I'm really trying to balance things out between my two stories but this one is my priority, so here's a little more! Happy reading!

Chapter 16

B POV

School still felt a little…awkward. I was torn between sitting with the Cullens at lunch or sitting with Jane and my human friends. I decided to rotate, so Tuesday I sat with the Cullens, casting a apologetic looks towards my friends at their table. Today was Thursday, the get together with the Cullens and the nomads was tomorrow, and I found myself full of anticipation waiting for it.

But tonight I was glad for the reprieve of working an evening at Newton's. I even got Mike's parents a gift card to a restaurant in Port Angeles as a thank you for being so understanding with all my absences; I really wasn't a star employee.

It was a slow night, as per usual, so I decided to dump out my books from my locker behind the counter and go through my notes, looking for anything useful for next week's upcoming English and history tests. A couple customers came through, and I paused my search to help them find the right equipment, smiling as I rang them up before returning to my schoolwork.

I'd found one notebook with tons of helpful English notes, and on the pages I'd dated the past month or so I found a few funny drawings and notes I must've passed back an forth with Jane. Huh. I guess we really were close before all this. I wonder what the original reason was for the nomad's arrival. I knew they'd stayed for Tristan and Jane, but were they hunting, looking for mates, running from someone, old friends of the family?

I was doodling absentmindedly on the cover of another notebook while I mentally listed off inconsistencies and questions I wanted to have cleared up tomorrow evening. I sighed, grimacing when I saw the huge, messy swirling patterns running over my notebook, hopefully this one didn't have anything too important in it.

I flipped through its pages, finding old geography notes that I wouldn't be needing, skimming over the chemistry ones at the end, deciding they didn't cover anything the ones in my other less defiled notebook had. The last page was different though, the writing was definitely not mine, and upon closer inspection I saw it signed Lauren Mallory-Boy Whisperer xo. This had to be the advice she wanted to know about on Monday.

I read the contents of the page, feeling a bright blush covering my face as I read out all the details and description for…a blow job? Who did I need this for? It was clearly a recent thing based on my conversation with Lauren, and Edward and I had barely done anything past kissing, so had we progressed physically or was—could this be for someone else? I shook my head at the thought; I'd never do anything like this to someone while with Edward. Even reading Lauren's instructions had me slamming the book shut, as if the empty sporting store could read the words and was judging-no mocking my prudish innocence. I couldn't even imagine doing the things she described without feeling my face and neck heat up again.

"I can't even imagine following those directions" I muttered. My phone buzzed in my pocket, and I pulled it out, seeing a message from an unknown number.

You didn't need them, but you did follow them perfectly.

My eyes widened, glancing around the store, "hello?" I called out, no response. I bit my lip, frowning as I looked back down at my phone, typing up a reply asking who the mystery number belonged to. Their response was immediate.

Should've known they'd erase my number. You know who this is.

But I didn't, I wanted to, because this stranger seemed to know something about the past couple months that I clearly didn't.

I don't. Why do you know about this? How do I know you? Are you Jake's friend?

I shivered a little, wondering if this was one of the wolves messaging me, trying to get under my skin to take another swipe at me once they got me alone. My heart started to pound as I waited for their reply, eyes shifting towards the clock that let me know I had another twenty minutes before my shift ended and I had to lock up and head to my truck through the dark parking lot, alone. Another response came in.

Don't be afraid, I'm one of the nomads. Checking in.

I calmed a little, if they were one of the nomads it meant I'd be seeing them tomorrow night anyways. It also meant they might be able to fill in more of my blanks now before tomorrow night. I sighed, contemplating if I wanted to turn to a stranger for answers but figured it couldn't hurt to ask.

Did we spend time together?

His response was immediate.

Tons.

Okay, well, this means I was potentially much closer with maybe all the nomads than Edward was letting on. Maybe tomorrow night he was going to re-introduce us and let me get reacquainted with our new friends. Otherwise, why would he suddenly want to keep me apart from vampires who clearly never caused me harm and only ever helped protect me.

What about the others? Besides you and Jane, did we all get along?

Maybe I had clashed with the other two, or they weren't quite in control. That would explain the Cullens wanting them to move further away until they leave with Tristan.

Bickered like siblings with Alec and Demetri. Both are very protective of you, we all are.

Clearly, I had no qualms with any of them, so why were they staying away? I walked around the store shutting everything down so I could lock up for the evening. I locked the till up in the office, collecting my things and heading for the door. I heard tires squealing on the parking lot gravel as I locked the front door to Newton's, surprised to see the familiar Volvo in the lot when I turned around.

Edward got out, walking over to me, "Bella, love, Alice saw your truck breaking down. I'm here to give you a lift." He explained. I glanced towards my truck, it'd been running just fine, the windshield had been replaced before I'd even gone back to school and had the confrontation with Jake. I didn't recall any tell tale spluttering or chugging when I'd driven to work earlier.

"Are you sure? Maybe I went over a nail or something in her vision because my truck was working just fine. Besides, I wanted to drive it to school tomorrow, I can't keep letting you cart me around in your Volvo or I'll never recover any of my memories of the past months." I argued, crossing my arms. "Besides, I can just take the longer route, I'm sure that'll allow me to avoid whatever messed with the beast in Alice's vision."

"But love, we've already filled you in on the important parts, the minor details are just memories that would fade once you've been changed anyways."

My jaw dropped, this was definitely something I wasn't filled in on, "changed? You changed your mind about my mortality?" I asked, feeling hopeful about our chance at forever.

He sighed, "I was going to surprise you with it tomorrow night once everyone had dispersed. When we made the decision a few weeks ago it wasn't very romantic, so I was hoping this time around I could make it a little more special." He looked a little put out and I leaned up on my toes to kiss his cool cheek, grinning.

"You know that stuff doesn't matter to me, I'm just so relieved that this won't be a point of contention for us or the family any longer."

He smiled at my eager reaction, casting a glance towards my truck, almost looking smug.

"Well if you really think you need to take the truck, I won't stop you. Just make sure to message me when you get home. I will drive the Volvo home and then come to you once Charlie's asleep," he stepped closer, tucking my bangs behind my ear on one side, "maybe this weekend we could tell your father about us? For real? I'd really like to stop having to hide my feelings around you all the time" he hedged.

"Of course, Edward, nothing would make me happier" I smiled back.

He leaned in and brushed his lips against my forehead, before leaning back against his car and watching me walk over to my truck, then he was gone as soon as I'd clicked the lock into place. I settled my bag on the bench, and was pulling out of the lot when the passenger side door swung open despite being locked, causing me to let out a surprised scream when my eyes locked onto red ones which were blazing.

He took up most of the space in my truck, looking much more intimidating without the green contacts obscuring his ruby eyes. I turned back to the road ahead, it must've been him texting me which meant we'd spent lots of time together without me coming home injured or missing a few pints of blood. Or so he said.

"Ummm, hi?" I tried. When I'd calmed down a little bit I took a deep breath, my senses filling with his scent. My god this giant smells good. I swerved a little on the road, trying to ignore the smirk I could see him sporting out of the corner of my eye.

"You said we spent tons of time together. If you didn't go to school with us…what did we do? Hang out with the Cullens?" I was trying to piece everything together, which was proving impossible when I wasn't getting all the information and I couldn't seem to get any memories back yet.

I heard a low rumbling, "We did all sorts of things", I found myself suddenly in the passenger seat while he'd taken over driving. I blinked at him, opening my mouth in protest.

"You're too chaotic to drive. Now you can ask questions." His actions and words seemed to pull at some memory, just for a second, before it vanished, leaving behind the uneasy feeling that followed the thrill that had run through me when I'd realised he'd put his hands on me to maneuver me around.

My mouth opened and closed before I spluttered, "name?"

"Felix." He replied, eyes still focused on the roads ahead. He was driving slow, really slow. Giving me time to ask my questions.

"Felix" I whispered back, the name sounding familiar on my tongue, giving me a brief flash of his red eyes peering at me over another vampire's head…on a plane?

"Tell me, Felix, why do I feel like I'm not getting the whole story? Can I trust you? Why are you here, what brought you to Forks? What—"

His large hand settling over my left thigh halted my open fire questions, a low rumbling purr coming from his chest. The sound settled over my nerves like a warm blanket and I relaxed back into my seat, waiting for his answers.

"Slow down. You're not, you can, and you to the last two questions." He said, glancing at me as he finished.

I frowned, processing what little he'd shared. "You're here because of me? I brought you to Forks?"

"Something like that," he replied, sighing as if hearing something I couldn't, "our time is up." He slid me back over to the driver's side, slowly this time so I could feel the length of him brushing along my body as he hoisted me over his lap and to the other side of the cab.

I'd thought he'd leave right away but instead he paused, looking at me intensely as I pulled into my driveway. "Bella," he paused, eyes flicking between mine, looking pained, "be careful tomorrow. You have my number. For real this time. Find the truth, the whole truth." I felt the ghost of cold lips pressing against the scar on my wrist, strong fingers caressing mine before I was alone, heart pounding in the truck.

He cared about me, that much was obvious, and based on my body's reactions, we'd definitely been close. But I just couldn't imagine getting closer to a vampire who wasn't Edward…could I?

I walked into the house and scooped some one pot lasagna that I'd made in the crockpot into a bowl, plopping down on the couch in the living room beside my dad.

"Hey Bells, how was work?" he asked, gaze still fixed mostly on the screen, as per usual.

"It was good dad, nice to have some more normalcy back in my life. Hey, I was wondering, was there anyone new in my life that I mentioned to you?" I questioned, humming in content when the lasagna melted on my tongue.

"Come to think of it, there was an exchange student, I think Jane? You said you were like two peas in a pod. I'm not sure if there was anyone else besides her, but I know I've never seen you so happy and, well, outspoken as you'd been the past month or so."

I thought over his words; Jane was important enough that I'd told Charlie about her. But why would Edward not mention how chummy I'd gotten with the nomad? There had to be some sort of reason, maybe a slip up like on my birthday to cause him to try and distance me from them. Maybe tomorrow night was also a farewell party? But that wouldn't make sense, Tristan didn't seem to have any plans of skipping out before graduating. I'd have to write my questions down somewhere and get more answers, all the inconsistencies were starting to give me a headache.

I decide to try and ask Felix a few more questions, I figured if I stayed down here and used Charlie as a buffer, there wasn't anything anyone could do to stop me from poking around for more answers. I scrolled through my contacts, finding his name.

Why does it feel like the Cullens don't want me around your coven?

Straight to the point, good job Bella.

Can't solve that one for you, but your intuition isn't wrong.

I pursed my lips, Charlie must've heard me huff because he turned his attention from the TV, "what's got ya frowning Bells?"

I looked over at him, contemplating my words, "there's some…people I may have become friends with but I just can't seem to remember. But the Cullens don't really seem to be fond of them so I'm not sure what to do."

Charlie frowned, muting the TV, a rarity in this house, "Now Bells, I know you like that family, but you have to remember the hell you went through when they up and left. If they're the kind of people to do something like that, what makes you think they're the be all end all of character judgement?" He finished his spiel with a satisfied humph before turning back to the TV. I looked down when my phone vibrated again.

Charlie's a smart man.

Did we spend time alone? I fired back, desperate to find some sort of information to help decipher just who I could trust. If Charlie said I'd been happier than ever, Edward said I was slow to fully accept him back into my life, and Jane along with the other nomads seemingly became a permanent fixture in my day-to-day life, something was amiss.

You've asked for me. Alone.

I wonder why I'd need him alone…just the thought of spending time alone with the big, dangerous, sinfully hot—gross Bella Charlie's right here.

Why? I hesitated before sending it, but my curiosity won in the end.

Lots of reasons. I sighed, assuming I wouldn't get much else out of him.

I bid Charlie goodnight and went up to bed, going through my nightly routine before crawling into bed and tucking the covers up to my chin.

I woke when cool fingers brushing along my cheek woke me. For a fleeting moment, I thought it was Felix, scolding myself when my eyes opened to see topaz eyes staring into mine, the eyes of my mate. I really had to get it together and get my memories back, all these feelings were driving me insane.

I forced a smile and snuggled back down into the covers, letting sleep pull me under before Edward could pull me into a conversation.

I woke up alone the next morning, peeling myself out of bed and going about my morning routine. When I pulled my phone off the charger and checked my messages, I saw my conversation with Felix was gone. Frowning, I went through my contacts only to find he was no longer in my contact list. There was only one being capable or likely to have done this while I was sleeping last night. I was now grateful that I'd insisted on following routine and taking the truck; I wasn't so sure I wanted to ride to school in the Volvo today.

I begrudgingly pulled on the outfit Edward had left on my bed from Alice, a little too preppy and prim for my taste, before heading down to the kitchen to grab a granola bar. As I went down the stairs, there was a knock on the door. Opening it I saw Jane on the porch with her bag on one shoulder and a package in one hand.

"Hey Bells! I hope you don't mind but Heidi and Gianna sent this for you. I intercepted it to make sure it got here, I hope you don't mind but they'd been sending you things the past couple weeks at your request." She smirked, looking over my current outfit.

Curious, I took the offered package and opened it, smiling at the brown leather leggings and cream cashmere sweater inside. They were perfect, a little more chic than I was used to but still comfortable and not too flashy. I grinned, running upstairs to change into the clothes, then returned downstairs and pulled on some heeled boots, a light coat, and went out to my truck with Jane.

As I drove us to school, I glanced over at my immortal companion, "Jane I—I'm sorry I don't remember anything about our friendship. Even Charlie's heard of you and that's saying something because he's usually focusing 99% of his brain cells on the TV screen or his next fishing trip."

She reached over and patted one small pale hand on my leg, "I know B, it's okay, really. You couldn't help it. Just know that I—that all of us human drinkers are here for you." I pulled into the school lot as she continued talking, "we'd never cause you harm or take your choices away from you. Please remember that tonight, I'm not sure what the Cullens are—" she was cut off as my door swung open and a certain pixie-like vampire dragged me from the truck.

"Bella! Aren't you so excited for tonight!?" She enthused, before glancing at my outfit as if remembering the change she'd no doubt seen me make earlier today, "I can't say I'm incredibly happy about the change in clothes, but it'll have to do for today." She surmised, looping her arm through mine and trudging off, dragging me along. I looked back at Jane, pleading for interference of some sort. She smiled apologetically but it came out as a grimace as she followed along.

Classes passed by too quickly today, as if time itself knew I needed more of it before the get together this evening. At lunch, I was once again accosted by Alice before I could follow the pattern I'd been doing all week of alternating lunch tables. All of the Cullens seemed to be talkative today, asking about classes, tests, and whether I was excited to stay over tonight. Apparently, I hadn't had the opportunity for a sleepover since the accident and had spent a few nights over there since they 'came back'. I blanked at that, Edward hadn't mentioned any sleepovers before today and neither had Charlie…maybe it was when he went fishing?

I shook off the thought, deciding to focus on finishing my lunch and just getting through the rest of the school day. For once I was actually relieved to be heading into Chemistry; Tristan felt like a breath of fresh air these days, the only human I could talk to about everything, and someone else who was genuinely invested in the normal mundane ongoings of life. But before the bell rang, an idea hit me, and I turned to Jane as we walked down the hall, typing out a message on my phone and handing it to her.

Can you put Felix's # in my phone? I think someone deleted it last night. Her brows shot up and then she frowned before nodding as she started typing on my phone before handing it back to me. I smiled my thanks then walked into my last class, plunking my bag down on the table, selecting my newly re-added contact and sending a message before Tristan showed up to join me.

Your number along with our conversation magically disappeared last night…

I sent it, getting an almost immediate response.

I heard. Everything ok?

I sighed, slouching down in my chair for a moment, was everything good?

No. I feel like I'm going crazy. I don't know what's going to happen tonight. I sent back, smiling at Tristan as he walked in, taking his spot beside me.

"Hey" I smiled, though it felt forced, "excited for tonight?" I asked in a tone that let him know I really wasn't looking forward to it.

"Honestly? No. It feels way too…tense." He said, shoulders slumping as class started. Throughout the period something seemed to be on his mind, bugging him. He kept casting glances at me, then almost imperceptibly shaking his head, as if talking himself out of something.

Before the bell rang, I slid a note over to him, What is it? Please, I'm going insane, help me out a little?

I gave him my best pleading look, and he relented, nodding his head, but held a finger up to his lips, silencing me. I nodded, and we got up when the bell rang, gathering our things and heading out.

Jane met up with us, but Tristan surprised me by giving her a swift kiss and then saying, "Hey babe, mind if I steal your bestie away for an hour or so? We'll head over to the Cullens' right after and meet you there. Bella wants a little extra chem boost before the weekend so us humans can rest our brain for the next couple of days" he threw her a wink and plucked the keys to the beast from my fingers, dropping them in her tiny hands. Jane blanked for a second before nodding with a soft smile.

"Sounds good, I'll see you both later!" she said, splitting off and walking towards my truck.

I looked at Tristan, confused, but followed him regardless. We got into his car and he turned to me, writing something down on a scrap piece of paper he ripped from his notebook.

We figured out the seer can't see me for some reason. Don't decide anything, just sit there and let me do the rest.

I nodded, sitting back and putting on my seatbelt as he pulled out of the parking lot. He started off in the same direction as Charlie's, but split off onto a dirt road that lead into the forest. After a few minutes, he got out and came around, opening my door and gently urging me along with him. We walked for what felt like half an hour, and I was about to open my mouth to ask if this was some elaborate ploy to murder me in the woods, when the trees seemed to part, and I was looking at a small cabin in the middle of the woods. It was beautiful. I looked at Tristan and he held out a key which I took hesitantly, walking up to the porch with two wooden chairs on it before sliding the key into the lock and opening the door.

Inside I was greeted by the two nomads I hadn't had the chance to get re-acquainted with yet, but somehow I knew who was who.

"Alec, Demetri" I greeted, looking at them each in turn. They looked surprised, but both smiled a little. Demetri stepped forward, "Hey Lil B, sorry to surprise you like this, we didn't know you were coming here til we heard your footsteps and we couldn't—"

His words fell away as I looked around the cabin, walking towards the bathroom, I felt a flash of fear when I looked in, getting hit for the first time with a memory.

"inside, right the fuck now", Demetri said, eyes unfocused, I sprinted inside, turning on the shower as I cowered in the bathroom before being grabbed by Victoria—"

"Woah" I said, swaying unsteadily, Alec caught me, settling me down on the couch. "I've been here before," I said, looking around at them all before I rose again, walking around the small house.

"This place, it's yours?" I asked, looking back at the nomads.

"Ummm" Demetri seemed caught out, scratching the back of his neck.

Tristan threw his hands up, "Oh for fucks sake, I'm so sick of everyone thinking something bad will happen if we overwhelm her with information, I'm not a vampire, I have my own rules, so screw it," he turned to me, taking a breath, "Bella, this place is Felix's…and yours. He built it so you could have a place to go when you wanted to be alone, and where we could all hangout without having to worry about Charlie or the wolves or Cullens dropping in."

I froze, bewildered. This revelation caused a tsunami of questions to float through my mind: Why did Felix build this for me? Why did we need alone time? Why were they worried about the Cullens dropping in? Why did he put the wolves, Charlie, and the Cullens in one group as if they all posed equal complications? Were the wolves not the most dangerous of all?

I rubbed my temples, then locked eyes on the one closed door in the cabin, slowly approaching it and turning the knob. I took in the large bed in the centre, big windows with curtains, and large dresser. I walked up to the dresser, curious if my suspicions were right, I pulled open a couple drawers and came across some of my clothes. I must've stayed here, with him. But what about Edward? Did I date them both at the same time to get Edward to grovel more? No, that didn't sound like me…

I don't know why, but I had the urge to crawl onto the bed. As my hands hit the mattress, I got sucked into another memory.

Dark ruby eyes flashing with desire as I smiled down at him, "I like this plan" his voice was low and husky as he stared up at me with his hands pinned beneath his own body.

I jumped back as if electrocuted. That couldn't have been real. The confidence I had in my memory, the power I felt looming over such a powerful man who did nothing to hide his desire for me…

I tried to recall a time where Edward had made me feel anything remotely close to what memory/dream Bella had felt but came up blank.

I walked back out into the main area of the cabin and looked around at the three guys who seemed to be waiting for me to snap and breakdown or regain all my memories. "Everything feels wrong. Tonight, I'm getting answers or I swear to god I'll run away and never look back. Enough is enough, I refuse to be sheltered from my own memories and experiences." I said sternly, feeling a surge of courage from the memory and the way I'd felt; safe and respected.

"Hell ya, B!" Alec cheered, grinning at me as Demetri just shook his head and Tristan chuckled at his enthusiasm.

"Okay boys, let's go get me some truth, I have a feeling it's going to be a long night." I claimed, starting off towards the door. Without thinking, I turned towards Demetri and said, "giddy up, vamp man." He laughed, both at my expression and with relief at what was apparently a normal request tumbling from my mouth. He carefully swung me onto his back and took off towards Tristan's car.

We were back at the car in the blink of an eye, and I felt myself blush as my eyes locked onto the same ruby ones I'd just seen in a memory, though they weren't quite as dark now.

His eyes remained locked onto mine, but he chucked a pair of headphones at Tristan, "turn away." He ordered.

His eyes left mine briefly to flash towards his coven mates, "leave."

I looked at him curiously, heart pounding as he closed in on me with slow, sure strides, large hands coming down to cup around my hips as he lifted and spun me around, pinning me to the top of Tristan's car with his body.

I gasped, and he took the opportunity to work his cool tongue into my mouth. I moaned at the taste of him, legs coming up on instinct to try and lock around his body and keep him close. I couldn't find it in me to pull away, instead pulling him closer by yanking on his hair, causing him to groan.

I knew this body, knew the sounds he was making like they were imprinted onto my very being. One of his hands snaked up my back and wrapped around my hair, gently urging my head back as I gasped for air. His lips left a cold trail that somehow still burned hot as they moved over my jaw and down my neck, zeroing in on my pulse before his nipped at the spot. "Shit" I moaned, before I could help myself.

"Mmm" he murmured, rubbing his lips over my collarbone now, "I keep telling you, kitten, I don't fight fair. Especially when it comes to you." His eyes were blazing but softened as they roamed over my face when he pulled back from my neck.

I was still panting a little from the stimulation, and he pressed his body harder into mine shamelessly, causing a brief flash of him doing the same thing to me on my bed. "I know this body" he muttered, tongue soothing the sting of his teeth as he nipped the spot just below my ear, "I've seen more of this body than anyone else" his hands were everywhere, running all over the length of my body.

He swooped down again, and I got another flash of myself sitting on a stool in the bed of my truck with these same torturous lips at my ear, "this body is mine, amore mio, and anyone else wanting a taste will can try over my dead body." He growled out, lips seeking mine again in a demanding, near bruising kiss that left my jumbled head spinning.

He slowly stepped back and let me slide down his body like in the grocery store, setting me down by the passenger car door. He walked over to Tristan and plucked an ear bud out, "get going…I owe you one." Then he was gone, leaving me breathless and flushed. Tristan took one look at me and guffawed before getting into the car. "Let's go, Dory, before your brain short circuits again."

I got into the car and as he pulled away Tristan commented, "I just started getting used to his abruptness, it's almost nice to see it again."

I looked at him, "He's not really the talkative type, is he?" I asked.

Tristan glanced at me, "With you, he's usually chattier, but you guys were also doing things that didn't involve talking, so I'm not really sure how much conversing you got done." He winked before focusing on the road again. We rode in silence as I tried not to think about the way my body continued to tingle and how I could still feel his body and the way mine molded to it.

All too soon we were pulling up to the familiar house. Tristan shut off the engine and turned to me, brows raised, a wry grin on his lips, "show time" he said, and we opened our doors, both unsure of how tonight would unfold.

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Bella's finally getting some little snippets of her memories back, maybe something will trigger them soon… ;) The Cullens definitely have something up their sleeve and we'll get to that next chapter.

Side note – yes Felix could have just gone to her and bombarded her with information but they're strangers to her now, and her track record with nomads isn't so great. Also, Bella's emotional and mental health are very important to her (actual) mate so he's doing his best not to cause her too much turmoil!

Thanks so much for your reading and investment in this story! 3