Back at the house Kyle, Kim and Ryan took over patrols in an effort to let Bella and Thomas get some much needed sleep. Yet again the weather had turned unbearably cold and they feared sleep would elude them once again as they huddled beneath the trees.
I don't like him, Thomas grumbled, remembering how he'd laughed at them.
We don't have to like any of them, Bella reasoned with a wide yawn. Even with the cold and rain she was quickly falling asleep. We only have to tolerate them until this is over.
This will never be over... Thomas whined.
Bella didn't want to think about it. They needed to remain hopeful, especially with Kim listening and still emotional. Thankfully Thomas managed to curb his thoughts away from the depressive subject of their living conditions and neighbours. She'd already laid into him for running off in front without knowing the situation, knowing his pack were too far away to be any help if Garret had been hostile.
Eventually they fell into a light sleep and rested as much as they could with the thoughts of their pack mates patrolling running through their heads. The rain gave up in the wee hours of the morning and the others returned, sodden and cold as they collapsed beside Thomas and Bella. Tanya, Eleazar and Esme returned, sour and dripping as Irina, Carlisle, Alice, Emmett, Garret and Carmen headed out to give the wolves a rest.
None of them stirred at the sound of an engine, not even at the sound of the back door opening but only when the wind blew the smell of piping hot pizza towards them. It was quite comical how they all peeled their eyes open and looked at Edward like he was their Messiah. They phased quickly but no-one jumped up to grab them from him so he crossed the river and handed them out.
They were all yawning and bleary eyed as they opened the boxes. "I love you," Kyle all but groaned to Edward. Kim giggled but was already shoving the first slice in her mouth while Bella stretched her arms above her head and wiped the sleep from her eyes.
"Two each?" Bella noticed with raised eyebrows, noting the ten pizza boxes.
"We can't have you disappearing," he said lightly, repeating his words from the days before.
"So the imprint is going well," Ryan said with a smile on his face and grease all over his mouth.
"Don't-" Thomas whined playfully. "There's only so many times I can watch them bone," he said only half joking. "I had a dream about him last night."
This news had the entire pack cackling raucously, snorting and rolling around on the floor while Bella blushed furiously behind her pizza box. "That was you!" Kim exclaimed through her own laughter. "You asshole!"
Edward sat smiling, but a little clueless until they settled down enough to explain. "We share one mind – so when one of us has a sex dream..."
Oh.
Lovely.
"What's happening with Garret?" Bella asked suddenly.
"He's patrolling right now," Edward answered.
"His hunting," she clarified with a roll of her eyes.
"He's not hunting anywhere near Forks or Port Angeles."
"Hm," Bella grumbled unhappily before digging into the pizza in her lap. She didn't like the idea of him hunting anywhere. It defeated the point of them uniting to protect their people if they were going to go killing them anyway. But she knew this wasn't something she could exactly enforce so she just had to put up with it as quietly as she could.
"I heard about your little... spat, with him," Edward said quietly.
"He called me cute," she said with narrowed eyes. She was a fierce, trained, highly skilled warrior, not some slobbering puppy to pat and coo over.
"You said you wanted to kill him," Edward fired back with a small laugh.
"I don't like being called cute," she defended. "Plus it's not like I'm actually going to kill him."
Later, when Kim and Thomas had gone to patrol and Bella sat in the sun with her brothers she remembered her earlier questions. "What's it like at home?"
The question was quiet and they had no obligation to answer. She did feel responsible for the fall out, and guilty that her pack were being forced to chose which side to take. "Hell," Ryan answered with a heavy sigh. "Lana caught us thinking about leaving and put all three of us on patrol for four days. The only reason we got away is because she fell asleep and we ran straight here."
"What is she thinking?" Bella muttered. "I always knew she didn't like me as Alpha but this is ridiculous."
"She's not letting people see their imprints either – duty comes first."
"Duty?" Bella repeated, rolling her head to look at him.
"Fixing walls, patrols, council meetings..." Kyle listed off quickly.
Of course, being a wolf was a duty. They were there to protect their people and all that went with it - that was their job. But it had been an honour to be a wolf, a joy to be one of the pack. It was a perk, not a burden. They were revered not punished. "And the orders,"Kyle went on throwing his arm over his eyes.
The orders were the one part of the role she'd never really used. The idea of forcing people to do things against their will wasn't a power she ever wanted to utilise. She'd used it only a handful of times, when a wolf refused to listen in a dangerous situation, or when people were at risk.
"No-one is allowed in or out of Neah Bay," Kyle said quietly. "Not even for trade. They're saying that you're stealing us and that it's not safe outside the reservation."
Bella just sighed.
They grew restless only a little while later and retreated only a little further down stream to bathe and wash. The smell of grime and sweat was a little overwhelming and so, after retrieving the shampoo and soap from behind a tree, they headed around the curve of the river out of sight of the house.
None of them were shy and it was just skin. It was a warm day but the water was still cold as they dipped beneath the surface to rinse their hair. Kim was perhaps a little more reserved in front of her brothers but relaxed when she realised the laughter and playful splashed were nothing to be frightened of. It felt nice to be clean, even if they lay back on the wet, dirty ground to dry off.
They pulled their clothes back on and Kim was trying desperately to wrestle her hair into place without much luck. Bella felt her hair, which had deteriorated into a mass of wet, heavy curls and thick knots and shrugged it off. Her hair had never been very submissive.
Edward was sat on the edge of the river, with Emmett and Jasper either side of him when they returned. She tensed and felt the others do the same around her. Her feet slowed and, without even realising it, she'd become defensive and ready. Jasper felt it but they had predicted such a reaction.
This was Cullen land and vampire territory but this side of the river, the small fifteen feet of lawn was wolf territory. This was their safety, but if Bella wanted to build bridges then she had to take those risks.
"Edward," she said with wary eyes. Their legs were crossed and shoulders relaxed. Nothing about them was threatening in the slightest but their presence put her on edge. Edward smiled and she saw a brush in his lap. A peace offering. She knew her hair was a mess.
He tossed it to her easily. She always did so well with tense situations – Tanya, Garret, even Sam to a degree. She never revealed her hand, never showed her emotion but he'd never wanted to be on the receiving end of her cold, black stare. Her hand caught the brush reactively and, after a moment, she turned and handed it to Kim who took it with a small, but grateful thank you to Edward and his brothers.
They were vampires, but this was Edward. This was the man who had given her everything and she had reciprocated willingly. She felt no fear of him, but his brothers were different. She knew that Emmett had spoken against her relentlessly and very loudly. Jasper, on the other hand, had said very little but, what little he had said, had been positive.
Trust.
Had she not been pushing for trust only the day previous?
She understood, suddenly, why the vampires were so cautious. It wasn't so easy when it wasn't on your terms. It took more than she'd ever admit to sit on the other side of that river. She had to force herself to relax and calm. Their little slice of home had been invaded, and as her pack sat around her, she knew they were defending it.
"So..." Bella began, clearing her throat and keeping her eyes on Edward.
"We thought, since you're basically one of the family now," Emmett began loudly with with a small smile that felt ill placed on his great, hulking frame. "We might as well get to know one another."
Bella had no urge to get to know Edward's family.
She regarded the vampire closely for a short moment. "Okay," she said slowly.
"How old are you?" he asked immediately. The rest of them sat tense and trying to force civility and calm, but he seemed to be immune to it all. His eyes were some of the most expressive Bella had ever seen on a vampire, and his words were so full of enthusiasm and passion that it was difficult not to be endeared to him.
"Thirty four," she answered quickly. "You?"
"A hundred this year," he said with a broad smile that filled his entire face. "You have much of a family?"
"Dad's dead and my mum abandoned me at birth on my Grandpa's doorstep," Bella replied easily. "You have any more relatives?" she asked glancing back at the house.
"None as close as the Denali's, but we have allies everywhere," Jasper stepped in quietly. "We get back in touch every ten years or so."
"Do you like being a wolf?" Emmett injected quickly after his brother had stopped speaking.
"It has its perks," Bella said with a small shrug. "Obviously there are downsides. You like being a vampire?"
"More than most," he said honestly, his eyes shifting to Edward but she'd already had one minor argument with him about his opinion of himself. "You like being Alpha ?"
"Yes," Bella said immediately. "I don't like being told what to do."
Edward chuckled and she smiled as they looked at each other.
"What would you do if someone else wanted to be Alpha?"
"We are a democracy," Bella said simply. "If Thomas wanted to be Alpha, I'd think about it and if I agreed and the others did too, I'd step aside."
"You don't think he could do it?" Emmett asked without hesitation.
"It's not a matter of what he can do," Bella said sharply. "I know Thomas would make a good Alpha. But I have hundreds of people to protect. My decisions can end lives. It's a lot of pressure. Not many people want the job," she admitted a little softer.
"But you like it."
"I'm a control freak," she shrugged and her pack all scoffed behind her.
"That's putting it lightly," Thomas mumbled to Kim as they laughed.
"I like things to work. If I can improve them then I will," Bella clarified with a smile to her Beta.
"What will happen after these newborns are dealt with?" Emmett pressed.
"If both Lana and I survive, and depending on the state of the council and Makah Pack we will either have to remain outside the reservation or be reinstated."
"Will you be Alpha?"
Bella sighed. "It depends on what everyone else wants. I doubt the council will let me walk back onto the reservation after kicking me out so dramatically and smearing my name."
"You can stay here," Emmett offered. "I'm sure we could get used to the smell."
His brutal honesty and sincerity had won her over without her even realising it, and she found herself smiling. "You do stink," she argued weakly before sobering up. "If Kyle and Ryan are right, more wolves will leave and join us."
"That's a good thing though," Jasper said with a frown. "Your pack will grow stronger."
"I had no choice when I left," Bella argued with a surprising amount of passion. "They've all left family and lives behind. If I could order them all back knowing they'd be accepted, then I would."
"Thankfully you don't do orders," Kim grumbled as she pulled at some grass.
"Why could you just walk away when Lana was shouting at you after you attacked Sam?" Jasper asked in his quiet voice.
"An Alpha never steps down," Bella recited. "She steps aside."
"What does that mean?"
"When I was demoted and they assigned Lana as Alpha, I agreed to follow her direction and obey her orders. I said I would back down and keep the peace," she sighed as she looked at Edward. "Until Sam decided to be an ass. As an Alpha myself, I have no obligation to follow another. I will never be under the full control of another Alpha, unless I chose to follow them willingly."
"That's so cool," Emmett smiled appreciatively.
"That's why it was such a big deal when I was demoted. It's not something so easily done and if we do fix everything, it will never be the same with both myself and Lana in the same pack."
"Why are you so different from the Quileute's," Emmett said suddenly and Bella was left a little dizzy by his sudden switch in subject.
"Because we're completely different people?" she laughed shortly.
"Well you're both Native Indian Tribes who just happen to explode into giant, vampire killing wolves," Emmett laughed and looked at Edward for support. "You can't be surprised by the comparison!"
"We don't kill innocent vampires," Bella breathed quietly. The three vampires just sat and stared at her. "We don't attack pointlessly. When a vampire approaches our land, we try and talk to them and explain our situation. If they chose to make a game out of it, or ignore our warnings, then we will do what we have to do to protect our people."
"You talk to vampires?" Jasper repeated slowly.
"Vampires aren't stupid, and most don't want to get torn apart by a pack of wolves," Bella justified.
They couldn't help but be impressed. "So you have the same instincts as Sam..." Emmett pressed.
"When we first become wolves, yes the sight of a vampire makes us want to rip them apart," she said simply, as if she were reading from a menu. "But that's why we train and control ourselves."
–
Garret was a character.
When they returned from their patrol, Bella and Thomas headed out with the same team as yesterday and left Kim, Kyle and Ryan to sleep and entertain themselves. The vampire was a nomad and preferred his own company and the outdoors to the domesticated life of the Cullen's and Denali's. He also didn't seem to hold the same reservations and opinions of the wolves as his new room-mates.
Bella urged the others to keep quiet and, if possible, ignore the vampire when he spoke to them. He was playful and cheeky – but that didn't mean he wasn't a threat and she wasn't about to risk the tenuous treaty with the Cullen's because of a slip of a jaw.
Edward ran south with Bella and Jasper – leaving Thomas to deal with Rosalie and Kate. They ignored him, which he found to be better than the nagging and whining he'd had to put up with between Edward and Rosalie. Thankfully the rain had stopped and they were left with only the cars and prying eyes to dodge, which was easier said than done as a huge furry wolf.
Every now and then he'd cross paths with Bella or Jasper and they would exchange nods and small words. Bella was something to behold in her wolf form. He couldn't say he was attracted to her – she was an animal after all, but she was graceful and smooth, and he respected her as a predator and as his equal. He never wanted to be on the other end of her teeth.
Bella was distracted by her Pack. Garret had woken them with loud laughter and jovial conversations within the house. They had sat grumbling and moaning amongst themselves, sharing their annoyance with Bella and Thomas, both whom told them to remain quiet and passive.
A loud howl rang through the woods and all conversation fell silent. As far out as they were, they all heard it and their steps were halted. Hearts pounded as the wolves got to their feet. The vampires remained in the house.
No wolf returned the call.
Bella turned north, back to the house at full speed and told Thomas to do the same.
Just one, Kyle relayed to them as he and his siblings stood, ready to attack or defend as needed. Only one set of paws thudded towards them. The wolf would arrive before both Thomas and Bella – there was nothing they could do about that.
Ryan take over, Bella said quickly. Stay human – keep calm and hear them out.
His mind fell from the collective and she could see through Kyle's eyes, as his brother stepped forwards as a man. The wolf approached from the east. It could be either Quileute or Makah, but they knew the chances of a Quileute coming alone were too slim to consider.
Another drop out? Kim wondered as she stood guard behind her brother. Seeing him weak, in his human form while a possible threat approached was difficult. She kept close behind him.
Maybe, Thomas thought discordantly.
They saw the wolf through the trees. Their eye sight wasn't as good as a vampires, but not too far behind. They recognised the colouring, the white on the snout and grey tint as Laura. She was a quiet, lovely woman until you pissed her off. She often started fights and left whoever was unlucky enough to annoy her bleeding and tapping out. Kim growled softy as the woman phased within the tree line, her eyes darting to the house of vampires she could undoubtedly hear and smell.
"We're under attack-" she said quickly, her words tripping and falling over one another. Ryan doubted her honesty, but Bella saw the truth in her eyes. "Please – we need your help."
Ryan didn't know what to do.
What if it was a trap?
What if it wasn't and his people, his own family were killed?
Less than a mile out he heard the familiar call of his Alpha and felt his decision solidify. "We will help you," he said coldly. He'd never had much to do with Laura. She was too hard, too angry and much too fiery to ever get close to. She was one of their best fighters and sprinters, but she made a lousy human.
The pair phased again and Laura wasted no time turning and headed back out into the forest, leaving them looking after her retreating form. Go – I'll catch up, Bella urged them. Thomas was already ahead of them but would circle round to meet up as a unit. Laura was by no means an enemy, but no-one knew if they were allies or not at this point.
The vampires heard the wolves fast retreating steps, surprisingly soft as they ran east to Neah Bay. It was only a few seconds later they heard the sprinting steps of Bella rushing to catch up with her pack. The vampires did not offer their aid, and Tanya and Emmett went out to replace Thomas and Bella on the patrol.
–
They crossed over into Makah territory with caution, slowing only a little. There were no wolves waiting in ambush. They could smell the vampires – four of them. It was only a mile or so before the trees thinned and disappeared in exchange of familiar buildings and roads they had played in as children. Now, the streets were empty as a siren rang out in warning urging people into their homes or the nearest protected building.
Their protections were simple – every building had a moat, dug deep and around five foot from the walls filled with flammable liquid which was lit. It was dangerous, but the mortality rate of fire deaths was favourable over that of vampire murders.
They ran through the middle of the reservation. Flames raged high and filled the sky with smoke. Little faces pushed noses and mouths against glass as the wolves passed. They paid them no mind – the vampires were near.
The four had split.
A pillar of purple smoke signalled one already dead. Still, they followed Laura. She met with Lana, who regarded them with narrow, cold eyes before running off. They could only assume her glares were filled with gratitude but wasted no time lingering on her. They stood on enemy territory now – on land they had been banished from, for people that no longer wanted them. They knew they were not welcome, but still they came.
No communication was needed.
Bella had served as Alpha for many years. They all knew what to do. It was effortless as Thomas and Ryan flanked Bella, and Kim and Kyle covered the rear. They moved as one, weaving through the houses. Knowing every path, every curb and dip in the concrete was their advantage and the vampires didn't stand a chance. They saw a small woman – her crimson eyes glowing and wide with fear as she looked over her shoulder as she ran. The flames surrounding the houses kept her from the innocent people within. She had nowhere to go but out.
But she didn't.
The woman fled the reservation and ran down the length of the forest and along the beach. Bella and the others were fast on her heels but the sand slowed them down. The formation broke. Bella would not slow them down. Ryan pushed on ahead, the fastest of them all. The chase stretched over seven miles but with one lunge and a loud cry Ryan had the woman at his mercy. She clawed and cried out, "Please stop!"
Bella and the others caught up within moments. The woman's arms fell limp as Ryan reared back, closing his mouth and silencing his snarl. He heard a soft hiss in the air and heard the sand push and give way to heavy steps. "You trespassed on our land," Bella said harshly.
The vampire, still pinned by Ryan and his glaring yellow eyes whimpered pathetically. "We didn't know!" she all but cried. "My Gregory."
Bella could only assume Gregory was her mate, and with a sinking in her gut, hoped he wasn't the smoking pile of ash further up the beach. "You were warned when you crossed onto our land," Bella insisted but there was a chill creeping over her skin.
"We were told nothing!" the woman howled. "We didn't know the land was protected!"
It was unusual for Bella to be silent in the face of a vampire, but this time words failed her. She felt her skin crawl and her blood boil within her veins. Behind her, the others fidgeted uncomfortably in the quiet. The vampire sobbed and whispered pleas for mercy, but Ryan wouldn't move for anything less than word from his Alpha. He knew how manipulative vampires could be.
"They didn't warn you," Bella repeated.
"Unless you call murder a warning!" the vampire snarled before dissolving into sobs again.
Bella took a deep breath and did her best to remain neutral but her mind was a mess. She had been Alpha for twelve years and she'd like to think she'd made a difference, left her mark on the Tribe, made things better. She hadn't even been gone a week and already everything had changed back to the rabid, feral laws of the past. Had the others not learned yet?
"Listen to me-" Bella said softly, approaching the vampire and standing next to Ryan as they both peered down at the woman. She was beautiful, as they all were, with flowing brown hair and a young, round face. The woman's eyes darkened at Bella's word. "I can get you out of here."
"You killed them!"
Bella bristled but said nothing. It was impossible not to smell the smoke or hear the jovial calls of her former back signalling the victory over their enemy. It sickened her. "We did not," Bella insisted sincerely. "I am sorry for what has happened here," she went on. She felt her stomach churn for the vampire. "This was..." she shook her head. Words meant nothing. "We will escort you safely off Makah land."
Ryan backed up hesitantly and the woman was on her feet in a blink. Her eyes screamed murder as she glared at Bella but she didn't flinch. Silently, they made their way back up the beach. Bella walked side by side with the vampire. Thomas walked at her side, and Ryan at the vampires in their wolf forms as Kim and Kyle covered their ass from any attacks.
Bella could see their beach fire where they made their meetings. She could see the people stood around it watching their approach with glares and wide eyes, with crossed arms and quiet whispers but her eyes searched for Lana. This should have never happened. She made sure this never happened. Her old pack looked torn. She could see the smirks and cocky scoffs of those that preferred the new order, and the watery eyes and longing looks of the others who longed for the old ways.
The fires were being put out slowly and the reservation was bathed in a smog of grey smoke.
"Bella," Lana all but spat as Bella and her pack climbed up the beach and onto the main path. She two Alpha's locked eyes and there was weakness revealed. "How lovely of you to remember where you belong. Here we thought you'd abandoned your people."
She had no patience for petty insults. She had a very agitated, angry and scared vampire at her side and she needed to leave now. Lana's eyes landed on the trembling vampire at Bella's side and she sneered. "Your imprint has made you weak."
"We don't kill the innocent," Bella said calmly. The handful of wolves that had crept closer, looking to back Lana fell back. They recognised that tone.
"No vampire is innocent," Lana spat with unbridled rage. She was too emotional.
"Did they harm anyone? Did you warn them? Or did you just wait for them to cross the border and attack them?"
Lana said nothing.
"Do not expect our help again," Bella vowed strongly.
Lana's jaw clenched but she kept her insults to herself. She stepped aside and allowed Bella, her tribe and the vampire to walk past unharmed. It took a few minutes for them to get out of the reservation and out into neutral territory where Bella took a deep breath. The vampire was too quiet, too solemn. "Nothing I can say can bring back-"
"You called me innocent," the vampire said oddly, with red eyes and wet, sand covered clothes.
Bella nodded lightly. "Killing for the sake of killing is abhorrent to me. I'm sorry for the people you have lost," Bella went on. "There is a coven only a few miles west of here if you need to rest."
"I doubt another coven would invite me in," the woman said condescendingly as she flicked her hair and sighed. She didn't look as cut up about the loss of her coven as Bella had suspected.
"These vampires are a little different," Bella shrugged.
The vampire shook her head and darted off into the woods, disappearing from view in a matter of seconds and leaving Bella and her pack dangerously close to the reservation. She phased quickly and headed back west leisurely. The thoughts from the others were deafening. They had too much anger and pent up frustration. They were sad to be, once again, feeling from their home. They were jealous of those that remained, angry at the wolves that glowered and mocked them like they weren't once brothers and sisters.
"Something is wrong," Jasper said to the others as they wolves approached. Patrols had been cancelled and everyone returned to the house. There was no way of knowing whether the wolf messenger had been honest, or whether it was a trap to separate them all. Either way, it was safer to have everyone all together.
"Are we in trouble?" Esme asked quietly. She didn't like to think ill of Bella and her control, but old habits die hard.
"I've never felt them so riled," Jasper answered honestly.
Go hunt, Bella urged the others. She'd rather they sunk their teeth and claws into dinner than a supposed ally. She figured she'd have to answer a few questions from Carlisle or Edward, but she too felt that her emotions were far too close to brimming over to be completely safe. The others broke off without hesitation. Emotion was clouding their thoughts. Bella knew plenty of blood would be spilled that morning.
As she'd expected, Edward waited for her on the patio as she broke through the tree line. She didn't want to phase and reveal the extent of her fury. It was too difficult to hide on a human face but with claws and teeth at her disposal she didn't quite trust her restraint. Against her better judgement, she phased and was left without any way of expelling her feelings besides screaming and swearing, punching things and tearing someone's head off. None of the above was really an option.
"What happened?" Edward asked quietly as he made his way down the lawn. Even he was cautious, and ignored his families warnings. He could see from her flushed skin, to the thrum of her heartbeat that she was very edgy. "Was there an attack?"
"Yes," Bella muttered as she stood aimless at the bottom of the garden. Edward made a move to cross the river and she shook her head. "Don't," she warned him darkly. "Not after..."
Edward planted his feet on the right side of the river and waited.
"She's ruined everything," Bella said in a very controlled voice. He could see her hands shaking.
"Lana?"
Bella nodded. "Vampires crossed onto the reservation... and they hunted them down and killed them."
"Isn't that-" Edward began.
"No!" Bella cried suddenly. "We don't kill just because we can!" she shouted at him, her face and neck turning puce in a rage he knew wasn't directed at him. It was still unnerving to have her glaring eyes pinned on him though. "And they summon us like they're so fucking helpless!"
"They didn't need your help," Edward guessed quietly.
"There's fifteen wolves on the reservation," she insisted loudly. "They were making a point. They were rubbing it in our fucking faces."
Edward watched her pace back and forth, watching her body tremble with emotion and he stood quietly and waited because Bella was not Sam. She could control herself, and right now he wouldn't blame her for losing her shit. "She begged -" Bella went on after a long silence. "The vampire begged for us not to kill her."
Edward nodded. "And you didn't."
"That isn't the point!" Bella cried harshly. "The moment they cross into our land they're supposed to be warned. There was no warning. They had no idea a pack of wolves were protecting Neah Bay. They didn't hurt anyone-"
"But she could have," Edward commented. He knew his words could spark her fury and they had, and suddenly all of her anger was aimed right at him,
"Then why don't I just walk into that fucking house and kill your coven right now? I bet you've killed plenty of people!" Bella shouted at him with dark eyes. "How about I go around acting like a fucking executioner just because I can!"
And then she was gone and in front of him stood a great, hulking wolf that was snarling and crouched and shaking with anger. He staggered back because it had been so fast and so sudden, and then she was running away through the forest away from him and he didn't go after her. He stood for a few minutes trying to piece together what had just happened.
"Women," Emmett said when Edward walked back into the house. His comment was accompanied by a slap on the back and a roll of his eyes, as if his mate hadn't just exploded into a giant wolf because he'd pissed her off. He appreciated his brothers good humour making light of the situation, because he was terrified that she wasn't going to come back, or that his few ill spoken words would have her glaring daggers at him for quite some time.
He was used to annoying people, but usually he could just gauge how angry they were from their thoughts and react accordingly. He didn't like being in the dark and playing it by ear.
–
It was difficult to relax knowing there were five very angry werewolves running around in the forest outside. Not to mention the fact that thirteen vampires were crammed into their home and it was getting a little ridiculous to say the least. Thank god none of them actually needed to sleep or eat or Carlisle was sure it would have been bedlam.
Speaking of hunting, Carlisle arranged for them to go hunting. Garret had even promised to join them and give their vegetarian lifestyle a try. Carlisle had a creeping feeling it had more to do with Kate, who he barely took his eyes off more than curiosity.
"She'll come back," he assured Edward after going in search for his son. It had been three hours since Bella had run off and Edward had taken himself away from everyone else and was busy staring at the counter as he sat on a bar stool in the kitchen with his head in his hands looking lost and a little pathetic.
"Thanks," Edward sighed sarcastically after hearing his fathers thoughts. "I don't even know what happened."
"She's not a teenager," Carlisle began quietly as he heaved himself up on the worktop knowing Esme would kill him if she walked in, but he hoped she'd be lenient since they had company. "As much as she looks like one."
"She's in her thirties," Edward shrugged. "I know she's not a kid."
Even though Edward himself was almost a hundred and twenty.
"But she's not like us," Carlisle went on as he planted his hands either side of his legs on the counter. Edward half expected him to start swinging his legs. He saw his meaning in his mind. He knew Bella had responsibilities that he couldn't even begin to comprehend how much pressure was on her shoulders, not to mention how much she puts on herself.
"I know she's got a lot of responsibilities."
Carlisle shook his head and laughed quietly. "I have the six of you to keep safe and that is stressful enough at times. I can't imagine how she feels, trying to look after hundreds of people while fighting with the deciding council."
If he was honest, Edward didn't like to think of Bella back on the reservation in charge, dictating and arguing with the faceless council. He knew she had a lot on her shoulders but the full picture had never crossed his mind.
"I can totally understand why she's so angry," Tanya pitched in as she leaned on the door jamb. She made no secret of disliking Bella, mostly for what she was but she had respect for the woman and that was enough to curb her tongue. "I don't know how I'd react if someone fucked with my family when I stepped out."
"She got kicked out, Tanya," Edward sighed with a roll of his eyes. Lord knows how many times he'd told her this. "It's not like she had a choice."
"She did have a choice," Carlisle argued lightly.
Edward scoffed.
"She is proud," Tanya noted with a shrug. "Nothing wrong with that; especially when she's not ripping vampires heads off."
"Careful," Kate warned from the living room, chortling. "You might actually like her."
Tanya smirked but said nothing.
"I've never seen her like that," Edward said with a sigh.
"You've known the girl for... what... a week?" Tanya snorted in a very unlady-like manner and crossed her arms. "So she's left her own people behind, shacked up outside your house, found out her people are fucking everything she made up, and you're annoyed that she got pissed with you."
Edward wanted to argue his point, but felt Tanya wasn't going to let him win this one.
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