A/N: So far, I'm sticking to my plan, here is another chapter of Destined to Be. My muses have been talking a lot so more than just this story is being written. I prefer to keep these A/Ns short, so I'll leave y'all to it. Enjoy…

The next day saw the whole village out and about, spending time with their families as well as their neighbors. Looking around I wished that all tribes could be this way. I planned on making that happen. A few nights prior I had sat Johnny down and told him of my plans, starting with my own tribe. The protectors should be known to those they protect as well as given the respect earned by their sacrifices made to protect their people. The Denali tribe was a wonderful example and I wanted all tribes to have that sense of oneness.

"I agree with your plans and I will back you in this. Just be wary of the elders as they never embrace change quickly or without battles." Johnny had warned me before leaving me to my thoughts.

Shaking my head, I focused back on the day and just let myself have fun. A lot of the shifters came to me to say goodbye as they knew I would be leaving soon. It was going to be sad leaving my new family behind, but I knew it wouldn't be forever.

I slept fitfully that night, knowing I would be leaving in the morning to go back home. I didn't want to deal with the responsibilities that had been thrust upon me and yet there was a part of me that couldn't wait to rise to the challenge. Early the next morning, before the sun rose, I was up and making sure that everything was as it should be. The few items that I had acquired during my stay plus my clothes were going to be shipped to me once I made it back home. Right now, I had no idea where my home was, so I had nowhere for my things to be shipped. All I was taking would be the clothes on my back, or leg rather.

I walked out into the front room to find both Annie and Johnny waiting on me.

Johnny rose from his chair and pulled me into a hug. "I am truly going to miss you, Igido. You remember that I am only a phone call away if you need me. Those wolves better treat you right or they will have me to answer to."

I buried my face in his chest, inhaling his scent of snow and leather, hoping to take the calming affect with me. "I'm sure that will go over well, 'Hey boys, be nice to me or else I'll sick a polar bear on your asses.' Think that will scare them into behaving?"

Laughter rumbled through his chest as he stepped back. "Only you, Igido, would think like that. Just take care of yourself and don't let them push you around. You are second only to me, little wolf, and they need to understand that."

"Aylen, you will be missed and as such, you better keep in touch. I may be old, but I still have my ways of hunting you down."

I smiled at Annie through the tears. In the short time I had lived here she had proven to be more of a mother figure than Renee ever did. I still loved my mother, but I understood her personality and how it translated to raising me. A hand on my shoulder brought me from my thoughts.

"I have something for you." She handed me a wrapped bundle. "I know you won't be taking anything with you initially, but I wanted you to have this, so that you had a piece of us with you when you are working on getting settled in."

I looked down at the bundle in my hands and carefully removed the wrapping. Inside was a beautiful light tan dress made from deer skin. As I unfolded it I recognized it as a traditional dress used in ceremonies with shifters. On the bottom were images of the other shifter tribes sewn into the hide and coming up the right side was the image of a white wolf.

"I can't accept this, it's too much…"

"Nonsense." Annie cut me off. "It is just right, and you will need the connection to your family here. The fabric is thin enough that it can be folded with your current outfit and tied to your leg."

I nodded as I wrapped her in a hug. "Thank you, Annie. You have made me feel so welcome here and I will miss you so much."

"I know dear. This is not a forever farewell, more like till we meet again." Annie pulled back and smiled at me. "Now, don't think that I am forcing you out, but since you decided to run home you should probably be leaving soon or else you won't get there till tomorrow night."

Nothing else was said as we had already said our goodbyes. I hugged her again, promised to keep in touch and walked outside. Taking a deep breath, I headed for the trees only to come up short when a huge furry body came out of the trees towards me. I knew who it was, with enough time you learn the differences between the bears.

"Koda." I called out to him and smiled as he shook his head at me. I bumped his shoulder as I walked passed him into the trees. "No peeking."

I quickly took off my clothes and tied them in a bundle around my calf. With a shake I took on the form I had grown to enjoy up here in the snow.

'You know you will stick out like a sore thumb in that shape?'

I snorted as I walked out to stand by him. 'I don't have to stick with just this one, Koda, but I can enjoy it while I'm still here. Which begs the question. Why are you here?'

'I'm hurt, I thought you would miss me the most, so I offered to be your escort to the edge of our land.'

I walked over to him and bumped him with my head. 'Silly bear, you are my favorite after Johnny of course. Now lead on, Misun.'

'Ugh, I hate it when you call me that. The guys all make fun of me for it. You know I'm taller than you right?'

'Yes, little brother, I know you are taller, but you are still younger. All you have to do is remind those boys that they will all have to deal with me if I need to come back here. Even Johnny wouldn't stop me.'

Koda huffed as he trudged through the snow. 'You know I volunteered to be one of the bears to come to you when you call for us, right?'

'You did? Why?' I couldn't fathom taking Koda into a fight. He was barely fifteen and still had his whole life ahead of him.

'I believe in you as well as what we will be fighting for. Johnny told me he would be honored to have me go with him.'

"Wow.' I couldn't think of anything else to say and the rest of the journey was made in silence. I could feel as we neared the edge of the tribe's land and I slowed to a stop. 'I will miss you, Misun. You have my number and if you need me, just call. I will run as fast as I can to get back here.'

'I know, Bells. I wish you didn't have to leave, but I understand. Just don't take too long to call us to you.' Koda stood back and regarded me with a sad bearish smile.

'I won't, I promise.' I shook myself and watched as Koda's eyes widened in surprise. With a bark of a laugh I took off towards home.

'Show off!' Koda yelled as he watched me run off in my wolf form.

I had originally worried over how I would know my way home and Johnny told me to search for the pull. I would always feel it and it would always guide me home. Also, I had that pull to my mate. Even though I hadn't imprinted on him yet, knowing he was there and who he was helped me to know that I was going in the right direction.

The day passed, and I found myself in Canada by early evening. I didn't want to have to stop for food or lodging so I decided to sleep out under the stars and hunt on my journey. It wasn't all that appealing, but the deer that I took down satisfied the gnawing hunger. Feeling full, I found a safe place to curl up and once again fell asleep thinking of what was waiting for me back in Forks or rather La Push.

My journey started again before the sun had risen. I had to admit to myself that travelling by wolf really did make for a more enjoyable journey. Deciding that stopping would only delay the inevitable, I ran straight through until I reached Forks. I only slowed as I neared my home. There were so many memories here and I tried not to think of the last time I was here with Charlie. The closer I got to the house, the slower I moved until I came to a stop at the tree line. I could smell that the wolves had been here recently, and I had to wonder at that. Charlie was no longer here so why did they bother?

I watched the house for a while and saw that no one was inside or anywhere nearby. I decided to do a walk by the front and stayed in my wolf form, so it would be easier to dart away if I was seen. I couldn't smell any scents other than the wolves, so I could only assume that either they had taken over the house or it hadn't been dealt with yet. I did sort of run off before anything could be done about wills and such.

With a soft whimper I turned away from the house and made my way back into the woods. If the house was empty, then I could come back here later. Right now, I needed to be on my land, solidify my connection to a pack that most likely won't even want me. It didn't take me long until I passed over the treaty line and I couldn't help the shiver of power that ran down my spine. My wolf and I agreed, we were home. Not long after found me at the edge of First Beach. Not sure why I was pulled here, I shifted and placed on my dress that Annie had given me. Finding a place under a bush, I tucked away the clothes I had planned to wear and stepped out onto the sand.

I stopped when the waves were just barely touching my toes and sighed. This was home and no matter how the wolves reacted to me, I would never leave this place again. Noise from up the beach caught my attention and I looked to see that it seemed to be bonfire night. I remembered going to those as a guest and truly enjoying myself. Now I wondered if I would ever be welcomed again. There was nothing in me that made me want to go crash the bonfire, so I turned back to look out over the ocean.

A twig snapping behind me drew my attention as three figures stepped out of the trees. I knew they had to be wolves, most likely just back from patrol. Hoping they wouldn't notice me, I stayed where I was, but listened as they spoke.

"I wasn't aware that we had a new wolf, I never heard a howl."

"Maybe, Jake, that would be because there isn't a new wolf and there was no howl. I bet it was just a random real wolf that crossed onto our land."

"Paul, that makes no sense. We've never encountered a real wolf here and that scent was familiar. I just can't place it." Jake growled out.

I couldn't believe my luck, or lack thereof, to have Jake step out of the woods behind me. There was no way that I was going to make myself known now. I wasn't ready for that confrontation.

"We will deal with this after the bonfire. Remember why we are having it and behave."

I knew that voice. The gruffness was new, but I would know that voice anywhere. It caused my heart to speed up and I had to lock my joints to keep from running to him.

"We know, Sam." Jake snapped in response. "Do I still need my prison guard, or can I go on my own?"

Well, that was interesting. Jacob was being guarded?

"Paul go with him. I need some peace and quiet. I will join you guys in a few minutes."

Oh no, he wasn't going directly to the bonfire. I couldn't move, or he would definitely notice me. How do I get myself into these situations? Fighting a whimper as I kept my legs locked, I waited.

"Don't take too long, Emily doesn't like to be kept waiting." Paul snarked.

A sigh was all that I heard behind me. Who was this Emily person? Is she with Sam? Was I gone too long? Maybe Johnny and Annie were wrong. Maybe there is another wolf with black in its fur that healed me or maybe this isn't my home. I was so confused. I just wanted to curl into a ball and hide. I couldn't hide the whimper this time, I was too caught up in my thoughts.

"Hello?"

I tensed as I heard him start to move towards me. Damnit!

"Are you alright?" He asked as he stopped behind me.

I nodded, not trusting myself to speak.

"Are you lost?" He asked. "We don't get many visitors here, most everyone goes to Second Beach now."

I almost turned to look at him, but I fought it. "I'm fine. Go join your friends."

"My…wait." Sam moved to my side. "Bella?"

A/N: Parting from a newly found and formed family can be bittersweet when you leave to go find the place you belong. It took a lot of courage for Bella to do just that and return home. And now we have Jake being guarded and Sam has found her, but who is Emily to him? All things we'll find out in the next chapter. Tell me your thoughts as you know I live to hear from y'all. As always, you keep me writing and I truly appreciate each and every one of y'all. I need sleep so I can keep up with the muses so…TTFN my lovelies!

Translations: (These will be at the end of each chapter and will contain all words used in this fic)

Aylen means happiness

Nuka means younger sibling

Misun means little brother

Tanis means daughter

Nizhoni means beautiful

Igido means sister

Shilah means brother

Hoquat means white man