Rachel returned to quiet hugs. Her eyes were hard but she nodded at Bella, and she hoped that some of her earlier words had gotten through to her. Bella had remained between the house and her pack, sat in no mans land with Edward. He liked how quiet her mind was and she liked how he looked in the days light. After ten minutes of insisting, Bella allowed Edward to look at her leg.
She pulled the leg of her trousers up, already feeling less pain when moving, and revealed the horrid black and blue skin beneath. It was probably the worst break she'd ever had, but far from the first. He had cursed softly under his breath and shuffled to sit in front of her. It had taken everything not to react, to hold her muscles in place and not kick him or hit him from her.
He was still a vampire and she was weak.
He sensed it, saw the tension in the way her hands splayed on the ground behind her but he continued because they couldn't be afraid of each other and he was willing to take the risk. So he touched her skin so carefully and she winced and hissed through her teeth and he whispered his apology. "I don't think this can be healed just be waiting. You might have shattered something."
"I'll be fine."
"And if it heals wrong?" Edward countered worryingly.
"It won't," she said with a shrug. She saw his exasperation and hurried to say, "It's never happened before, and people have been worse off than me. Trust me," she added kindly. "Give it a few hours and I'll be on my feet again."
He left her to her pack, seeing that they were idling on the other side of the river waiting to approach their Alpha. Kim, John and Thomas returned from their patrol with questions and confusion. She was saddened by Edward's departure but her pack was there, swooping in and surrounding her with frowns and concern.
"He can't go back," Kim whispered with watery eyes.
"That's his decision," Bella sighed. "You all have a choice. I know it's not ideal here," she admitted as she looked at the wide, dark eyes of her family. "And I know that it is difficult for all of you. I wouldn't think any less of you for returning home."
I would if I could.
"Now you're just being silly," Thomas said shoving her gently, a wide smirk on his face.
"We've all left people behind," John said solemnly. Eyes looked up as he stood on the edge of the group, never wanting to get too involved. His words, the few that he spoke, were always listened to. "But that doesn't mean we abandon reason."
"Kyle was just frustrated," Ryan said heavily. "He's barely slept since we left Neah Bay."
"I know," Bella nodded with a small smile. She would not hold his actions against him, and this was why she was a good Alpha. Even Ryan was planning on laying into his brother when he eventually showed his face again. "Some people have suffered more than others. We can't hold that against them," she said, her eyes lingering on Rachel as she peered back through sad eyes.
"You can't," Thomas scoffed. "But I certainly can."
"Thomas..." Bella began tiredly.
"I saw what happened – we all did," he said fervently. "There was no need to attack you like that," he went on strongly. Bella was not only his Alpha, but his oldest, closest friend and he would gladly put her life before his. He did not take an attack lightly, and he knew most of the others felt the same. "We're all hungry and tired and pissed off – we're living with thirteen vampires for fucks sake," he added loudly, his temper flaring. "That doesn't give him the right to go at you like that and challenge you."
"Enough," Bella said quietly, hoping to hush and quieten her friend once again. His fierce loyalty and protectiveness warmed her heart but she couldn't handle a war within her own pack. So she smiled and put her hand on his shoulder, seeing the fire raging behind his eyes and hoping to douse most of the flames. She knew, if Kyle chose to return, he would inevitably have to deal with the wrath of Thomas and the others but she would not encourage it.
Thomas huffed and fell silent.
They sat there, in the middle between their river and the vampire house. Even John eventually lowered himself to the ground, though he sat cross legged and straight backed, the vision of posture and maturity while the others lounged with stretched legs and casual disregard. They would not leave Bella alone in no man's land, and instead surrounded her whether consciously or not, with their own bodies. She was injured and vulnerable, and though she doubted a vampire would attack her it was humbling and comforting to know her pack still had her back, even after everything that had happened in the past week.
They discussed Kyle. Bella shook her head and smiled, keeping the tone light and gently curbing anything that hit a little to close to home. The closer she looked the more she saw. She saw the black bruises that revealed their exhaustion, saw the thinning arms and dull hair. Her pack was strong, but she had lead them into this without any plan or forethought. They hadn't given her any time.
"We need to figure this out," Bella said, changing the subject away from Kyle and his attack. "We need to get decent sleep if we stand any chance of fighting these newborns, and regular meals," she said despairingly. Feeding nine wolves wasn't an easy feat. The Cullen's back yard was quickly becoming quite cramped, and it didn't really work in the long term. Bella couldn't remember the last time she had a proper nights' sleep.
"Would you be okay with moving away?" Thomas asked seriously. They'd already been through this once.
She considered her words. "If it offered more, then yes."
She would not like to leave Edward, and though he was so far from alone, she didn't consider any of is family able to protect him like she would. Would they give their life for his? It would hurt and she would worry and stress, but the good of her pack she would leave him.
Talk turned back to Lana and home. Ted and John, being as old as they were often had less, but more fruitful things to say than the others. Bella sometimes pitied them, trapped as they were with teenagers and their childish gossip. She respected their maturity and unwavering dedication – in them, she saw what she hoped she could one day become.
It wasn't just her and Thomas – and it wasn't only the arguments between the vampires. She couldn't afford to keep Kyle around them, not that she didn't trust him to control himself but mistakes do happen and emotions were running high. It was a miracle someone hadn't snapped sooner.
Steps approached from the west and Thomas grinned as he cracked his knuckles. "Stop it," she scolded quickly, but he didn't pay any mind to her. She wished she could have gotten up and moved away, but her leg had her down and weak. "Go hunt," she ordered them all. Eyes turned to her, ready to argue and fight.
"She's got her Alpha face on," Thomas groaned as he got to his feet with the others. It went against everything they felt – to leave Bella alone, defenceless with vampires so close and Kyle on his way. If he attacked her again, if he hurt her Thomas knew nothing short of an execution would steady his vengeance. Kyle broke through the tree line as the others left around the other side of the house. Eyes went to figures in the window – Edward, Carlisle standing guard, protecting.
Bella paid them no mind.
Kyle was filthy, covered from head to toe in mud. His fists were clenched, his eyes still holding onto the fury from earlier but his steps were small and calm and she did not fear anything from him. He approached silently, his eyes taking in the raked grass and overturned soil of their battle. He knew Bella hadn't moved. He knew he'd hurt her. He sat down in front of her, eyes meeting but only fleetingly. He could not hold her gaze.
"Are you okay?" Bella asked softly. There was a hidden hardness to her words.
"Fine," he said stiffly. "I'm sorry about your leg."
"It's fine," she said dismissively. "Have you decided what you want to do?"
His head was bowed to the pavement. She couldn't see his eyes. He pulled his knees up to his chest and wrapped his arms around them. "I want to stay."
His words were quiet and muffles, aware of the vampires listening in.
"I'm sorry," Bella said in a whisper, her hand reaching over and resting on his arm. He did not move. "I didn't know how difficult you were finding it."
She should have. It was her duty.
"You've had a lot on your mind," he said with a shrug, raising his head and peering back at her with sad eyes. "I'm sorry for what I said."
"We are all entitled to our opinions," she reminded him with a wry grin. "I never meant to put anyone above you," she said solemnly, her smile falling quickly. "The pack is my priority – I hope that you know that."
He did. He saw it in every breath she took and it pained him, knowing that he'd thrown it in her face.
"We're going to move," she said quietly. "Not too far, but the space will hopefully give us time to breath and process this. No-one is eating or sleeping enough," she went on, effectively putting the fight behind them.
"You're going to leave Edward?"
She was the one to look away from his penetrating gaze. "You are not the only one who's had difficulty with the vampires."
She'd heard it in their minds – the irritation, the anger and petty arguments. It was innocuous now, but quickly building into something she feared she wouldn't be able to control. He knew it too, having been at the forefront of such thoughts, but he didn't think moving would change anything. "We're just... frustrated," he said smoothly. "You don't have to leave him."
"I can't risk it," she said. "What if Ryan hadn't stopped you-" she went on. Kyle looked away, ashamed. "You would have attacked and God knows who would have been left standing. I can't take that chance again."
"I'll go back to Lana," he offered with wide eyes.
"No. Not like this. Not as a punishment," she said harshly. "You are family. We stick together in this," she said strongly, her hand gripping his arm. He looked at it and nodded, feeling the responsibility crushing his shoulders. The blame was smothering. "We'll be fine."
And that was that.
The others returned shortly, having only ventured far enough to get out of earshot before quickly spinning on their heels. Kyle saw them over Bella's shoulder and dropped his head once again, muttering a quiet curse. Ryan took him aside, deep into the forest where he gave him one hell of a verbal battering and a few punches were thrown. Even Kim got a few swipes in when they came back to the house.
Thomas helped Bella to her feet after five hours of sitting on the cold, damp floor. She was pretty filthy and stinky, and had mud streaked through her hair. She'd have given anything for a hot shower, but would make do with the river when her leg was a bit better. She leaned on Thomas heavily as she tried to put weight on her leg, only cursing and hissing in pain when it proved far too soon.
Behind them, patio doors were thrown open. Edward carried a chair over and Thomas thanked him quietly as Bella lowered herself into. Brilliant. It was rather disgusting, watching her roll up her trouser leg and check the bone was still aligned and Thomas turned away and pretended to gag. He was quickly distracted by Kyle as he returned after a long talk with Ted. Lord knows what the huge stoic man would have to say, but Kyle looked very pale and rather sickly. "My turn," Thomas said and before Bella could fight him, he was heading over to Kyle.
"They're very protective of you," Edward mused with a small grin as Thomas took Kyle by the arm and pushed him back into the woods. He went quietly, shame swallowing his pride.
But Bella just shook her head in dismay. "He already feels bad about it."
"You went pretty easy on him."
She looked over to the house and saw Tanya standing on the doorway, and a dozen other eyes peering back at her. She hadn't forgotten how close she was to the house, but she'd managed to tune out the quiet words and steps. She felt Edward tense and wanted to just close her eyes. She was done with fights. "I can hardly punish him for defending his pack."
"Perhaps not, but he hurt you," she went on, her arms across her chest and she leaned against the door jamb, a passive expression on her face.
"Has none of your coven ever challenged you?"
Tanya smirked and nodded slowly. "Countless times."
"Yet here we all are," Bella shrugged. "Kyle has always been strong willed. He believes what he believes," Bella went on. "And in our current situation, I'm not going to hold a broken leg against him."
Tanya hummed and cast her eyes to the bottom of the garden, where her pack were watching with keen eyes, ready to step in at the first sign of trouble. "You are a good Alpha," Tanya said pleasantly, much to everyone's surprise.
But Bella merely shrugged. "A good Alpha would have seen Kyle struggling."
Tanya said nothing and the two locked eyes once again and Edward was lost, and having to peek in Tanya's mind for an inkling as to what was unfolding before him. Peace. This was Tanya's way of calling a truce on their unspoken fight and Bella was waving a white flag and inviting her over for tea. Tanya's mind was a peculiar place.
"You shouldn't leave," Tanya said after a few beats.
Bella looked away and down at her pack. She knew, from their earlier conversation, that they felt the same way. They were sleeping half as much and eating barely anything compared to what they were used to, and it was beginning to show. They'd never been happy to sit and do nothing, but between patrols there had been nothing at all. They couldn't afford to get lazy and sluggish.
"We want to stay," Rachel said quietly, looking at Tanya and then back to Bella. Her Alpha admired her courage. None of the others had the balls to speak to a vampire as of yet. Her pack mates all nodded, a small incline but a vote had been cast and Bella was outnumbered.
"Something has to change."
–
A few more hours and Bella was hobbling around, stiff and grumbling but mobile as much as Edward told her to sit and stay put. "She never listens," Thomas told him with a roll of his eyes. It had surprised him, how willing the pack had been to accept him. They had no qualms with him sitting with them or speaking to them while they ignored his family completely.
Esme and Alice had already vanished – disappearing on their way to Seattle to pick up what they'd ordered online. Bella hadn't been happy about it – more about the money, Edward suspected, than the actual object, but there was nothing they could do about that. So off she went, grumbling and angry but grateful all the same.
It was her job to take care of her pack, not take charity from vampires.
Ugh.
"It's nearly June," Lauren pointed out.
Edward, who had sat with the pack as they chatted and talked about Lana and Kyle, didn't understand the importance of such a statement but the wolves seemed to take note of it. "What are we going to do?"
Bella, who had been stubbornly washing her hair over the river looked over at them, suds flying everywhere. "What we always do."
Kyle had been accepted back. After everyone had, had their private words he had been permitted to approach and sit with them though he kept his opinions firmly to himself and his head low. He was on the proverbial naughty step, but his brother was already asking for input and coaxing him from his shame and bitterness. This was a family.
Bella hobbled over and sat down beside Edward, all stiff legged and awkward and scowling. He didn't offer his help, fearing she might just remove his head from his shoulders. "So... Moonlight" Thomas said from across the circle they had created. "How is this even going to work?"
"Like it always does," Bella said impatiently. Her hair was already drying – steam rising from her hair faintly. "It just won't be as big of a deal as usual."
"What is Moonlight?" Edward asked the group, confident now that they wouldn't kill him.
"It happens every year on the first moonlight of June," Thomas explained. "It's the Festival of the Wolf."
Edward looked around him, but all faces were serious and he turned to Bella for an explanation.
"Wolves are everywhere in our history," she said quietly, her grumbles fading as she looked around at her pack. "There are... certain beliefs and rituals that we have grown up with," she went on cautiously. "Some believe more than others."
Kim, for example, did not pray before taking down a kill or speak to the nature spirits. It wasn't that she didn't believe, just that, her generation hadn't been made to sit on the beach, around the fire and listen to Orson spin endless tales of warnings and rituals. He had sadly died fifteen years ago and his stories and beliefs had faded with him. "Once a year, our stories say that the White Wolf returns to her home in the stars and rests for a day, before returning to earth and watching over us all."
It was a nice thought, but Edward had always, and would always remain sceptical of anything magical or apparently God-like. He respected religion and those who believed and followed, so he nodded along.
"In that day, we pray and thank her for all that she has done for us; for the food and the happiness and the protection of the past year," Bella went on seriously, seeing Edward's disengagement all over his face. It didn't bother her, the same as Kim's didn't. You could not force someone to believe.
"And then we have a massive party and get drunk," Thomas butted in, dissolving into laughter as Ryan punched him in the arm.
The thought of Bella drunk was difficult to imagine but she just smiled and shook her head. "I don't think we'll be having much of a party this year."
It was only four days away.
"The vampires-" Thomas began with hard eyes.
"Will understand, I'm sure," she said quickly before turning her eyes to Edward as he sat beside her watching the exchange curiously. "We will be unable to patrol."
"We'll cover you," he assured her easily.
More vampires came.
There had been no warning or announcement until Edward had pulled his vibrating phone from his pocket and answered it. Still healing, Bella had little choice but to remain in her human form but gave permission for the others to phase if they wanted to. She knew the instinct to defend was strong and her wolves stayed close to her, protecting Edward as he stayed at her side and assured them all that the new arrivals were perfectly safe.
Safe was not a word they would use to describe a vampire.
There were four of them, all arriving on foot quickly and quietly from the north, escorted by Carlisle and Emmett into the house. Edward remained with Bella. "It's the Egyptian Coven," he told her, glad that, for once he could see her expression. She did not look happy. "Amun is the leader and Kebi is his mate. There are also Benjamin and Tia who are also mated," Edward said quietly. Bella merely grunted at him.
Edward felt more comfortable than he expected, when he looked around and found himself truly surrounded by ten foot beasts with all eyes trained on his house and family. Their paws were steady, ears attentive and ready – but there was no sign of aggression, not even from Kyle.
"What are those beasts?" A man asked from within the house. His thick accent morphed his words into something else, leaving Bella a moment to decipher what he was saying.
"Werewolves," Carlisle told him conversationally.
"Werewolves! I will not-" the man began, exploding in rage and spitting his words. Thomas twitched his ears.
"They will not harm you, Amun. They are our allies," Carlisle told him calmly. "They have been within our territory for more than a week now, and we haven't had any trouble from them."
"He is very protective of Benjamin," Edward whispered very quietly. He knew the wolves had much keener hearing than them, but was still surprised when eyes and heads turned in his direction. "He changed him because, even as a human, he was able to control fire. As a vampire, Benjamin can control each element," Edward told them.
Bella looked at him dubiously. "Great," she grumbled. "A vampire with even more power."
It was clear that this Amun was the leader as his voice was the only one any of them heard – and his voice was loud and gruff, bellowing and full of emotion and anger and bitterness. "Had we known we would not have come!"
"You are free to leave, if you think it too dangerous," Carlisle said tauntingly. Bella smirked.
"Dangerous? Carlisle, you would have us consorting with werewolves! You know what the Volturi make of them-" The Egyptian boomed, and Bella wished she could have seen his face. She had no idea what, or who the Volturi were; another question for later.
"They are not werewolves," Carlisle said evenly, contradicting himself. Bella turned her eyes to Edward who merely shook his head. "They do not need the light of the moon to transform -as you can see for yourself. They are shape shifters, but call themselves werewolves" Carlisle said.
But the man was not happy.
People moved and introduced themselves. Hands were shaken and greetings were made and grim smiles were exchanged. Edward excused himself and headed inside to make his own introductions and reveal his gift, which he was sure would pique Amun's interest. The wolves listened and waited as Edward shook his hands. "You wreak of them," he said rudely.
"The Alpha is my mate," Edward responded somewhat coldly.
"Your mate?!" Amun spat with disgust. Suddenly, Bella could appreciate Tanya's teenage antics over blatant revulsion. "Impossible! She has tricked you-"
"I very much doubt that," Edward responded dryly before moving on. He shook the hand of Kebi, who said nothing and looked at him like a pariah. Both of their minds were full of caution and fear. His family stood around him, ready and prepared to step in should the need arise. It was only then, he realised that though they did not like their presence, and that his family had no issue with the wolves or Bella. It warmed his heart.
He moved on to Benjamin, who looked no older than sixteen with curly black hair and a boyish grin that was mirrored in his mood and mind. He wondered at the wolves, at the possibility of meeting and speaking to them. Are you the mind reader? His mind has asked and Edward had smiled and said, "Yes."
"Amazing," he had breathed as their hands dropped. That must get annoying.
"You wouldn't believe how much," Edward replied with a grim nod before moving on.
This is Tia, Benjamin thought, just enjoying knowing that someone was listening to his head and not his words. His mind swam with possibilities, and Edward realised just how close Amun kept his prodigy. "It's nice to meet you," he had said politely and she had smiled in return. Her mind was much calmer, and quieter than her mates.
Can I meet them?
"I am not sure that would be wise," Edward told Benjamin as he stepped back into the ranks of his family. He certainly didn't like the idea of a strange vampire around Bella when she was injured.
Her pack will protect her, if need be, Carlisle persuaded. We won't let anything happen to them.
Benjamin watched the silent exchange with an enraptured smile and light in his eyes.
"I will ask," Edward said quietly before pushing open the patio doors and heading down the lawn, giving the wolves and Bella a look at their visitors and hopefully calming them a little. Bella's expression was impassive but she was on her feet and cautiously putting weight on her foot. She ignored his scowl. "You should be resting," he scolded quietly.
"Nice thought," she said quietly, exhaling heavily. "They want to meet?"
Edward nodded and the wolves moved from their positions, pulling themselves to their full height as they sat and kept their yellow eyes on the open doorway. Her leg wasn't up for a fight yet, and it wasn't ideal to allow a vampire too close. She wanted to say no. She should have said no, but this is what she did, this is what she had fought for, for so long. This was what made her better than Sam and Lana.
"Okay," she agreed after a long moment.
"You sure?" he asked looking down at her, not even trying to hide his concern. She nodded and he tried to hide his worry but she saw it in his eyes. He understood the need to prove themselves to be civil, to be friends and not enemies but this once, he had hoped that she'd put her own safety before the petty politics unfolding all around them.
So she took his hand, because he was one of them, an extension of her and a part of her pack and she was putting herself in danger and he didn't like it. She threaded her fingers through his and looked up at him, and he squeezed her hand and looked down with a tender smile. There were no orders given, not a word uttered but the wolves moved to flank Bella and Edward – with Thomas and Ted standing with their snouts barely a foot behind them, and the others beside them.
Benjamin emerged first. He was small, barely five foot five and thin like he hadn't had his growth spurt yet. He was one of the youngest Bella had ever laid eyes on. His eyes shone crimson but bright and his smile seemed to be untameable as he made his way down the lawn, his hand clasped in that of a girl. She looked much more reserved, his crimson eyes tight and stern. Both were undeniably beautiful. Bella envied her hair – and the way it curled and shone in the gentle breeze.
Edward kept his mind on Benjamin and his intentions. Though he had felt nothing but boyish excitement from his mind, he still didn't trust him. He doubted he would have trusted Jasper with an injured Bella. "Hello," Benjamin said as soon as he came to a stop, only two feet from Bella and her wolf pack. His lack of fear was admirable, if not foolish.
Bella smiled and inclined her head in greeting, "Hello."
Had he been human, he would have wet himself. "You'll have to forgive me," he said quickly. "I have seen many things in my lifetime, but never anything like these beasts," he said, his voice filled with awe as he looked at Thomas and his yellow eyes.
He growled quietly.
"Hush," Bella snapped quietly, resting her free hand on his flank. He growl was silenced.
"I did not mean any offence," Benjamin hastened to tell them all. "Merely that, with such strength and size I do not see why you would need our aid."
Bella accepted his word. It had only been Thomas who had take the beast thing personally anyway.
"We would rather be too safe than risk the loss of allies, or of the human population," Bella said fluently, as if she were speaking off cue cards.
"You care for the humans as the Cullen's do?" the woman at his side said, her voice quiet but musical and she smiled shyly from Benjamin's side. She saw him squeeze her hand in encouragement.
"We belong to a tribe not too far from here. We protect our people," Bella said softly. "But we also care for the innocents in the area."
"Fascinating," Benjamin breathed. Tia smiled endearingly and Bella did her best to contain her own because this little vampire was far from anything she'd imagined. "Are there more of you?"
She hesitated for a moment. "My pack is split at the moment – between the Cullen's and our home," she said evenly, giving away nothing of the turbulent relationship with the council or what remained of the pack in Neah Bay. "We have twenty wolves in total."
Eyebrows were raised.
"Will you all be fighting?" Tia asked quietly.
"Yes, along with the Quileute Pack," Bella said.
"How many..." Benjamin asked.
"Thirty two wolves in total," Bella said with a small smile.
To say that Amun wasn't happy was a gross understatement. He spent two hours arguing, at first with Carlisle, then with Edward and then with Benjamin. He wanted to leave and cursed Carlisle for trapping him and luring him and his coven into a fight under false pretences.
It was true that there were plenty of wolves – lots of them in fact, but the fact remained that newborns were not their forte. Bella was worried that, between the new vampires and newborns, some allies might fall to wolf claws by accident. Of course she didn't dare voice such worries with Amun still throwing a tantrum in the house. He and his mate had not come to greet her and she couldn't say that she would too upset about it.
Benjamin had gone back inside with Tia and the wolves remained on point and attentive to the possibly explosive situation. "That went well," Edward had said, kissing the back of her hand before heading inside to deal with the carnage that was quickly unfolding.
Bella checked on her leg and gently prodded around at the muscle, finding it only a little tender and when she tried to walk a twinge shot up to her thigh, but nothing excruciating. Edward would go mad, but she couldn't be stuck to the spot for the next twenty four hours.
She was about to send them all to hunt when there was a very loud honk from the drive, and the sound of crunching gravel. She knew what it was of course, but it was much larger than she'd imagined and she was pretty sure she hadn't agreed to this. The arguments were paused for a moment as the huge monstrosity was driven around the house and down the lawn, towards Bella and her wolves with Esme behind the wheel.
They'd told her they were going to find her a mobile home - something small, mobile but comfortable. This vehicle was bigger than her house back on the Res and she stared, wondering whether to cry with relief or demand to see receipts so she could start repaying her debt – not that she had any money to her name.
"What do you think?" Alice asked as she hopped out of the front, jumping down the eight foot drop to the floor and landing lithely, with a proud smile.
"It's..." her words failed her. "Huge."
"We did get a little carried away," the little vampire admitted, holding out the keys to Bella who took them with numb hands, her eyes never leaving the monster parked in front of them. It stood twenty eight foot long, pure black and shining. She had never owned anything so expensive, and had grown with a healthy disgust got those who had such money to splash so recklessly. She didn't know the rules with these vampires. She could tell that the others were similarly stunned since they hadn't so much as growled or moved to protect her from Alice.
"A little?" Bella repeated with disbelief.
"We thought you might as well be comfortable," Alice said a little more seriously, but still had a smile fixed on her face. She bounced a little on the tips of her toes. Esme exited the cab and approached Bella with a meek smile.
"I did try to reign her in, but she twisted my arm," she said to the woman who still looked stunned.
She'd never been given anything with such value. Thomas had saved up his pocket money and bought her a second hand iPod from Port Angeles when they were thirteen – it was, by far, the most valuable thing she owned. "We'll leave you to look around," she said kindly before steering Alice away.
Her pack was there, all eager and in awe of the beast in front of them. They'd never seen anything like it before. Sure, tourists had passed through the reservation or taken a wrong turn but they'd never gotten to poke around inside one.
It was much bigger than it appeared. Not only was there a living room, complete with a sofa big enough for all nine of them, but a dining table, a kitchen with running water – hot and cold – and an oven. Holy shit. Down a little hallway was not one, but two bathrooms with showers and flushing toilets.
It was the little things you take for granted.
There were five bedrooms, and the little leaflet tacked to the front of the cupboard told her that the sofas pulled out to two double beds. Shit.
Not only had the Cullen's taken them in, but they were actually looking after them as well.
The wolves made no attempts to hide their pleasure as they threw themselves down on the sofas, groaning at the feel of the padding against their aching limbs. The ground was okay, but not for prolonged periods of time. Rachel, an avid baker, poked around the kitchen and oven while Bella traipsed through to one of the bedrooms. They would rotate rooms, just to be fair.
Ryan and Kim called the showers first. Ted, John, Lauren, Thomas and Kyle all claimed the bedrooms and Bella didn't argue. Her and Rachel sat on the sofas, looking around. Everything was beautiful – from the plush carpet, to the fireplace and curtains. There was a faint trace of sickly vampire but no-one complained.
"If you want to get some sleep..." Bella said as Rachel yawned.
She left them to it, taking herself back outside. She still didn't know how she felt about it. She was grateful, but her stubborn need to prove herself was prevalent and her pride was a little dinted by what appeared to be a simple gesture by Edward's family. She had nothing to give back to them, and it annoyed her.
Carlisle met her outside, sat back under her tree as if the motor home wasn't even there. She didn't stand to meet him since her leg was still a bit achy, but looked up and smiled. He wasn't beyond a bit of dirt, and she'd been surprised when he'd lowered himself to the ground beside her. "It's something to behold isn't it," he said meaning the motor home.
He saw the discomfort written all over her face. He was glad she didn't try to hide it.
"I am very grateful to you Carlisle," she said solemnly. "You allow us on your land-"
"You are our allies," he said pointedly. He could hear the snores of the wolves within the vehicle, as well as the trickling water and endless scrubbing of those in the shower. "And you have more than earned anything we can offer."
"I-"
"Without you, Edward would be dead," he said plainly, with a pinch to his brow and worry shining in his eyes. He wanted her to know that she wasn't a nuisance to him. He wanted everyone in the house to know that she was welcome here, above them all. She had proven herself time and time again and he would vouch for her. "And I respect you on a personal level."
She frowned at the man beside her.
"You follow what you believe. You stand up for yourself, and you are fair and kind with your pack..." he said conversationally. "You have shown so much patience and faith in my family, and my kind," he said with sincere smile. "I am ashamed to say we haven't shown you the same."
"So you're buying my favour?" Bella said with a smirk. She didn't so well with compliments. As much as she knew she was a good Alpha, it wasn't often anyone shared in the sentiment.
"Hardly," Carlisle coughed with a laugh. "That's Alice. She has a good heart," he said with a fond smile. "You're not happy with it."
"No," she hastened to correct him. "We've never seen anything like it," she told him frankly. "We don't have money in Neah Bay. The council handle everything," she explained quietly. "We're not used to... luxuries. It's not that I'm not grateful..." she said but her words were coming out all wrong.
"But?"
"It's difficult accepting help from you. I should be the one to be protecting and taking care of them, and I can't."
"It's only money, Bella," Carlisle admonished kindly. "They would follow you anywhere," he added wistfully. "Even onto enemy territory, it seems."
And she smiled because he was teasing her and it was easy. They settled into silence, listening to her family snore and his argue with Amun as he criticised everything from their diet, to the décor of the bedroom Esme had prepared for them. "You make him happy," Carlisle said quietly.
She knew he was speaking of Edward, but she kept her eyes on the house ahead of her.
"He's been alone for more than a hundred years," Carlisle went on with a sigh. "Living with three mates couples... hasn't been easy for him, especially with his ability. We travelled a lot, hoping he would find her in a corner of the world somewhere," he admitted, and shrugged at Bella's critical stare. "We wanted him to find what we had."
She couldn't imagine what it would have been like for him – frozen as he was so young, trapped but happy with his family, always on the edge, always missing something. It made her sad, knowing he had been so alone but she had been here for fifteen years.
"I am glad Edward found you," Carlisle said in a whisper, though he knew his son was listening very intently. "We all are," he added. "Not just because you are his mate, but because you fit into our family in a way we never even considered."
"The guard dog?" Bella scoffed, remembering Tanya's comment.
"Our equal," Carlisle corrected softly. "I think, if we could overcome the smell..." he said with wry smile. "You are very welcome in our family, Isabella."
He left her, with warm smiles and an open invitation to come up to the house whenever she wanted – which wasn't any time soon, but she was glad for the meaning there.
She was welcome.
Whether she'd realised it or not, having Edward's family against her had been a crushing weight on her chest. She knew the warmth she'd seen in Carlisle wasn't shared equally with his family, but there was a an opening for her within the ranks. She saw how her own family had accepted Edward effortlessly, without hesitation or command, and hoped they could do the same with his family though it might have been too much to ask.
She was exhausted.
She hadn't slept in two days. She had patrolled, attacked, defended and bartered and she was spent but she could not rest. Her pack lay sleeping, vulnerable and tired it was left to her to stand guard; another downside to the walls and heated flooring that contained her pack. It wasn't too easy to protect yourself from inside a motor home as it was out in the open. All it would take was one of them phasing in the kitchen, to get too rowdy and throw someone through the wall and it would be ruined.
Jasper felt her fatigue, and looked out of the window wondering how long she could possibly sustain herself when she was bordering on unconsciousness. She didn't show any outward sign of exhaustion beside the dark lines beneath her eyes, and he was left to think how long she could go without resting before her body gave in.
Hours passed and she was aware of the eyes on her, but the vampires were busy learning about their new allies and Bella was left to her own devices. The rain began to fall and still she remained outside because a wolf should never be caged, even if it did cost thousands of dollars and have central heating. They were made for the open sky and forests of the world, to breath in the salty air and run free.
Still, she couldn't say she was unhappy when Thomas emerged, stretching and smiling and jumping down from the little door, ignoring the steps that lead to the floor. There were no words as she heaved herself up and took herself away. She didn't care that he hadn't made the bed, or that there was dirt on the sheets. The mattress was achingly comfortable and she didn't even shut the door as she fell into a deep, consuming slumber.
There was an unspoken rule that was shared by every person on the Cullen's land – including, it seemed, the birds. Bella was not to be awoken, at any cost. She had been away from the Tribe for a week and a half now, and she had barely eaten, barely slept or bathed and she had sacrificed enough for them all. They roused and silently closed her bedroom door, and left her to her dreams as they filtered outside to join Thomas.
Rachel found the cupboards to be fully stocked with all kinds of food and set about cooking up a killer breakfast – using every slice of bread, every strip of bacon and egg and anything she could get her hands on. They were all starving.
Nothing woke her; not the crackling fat in the frying pan or the loud shouts as breakfast was handed out on plates, piled high and smoking hot. It didn't matter. The vampires watched in mild disgust as each wolf, man and woman, devoured every morsel as if it were their last. Knives and forks were forgotten, manners abandoned as toast and beans and chips, and sausages and ketchup vanished into the cavern of their stomachs.
It took less than four minutes. The plates were piled to one side and the pack sat nursing bloated stomachs and lighter minds. It was amazing what decent sleep could give you. Gone was the urge to strike and snap, and the urge to cross the border and risk the wrath of Lana and the council to see their families. Their resolve strengthened.
"We need more food," Rachel reminded them.
"We'll head into town later," Thomas dismissed quickly. It was too peaceful to start talking about plans and faults. "This is good."
It didn't matter that sixteen vampires stood a hundred foot away, or that rain was falling in a mist and what looked like a storm was rolling in. Things were looking up.
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