Chapter Eight 'The Denali Coven'
Bella had gotten out of the hospital a week later with Charlie's eye on her. She knew she could handle herself but her father didn't. Edward and Jacob both kept an eye out for Max. Edward wasn't going to let her get hurt again and neither was Jacob. That morning she had went to take out the trash. When she sensed Edward behind her. "Nice try," Bella said causing him to turn her.
"Max being around has heightened your senses," Edward said causing her to shut the barrel. She turned to him and looked up at him.
"They have to be," Bella said. "He is not going to stop coming after me," she said. "And right now I bet you anything he is assembling a small army," she said firmly.
"We will handle them," Edward said causing her to sigh.
"You shouldn't have to Edward," Bella said. "This is my problem," she said. "You and your family should take off for awhile," she said. "Until I can deal with him or until I am," she said.
"Don't," Edward said grabbing her face. "Don't you ever say that," he said. "You are not going to die I am not going to let him hurt you," he said firmly.
"I love you Edward," Bella said kissing him softly.
"I love you too," Edward said softly. "Are you doing anything right now?" He asked.
"No why?" Bella asked.
"Another coven is here for a visit I would like you to meet them," Edward said causing her to nod her head. "Not many vampires are use to seeing a human with a vampire," he said softly.
"Should I bring my gun," Bella said causing him to laugh.
"No," Edward said. "I will protect you," he said kissing her again. "Now get dressed," he said looking down at her in a tank top and short shorts. "Because I can only see you in that," he said firmly.
"Want to watch me dress?" Bella asked causing him to follow her into the house. Alice was pacing back and fourth in the house a few hours later.
"Where are they?" Rosalie asked crossing her arms.
"Here," Edward said setting her down on the ground.
"Everyone," Alice said grabbing a hold of Bella's hand.
"Tanya," Bella said looking at her in shock.
"Bella," Tanya said softly. "I heard you gave your career," she said stepping up to hr.
"I heard you have been taking good care of Cameron," Bella said crossing her arms against her chest.
"This is your contact," Carlisle said causing her to nod her head.
"Nice to see you Bella," Tanya said. "And I never thought we would meet under these circumstances and that you would fall for a vampire," she said looking over at Edward.
"Shocked me as well," Bella said with a smile on her face. "Where is he?" She asked.
"Bella," a small male voice replied.
"Hey kid," Bella said lifting him up in her arms. "You've been good," she said.
"Yes," Cameron said nodding his head. "Can I climb a tree?" She asked.
"Yes you may," Tanya said causing her to set him down.
"Cameron," Carmen said coming in with Eleazar behind her. "Bella," she said.
"Hey Carmen," Bella said waving at her and she smiled over at her.
"How are you doing girl?" Carmen asked hugging her close.
"I don't understand this at all," Rosalie said softly. "How can you not hate her?" She asked. "I mean I don't anymore but you guys aren't the most forgiving people," she said softly.
"Thanks," Carmen said looking over at her and she just shrugged.
"Because," Kate said. "She is like everyone else people make mistake," she said. "Just like we have but she looks past them," she said firmly.
"So," Bella said. "Do I pass?" She asked with a smirk on her face.
"You're alright," Tanya said causing her to shake her head.
"I got to tell you something," Bella said in a soft voice. "Max is back," she said.
"When?" Tanya asked causing everyone to gather in the living room.
"It was because of those nomad vampires," Bella said. "And then on camping trip he was trying to kill her," she said pointing over to Rosalie. "I jumped in his way got stabbed and he took off," she said.
"What do you think he is doing?" Carmen asked looking over at her.
"Either he is hiding out," Bella said. "Or he is assembling a small army," she said. "It's more likely the second one," she said. "But I don't understand," she said. "Why now?" She asked.
"Gary was killed," Tanya said causing her to look in shock.
"By the nomad vampires," Bella said causing her to nod. "And now he's on the war path with anyone that has wronged him," she said leaning back against Edward.
"Everything will be fine," Edward said. "I mean we are vampires," he said.
"You hope," Tanya said looking over at him.
"The thing is you don't know a hunter from a human," Kate said firmly. "They could come up on you in a second," he said. "They have learned to control their emotion, their mind, their heart rate," she said.
"Is that why I can't read your mind?" Edward asked causing her to shake her head.
"No," Bella said. "Once I stopped being a hunter," she began. "I stopped doing the other things as well so I guess I am just weird," she said causing him to laugh.
"You did good Edward," Tanya said with a smile. "Hold onto her," she said causing him to hug Bella close and kissed the top of her head.