A/N: We can add Paul and Embry to Bella's support with the Denali shifters, but what about the rest of the pack and Sam? Maybe we'll get closer to finding out soon. Well, I don't want to keep you, so read on. We'll chat at the end. Enjoy!

"I'm glad you're back, Bells. Regardless of the reason, know that I always want you here."

I just nodded then watched as Embry walked out the door. Giving myself a shake to stop from getting lost in my thoughts again, I turned to look at the time. It was early afternoon. I got here early this morning. How did I lose that much time? Surely, I didn't lose myself in grief that badly. Deciding there was no point in following that line of thought, I made a quick tour of the downstairs to see what needed to be done. Thankfully, the guys did a good job of cleaning up after everything happened, so there weren't any physical reminders, just the mental.

Pulling my phone out of my pocket, I called Johnny to let him know where I was staying but was sent to voicemail. Odd. I left him a message letting him know that I made it safely and to have Annie ship my stuff to my dad's house, providing the address as well. With that done, I checked out the kitchen, noting that I would need to go grocery shopping if I was going to stay here for more than a day. I wasn't as bad as the rest of the pack, but I definitely ate more than I used to.

Without anything to keep me from going upstairs, I silently made my way up and found all of the doors closed save for the bathroom. I knew that my room would not have been touched since I left, and I didn't think that Charlie's would have either and that's the part that scared me the most. I didn't want to go in there and see that it looked the same, like it was waiting for him to come home from his shift at work. Taking a deep breath, I opened the door and stepped inside.

The first thing I noticed was his belt, badge and revolver sitting on the bedside table. Why the station hadn't sent one of the deputies to come and collect them confused me, but I didn't focus on that. I walked over to his bed and sat on the edge, looking at the bedside table. Picking up his badge, I ran my fingers over the lettering, pausing when I came to Chief. Gripping it in my fist, I tried to get control over my emotions as I didn't want to cry again. I had shed enough tears over the loss of my family and I had to be strong to get through tonight at the very least.

Still holding the badge, I got up and moved around his room. His coat was still hanging off his closet door and his fishing gear was still sitting on a chair in the corner. His room looked like Charlie should be coming through the doorway any minute and it hurt to know that he wouldn't. Not wanting to linger on the memories, I walked back out of the room and closed the door quietly behind me. Moving across the hall, I opened my door and stepped into my room. Everything was still the same as I had left it except now I could smell what Jacob always complained about.

There was a sickly-sweet smell that seemed to permeate everything, and I immediately went to my window and threw it open. Hopefully I would be able to breathe in here once it aired out. Clipping the badge on my pants, I moved to my closet and began sorting through my clothes in there. Within minutes I had a big pile started of clothes to donate as they either wouldn't fit me anymore after my phase or they were bought by Alice and I just didn't want any reminders from that time of my life. By the time I had gone through my whole closet, I had cut my wardrobe down to a fifth of what it had been and that was only on the hopes that the shirts would still fit.

Moving on to my dresser, I did the same thing. Sadly, anything that was not an oversized shirt or sweater that I had stolen from Charlie made it either into the donation pile or the trash pile. There is no way that I would donate my undergarments, just no. After bagging up the piles and taking out the trash, I went back to my room to collect my things, so I could take a shower. After the travelling from Denali and everything that had happened since, I really needed a shower. Somehow the dust didn't fall off when switching back to being on two legs.

Stepping into the hot water, I let it run over me from head to toe, just feeling the warmth. I ran at a hotter body temp now and yet I still felt cold. Johnny told me that might happen until I connected with my imprint. Sam. I thought about Sam as I worked the shampoo into my hair. He seemed so happy to see me on the beach last night and yet the complete one eighty when he was told he imprinted on a wolf. I felt a twinge of pain begin in my chest and I knew it would only get worse the longer I went without seeing him. Rinsing out the conditioner, I resolved myself to just get through this night and deal with whatever time I was allowed in his presence.

Snickering to myself, I grabbed my towel and started drying off. Allowed to be in his presence. That made it seem like he was royalty or something. I guess as acting Alpha he sort of was royalty in a way. Stepping out of the shower, I noticed a package sitting on the counter. Embry. I rolled my eyes before walking over to find my dress folded neatly on the counter with a note on top.

Bells,

I let myself in as normal, hope you don't mind. Don't worry, I didn't look as I placed this in the bathroom. Impressed those wolfie senses of yours didn't catch onto me being there. Oh well. The meeting is setup for tonight. It will be on First Beach since we didn't get to hold our bonfire last night, Billy said to just try again tonight. He was confused as to why I was asking for a meeting. I didn't tell him it was for you, just that we had a few things that needed to be discussed and not let them stay buried away any longer. Meeting is at eight. I'll see you there.

Em

I read the note a second time, noting that the elders and the pack was unaware as to the reason of tonight's meeting. I wasn't sure why Embry would do that, but I had to admit that I did like the shock everyone would have on their face as I joined the meeting.

With that in mind I quickly dried my hair and styled it how Annie taught me. In many ways she was like a mother to me and I was grateful to finally have that presence in my life. I still loved Renee, but she was never the mothering type, that was the role I filled. Pulling on my dress over my undergarments, I moved back into my room without looking at my reflection. Picking up my pants, I reached into the pockets to pull out my phone when a bag fell onto the floor. Picking it up, I sniffed and couldn't help but smile as I took in Annie's warm scent.

"What did you do, you silly old woman?" I wondered aloud as I pulled the string on the bag. Upending the bag, the contents fell into the palm of my hand and I gasped. I had seen these bands before. Annie had told me that they once belonged to her mother and they had been passed down through the generations, mother to daughter. Annie had no daughter, just the Denali pack. Setting the bag down, I saw a note had fallen to the floor. Picking it up, I read her note.

Tanis,

I call you that for you are truly a daughter to me. I know what you are thinking and stop. I planned on giving these to you when I first saw you. I knew. I knew what you would mean to me, Johnny and all shifters. It will not be easy to fulfill your destiny, Aylen, and I cannot be there with you in person, but I can in spirit. Wear these bands and know that I am always with you and you will forever have my love and my support. Now stop frowning, put on the bands and go claim your pack and imprint.

Annie

A lone tear ran down my cheek as I read her words. It made me realize just how much I truly did miss her and Johnny. Hopefully I will be able to make a short trip to see them soon. I don't know how I will get through this without them, but I will. They taught me how to be strong and believe in myself, both things I was seriously lacking upon my arrival in Denali.

With a determined grin, I slipped the band with the polar bear over my right arm where it fit snuggly around my bicep. The other band, with the wolf design, I slipped over my left arm to mirror the other. Moving to the bureau, I looked at my reflection and just barely managed to not flinch as I noticed how this dress displayed my scars. I knew that as a warrior they showed strength, but to me they only showed how much I wasn't wanted by those I originally called family.

A glance at the clock showed that I had only twenty minutes to get to First Beach and be on time. Even without phasing I would make it with time to spare. Thanks to Koda and Johnny, I learned that I was really fast, even on two legs. Having the older brother in Johnny and younger brother in Koda can keep one on their toes. Within ten minutes I was close to First Beach and could see the boys getting ready to light the bonfire. It wouldn't be long before they started the meeting, then they would receive quite the shock. Thinking of who would be at the meeting, I wondered who was stuck on patrol tonight. They would miss a hell of a show.

"Light the fire, Embry." I heard the gravelly voice of Billy call out. "I don't want to waste any more time on this mess than we have to and if we have everything ready when the rest arrive then we will finish quicker."

Wow, I thought. It seems whatever soured Jacob had made its way to Billy too. I could only wonder if Rachel had the same misfortune to be given a whole new personality. As I thought that, I wondered if this would be a meeting with imprints too. I wouldn't mind meeting the imprints and reconnecting with Rachel, but that would mean Emily would be there and I was very much not wanting to deal with that harpy again so soon.

I stood in the trees as I waited for everyone to arrive. It didn't take long and it seemed I had found the perfect hiding spot as I went undiscovered. I noticed the pain in my chest start to lessen so that could only mean Sam was close by.

"Let's get started." Sam called as he took a seat on an old drift log. "Everyone is here. I will fill Quil and Leah in on what happens after their patrol."

Well, I guess that answers that. Shame, that. I would have liked to witness how those two interact.

"So, Embry came to me this afternoon and requested a meeting with the pack and elders. He said that we had things to discuss, things that shouldn't be buried any longer. I didn't understand what he meant but called the meeting anyway. Especially as we had to cancel the meeting last night due to the issue with Sam." Billy spoke as he watched the last few wolves sit down. "Embry?"

Sam looked at Embry with a frown. Almost like he knew what was coming. "Embry? You called this?"

"Yes, Sam." Even from where I was standing I could hear the irritation in his voice. "There are a lot of things wrong with how we have handled things in the past. We shouldn't just bury things that we didn't approve of or didn't go the way we thought. So yeah, I wanted us all here to hear why something that we buried has returned to us."

That was my queue. I planned it so that the first person who would see me would be Jacob. He knew why Embry called this meeting and would have avoided it at all costs but was here under Alpha command. He jerked as he saw me step from the trees and fought to keep from baring his neck. A losing battle.

I smiled darkly at him.

A/N: So, I'm back to being mean and leaving you with a cliffie. I will try to get the next chapter up quickly, but it will be up next weekend at the latest. Had this ready to post last night, but yay for migraines and making computers a painful experience. So instead this became a Labor Day treat and I hope everyone enjoyed their weekend. You know I love reviews, even if you tell me how much you dislike the cliffies. As always, I hope you enjoyed and thank you for reading.

So, let me know what y'all think and I'll get back to my muses…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