Chapter 22

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 your 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." 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 to 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." 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, they are no mate for a true werewolf." She murmured meeting my sisters eyes "even one your age, with your skills. Your Kings would even fall before them." 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 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 ups 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! Lets 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 was 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 other than grant him his last wish. I closed my 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."

"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 seen 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 then I have ever ran before. It wasn't long before I caught up to the vampires headed in the dame 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. 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, 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. And then everything went black.