The wolves were tired but ready as their nonstop patrol was still ongoing. They realized the vampires were in the Cullen's territory when Embry caught a fast sighting of one. Once that information was shared Sam knew they would come looking for Bella. They had to choose what they did next very carefully. He had to pretty much drill that command into Jacobs head since he was close to losing it.

"We can't keep this pace up forever Sam. Sooner or later they will come. What if they are waiting us out?" Paul asked his alpha.

"I know we can't but we will take shifts and stay strong. We don't know which vampires are there so we just have to wait and see." Paul rolled his eyes. "I don't like it anymore than you do." Sam said.

Paul returned to his patrol. He didn't like it. All he wanted to do was protect his tribe and Bella. She had become such a huge part of his life now. She actually got him talking about himself and not in an egotistical way but in a deep emotional level he never wanted to be capable of. Bella was like a precious little sister who can break so easily. She had already been broken before, he would not let that happen again.

Paul was finishing another loop around their borders when he heard them. He could hear footsteps that were too fast to be human. Paul quickly alerted his brothers who fanned out on their perimeters to make sure it wasn't a distraction. Sam was the one who headed towards Paul with Jared.

"Do not engage Paul. Our scents are all over the boundary line. It will make them stop. If not then we have no other choice but to protect the tribe from any danger. To the end." Sam said to everyone. They could feel the weight of his words fall on their shoulders.

Every wolf gave a silent agreement. This is what they were born to do.

000

The Volturi decided to take a very tentative approach to meeting the wolves. It was evident they were aware of their arrival and more than likely had Bella hidden for protection. Marcus decided he should go alone to meet them at the border between the Cullen's land and the Quileute land. (A fact provided by the Cullen's via Aro)

Neither Aro nor Caius was happy about their brothers' plan but it had to come from a familiar face rather than a new one. Plus Caius needed to prepare himself in order to not attack them at first sight.

"I do not like you going alone brother." Aro said to Marcus once he insisted Aro and the rest of the guard stay behind.

"It is the only way to slowly ease them into seeing we are not here to harm them or Isa- I mean Bella." Marcus said hating to shorten her beautiful name.

"Surely one guard will not cause harm. Alec has already interacted with them. Take him." Aro said trying to convince him.

"No. I will go myself. Once I establish our point of not leaving then you both can come. But the guard must stay behind. We cannot start a war with them. Bella loves them. I will not risk hurting people she loves." Marcus said saying the last part to Caius to better cement the point to not hurt the wolves.

"I get it." Caius said stepping away.

"Very well but we will be very close by. They will be able to hear us. I do not want them to think you are alone." Aro said knowing full well what the wolves were capable of. They could easily take them but there would still be casualties, not to mention the pain they would cause Bella.

Marcus simply nodded and left his coven behind.
He headed towards the boundary line making every step audible and staying visible. He didn't want whichever wolf was watching him to think he wasn't aware of him.

Marcus came about 40ft to the boundary line before he stopped. The scent of wolf was strong. No doubt they had done that on purpose as soon as they spotted them.

"I am here to speak to your alpha once again." Marcus stated in Paul's direction.

Paul relayed the information to Sam who was just arriving to Paul's post. He didn't know what this was. It seemed a very 'polite' approach and he didn't like it. Sam had to think his next step very thoroughly.

000

"It's a fucking trap! Does he think we can't hear the other leeches in the woods?" Paul said to Sam.

"They are aware we know they are here. They wouldn't make so much noise otherwise." Sam replied knowing that this wasn't a way to carry out a surprise attack.

"We can't simply ignore him either Sam." Leah said as she saw what was unfolding before her pack brothers' eyes.

Sam decided to find out what the leech wanted. He had warned him what would happen if they returned.

"Stay behind. Hold your perimeters and no matter what do not engage unless I say so." Sam alpha ordered before he shifted back to human form.

Once he was dressed he walked out to the boundary line to see what the leech wanted.
"I see you did not heed my warning. Was I too subtle?" Sam said reminding Marcus of what he last said and testing out the waters. He heard a slight growl from behind Marcus but it only lasted a second. No doubt someone didn't like what he said.

Marcus gave a slight smile. He could tell this would need some finesse. Thankfully to him Aro calmed Caius before he said something.

"I remember." Marcus said.
"We did not return to see you, if that is what you are implying."

"Oh?"
"Then why return? Did you miss my charming personality? Sorry, I'm not attracted to leech." Sam said with his sarcastic side coming out. If this was the end then he would go out without regrets.

Marcus smiled.
"No."
"We came here for two reasons only." Marcus said.

"Which are?" Sam asked not liking how long this was taking.

"We came to handle the vampire situation in Seattle." Marcus stated.

Sam was not expecting that. He and the wolves hated to cooperate with the Cullen's already, there was no way they would be able to work with them too.
"We are going to take care of that, there was no reason to come all this way." Sam said.

"No need. We already took care of them for you." Marcus said. He wanted to move this along to see Bella now but he had to be patient.

"All of them?" Sam asked wanting to know if Victoria was among them.

"Yes. All. We do not allow our kind to risk our existence. So we came to handle it. My brother read the minds of the two leaders. A man and a woman named Riley and Victoria. I believe you have heard of the woman." Marcus said giving Sam a lead.

"We have. She has been a problem. Well, not anymore apparently." Sam said not giving away a single expression.

"I am so glad we could help." Marcus said. Caius would no doubt be going insane wanting to hurry this along.

"What was the other reason for your return?" Sam asked wanting to know.

Marcus prepared for the backlash of what he was about to say.
"We came for Bella Swan."

(A loud roar in the distance.)
(Paul's loud snarl behind Sam.)

Sam had to hold his arm out to stop Paul. His instincts to protect Bella wanting to rip the leech apart.

"You better clarify that statement." Sam said angrily. He hated that they now knew of Bella's name thanks to the vile red head. He didn't know what else they found out through her.

Marcus nodded. He was glad his brother was keeping the guard back. He heard their apprehension from his spot.
"When my brother read Victoria's mind he saw her. He saw what she and her mate James did to her. He also saw the Cullen's involvement in her life. We know now that the Cullen's told her the existence of our kind and in that they broke the law. Naturally we had to come and see the truth for ourselves." Marcus said.

"Then talk to them about it not her. She has no intention in revealing your existence since it would expose ours. A fact you spoke of the last time you were here. She swore to you she wouldn't reveal our secret." Sam reminded him. He didn't want him going back on his word.

"I remember. I am not here to kill her if that's what you really want to know. My word is law, literally. As for the Cullen's they have already been dealt with for their transgression. You won't have to deal with them anymore." Marcus said.

A slight look of shock crossed Sam's face. He knew what the punishment was but he didn't think they would carry the law out so swiftly. And if they did then Bella was surely next on their list.
"Then your business here is done. She isn't a threat to you." Sam said adamant of not letting them see Bella.

"We are not leaving here without speaking to her. My brother has to make sure she hasn't revealed our secret or would ever do so for himself. I am sure Bella has told you what my brothers' gift is by now. He wants to be certain. Besides we also have to do damage control. The newborns made a very big mess." Marcus said making sure to emphasize that leaving wasn't in the cards.

"We can handle any remaining vampires left. As for Bella she isn't going to go anywhere near your brother. She does not want to go near your kind anymore. If your brother read the Cullen boys mind then he knows how he hurt her." Sam said.

"I do know. But I'm afraid we can't leave without getting her side of the story." Marcus said losing his patience. He wanted to see her now but he understood it wouldn't happen tonight.
"Not tonight. We have things to take care of first. We are staying in the Cullen's home for now since they no longer need it." Marcus said with a slight smile. "But we won't leave without talking to her. She is the only one who can clear many things up." Marcus could see the rage in the wolf he assumed was Paul behind Sam. No doubt not liking they were going to stay.

"You cannot stay in our lands. The Cullen's had a treaty with us. Not you." Sam said not liking the blatant disrespect and tribulization of an ancient truce made by his elders.

"Then let's create one. We only intend to be here for a few days if that long. While we are here we will not feed on any humans. We cannot say we will hunt animals but we won't hunt anywhere near here. Besides the sooner we confirm what we need to know from Bella the sooner we leave." Marcus said. Staying in these lands wasn't part of the original plan but he wanted to give it try.

"The treaty was with the Cullen's only. You cannot stay. Seattle will suit you better." Sam said not giving in and not even acknowledging the Bella subject.

"Very well, we wouldn't want to intrude on your territory just like I'm sure you wouldn't want to intrude in ours."Marcus said. It was worth a try.

Sam didn't reply. He wanted him gone. He was sure Jacob was barely keeping it together.
"Then I believe its time you leave."

Marcus wanted to smile. He liked that this wolf was very adamant in protecting his daughter. Well he liked it to an extant since he was also keeping her from him.
"It is late. I do forget you humans need your sleep. Farewell for now Sam you will be hearing from me very soon." Marcus said before vanishing.

Marcus stopped for a fourth of a second to signal his brothers and coven to follow. They all left the wolves territory and headed towards Seattle. There they could have some privacy and regroup.

000

Sam waited with held breath until he could hear or sense the vampires anymore. None of the wolves made a move, they all listened with their alpha to see if a sneak attack could happen.
Sam finally walked back into the woods and shifted. As soon as he did he was met with a tsunami of mixed emotions and thoughts. It was nauseating.

"ENOUGH!" Sam yelled and the pack became quiet.
"This is no way to speak while they are still nearby, do not let your concentration split. Let's take it piece by piece." Sam said looking towards Jared to start.

"They handled the Seattle leeches for us. At least we don't have to worry about them or the red head anymore." Jared said bringing the good news first.

"Yeah, that's if you trust them. Who knows what else that 'king' knows now that he read that red heads mind. He could use her knowledge to his advantage." Leah chimed in with her negativity.

"Not to mention that way he mentioned that the Cullen's won't be a problem anymore. What does that mean? Are they dead? And what did that 'king' read from their minds before he did whatever they did to them. What did Edward know about us? We have no way of knowing what they revealed to him." Seth said.

"Good riddance. That's the one thing they have done that I don't have a problem with." Jacob said finally speaking. He was glad the Cullen's were gone. He didn't want them being able to hurt Bella anymore. Now the only problem would be telling Bella they were dead and that a new group of leeches was interested in her.

"Yeah then there's that." Paul said as he picked up on Jakes thoughts. "Why the hell do they want to talk to Bella? She can't shed more light than the Cullen's. They want her for some other reason. That Cullen must have showed them something about her. Either him or the pixie." Paul said angry that even in death the Cullen's could still place Bella in danger.

"They are not going near Bella." Jacob said with authority in his voice closely resembling Sam's Alpha voice but with no effect. Sam made a mental note of it.

"They won't, unless. . ." That made all of the wolves do a mental double-take. "Bella decides it." Sam said and he could feel Jakes anger boil over.

"NO! We cannot let it be her decision. She will choose to go to them. She will always put everyone else's well being before hers. Sam you know this, why are you leaving it up to her?" Jake asked knowing the answer in his heart.

"I know Jacob. But it is her decision to make. She has had her choices taken away from her in the past. We won't be like them. It was always her choice Jake. I have no say in her life. We can only protect her in whatever she decides to do." Sam said as Jacob hung his head in defeat.
"Besides it seems that they won't leave without seeing her again. It may very well be our only choice in the end." Sam said.

Jacob just stood quiet. None of the other pack members said a word. They understood why it was hardest on him. Seth and Paul were right there with Jake.
"Just let me be the one to tell her everything."

"Very well, but we must first discuss everything else." Sam said. Jake simply mentally nodded.

The pack kept patrolling while having an on-the-go meeting. They didn't want to get surprised by the leeches again. As expected it wasn't a very pleasant conversation. They were plagued by questions. They had no idea what to do. Not to mention they had no idea what would happen after that leech touched Bella. He would see so many intimate secrets. Secrets they openly shared with her because they had no reason not to. They know Bella would choose to protect them but the irony is that by trying to protect them she would put them in more danger. She would expose their secrets.

Sam knew this more than anyone. It put their imprints in danger and that was their biggest weakness. He wanted more time to think of a solution to everything. Too bad there wasn't going to be any time. He would just have to deal with everything as it came. He wished nothing more than to not be alpha. He just wanted to be with Emily in their home and forget about everything and everyone else.

000

(Sunday June 3rd)

The pack broke up constant patrolling at midnight. They assigned shifts so everyone could finally get some much needed rest and food.

When it was finally Jakes turn to take a break he headed straight for Bella's house. He had already told her he would be coming over some time before dawn so she was waiting. When Jake neared her window he made sure Charlie was asleep and inhaled a delicious smell. Jake smiled. She had food ready for him. 'I love her'.

Jake climbed up the tree and gently tapped the window. Bella woke up instantly. Jake went inside.

"Didn't want to just barge in." Jake said.

"It's okay. I went to sleep early to be able to talk to you." Bella said as she lifted the cooler from the side of her bed and handed it to Jake who almost drooled at the sight of food. "I figured you would be hungry."

"You have no idea." Jake took a big bite of the first turkey avocado with maple syrup bacon sandwich. "I love your cooking."

"Thanks" Bella said with a smile. She got up and sat next to him on her bed. She took out the baggies of chips for him. "I'll be right back." She said before she made her way downstairs and came back with a cold gallon of water and 2 liter bottle of coke from the fridge.
"Thought you'd be thirsty too." Bella said with a smile as she saw Jake eyes light up.

"I love you." Jake said involuntarily. He did not mean it like that even though he did love her.

"Yeah yeah you all say that when I have food in my hands." Bella said in response after a few seconds of silence. She and Jake both don't talk about that subject, for now.

Bella leaned against Jakes arm as he ate. She wanted him to eat first before they spoke. Besides she was just happy he was safe and sound next to her. When the pack spread out to cover the land it terrified her. Then when Jake returned just outside Emily's house she was terrified. Kim arrived shortly after she did. She was scared because every once in a while Jake would growl out of nowhere making her think someone was out there. Then when he howled she took Kim and Emily into the back room until they thought it was safe. Jake hadn't told her what exactly had happened but she could tell it was something bad by the way he held her when he shifted back for a few minutes to fill her and the girls in.

She had tried to stay at the reservation but Charlie didn't want her to. He was still apprehensive about her leaving his sight. He was afraid that the trouble in Seattle would reach Forks so he wanted her home. So it was back to the pack patrolling her house along with their territory.

Jacob finally finished eating and drinking after a few minutes. That coke and water didn't stand a chance to a starving wolf.
"Thanks so much for the food honey. I could not have made it any longer." Jake said sincerely.

"Not a problem. Just happy that you and the pack are safe." Bella said as she hugged him from behind. She didn't like how close she was to losing him. It made her question her feelings towards him. She remembers how her heart ached and feared for Jakes life. It was terrifying and wonderful at the same time. Her heart was having stronger feelings towards him. Feelings that could have never been born if she wasn't getting over Edward.

"Yeah. I'm not so sure about that." Jake said ready to tell her everything that happened.

"What do you mean?" Bella asked coming next to him to better see his face. "Tell me Jake."

"That leech we encountered last time. Marcus. He came to the boundary line and asked to speak to Sam. He knew him by name." Jake said.

"How? Why? How did he know where the boundary line was? Why did he come back? Sam made it clear he shouldn't." Bella said barely making her words discernible.

"Bells. Let me finish okay. Just wait until I tell you everything." Jake said calming her down by placing his hand on her shoulders.

"Okay." Bella said.

"When he appeared on the boundary line Sam made it clear that he wasn't welcome. The leech said that he had come with two purposes. One was to deal with the vampires in Seattle." Jake watched as Bella became alarmed.
"He said that they killed them all, including their leader, Victoria." Jake watched as relief spread across Bella's eyes. The red head was finally gone. Bella slumped her shoulders and leaned into Jake. She felt so much better. Jake held her and shared her relief. He also wanted to hold her for when she heard the rest.
"He said his brother read her mind and that's how he found out that the Cullen's told you their secret." Jake felt Bella tense and slowly lift her head towards him.
"They said they went to the Cullen's to get the full story and when they got everything they needed they 'took care of them'. Sam and Paul went by the house and found it completely empty. No sign of them but no sign of ashes either." Jake paused when he saw the tears forming in Bella's eyes.

"It's all my fault." Bella said as she began to weep.

"No, it's not. Bella don't blame yourself. He chose to break the law to tell you their secret. He is old enough to know the consequences to his actions. It's not your fault." Jake said reassuring her.

"He should have just let that van crush me." Bella said as she sank deeper into Jakes arms.

"NO." Jake whisper shouted. "Bella we all make choices and he knew it was a possibility. Please don't say that." Jake said holding her and trying to make those thoughts go away.

After a few moments Jake continued.
"We don't know what happened Bella. There wasn't any sign of them being burned. We would have picked up on that. They most likely ran away." Jake said. Bella simply nodded and felt slightly better.
"The leech didn't even say that they killed them, he just said that 'they took care of them'. Besides that's not the worst part of it." Bella looked up to him.
"He said his brother read the minds of the Cullen's. All of them. By doing that he found out more things about us and about you specifically." Jake paused hating what he was about to say. "They want to meet you Bella. Aro wants to see what you know." Jake said and let his words sink in.

000

"They want to meet you Bella. . ." Jakes words kept repeating in her head. She couldn't believe it. She knew it was a possibility but she hoped that after seeing Marcus he would somehow placate his brothers into not investigating them further. She had no idea why she had that silly expectation but it was obviously a mistake to think so.

Bella stayed in Jakes arms and thought about what could happen from meeting Aro. He wasn't merciful. He has been ruling for thousands of years and he surely wouldn't let a mortal girl ruin their long held secret. Bella stayed in her own mind for a long time. Jake simply held her and hoped she wouldn't come to the conclusion he was thinking of.

"I don't know what to do." Bella finally said coming out of her thoughts.

"Neither do I." Jake said.

"It seems like I have no option but to meet them. I don't want to since I know so much from the pack. And if I refuse they won't leave and they're not the type to not get what they want." Bella said.

Jacob simply sighed. He knew where this train of thought was going.

"I'm sorry. I have to meet him." Bella said. Jacob pressed her closer to him. As if she would disappear at any moment.
"Is it wrong of me to want you to come with me?" Bella asked

Jacob raised his eyes to meet hers.
"Not in the slightest." He said.

Bella smiled. She didn't know what would happen after she met Aro, if there was an after. But whatever the case. She looked forward to having Jacob there with her as it happened.