AN: This story is so inspiring, and I love it so much that I decided to post two chapters back-to-back! The next chap will have Emmett in it!

Chapter Eight

Secrets

"Alex…"

Bella stood in her doorway surprised. I didn't blame her, but she had been avoiding me for weeks and I was getting tired of her dodging me. I thought it best to leave the pack in La Push. Since the Clearwater children phased, we had been spending a lot more time helping Sam. Not only because Seth and Lilly imprinted on each other, but because I was genuinely growing to like them. It would make things difficult if I decided to leave Washington, which I imagined I would do someday. It was one of those things I didn't want to think about until the time came. Leah had asked to join my pack, but I refused her. It didn't go over well, but I simply refused to steal a pack member from a friend. It was practically an unwritten law of our kind.

"Bella… Please don't slam the door on my face. I came to talk to you because you've been avoiding me in school. Can I come in?"

She hesitated for a moment before stepping aside and letting me pass. "Why are you here?" Like before, she wrapped her arms around her middle. If possible, she seemed to be getting worse since Jacob had started avoiding her. Sam would lift the ban soon. Hopefully things would go back to normal after that. Right now, they were all focusing on getting Harry Clearwater's funeral ready.

"Like I said, you've been avoiding me."

"What are you?" She blurted out. The question startled me. I wanted to tell her, but there was no way I could do so without giving away everything. "Are you a vampire? I'm not blind. You and the others aren't normal. You're good looking, and like the supernatural kind of good looking. You're graceful too…You broke that guy's hand like it was nothing, and I could have sworn I saw the twins push a dent out of your car with their bare hands!" God damn it. I would really have to speak with those two. It was like raising teens!

I snorted. "Vampire? Really Bella?" It was absurd on so many different levels.

"I've seen you down in La Push with the other guys. Did you guys do something to Jacob?" She was getting hostile now. "Turn him into whatever the hell you guys are?"

"I'm sure Jacob will come see you any day now, Bella. You just have to be patient."

"No! He was my friend! Sam just stole him away!" She practically screamed before taking a deep breath. "If no one is going to tell me anything, I'm going to go see him on my own."

Before I could stop her, she was out the door. Great. "Wait, Bella!" I jogged a little to catch up with her. It was obvious that she was having some kind of break down. "You probably shouldn't do that."

"I'm going to see Jacob with or without you." I groaned as she hopped into the cab of her truck. This wasn't going to end well. I quickly shot a text to Chase, telling him to get Sam and get over to Jacob's, before hauling myself into the passenger seat.

"Jacob!" She was flying out of the truck a moment after throwing it in park. I heard Jacob mumble a curse, but he didn't look her way.

Practically ripping the door from the truck, I pushed it open and followed. "Bella! Wait!" But she was already screaming at him.

"Go home, Bella." Alpha order or not, I was surprised at how well Jacob was handling it. Sam had ordered him to not seek Bella out, but said nothing about her coming to him. I watched as Jacob looked Bella in the eyes, only to frown and look away. "Damn it." With a shake of his head, he gave me a sad look before heading inside.

"Bella, we should leave-"

I was cut off by the sound of other guys. Great timing guys, really… I sighed and turned my gaze to both packs making their way out of the woods. Chase's eyes automatically locked onto mine. This wasn't going to be good. Bella practically threw herself in their direction, her feet moving quickly as she tried not to trip on the wet grass.

"What did you do?" She shoved Sam. "He didn't want any part of your little gang, and you got to him anyway!"

"What did we do?" Paul stepped forward, his body shaking. I placed a hand on Bella's arm, pulling her back a few steps so I was in front of her. Paul's angry gaze turned to me. "What did you do? You have no right to tell her anything!"

Several growls came from my pack mates as I fought off my own shaking – my inner alpha ready to put him in his place. "You have no right talking to me like that, underling." This only made his shaking worse.

"Paul, calm down!" Sam yelled, but his shaking was growing violent.

"James, Matt!" I called to the twins. They understood immediately and moved Bella back to stand out of the way between them.

As Paul exploded in a blur of silver fur, I let myself lose control. With a growl, I tore out of my clothes, landing on four snowy-white paws. Behind me, I could hear Bella gasp as Paul and I circled each other menacingly. In the distance, I could hear Jacob slam his front door again, calling out Bella's name as he did so.

'I should just kill the leech lover myself!'

'You'll have to go through me, pup!'

We launched at the same time, meeting mid-air in a flurry of snarls and teeth. My pack watched on, their fingers twitching with the urge to phase. The only reason they didn't was because they knew I could easily take Paul. I twisted and bit at the scruff on the back of his neck as Jacob phased to join us. Paul let out a whimper as his front legs gave out.

'Shit! Ouch, okay I get it! I'll play nice.'

I nearly laughed as I let him go. The peace didn't last long, because the second Paul was on his feet, Jacob was barreling into him. 'You could have hurt Bella!'

Shaking my large head, I turned to see Embry, Jared, Matt, and James leading Bella away. They would take her to Sam's. Looks like our secret was out. At least it would make things a little easier.

"I have some clothes stashed nearby." Ty offered. I nodded the others off as I followed him into the woods by Jacob's house. I could still hear Paul and Jacob going at it, but they would get it out of their system soon.

Phasing to get some peace and quiet, I thanked Ty as he handed me an oversized shirt. I paused when I noticed his gaze drift over my body. Since he had joined my pack, we had kept our relationship less than physical. It was a different dynamic now. I would be lying if I said I wasn't tempted every now and again. "Don't get any ideas." I smirked at him.

His face broke into an easy smile. "You know, I think if we had met under different circumstances, we would have ended up together."

I hummed. It was an idea I had entertained a few times in the past myself. "Maybe in another life."

When we got back to Sam's, I wasn't surprised to find a table full of food. Emily gave me a cheery hello before ducking back in the kitchen. Bella's eyes moved from the food to me. I gave her a weary smile, almost breathing a sigh of relief when she returned it.

"So… you guys are werewolves?"

"Jacob was right, you are good with weird." Jared laughed and reached across the table for a muffin.

"You alright?" It was Chase's deep voice that pulled my attention to the adjoined living room where my pack sat.

"Of course." I gave him a reassuring smile as Paul, Sam and Jacob joined us.

Paul gave Bella and I a half-assed apology before sitting himself down at the table. I knew all the wolves were on edge because of the redheaded leech that had been running us in circles. She didn't seem like much of a threat. It was like she was tiptoeing around us. It did worry me that even Nick couldn't catch her. It was the weirdest thing. He would be right on top of her, and she would manage to side-step him.

"Maybe Bella can tell us about the leech." Nick offered as he sat at the table. It was like he had read my mind. "She has history with them, right?" Jacob growled, but didn't say anything.

"Leech?"

"Yeah, there's been this red-headed leech running around Forks and La Push." Sam sighed and kissed Emily on the cheek. "It's like she's looking for something, but we don't know what."

From my spot across the room I could hear Bella's heartbeat pick up. That was never a good sign. "I think I know what she wants." Her voice was shaky, and if possible she grew even paler. "Her name is Victoria... I think she wants me..."

Of course she did. "What would she want with you?" Tyler asked, his arms crossed over his chest. As far as I knew, Charlie and Bella were the only family he had left. I wonder if he would tell her the truth now that she knew about us.

"Ed-" She took a breath. Was his name even too painful for her? "They killed her mate. Now she wants to kill me as revenge."

Several growls erupted around me. "Relax." I spoke to my pack, but it seemed to have an effect on the others as well. "It's not ideal, but now that we know what she wants, we can find a way to stop her."

"Easier said than done." There was still an edge to Jacob's voice. "Even Nicolas can't catch her, and he's the fastest wolf I've ever seen. She keeps managing to evade us…"

"Maybe that's her power." We all turned to Bella stunned. She instantly looked guilty. "Some vampires have powers… Alice could see the future… Ed- He could read minds, Jasper could manipulate feelings. Some had lesser abilities. Esme was very compassionate and Em-"

"That's enough." Sam cut her off before turning to me. "Did you know about this?"

"No." I clenched my teeth. "Between me and Chase alone we have over four centuries of experience, and we have never heard about that." They looked shocked at the hint of our ages. "We'll just call this another win as far as gathering information goes."

Sam nodded along, trying to stay positive. "Okay. Now all we have to do is kill the tick."

AN: I would love reviews! Just so I know there are actually people reading this! lol