CH19

When I woke up next Bella was no longer in my arms and the apartment was it's usual quiet. Checking my phone I read the text that she and Lauren had left for school and that she left some good in the microwave. Gotta love this girl. I scarfed down the last of my food just as my phone rang. "Hey Jake?"

"Nope he's running damage control."

"Leah, is everything ok?"

"Technically. Jake just wanted me to give you a heads up that there's a meeting today with the Cullen's, in case you wanted to come."

"ahh I see. At what time?"

"just after school." So the boy wont have time to bother our mate. Hmm. "I will think on it, I appreciate the heads up Leah."

"of course, your pretty much family now anyways. I don't think we have seen Bella this happy before. Il see you later, patrol time."

"aye, goodbye." I hung up the phone and plopped onto the sofa. "What you think Saphira?" …I think if we do this, we should do it from the shadows. "Agreed. We could stick to the trees, there will be so many wolf heartbeats they wouldn't notice ours." True. But can you control yourself? "…we can leave if it gets to that point." …As you wish child.

With my mind made up I threw on some clothes and grabbed my helmet. So soon? "No, I figured we would take a ride around the city, just in case." Tis a bit sunny for vampires in Port Angeles today Catt. "but not for wolves." I threw on the helmet and hopped on the bike.

We spent a couple of hours riding around the city and not a single thing was found, so I turned around and headed for Forks, by the time I get there school will be out and Bella will most likely be home from school. And sure enough Lauren's jeep was parked next to Bella's truck and the cruiser. Charlie opened the door before I was up the steps, "hey chief."

"Hey there Kiddo, didn't know you were coming over."

"Just stopping by on my way to the reservation."

"Ahhh" he rubbed the back of his head "Something wrong there chief?"

"No no, nothing. But uh, how are you holding up?"

"…are you referring to the Cullen's return?"

"Yes."

"well honestly, I'm pissed. But I'm not going to give you a reason to arrest me so don't worry."

"Haha, good that's good, just wanted to check on ya. Better get in there to her." With my own chuckle I head inside where Bella and Lauren are doing some homework. I snuck up behind her and put my arms around her neck. She only jumped for a second before relaxing into me, "hey what are you doing here?" she tilted her head for a quick kiss, "thought I would stop by on my way to the reservation." That got Lauren's attention, "why you headed there now?" Pursing my lips I made the decision to be honest at the scowl starting on Bella's face. "Upstairs?"

"Dad we will be back." Once upstairs with the door closed "What's going on Catt?"

"the wolves have a meeting with the Cullen's."

"…and you think it's a good idea to go?"

"I'm going to be surrounded by a bunch of wolves babe. And they aren't going to know I'm there. If it becomes to much I will leave."

"...Catt-"

"Baby, I will be fine, Jake will be right there. I'm just gona go for a little while and see why they are back, then I will come straight back here to you, ok?"

"…you promise?"

"I promise. But I should really get going, I just wanted see you and check on you guys." I placed a kiss to her lips and accepted Laurens hug "be careful."

"I will."

"See you later chief!"

"Later Kiddo!" I hopped back on my bike and headed for the reservation, and I got there just in time as I pulled into the lot I caught the wolves heading into the forest. I climbed off and slowly made my way into the forest as I vaguely listen to the pounding of their feet. As soon as I was far enough in I leapt from branch to branch till I was high enough in that I would be seen even by the vampires. It didn't take me long to catch up to where they stopped on the edge of the river, tilting my head I could hear the near silent footsteps of the vampires a mile out.

More than the 7 vampires I was expecting stepped up to the river though. The center male must have been the leader and doctor that she told me about. While I commend the strength and dedication that must take, I still was not a fan. Maybe he just likes the torture? Perhaps. Next to him was a motherly woman with caramel hair that must have been his mate Esme. Behind her was what had to have been what Bella once considered her best friend, one Alice Cullen. Her eyes were dark as if she rarely hunted, her face blank yet broken. She held onto her mate as If he held her together. And her mate, he would be one to watch out for if there were a fight. He was covered I tiny little scars. His face was stoic and he appeared to be concentrating, my guess using his gift of empathy. My eyes locked onto Him next, his bronze bed head a dead give-away. His eyes were what got me, there was no pain, no hurt no regret, nothing to make me think he ever cared at all about her. He must not have to claim her as a mate when clearly she wasn't. she was nothing more than a toy, just as he told her. I bit my tongue to keep the growl at bay at her words. Dragging my eyes off of his arrogant cocky smirk to the two women behind him. The bored "I don't want to be here" ice queen look on her face was easy to recognize from Bella's descriptions as Rosalie. Though it was certainly not the vampire I was expecting next to her. Bella had told me of this mountain of a man, this was a woman, a woman I was sure I would never see again. Tanya. What is she doing here. Her eyes are no longer red. Startled at her words I took a closer look and indeed her eyes had taken on a golden hue, but I could still see shards of red in them so I knew she was not completely off of the human blood diet. There are two more. Off behind Tanya stood two more blondes who could be her sisters, I could feel the age and power rolling off of them. They would put up quite a fight. Don't sound so excited Saphira. One had her dirty blonde hair in a braid over her shoulder. The other had long platinum hair straight down her back, and I admit she was quite beautiful. I felt Saphira perk up at the admission. All vampires are. She murmured. It is starting.

"Jacob what a surprise. Are you the new Alpha."

"Yes, and your coven has expanded."

"yes but not by my hand. This is technically a separate coven. Tanya here is their leader."

"Is this true?" he looks to her as she steps forward. "yes, I am Tanya Denali of the Denali coven, these are my coven mates, my sisters, Irina and Kate. We are far older than the Cullen's, there is no way they turned us, we are simply staying with extended family."

I give Jake credit for simply nodding his head at her, "then the same rules apply, you don't bite, turn, or kill anyone. And you stay off of our land."

"of course."

"And you, Cullen, you stay away from Bella. She's moved on and happy, ruin that and I'll end you." He basically snarled out as a few wolves echoed the sentiment. "Bella is my mate you cant-"

"NO she isn't, she is a toy you pick up when bored! Just as you told her she was when you left! No more Cullen mark my words we will kill you." Clenching my teeth my claws erupted and dug into the tree as I shifted. Cullen stood frozen as his family turned to him. "Edward what is he talking about, did-did you say these thing to Bella?" I watched as the little vampire had to be held in place so she didn't launch at him, the platinum blondes eyes turned to pitch black as she looked at him, even the leader glaring at him. "We will discuss this later. Is that all Jacob?"

"No, some of my wolves will be driving through forks to patrol Port Angeles, there appears to be a vampire and wolf problem there."

"I see, well if you need any assistance."

"…I will keep that in mind. Let's go." With that the wolves bled back into the forest in one direction, the vampires in the other. With one last look in her direction I follow the wolves and shift back just in time to join them on the ground, almost all of them jumped. "sorry."

"Catt, where did you come from?" I pointed up to the trees. "you were at the meeting?"

"I was."

"And Cullen is still alive?"

"…I made Bella a promise." Paul nodded his head in understanding. "how is she?"

"worried, angry, upset. Anything and everything."

"has he approached her?"

"I-I don't know. We haven't exactly had the time to talk much on it."

"why is everything ok?"

"we had a…disagreement. All is fine now."

"I see, well I'll let her know if she needs us to take care of it we will Catt."

"I know Jake, I should head back before she starts to worry."

"of course." With that I said my goodbyes and headed back to my bike, I pulled up next to her truck and slowly made my way to the door, not bothering to knock as the cruiser wasn't in the driveway. With a quick look in the guest room I can see Lauren is already knocked out, so making my way upstairs I stood in the doorway as my oblivious mate messed around with her window. "is there something I can help you with mon ange?" she jumped and spun around, "Catt!" she whisper yelled as her hand flew to her heart, I could hear it racing in her chest. "I do so love it when you scream my name." I murmured and smirked as her face turned bright red, "not funny Catt."

"hmmm perhaps but my question still stands, do you need any help?"

"yes actually, I was trying to lock my window but its jammed."

"why?"

"…he used to come in my room through the window…" my eyes shifted immediately "when?"

"…usually late at night, he said he liked to watch me sleep. Catt, babe-" I flashed past her and snapped the lock into place, the rust giving me little trouble. "I am staying here tonight." I ground out. "Babe you don't-"

"do you not want me to stay Isabella?" I asked slightly hurt at the thought and slightly aware of how I sounded. "you know I would love that Catt."

"but?"

"But there's a good chance he comes by, I don't want you to do something or get hurt."

"and If I promise not to touch your precious vampire?" Catt… I vaguely heard Saphira's warning as Bella's eyes widened and steel leapt in them as they hardened. I could tell she was fighting not to say something as she clenched her hands at her side over and over. We stood there in silence glaring daggers at each other for what felt like hours before I gave in, "I am sorry, I should not have said that."

"But you did. And you meant it."

"Yes and no. I am sorry Bella, part of me still fights at the thought of losing you."

"the same part that seems to want to push me away?"

"…Im-"

"Don't. Stop apologizing. Do you trust me?"

"Of course I do. Its them, him I don't trust."

"if you trust me then that shouldn't matter!" I took a deep breath, She's right Catt. I know. "ok, ok. Your right, I trust you and that's what's important. But I still ask for your patience, this is still new to me Bella." She took her own deep breaths, "this is new for me to Catt. And things were so perfect before he showed up, I just want that back." I closed my eyes as tears filled hers knowing I probably couldn't give her that. You could, we could. How Saphira. We have not spent millenniums perfecting control to lose it on a young vampire. … Your right. Your right. I walked up to Bella and wrapped my arms around her as she buried her head into my shoulder, it wasn't long before I felt the tears. "Ok baby, we will get back there ok. They are back, there's nothing we can do about it, so how about we get back to focusing on us? We will do what we use to do, talk about what we usually talk about, go where we want to, ravage each other as we see fit." I squirmed a little as she poked me at my last words though I felt her little laugh. "just like that?" she murmured. "Yah babe, just like that, he doesn't get a say in our lives, your life just because he decides to come back. So if there is no objections, I would still very much like to stay the night?" she nodded her head against me "I need to go take a shower."

"ok hun, you need help?" I asked while wiggling my eyebrows. "My father is two rooms over Catt!"

"…your right were not ready for quiet sex." I ducked just as she tried to throw something at me as she walked out the door. "Loooove you!" I whisper yelled and finally got her beautiful smile, "I love you to." I turned around I quickly changed and climbed into bed to wait as she took her shower, doubts swimming around my head. We can do this Catt, for her if anything. I hope so. I have faith. Course you do.

She didn't take long and was soon crawling into bed next me before curling into me. And considering my thoughts of him showing up running through my head it didn't take me long to fall asleep with her in my arms.

When I woke up next she was pulling her shirt over her head off to the side and I let my eyes wander her body. And I still manage to jump at the sound of her voice, "how did you get the scars?" furrowing my brow "I told you, I was run off the road." She finally turned around to face me, "not that scar" she walked over placing a kiss over the almost healed scar that fell across my eye. "the ones on your back." I could feel my entire body tense and I'm sure she could see it but she held her ground. "…that-that is a long story, how about we talk about it after school, you would be late."

"I could miss-"

"No, you have missed enough because of me, your too close to graduating."

"fine, but we will talk about it?"

"yes if you wish. But one more thing before you leave."

"yah?"

"well two things, kiss me-thank you. And well you know I went to the meeting between the wolves and Cullen's? well, Jake had mentioned what he did to you and they all, well they all seemed confused about what he was talking about. Just thought you should know."

She looked to be thinking deeply before shaking her head, "thank you. I have to go, Lauren is ready, love you."

"love you to."

Bella POV

I kissed Catt goodbye and quickly made my way downstairs where Lauren was waiting. "Thanks for letting me crash here."

"of course."

"Catt come back from the meeting last night?"

"yah she's upstairs."

"ok, ima go say hi real quick and we'll leave."

"ok." She was upstairs for a minute before she came back down seeming a lot less worried, we climbed into her jeep and headed down the windy road for the school. We pulled into a spot the same time the Volvo did and I kept walking ignoring the shouts coming from it, determined to get back to my life.

My first classes flew by thankfully until lunch when we took our normal seats, he thankfully didn't try to approach me again, but I could feel his creepy stare. Finally, I made up my mind and told Lauren I would be right back and headed for their table. All of their eyes turned to me and I could see his damn smirk already but he was interrupted as the one who introduced herself as Kate spoke up, "hello there Beautiful" I stopped dead for a minute staring at her, I could feel Edwards Glare at her myself, but I quickly shook my head and turned to Rosalie. I figured she had no reason to lie to me. "something has been brought to my attention I was hoping you could clear up." She stared at me for a minute before nodding her head, "ok?"

"what did Edward tell you of how things went the last day?"

"Bella-"

"Shut up." I interrupted my eyes still on her, "he said you broke up with him, that you no longer felt safe near us and you wanted us to leave, especially Jasper." I nodded my head for a second and couldn't help but chuckle a little. All eyes widened when I spoke again. "He lied." And I turned and walked back to my table to finish my lunch. I could see them arguing out of the corner of my seat but couldn't bring myself to care.

When the bell rang we headed to art and managed to beat the vampires there as they followed shortly after. They took their seats next to us "hello Bella, Bella's friend." Kate spoke with a smirk as her sister sent us a smile. I rose a brow and Lauren spoke up, "It's Lauren."

"right, Bella's friend Lauren." A scowl pulled at Laurens face as she leaned over to me and whispered "can we sick Catt on them?" I could see them frown out of the corner of my eye as I chuckled and looked up as the teacher started on. Just as yesterday I could feel her stare until the bell rang and I tried to make my escape, "Bella?" I turned to face her smirk that was more playful than anything, yet still similar to Catts, "yes?"

"are you busy this weekend?" I'm aware my eyes widened for a moment, "yes." And then I practically dragged Lauren out. "oh shit, oh shit, oh-"

"Lauren!"

"sorry sorry but holy shit Bella…you have to tell Catt."

"…I know."

"she's going to freak out."

"I know."

I walked off to my last classes her doing the same with a promise to meet at the car. We met up in the hallway instead and made our way outside where my entire world froze for a moment as I saw Catt casually leaning against the jeep. She looked as she always did, confident and in a whatever mood as she smirked at me, but I could see how tense she was even as her glasses covered her eyes.