Chapter 17

As soon as I walked through the door my eyes sought hers across the room where she sat with Leah, Lauren and Seth. Her eyes lit up when they landed on me, her lips turned up in a smile as she got up and headed towards us, Leah doing the same towards Jake. "everything alright?"

"of course love. Are you two about ready? I think I saw Charlie loading his stuff into the truck."

"Yah, Lauren come on!" She got up from where she was talking with Seth saying her goodbye before joining us where Jake and Leah walked us out. We made plans for me to meet up with them to run the area and joined Charlie just as he finished saying goodbye to Billy. "did you girls have a nice walk?" he asked as we climbed into the truck, I watched as Lauren hopped onto Bella's lap wondering why I wasn't hit with any jealousy. Perhaps you trust her? I don't trust anyone Saphira. You trust Bella. Completely different. If you say so child. We made the drive in silence the girls both pretty exhausted from the training. Bella's head rested against my shoulder as Lauren leaned back against her half asleep. The sun had set as soon as we pulled into the driveway, both girls out cold. I easily swung Bella up into my arms without much effort before doing the same with Lauren. At least look like your struggling Catt, the father is looking at you like your crazy. I glance his way and take in the shocked look before pretending to struggle a little, "here let this old man take one of them Catt." I send him a grateful smile as he takes Lauren into his arms and heads for the spare room. I take Bella up the stairs and to her room to lay her on the bed getting her as comfortable as I could before heading back down. Charlie had set Lauren in the guest room and was already in front of the TV watching a game. "Bella out cold?"

"yah I think she may even sleep until the morning."

"overdid it with that hike huh?"

"Apparently, ha I guess they aren't in as good shape as they thought."

"haha yah, Bella never was one for the outdoors, even when she was younger." Hmmm and yet she wishes to be turned into a creature of the jungle. Wait till she knows you have spent years sleeping in such. "Hmm, we will have to change that then."

"ha good luck with that Catt." I sent the man a smile "I have to head home for the night Chief, I will see you later."

"Sure thing, drive that thing safe. And remember what I said."

"Yes sir." I replied making my escape before he could see my face redden, I still don't know what I was thinking or how I managed to get us caught. I should have just closed the damn door. Shaking my head I climb onto the bike and thing back to last night. I have slept with many women way more experienced than her, but on one has made me feel that way before. She is our mate. And to think she thought she wasn't good. She was worried, it was her first time. I know but still. CATT! Her voice hit me seconds before I saw the headlights, with a swerve I managed to barely get clipped by the SUV but it was enough to send my bike into swerves I could barely control. Catt! I know! And I did, but it was too late, I couldn't get the bike back under control as it veered off into the forest and right for a tree. I went flying as metal crunched, and I felt bones break as I slammed into the ground tumbling yards before slamming into the base of a tree, I grit my teeth as a branch pierced through my shoulder embedding itself. My vision blurred and blackened as I tried to remove the remains of my helmet with the glass scraping a nice line over my eye, I was drenched in blood and dirt. Catt! Catt you have to get up. Someone is coming Catt get up! Through the stabbing pain I managed to grab hold of the branch and rip it out without much more than a grunt. But Saphira was right I could hear the crunch of leaves as someone slowly made their way towards me, slow enough to think I was down and not getting up. And with how I feel, they may be right. Catt. I can't Saphira. You have to get up. Everything was fading as I tried to use the tree behind me to stand, the pain from my broken and bleeding arm making it difficult. With a defeated sigh I slid back down as the idiot who ran me off the road came into view. I expected someone apologetic, someone maybe even mad, I mean it was technically my fault. I didn't expect the beady red eyes or the amused grin on a vampire's face. Catt let me take over. "Looks like someone got themselves into a little trouble." I didn't bother replying as I pressed into my shoulder trying to stop the blood loss. But I followed his every step as he circled from side to side. "you aren't looking so great there, a lot of….blood-your losing there." He took a deep breath and let his eyes roll back for emphasis. Catt give me control… He took the few steps left until he was able to crouch down, he faked an expression of sympathy as he took in my face, "such a pity, your beautiful face. That would leave a nasty scar if you were going to live through it." I flinched back as his hand came up moving some of the hair sticking to my face back, his hand was covered in crimson when he lifted it to his lips. Catt. "mmm delicious, for an animal." CATT! His eyes darkened and I sent him a smirk of my own through the pain, surprise flashing through his eyes was the last thing I saw I before everything went black and Saphira took over.

Bella POV

I was sure of three things when I woke up this morning, one was I was alone and pretty sure I spent the entire night in bed alone. Two, I was definitely so late for school there was no point in even trying. And three, every single part of me hurt. I guess we over did it yesterday a bit, it will take time to get use to, but Catt is right it is necessary. Speaking of Catt where the hell is she. Checking my phone there were no new messages or missed called from her just one from Lauren saying she would be at school and see me later. Guess she is in better shape than me. rolling out of bed I search the empty house before calling Catt, when she didn't answer I decided to send her a quick text and take a shower to hopefully ease my muscles. And it did help a little, but Cat had not returned my message. I decided to just get some chores done and then catch up on any homework I was slacking on as well as getting ahead. I had pretty much all the chores done as well as my homework when I heard Lauren at the door. I opened it ready to inform her that she didn't need to knock but the look on her face stopped me dead in my tracks. "Lauren are you ok?"

"we have a problem." I moved aside so she could come into the living room, "what with your parents? Is everything ok?"

"you may want to sit down." I furrowed my brows but did as she said, "ok Lauren what's up."

"I went to school today as you know."

"uhuh."

"and you know things were fine all normal, Angela was worried about you, but I told her you were just tired and sore."

"Lauren…"

"Bella they're back."

"what whose back? What are you talking about? And have you heard from Catt?"

"the Cullen's Bella. The Cullen's are back." That was all I heard even though her lips kept moving, my hears however were filled with a buzzing ring, my breathing started coming out in pants and my vision blurred until everything went black.

Catt POV

When I woke up next it was with a hangover none could rival. The good news however was I woke up in my own bed, at like 5 in the afternoon. I tried sitting up only to fall back when pain shot through my shoulder. Saphira was silent so I'm guessing last night took a lot out of her. Using my other arm I pushed up and stumbled my way to the kitchen for a blood bag to hopefully get this arm healing. Then heading for the shower to wash off all of the dried blood. It wasn't until I had finished my shower and wrapped myself in a towel before I gained the courage to look in the mirror. Fucking hell. I was scar from the fucking lion king. A long bright pink scratch led all the way from the top of my eyebrow down to just below my eye. I could tell already there was no way it was going to heal all the way and disappear. With a sigh I head back into the kitchen still in my towel and make some cereal to eat as well as another blood bag. Once I had finished I went to grab some clothes throwing on some jeans and a hoodie before flopping down onto the couch with my laptop. I need to order a new fucking phone. I had been laying there with my laptop on my lap for about 20 minutes before I felt Saphira stirring in the back of my mind. "how are you feeling?" like I have been ran over by a semi. Are you ok, I know a change that quick is not very pleasant for you? "I'm fine, but we are going to have a nasty scar or two." Hmmm, I doubt Bella will mind. And I froze. "oh shit." What? "Bella." Oh God. We need to check on her after that vampire. I was already up and grabbing the keys to my car, "is he dead?" yes.

I had floored it out of the city and down the highway towards Bella's house knowing I was in a world of hurt when I get there. You're in so much trouble. "We are in trouble, this is on you to." Hmph. I pulled into the driveway next to her truck and tried to mentally prepare myself. I could hear two other heartbeats, but the police cruiser wasn't here so I'm guessing it was Lauren. I didn't bother knocking knowing it would probably piss her off even more. Following the noise upstairs, "Bella just think about this." what? I knock lightly on her door before opening it much to their shock. "Catt! Where the hell-what happened to your face? Are you ok?" shit I forgot to grab some glasses. They rush over to me as Bella takes my face in her hands, "babe what happened?"

"I'm fine, what's going on here?" I gesture to the half packed bag dull of clothes and things. "oh well-"

"your leaving?"

"not exactly, and we will get to it after you explain the scar on your face." Taking my hand she dragged me over to the bed by Lauren "Seriously Catt what happened to you?"

"I was ran off the road, by a vampire."

"WHAT!"

"yah don't worry though it was taken care of."

"don't worry? Don't fucking worry?! Catt you have a scar across your eye!" I blinked a couple of times as insecurity hit home, definitely something I am not use to. "do you not find me attractive anymore?"

"what-Catt-huh-jesus-ugh-Lauren can you give us a moment please." She finally uttered. "sure."

"Catt. I love you. And a scar here or there doesn't change that, or how attractive you are. You are still as hot as you were when we first met. Now, explain to me what the hell happened." So I told her what happened after I left last night. "I see."

"yah, so see nothing to worry about. Now about the packing?"

"oh right well…I talked to my mom and she wants me to visit."

"oh." and what you were gona call me from the airport? Catt you phone is smashed she probably did try to call you. Oh right. "and she would love to meet you."

"…oh?"

"yah maybe its good timing for us to go out to Florida? I mean its not like a vampire will follow us to Florida."

"you were followed to Arizona love."

"right…well I-"

"if you truly want I will go with you."

"really? Great!"

"mmm what about Lauren?"

"well she can come with us or stay up to her?"

"mmm."

"I can tell you're not happy about this."

"I just think the timing is bad."

"I think the timing is perfect. Come on it will be good for us, our first pack vacation? Even with us as two humans." I had to chuckle at that. "as you wish my love. I will need to pack, and we should get Lauren's stuff into the apartment first, when are we leaving."

"well if I can get tickets…tomorrow?"

"Bella Bella Bella." Placing a kiss to her lips I hand her my credit card. "here, make sure we are all sitting together please, I am-not a fan of flying. May I borrow your truck?"

"I don't need your ca-"

"I'm paying and that's that." I could tell she wanted to argue but she handed me her keys instead. "if you can wait a couple minutes I would like to go with you guys."

"of course. I will go talk to Lauren, and raid your kitchen." I went down stairs to explain the plan to Lauren not surprised that she chose to come with us to Florida. And then I checked her fridge for anything edible as I was still starving.

As soon as Bella came down we piled into her truck and headed for Lauren's place, "do your parents know your leaving?"

"nope. They are about to find out though." Sure enough when we pulled up to her house there were three cars in their driveway and I could already hear arguing. It however stopped as soon as we walked through the door behind Lauren and her mother's fake voice reached me, "Lauren sweetheart what's going on I didn't know you were bringing friends over." She didn't even get a chance to reply before her dad spoke up "where were you last night?"

"I was at Bella's. You know Bella, the chief's daughter. This is her girlfriend Catt. They are here to help me get my things."

"what do you mean get your things?" he demanded. "don't worry just things I spent my own money on."

"and where are you taking these things?"

"to Catt's place. Come on guys." We silently followed her upstairs to her room where pretty much everything was already packed. For the next hour we spent running up and down the stairs throwing her things in the back of the truck while her parents pulled her off to the side, I tried not to listen in cause I already wanted to hit them. Laruen had joined us by the time we had everything already loaded in the back of the truck, "I'm sorry guys I didn't mean for you to do all the work."

"don't worry about it, it was nothing. You about ready?"

"so freaking ready."

We made the drive to Port Angeles in relative silence before I parked in the garage next to Lauren's jeep. That she continued to freak out about, she looked close to tears once more. "we will be upstairs when you decide to join us." With that I dragged Bella up into the elevator that led to the apartment. Once Lauren joined us we ordered delivery and ate quickly before she went off to check out her new room, from the squeal I'm assuming she loved it, we went off to my room to end the night ourselves before our flight tomorrow. "can I use your shower?"

"of course, what's mine is yours my love."

I flopped down on my bed as soon as I heard the water turn on and tried not to let my mind wander to her in there. It had only been 10 minutes before she had called out for me. rolling out of bed I make my way into the foggy bathroom. "yes love?" I asked looking anywhere but at the glass that barely hid her. "I believe your exact words were 'you know I have seen you naked right, and vice versa'. Besides I thought now that we, well did it you would be in more control." A snort escaped me "you are still a very attractive woman Bella. And are you saying you only had sex with me so I would be in more control?"

"that's not what I meant and you know it."

"mmm." I knew I was being a bitch but I was once again distracted by the scratch on my eye starting to scar.

"babe"

"hmm?"

"what's going on?"

"nothing."

"then join me." what now. "uhh"

"Catt…"

"…fine but I'm not promising to behave, or keep my hands to myself." She let out a little chuckle but I could scent the blood rushing to her face, shaking my head I peeled off my closed and stepped in behind her letting my eyes roam her body. "really Catt?"

"what, I warned you babe." I wrapped my arms around her and pulled her into me. she sighed against me but I could tell she was very tense. "are YOU ok babe?" she tensed even more "of course why wouldn't I be?" Running my hand up and down her sides "babe?"

"really I'm fine, promise." She's hiding something Catt. I know but what? and why? Maybe she just isn't ready to tell us. Hmmm I guess. "Mmm Catt." Bringing my attention back to the woman in my arms as my hand ran lower and lower. Her hips pushed back into mine as I slipped my hand between her legs. Running my lips over her shoulder and neck I place kiss after kiss before taking skin between my teeth making sure not to break skin but leave a mark. My name left her lips in pants as I circled her clit. It didn't take long for her to come undone and fall back against me. she turned around in my arms and placed a kiss to my lips, I deepened it when her tongue ran against my lips. "mmm, we should-mm we should get some sleep before our flight tomorrow."

"what about you?"

"I'm fine babe."

"…please." The desperation in her voice brought me up short. "…alright babe, you can have your way with me." I joked out only for her to smack me. "kidding kidding. Well kinda." Picking her up she wrapped her legs around my waist as I shut the water off. "you better call your dad first and let him know about your plans."

"how about I call him after."

"how about you call him now, cause once I get you to bed that's where your staying." I threw her down on the bed and handed her the phone to make the call. She called her dad to let him know what's going on as well as apologized for the last minute warning. I couldn't help but frown when she cut him off as he asked if it was because of something. Shaking my head I waited till she hung up before pouncing.

Bella POV

When I woke up I was pleasantly sore but in bed alone. And I was getting tired of waking up like that. "Catt" I mumbled pretty sure she would hear me if she was in the apartment. She flashed into the room "good morning my love."

"it would have been had I not woken up alone, again. Is there a reason every time we have sex you disappear?" She shifted from foot to foot "well, technically it only happened like twice. But I had a good reason." I rolled to my side to prop myself up and waited. "well I still had to pack for Florida, not that I had much to pack but still. And then I had to make sure the shop would be ok. And then I made you breakfast." I had to smile as she rambled on and rubbed the back of her neck. "mmm ok." She smiled a relieved smile before planting a kiss to my lips. "good then come eat cause we got to go soon." I joined Lauren and Catt at the kitchen table she had recently bought as they laughed at something and the sight alone warmed me. we were really our own little pack, well pride, our own little family. But damn if I wasn't terrified of telling Catt about the Cullen's. So I spent breakfast listening to them go back and forth content to only throw in my own when necessary. Then we went to get dressed and grab our bags, we opted to take a taxi to the airport, so we didn't have to deal with putting the car anywhere. We went through security and bag checks just fine since we only had carry-ons, it wasn't until we were seated on the plane that Catt started to slightly freak out. Her leg bounced almost inhumanly fast until I placed a hand on it, her wide eyes shot to me and I sent her what I hope was a reassuring smile. "Babe it will be fine. You really don't like flying huh?"

"no…no I don't. I do not like being caged thousands of feet up in the air. And neither does Saphira, I can feel her pacing."

"well you and Saphira need to relax. Got that Saphira?" I got my intended reaction as Catt smirked a little and her eyes flashed until I knew it was both of them behind there, "as you wish little mate." Her eyes changed back just as quickly as the stewardess made her rounds. Everything was fine until take off as claws erupted and a hand clamped down on mine. I winced a little but no way was I going to tell her to let go. With a glance to the knocked out Lauren I looked back to my terrified girlfriend, "have you thought about drugs?" eyes flashed to me, "no."

"well maybe-"

"No." her eyes closed before a sigh as we steadied out, "Most won't work on my metabolism. Those that will I no longer want anything to do with."

"…what do you mean?" she was quiet for what felt like minutes before "you don't know much about my past do you?"

"no, we never really talk about it. I don't want to overstep, but I want to know you."

"so do I. I mean if we're going to be pack, or pride." I nod my head in agreement at Lauren's sleepy voice. "it is not-uncommon, for my kind to experience similar, ailments like humans. Addiction for example."

"you were addicted to something?"

"I was, I have been addicted to many things during some of my more unpleasant decades. Many become addicted to the blood, taking much more than needed to survive. Some to the few substances that actually have an effect on us. Some sex." She wiggled her eyebrows to make light of the situation the scar on her face pulling at the motion, but I saw the pain in her eyes. "do you think less of me?" I leaned forward and softly kissed her lips, "I don't find you less attractive because of this scar." I placed a kiss on it to emphasize my point, "and I don't think less of you for your past."

"yah me neither." Turbulence interrupted her reply and her eyes shut tight as she clutched at me.

This is going to be a long flight.