Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight and I never will.

A/N: I wanted to try something new when I tried writing from Laurent's P.O.V. I don't quite know if I liked it, but it did help push the story forward for later chapters. Thank you for y'all's opinions, and I know the last chapter seemed a bit rushed. I'm sorry.

"You are not sarcastic, but lucky for you I am the King of Sarcasm as I can show you the error of your ways and lead you towards the light. Also I might be able to help you with that blushing problem." I've totally bribing her to spend time with me and I am perfectly okay with it and I have no problem with it.

"You are very persuasive. I will have to pencil you into my very busy schedule. Actually I should start spending more time with all of you since I'm part of the family, and you aren't going anywhere anytime soon." I look as I see the house getting closer and closer as the trees start to thin out.

"You would be correct. Now let's hurry up Tanya is starting to get a little cranky." I laugh as start walking towards the front door with smiles on our faces.

Bella's P.O.V.

It's been a week since I officially met the Denali Coven, and had my talk with Laurent. I'm started to think of them like family, and I know it's so soon after the Cullen's still, but Tanya has really helped me. She has been amazing these past few months and I don't think I could ever repay her for everything she's done. Even better this past week she finally met Charlie, and it was fantastic.

Flashback

Tanya was at my house like every afternoon after school trying and failing to help me understand the concept of math when she suddenly tenses. "What's wrong Tanya?" I ask concerned.

"You're father's almost here. Would you like me to leave?" I can see in her eyes that she really doesn't want too.

"No, you let me meet your family now it's time for you to meet mine. Well part of mine at least."

"Really?" She says clearly trying not to sound too excited.

"Yes, really. I'm sure you can come up with a believable way we met because I don't think in the woods after Edward dumped me is going to bode well." I'm really relying on her for a good lie because I have no clue what to tell Charlie.

"Lucky for you I have already figured that out." She says with a mischievous smile. Since Tanya and I talked she has been flirting with me more often and been making a lot of sexual innuendos. I can't really say it bothers me.

"Okay what it is?" I ask as I hear Charlie slam his cruiser door.

"You'll find out in a minute." She says still smiling. I would be worried if this were anybody else but Tanya.

I look up as I hear the door open and see Charlie walk in grumbling. He must have had a hard day at the station.

"Hey dad." I say from my stop on the couch next to Tanya.

"Hey Bella. How was your..." He stops in the middle of his sentence when he finally looks up and sees Tanya sitting next to me. "I didn't know you had a friend over." He says still looking at Tanya.

"It's not to finally meet you Mr. Swan." Tanya says as she stands up and walks towards Charlie holding out her hand for him to shake.

"It's nice to meet you too miss. I'm sorry I didn't catch your name."

"I'm sorry. Denali. Tanya Denali." Is she trying to sound like James Bond?

"Oh okay. Well it's nice to meet you Ms. Denali." Charlie says as he lets go of her hand.

"Please call me Tanya." She says as she starts walking back to the couch.

"Okay then Tanya. How do you know Bella? You look a bit old to be going to high school." I knew it wouldn't take him long to get there.

"Now I could come up with some elaborate lie, but the truth is I'm the Cullen's cousin. My family moved here when they moved away, and I just happened to stumble upon Bella one day when I was out in the woods. We've been friends ever since." Not a complete lie and easy to remember.

"So you're related to the bastard that broke my daughters' heart." Charlie growls.

"Sadly I am yes. I know what Edward has done, and right now our family isn't on speaking terms with theirs based off of that. I can understand why you would hold it against me since I'm related to the prick, but I'm just here to be friends with your daughter." Tanya is smooth I have to give her that. Also she is handling Charlie very well.

"Fair enough, but if you ever hear from any of them tell them they are not welcome back in my town. They all broke her heart as much as he did." Charlie says still growling. I watch as he closes his eyes and takes a deep breath to calm down. "It was a pleasure meeting you Tanya. As long as you don't hurt my daughter you are welcome here." Those were his parting words as he walks to the kitchen to grab a beer then heads upstairs mumbling about something I can't decipher.

Tanya and I sit in silence as we hear Charlie walk into his room and slam the door shut. We both look at each other for a moment before bursting into laughter. "Well that went as well as to be expecting considering. What was he mumbling about?" I ask around my laughter.

"He was saying that if the Cullen's ever showed their faces around here again he would shoot them. That makes him sound a bit like a serial killer, but considering what they did, I feel like his hostility is justified. Too bad he can't kill them, but I love his determination." Tanya says still laughing.

"I almost feel bad for them, but at the same time I don't. I know it sounds mean, but I don't think I could handle seeing any of the Cullen's again. Nothing they could say would eve fix the pain they caused me, and they know I already have trust issues and they went and made it worse." I say as I lay my head back on the couch and look at the ceiling.

"Well do you trust me? Do you trust my family?" Tanya genuinely asks me.

I continue to look at the back of the couch as I think about her questions. For some reason I do trust Tanya probably more than I ever trusted the Cullen's, but I am not ready to tell her that yet. As for her family I trust them enough to talk to them about some things. "I trust you will be honest with me no matter what, and I appreciate that. As far as your family goes I don't trust them to the extent that I used to trust the Cullen's." I can tell by the look on her face that that wasn't the answer that she wanted, but if that's all she could get she would take it.

"Far enough, you are still getting to know all of us so after the Cullen's I can understand why you wouldn't be as accepting of another vampire family. Alright now let's get back to your homework." She says turning back to my work without sparing me another glance.

"Okay," is as I say as I sit up and get back to work.

We continue to work for another hour or so before Tanya says she has to leave. I was about to ask why until I looked into her eyes and saw they were almost black. "I'll be back later." She says quickly as she rushes out the door without another word, and too quick for me to even say goodbye.

End of Flashback

It's been three days since then, and I don't know but things between Tanya and I feel different. I don't know if it's because she thinks I don't trust her or if I'm imaging all of this, but things don't feel as easy as they used too. Even at night when I go to bed it used to be so simple, but now I feel like I'm overanalyzing everything I do. I'm pulled out of my thoughts by my phone vibrating notifying me of a text.

What's wrong Bella?

How do you always know when something's wrong?

We both know you know the answer to that.

I knew you had something to do with this Mary Alice Brandon. You are just too nosey by nature to ever completely leave me alone.

I'm sorry Bella I was just trying to make you feel better after everything that Edward has done.

I'm not mad at you Alice. Now the rest of the family I am.

If it makes you feel any better Emmett and I tried to fight to stay, but we lost.

Did Esme not try?

I'm sorry Bella. That test message broke my heart all over again. I was stupid enough to hold out hope that Esme would at least try...but I guess not...

It's not your fault. You tried which is all I can ask of you. Does anybody know you've been texting me?

Emmett.

Tell Brother Bear I said hi.

It's good that you still call him that. He was afraid you would be mad at him.

I was and still kind of am, but the fact that he tried to fight to stay and he knows that you're talking to me helps.

You're his favorite.

I don't respond to that message as I continue to look at the phone. I always knew it was Alice but the fact that I now have confirmation makes me feel better and more willing to open up now that I know for sure it isn't some random strange who knows way too much about my life. I look at my clock and see that it is almost 9 o'clock. Tanya won't be here for another hour or two.

I take a deep breath as I look back at my phone time to bring up our main topic of choice.

So I believe it's safe to assume you had something to do with Tanya's perfect timing when you all left.

I was simply assisting a friend in need.

I need you to be honest with me please.

Of course Bella.

Is what Tanya said true? Am I really her mate?

I wait for what feels like forever but in reality is only about 5 minutes before my phone vibrates with another message.

I'm going to be honest with you like I should have been when I was there. What Tanya says is true. I have had visions of you two together, and yes Edward did lie to you.

I don't know how I feel about any of this. I mean I know I feel something strong towards, but after Edward I don't know right now. I mean I do hate him, but that doesn't change the fact that he was my first love.

Nobody ever said it had to change anything. Tanya is not going to force you into anything, and neither are the rest of the Denali's. All they want is for you to be happy even if that isn't with Tanya. Bella don't do anything you don't think you're ready for okay? Now I have to go before the rest of the family get suspicious. Bye.

Bye.

I set my phone aside as I think about what Alice said. I know nobody's trying to force me into a relationship with Tanya, but at the same time the fact that I know I'm her mate adds pressure. From what little I know about mates I'm supposed to have this undying love for Tanya, and have a constant desire to be in her presence. Which I kind of do desire her company, but I don't know what that means.

I see why Tanya was only trying to be my friend...I feel emotionally unsure of anything right now. I roll over in bed facing away from the window. I was considering calling Tanya her not to come over tonight, but I don't want to seem like I'm avoiding her.

I'm glad I showered and put on my night clothes before Alice texted me. I decided to climb understand my comforter and settle in for the night. I continue to think about everything Alice said about the Cullen's, Edward, the Denali's, and most importantly Tanya.

I continue to think about Tanya alone as I drift deeper and deeper. I suddenly feel a cold body pressed against my back, but I already know its Tanya so I don't bother rolling over to check. "Goodnight angel," I hear her whisper as fall the rest of the way to sleep.

A/N 2: So I'm thinking about bringing the Cullen's back either in the next chapter or the chapter after that. Either way they're coming back soon and it's gonna be funny for me even if you don't understand my humor.