate the compliment but all beauty pales in comparison to Rosalie's."
"And she's sweet and humble to."Irina gushed."Rosalie you have done very well for yourself."
Rosalie relaxed against Bella's side."Yes I know. I thank fate everyday for Bella."
"Although we asked you here on the pretense of a friendly visit I'm afraid to say it's anything but." Carlisle told them apologetically." We have heard some news that affects ourselves as well as you."
Kate took a seat next to Tanya on the chaise lounge."What has you all so worried?"
"It's concerns Edward." Jasper said."And Bella."
"What does Edward and Bella have to do with us?" Irina asked.
"I think we should start at the beginning. Bella isn't human, she's a shifter."
"A shifter? No that can't be. She doesn't smell like a shifter." Tanya said looking at Bella in confusion.
Alice clapped her hands together excitedly."Bella isn't a normal shifter. She's a white tiger!"
"A white tiger." Eleazar mumbled thoughtfully.
"Do you know of white tigers?" Carmen asked him.
"Hmmm?" Eleazar gave her a confused look."Oh yes, but I don't know much about them. Or should I say her as it is said that only one would ever exist. The bringer of change and the protector of all supernatural races. There isn't much known of what and how but it is said the great white tiger will be what saves us all. "
Tanya whistled. "Well it looks like you snagged yourself quite the mate Rosalie. No wonder you want to look like her. If I was with Bella I would want to lay some physical claim to her as well."
"I didn't change my appearance to match Bella this happened naturally when our bond was accepted."Rosalie told her through gritted teeth.
"What do you mean?" Kate asked.
"When Bella and I cemented our bond as mate and imprint the physical changes occurred right after." Rosalie explained.
Eleazar was intrigued."So your eyes and hair are naturally that color now?"
"Well not her hair that's just a fashion statement." Alice said." One that I am mad that you didn't include me in. I could have helped."
"Actually that is natural as well." At everyone's confused looks Rosalie explained."I bit Bella and drank her blood."
A collected gasp went through the room. Esme was the first to recover."Rosalie how could you? Are you aright Bella?"
"Yes, I'm fine. It didn't bother me at all.The wound is already healed." Bella reassured her.
"And your hair turned white. Is that all that happened?" Carlisle asked.
Rosalie cleared her throat before responding. "No Bella restarted my heart."
"What the fuck?" Emmett yelled." Are you fucking serious?"
Even in her shock Esme scolded him."Emmett language."
"I'm sorry but I think saying the F word is ok when we find out that Rosalie is officially a zombie." Emmett said defensively.
"I'm not a zombie you idiot." Rosalie told him.
"Let's get back to the matter at hand." Carlisle said interjecting." Will everyone be quiet so we can hear her heartbeat."
And in the silence they all heard it. Not one but two heartbeats. Bella's of course was steady and strong but Rosalie's was softer and slower. All the wide eyed stares were making Rosalie uncomfortable. She nestled into Bella's side trying to hide from all the attention.
"My word you have a heart beat." Carmen said with awe in her voice.
"Does that mean you have blood pumping through your veins?" Alice asked.
"We can't tell but we think so." At the confused looks Rosalie explained. "Bella's blood seems to have made my skin indestructible and neither my bite or hers is able to penetrate it."
"The implications of this discovery." Eleazar trailed off lost in thought.
"Regardless of the implications we still need to discuss Edward and his plans. "Jasper reminded everyone trying to get them back on track.
"Good idea." Kate agreed. "What does all this have to do with Edward?"
"Bella has just moved to Forks a couple weeks ago. When Edward saw that his gift wasn't able to work on her." Carlisle held his hand up stopping further questions."None of their gifts work on Bella. Anyway Edward became obsessed with finding out why. When he found out that she was a shifter the obsession turned to him wanting to control her for his own purposes. We believe he wishes to overthrow the Volturi."
"Carlisle if what you say is true then what is it you need from us?" Carmen asked.
Carlisle waved his hand towards Victoria."Victoria came to Bella seeking protection. In return she told of us of Edward's plans. One of those plans was to have one of her coven mates make contact with you and make you turn against us by making you believe Bella to be dangerous and needed to be dealt with. He sent a man named Laurent to you."
Irina looked disbelieving." He showed up two days ago but I don't believe he would be involved in a plot to overthrow the Volturi. He has even tried to convert to our vegetarian lifestyle."
"It's all part of Edward's plan "Jasper told her." He is now searching for allies to stand with his newborn army that he is gathering with Victoria's sire James. At anytime they have between 20 to thirty newborns with them. As you know controlling newborns is difficult so we fear he may attack soon."
"What have you seen?" Kate asked Alice.
"Nothing I'm afraid. Edward knows my mind and I fear because of this he knows a way around my gift. Either that or his obsession for Bella has clouded all his decisions. Before he left the madness all but consumed him." Alice explained.
"How do we know Victoria is being truthful? If they sent Laurent then why couldn't they have sent her?" Kate asked.
"I vouch for her." Bella said in a tone that was not only authoritative but demanding respect.
Rosalie had never heard Bella speak that way and looking around the room she wasn't the only one surprised. Her mate was shy and always willing to please but sitting here with a hard look in her eye that dared anyone to challenge her Rosalie saw the predator she was. This wasn't a teenager still in high school. Looking into Bella's eyes she saw a ruler who demanded respect. Rosalie shifted in her seat embarrassed at how turned on this version of Bella made her.
Clearing her throat Rosalie told them. "If Bella vouches for her then I vouch for her as well."
"What we need is a plan." Jasper said." Peter and Charlotte are coming in a few hours and they need to be briefed."
"Jasper you can handle Peter and Charlotte when they come then we should make a plan on what we do about Laurent and when we want to return to forks. I also wish to speak to the wolves as having that many vampires around them could cause problems for their pack." Bella added.
"In the meantime Bella can we see your cars? I really want to see your James Bond car." Alice asked.
"Yeah let's go. Anyone else who wants to come can come too." Bella said causing Rosalie to sigh. Was she ever going to get five minutes alone with her mate.