Chapter 24 Catt POV

I had already sent a message to Jake, I had already explained everything to Charlie, I had already sent a text to Tanya, and I had already held Bella until she fell asleep in my arms. And now I paced her bedroom floor trying to convince myself this was a mistake, that I did not want to make this call. And with a small growl I climbed out of her window and took a seat on the tree branch that led to her window as I dialed the number from memory, hoping it didn't exist anymore. And then I closed my eyes as the voice came through the static "Hello?" I took a deep breath through clenched teeth. "Cynthia." The voice on the other end hesitated before "Catt?"

"Aye." I heard her own intake of breath "are you hurt? Or did you lose control?" An unamused smirk lifted my lips "neither."

"then do tell why you have decided to call me now because I know it isn't for pleasantries." Her voice took on an offended yet hurt tone, "I need information." She snorted "of course you do." "Please Cynthia, I would not call unless it was important." She hummed "ask your questions and I will decide if they are worth my time answering."

"Jax, have you seen him lately?"

"Your brother? No, last I heard he was in Romania, and you should stay halfway across the world from him. What do you want from him?"

"nothing more than his location I assure you. What-what about my mother?"

"…Catt"

"Please" I whispered and heard her sigh in return, "I have nothing for you Catt. It is as if she just disappeared, even the council is unaware of where she is. Do-do you want me to ask around?"

"NO!" I lowered my voice "no thank you, I want you to forget I called you. Thank you Cynthia."

"Catt wait, are you in trouble again?"

"me in trouble? I'm insulted." Her laugh was anything but amused "Catt if you need-"

"I don't, really don't worry little one I will be fine."

"…you will call if you aren't?"

"of course" I lied and hung up before hopping back into Bella's room. I climbed back into bed as she automatically rolled into my arms still sound asleep. I held her all night long not able to sleep at all myself. Maybe we missed someone Saphira? You think there could be another who possesses this power? There has to be, what does she have to gain from this? …maybe she has found us? She could have found us anytime she wanted…why now? I don't know child but we must talk about turning them. We can't turn them if she is around. She is good but she cannot affect the bond of mates. And Lauren? You underestimate your-our own power. You and I both know I would need to feed more regularly. You want to tell Bella that? …Do you want to tell her that you wont be turning them? Those were her last words as she faded into darkness. No I definitely didn't, she was already doubting me enough as is. I looked down as she started to stir in my arms, her brown eyes still filled with sleep as she looked at me. "Did you sleep at all?" She murmured as she snuggled into me more. "what makes you think I didn't?" I smirked and she rolled her eyes "besides the circles under your eyes?" I started to run my hand through her hair, "I had to make a call, then I just couldn't sleep. I will be fine after some coffee."

"who did you call?" I was quiet for a full minute but she didn't push, "an old friend. I was hoping she knew the ware abouts of my brother or mother."

"mm and did she?"

"Kind of, she said my brother was in Romania last she checked, but she hadn't heard anything about my mother. That is what worries me."

"should she had heard from your mother?"

"no, but Cynthia is, very talented, she knows a lot of what goes on in the supernatural world. If you need to find someone there is a good chance she can do that."

"she is a close friend?" I closed my eyes "she used to be." I felt her hand slide under my shirt, "what happened?"

"I almost got her killed." Her eyes widened as she lifted her head to look at me, "how?" shaking my head "it doesn't matter anymore, it was a very long time ago and I was an idiot. I nearly got her killed so-"

"so she just didn't want anything to do with you anymore!?" I chuckled at the fire in her voice, "no Bella, I ran. I didn't want something like that to happen again, so I left. She was my best friend and she almost died because of me."

"But she didn't…"

"no, but I would not have lived with myself had she. She has never really forgiven me for disappearing." She looked lost in thought but never replied. "you should start getting ready for school love." She rolled off of me with a groan, I let my eyes roam her body as her shirt rode up and her back arched into a stretch. "don't even think about it." She rolled out of bed and threw her shirt off in one movement "you can't say that and then do that." I growled. She rolled her eyes and quickly got dressed, "are you going to drive us or should we take Lauren's Jeep."

"do you want me to take you?"

"if you can, I know the full moon is coming up again." I rolled out of bed and grabbed by hoodie and some sweats "I will take you guys."

"thank you."

"of course mon ange. I will go make you something to eat while you get ready."

"no I'm fine, I'm only going to have some toast."

"Bella-"

"really Catt." I sighed but let it go. "I will meet you down stairs." She nodded as I headed down to the kitchen, I plopped some toast in the toaster and leaned against the counter. Lauren walked in first looking tired as hell, "you alright?"

"I'm fine, are you guys alright?"

"I-honestly don't know right now."

"you guys will be, I know you will." I sent her a small smile and tossed her one of the pieces of burnt bread. I did the same as Bella walked out looking a bit frustrated. "is everything ok mon ange?"

"yah I just really need to get some new clothes."

"we will, but first let's get you to school before you guys are late."

We drove down the winding road until I pulled into a spot in the parking lot, only a few spots over from the vampires. I hopped out and opened the door for both of them before leaning against the car, Bella leaned into me and wrapped her arms around my waist as she buried her head in my neck. I ran my hands up and down her sides, definitely not because I knew it would piss that little boy off. I tilted my head and placed a kiss to her face as the bell rang, as she pulled away with a sigh I saw the tears in her eyes. "We will need to talk after school if you two are available."

"what about?" I sent her a smirk "eternity." Both sets of eyes widened before a gorgeous smile lifted her lips. "really?" Instead of answering I leaned forward and gently pressed my lips to hers. "get to class, I will pick you guys up after." If there was any doubt or confusion on the vampires side on who Bella was with it was gone now as eyes widened, and one set narrowed. I watched her walk away into the building with Lauren on her arm, and once again I was confused why I didn't feel that sense of jealousy I normally would. I turned my head to take in the vampire already staring at me, her eyes zeroed in on my shoulder where I had been shot. And damn if I didn't want to hate her with every fiber of my being, but not even an ounce would surface. You know we cannot child. Doesn't mean I don't want to. Things will work out. They had better. Turning away I climb into the car and head down to the reservation instead of back to Bella's. I parked in front of Jakes house and slowly got out of the car my body starting to feel a bit tense, Saphira? Wolf. Was all she said before I ducked out of the way, I spun around at the sound of a crash in time to see Sam spin around and charge me snarl on his face. I let him take me down to the ground with his hand around my throat, I rose a brow knowing it would piss him off, "not so tough now are you?" he snarled. "you know what happens when people think they have the upper hand Sam?" His eyes narrowed in confusion but he said nothing, "they lose it." I broke his hold around my neck with one hand and flipped us with the other until I was the one on top and in control. With an ounce of my power, well Saphira's power, I pinned not only him but his wolf down, basically stopping him from shifting. "do you feel that pup?" I leaned down with my own snarl letting my eyes shift until I saw real fear in his eyes, "that is your wolf under my paw, imagine never ever taking that form again." I scraped one of my sharpened nails down his throat "imagine not being able to lift a finger to protect your mate." His eyes widened "Attack me again and I will do far worse than rip your wolf out of you boy." With those parting words I hopped off of him just as Jake and Paul walked out of the forest. "Catt? Sam? What happened." I looked down at the boy and send him a sweet smile "nothing."

"mhm, is Bella ok?"

"Fine she is at school."

"Ahh good good. So what's up then, you come up with a plan?"

"Not exactly I made a call but it came up empty."

"hm and Charlie?"

"Good, I mean he is still processing, and hates the Cullen's even more now, but he will be fine." He smirked at that before "and these Volturi guys they mentioned?"

"shouldn't be a problem. And if they are I will deal with it." He looked skeptical but didn't question me, "so what do we do?"

"I need to find this Alpha, and then go from there."

"how do you plan on doing that." You should have asked Cynthia. …We don't have a name. When has she ever really needed one? I caught myself before I could start chewing on my nails and actually thought about it, "I'll make another call, hopefully it will come up with better results."

"ok, what you want from us?"

"right now just keep patrols going, but maybe up them to three instead of two wolves."

"you got it."

"alright, one more thing before I head out to get some sleep. I will be talking with the girls about planning a change soon." Eyes widened "your really going to do it?" Paul asked. "If that is what they decide yes." I could tell Sam wanted to say something but decided against it. "I am gona get some sleep I will let you know how the call goes later."

"good, thanks, and Catt? Drive safe you look half dead right now."

"Gee thanks" I muttered climbing back into the car.

When I got back to Bella's I climbed up the stairs and was out as soon as I hit the bed.

I woke up to my alarm blaring that is was almost time to get Bella and Lauren from school. I threw on some jeans and a tank-top not bothering with the jacket, feeling a bit hotter than normal. I grabbed my phone on the way out and dialed that number once more. "Well at least I know you are still alive." With a chuckle "very funny. I need a little more help, if your willing." She sighed "when am I ever not willing to help you Catt?"

"I appreciate this Cynthia, I do. I need to know if there are any wolves in Washington, or even Oregon."

"Hmm let me see…" I heard papers shuffling around before "The Quileute Reservation-"

"Wolf shifters, yah I know, I am talking about Werewolves. Is there a pack anywhere near this area?"

"Are you in one of these states?"

"You know exactly where I am Cynthia." A real laugh erupted from her and it made me smile, "fair enough, ok let's see…Max's pack is hanging out around Oregon's border with Idaho. Tim has his in central Montana, and…uhoh." Her voice went quiet. "Uhoh? Uhoh what Cynthia?"

"Catt-"

"What is it?"

"…Andre's pack is also near by…" I could feel the color drain from my face as I clenched the phone trying not to break it, "how close?"

"…California, The red woods."

"…I see."

"Catt the last time-"

"I remember, don't worry I won't go looking for trouble from him." Unless he's the one fucking around over here. "thanks Cynthia."

"…of course Catt. Whatever is going on, just, just be careful."

"I will." I murmured before the line went dead and I pulled into an empty parking spot at the school. I climbed out to wait for the girls when I felt Saphira tense, "Catt?" I turned to look into the dark gold eyes of the vampire that called me an animal. "we haven't really been introduced properly, I'm Katarina, or Kate." I rose a brow and she sighed before continuing, "I wanted to apologize for yesterday. I shouldn't have said that, it was unnecessary and uncalled for. I simply panicked when you said you wanted to go after an Alpha." I watched as she wrung her hands looking nervous as hell. Saphira? We have no choice and you know it. There is always a choice, I will not hurt Bella, We will not. "Accepted." I replied trying to sound as uninterested as possible but a bright smile lifted her lips. I blinked and turned my attention to the humans now heading our way, brown eyes narrowed as they landed on the vampire before shooting to me, I try to send her a smile. She returned it the best she could as she stepped into my arms. "how were your classes?"

"fine. You got some sleep?"

"aye, I caught up the wolves then knocked out, promise." I sent her a smirk to which she rolled her eyes. "I also made another call."

"to your friend Cynthia?"

"Aye, I asked if she knew of any wolves near by."

"and?"

"A couple of packs near Oregon and Idaho I'm not concerned about, they are good Alphas but to weak for…Her to give them a second thought." I emphasized as the rest of the vampires joined us, I could tell they were going to ask so I continued, "But there is one in California that concerns me."

"who and why?"

"…Andre." Her eyes widened at the familiar name, "you mean?"

"Aye."

"Whose Andre?" Kate asked, "a dangerous and cruel Alpha, with quite a large pack."

"And you think it's him working with James?" I shrugged as an answer. I leaned forward and pressed my lips to Bella's ear, I heard her sharp intake of breath "we should head home to talk." She nodded her had quickly and I'm sure we all heard her heart rate pick up. "Tanya I will call you with any updates, as of now the wolves will still be running patrols but in threes."

"ok, please do, we will also take to running patrols just in case. I'll let you know if we get any scents." I nodded as I held the door open for the humans, one of which Tanya's sister Irina hadn't taken her eyes off of.

I drove them back to the house in silence as they murmured to each other quietly. The house was empty when we got there so we sat in the living room. "Alright so I am starving so I am going to order some Pizza while we talk." Bella sent me a smirk and Lauren let out a laugh as I fell into the couch ordering from my phone.

"Alright, your training has been going well, you still need more though before I will turn you. Most of what I taught you is defensive to get out of trouble, I want to move on to some offensive this next weekend."

"Why do we have to wait until the weekend? Can't we just go to the reservation?"

"because you are still human and have school. I would like you guys to be awake and coherent for that. or have you forgotten how exhausted you guys were last time?" they grunted their response. "second thing is the full moon is in a week so I can't turn you guys until afterwards." They nodded thankfully understanding. "ok, so I went over the forms with you guys. Now the pain."

"pain?" I turned to Lauren as Bella already knew, "aye, the daily change itself doesn't hurt. The night of the full moon does."

"a lot? Does it fade with time?"

"…yes a lot, and no, not at all." Her face scrunched up before she shook it away, Bella never even flinched at the thought of enduring the pain she witnessed bring me to my knees. There was a knock on the door and I handed Lauren my card to go get the pizza as Bella leaned forward "do you want to turn me?" Tilting my head in confusion, "no." She flinched back and tears welled her eyes, "Mon ange you saw what it does to me, the pain I was in, and you want me to do that to you." I shook my head "No I don't want to do that. But I also don't want to keep living a life without you if I didn't. And I don't exactly have it in me to deny you anything." She wiped the tears away with a watery smile as Lauren walked in, without the pizza. "There is a vampire at the door." A whiny growl echoed through the house so I knew it was Edwin. I followed Bella to the front door where the vampire sent my mate a smirk "Bella-"

"I'm busy what do you want?" I didn't bother hiding my own smirk at her tone as his dropped. "I was hoping to speak with you, alone."

"no, and as I said I am busy so if that was all…"

"Bella, can I please just explain-"

"No Edward, I don't care about whatever you have to explain. You said you left so I could move on with my life and I have. What more is there to say?"

"You moved on with her!" he pointed his scrawny hand at me as I tensed, his eyes darkening drastically. "Yah? So?"

"You're not gay Bella!" I couldn't help it, I snorted and mumbled "her head between my legs says differently." And then I winced when her hand collided with my head. I rubbed the back of it but couldn't bring myself to apologize, and the look in her eyes said I didn't really need to. I swear he was going to launch himself at me had it not been for the police cruiser pulling into the driveway. The look on the man's face scared even me when he climbed out of the car. He glared the boy down as he slammed the car door. He turned and hissed at me "you told him?!"

"what that you're a little bitch? No he figured it out on his own."

"is there something you need boy?" his voice took on a dark tone as he stared him down, Cullen turned on his charm "Charlie, it's good to see you again."

"it's Chief Swan to you." his smirk dropped slowly "of course, I was just here to see Bella."

"why? You not get your point across the last time? I don't think Bella wants to see you."

"No, I don't." He turned his back to us to face Charlie with a sigh "Charlie" he began ignoring his earlier comment "it has been brought to my attention you were informed that-"

"that you're a blood sucking ass hat? Yah I have been." My eyes widened and I turned to mouth the words to Bella as she tried not to laugh. "right, then you understand why I had to leave Bella-"

"yah and yet here you are."

"yes well, as it turns out I can't live without her, she is my mate." And I lost it. My eyes changed, my hands turned to claws as Saphira begged to be let out, and Bella spun on her heels wrapping her arms around me and basically tackling me back inside the house. Though not before Charlies eyes widened at the snarl that left my lips. "you see Charlie! She isn't safe with her! I need to-"

"you need to get the hell out of here before Bella hand hold her any longer idiot!" Lauren snapped.