Disclaimer: Stephenie Meyer owns Twilight and I am not seeking, nor will I receive any financial return or world renowned success for this particular piece of fiction. However, I do get personal satisfaction out of writing it.

More fluffy smut, which you really can't avoid this time, so, if that's not your thing, I'm not sure how you're going to make it through this chapter.

*** Chapter 8 – Enemy Revealed ***

"Mat, please….stop teasing," the feminine plea filled the space surrounding the bed where porcelain skin was intertwined with russet.

Hands pinning her thighs down, the man in question allowed his tongue to slide slowly through her wetness again, letting his warm breath touch her core before he latched his lips onto it. His movements seemed lazy in their slowness, but Mat was intentionally restraining his movements to a languid pace in order to driver her to the brink of sanity.

Hips started to lift, trying to meet his mouth before he lowered it to her again and he chuckled in response.

"Now, now, try and restrain yourself, Bella, all things in good time," His smug voice matched the smirk on his face she could see when she looked down at him, growing frustration causing her to shake slightly.

Fuck this.

In less time than it took him to fill his lungs to say another word, Bella had Mat pinned to the wall of the cabin. By the time his brain had registered her actions, she was on her knees in front of his straining cock and had run her tongue around the head before letting it slide fully into her waiting mouth.

Slamming his palms against the wall, Mat's hips thrust forward in response to her attention, desire rushing lightening fast through his system, causing his head to spin as he closed his eyes.

Letting her fingers dig slightly into the thick muscles of his thighs, Bella slid up and down, sliding her tongue from base to tip in a steady pace, hearing his heart rate soaring in her ears.

"Fuck, you have no restraint, you know that?"

Looking up at him through sable lashes, Bella slowed her movement and released her lip's hold.

Feigning sweetness, she inquired, "I'm sorry, how rude of me. Would you like me to stop?"

Fingers curling into fists at the protest his body had cried at her absence, Mat ground his teeth and looked her in the eye, "Bed, now."

Giggling at his slightly flared temper, Bella returned to her spot on the bed and looked at him expectantly. Brown eyes that seemed to inch closer to black looked down on her as he pulled one ankle towards him, dragging her down the sheets and then flipping her body over.

Bella's need burned hot at the turn of events and she brought her body up on hands and knees in time for him to grab hold of her waist and push deeply inside of her. Her back arched and Mat slid one hand up to twist hair around his fingers before pulling slightly.

"You know, you seem to have an issue with being in control," He accused between thrusts that were picking up speed.

"I could take it back right now if I wanted."

Covering her form with his entire body, Bella felt his voice harsh and ragged in her ear, "Stop fighting this, you are mine."

His claim shattered her restraint and she felt her body melt around him, fluid completion sliding over his skin, triggering his own body to fill her, to join her in releasing long held isolation and submit to being one half of a whole.

Allowing the water to spill over their bodies, Bella rested her head against Mat's chest, listening to his heart's languid pace as it provided a tempo to a new found peace she didn't realize she had been lacking.

"You know, you don't feel quite right in here."
His words interrupted the looping track in her head where he had said she belonged to him, and Bella pulled her focus to the present moment in the shower.

"What are you talking about?"

"The shower, the hot water, it changes the temperature of your skin. I don't know, it just makes your body different, like your skin is trying to pretend to be something it isn't."

Bella pulled back enough to see the quizzical look that had crossed his features as he tried to make sense of the change. Smiling, she replied, "You prefer me being closer to the temperature of an ice cube?"

Shaking his head, he disagreed, "No, it's just…it's weird…it's not you."

"And, you know me?"

Looking down into her eyes, he searched earnestly for the answer, "Do I?"

Bella rolled the question around, feeling for an honest response, "I'd like to think you do. You were so irritating when we first met, so full of your superiority, that I refused to try and pretend to be something else. I wasn't going to play nice or attempt to make you feel better. So yes, I think I've always been just me around you."

Mat seemed content with the answer, and ran a finger between the lines of Bella's brows, smoothing out the wrinkle that had started to form, "What?"
"Did you mean it?"

He knew exactly what she was referring to, and he questioned whether it was some weird moment of feral domination between them, the need to have the upper hand in the bedroom when, from the beginning, Bella tended to take the lead. But, time, especially the few days they had taken away from the rest of the world, had solidified the bond he felt to her, the desire to spend every moment by her side, the need to protect her, if you could protect such a creature. He felt he need not provide some lengthy explanation in response.

"Yes."
Leaning up onto her toes, Bella pulled his head down to meet hers in a gentle kiss that pressed into a tender dance between man and woman. Letting her fingers play with the hair at the base of his neck that was curling in the steam of the shower spray, the peace that she had felt earlier spread into every limb, tension flowing away with the warm water sliding down her skin until Mat lifted her body so she could wrap legs around his waist, before leaning her against the wall as he proceeded to slide into her slowly.

His movements were unhurried and purposeful and this time she allowed him to take all the time he needed.

Sitting on a fallen log beside a bonfire, Bella listened to Cali's explanation of every ultrasound picture in her possession. She couldn't help but smile in response to the woman's overflowing excitement.

And, it was, a genuine smile.

This new life had stopped representing the end of her and Jake's future, and had simply become a thing to celebrate. Her best friend, who so often acted like a child through their many years of friendship, would be raising children of his own. There were guaranteed to be many moments of laughter as he made his way into this new role.

Her fingers were intertwined with Mat's as he carried on a conversation with Seth and the rest of the pack members, seeking to catch up on anything he had missed while he and Bella had been MIA.

Sam and Jacob both noticed the pair had returned with a bond forged stronger then when they had stood in the kitchen that morning, but they continued to tread into unknown territory without putting any stop to the relationship.

They just couldn't.

Bella and Mat were as close to imprinting as they could be without it being so, to separate the two would inflict pain on a pack brother and Jacob's closest friend. It felt wrong, so they decided to leave the future to fate.

The rest of the pack fell in line with their leader, not wanting to bring any harm to the girl they considered family either.

The early evening held a slight chill in the air, but the fire kept it from settling in the bones. All was well until an injured howl pierced the eardrums of the group of friends. Everyone froze before a flurry of movement erupted, the men taking off for the forest line, leaving a trail of shredded clothing in their wake as skin gave way to fur. Bella held herself back, letting the pack mind take over in locating their fallen pack mate.

Breaking through a clearing of trees near the northern edge of the territory, Bella found Quil lying on his side, his lungs seeming to struggle with every breath he pulled in. Two other wolves had taken a defensive stance in front of the body, staring down the crimson eyed creature that had inflicted damage on one of their own.

Seeing Bella break through the group, the man stopped for a moment, a look of surprise crossing his features as he inspected her from head to toe, taking notice of her burnt honey colored eyes. His lip curled back in a snarl and Bella immediately locked his body down. Attempting to move, the intruder found his arms and legs incapable of completing the action.

"Stand down, Jake, I've got him," she called out to the alpha male who was inches from the vampire.

The rest of the group had circled, their collaborative anger palpable to the point that Bella shielded herself from the emotion, creating a secure cocoon where they couldn't influence her and she could think clearly.

"Well, well, well, it seems the Cullen Clan has added to its number."

"I'm not a Cullen, and they are unaware of my existence, so you're wrong about that. Question is, who are you?"

"That's none of your concern, nor am I willing to share such information as it will neither ensure my safety or continued existence. These wolves aren't going to allow me to go free," he gazed at the gleam of almost a dozen sets of canines waiting to tear him apart, "and if you were to release me, I'll confess I would try and take a few down before making my exit. So, it appears we are at an impasse."

Bella ignored his statement of destiny and continued to question, "Did you come looking for them? For the Cullen family?"

Having adopted a stoic expression, he only stared in response. Bella heard a slight shift in the trees beyond and turned her head quick enough to catch movement. Turning towards Jake, she directed his attention, "There's at least two more in the trees."

Secure that Bella would keep the object of their interrogation in hand, Jake sent the rest of the pack after the pair, leaving only Mat to stand guard over Quil while he and Bella dealt with the other.

"You didn't come alone? Are you part of a coven yourself?"

At the last question, the red eyed devil turned his head and replied, "I only come bearing the warning that she is coming to take revenge for that which was taken from her. She has forgotten nothing. She has only bided her time till the moment was right for the Cullen's destruction. If they are not here, she will simply wait for their return. But, now that we know about you and your litter of puppies, she will surely seek to entertain herself with destroying you until then."

Facing ahead once more to let her know that he was finished discussing anything, Bella watched the familiar stone-like trance settle in to his body. He was checking out completely, waiting for the ax to fall. There was nothing more to be gained about this unknown enemy. Jake looked at her with question.

"Do it."
Bella went to Quil's side, trying to focus her attention on the mending wolf instead of the metallic shriek of her friend tearing the vampire apart. Quil's eyes were closed, and Bella was certain he had lost consciousness, but his body held onto his lupine form and his breathing had eased greatly since they first appeared. They would simply have to wait for him to come to in order to get the rest of the story.

"Bella…"

Without turning to look at Jake, she reached into her pocket and pulled out a beaten brass Zippo lighter. It was Charlie's, from when he occasionally shared a cigar with Billy Black while they enjoyed a day out fishing. Never having had to use it before for such a reason, Bella kept it on her as a reminder of where she came from, the man who had taught her the importance of serving and protecting that which needed protection.

Smelling oily black smoke fill the air, she closed off all breathing, shuddering at the thought of bringing something so vile into her lungs.

"Do you need help getting him back?"

"No, we can take care of him and the others captured one of the two that escaped earlier. They're bringing back the remains to be burned with this one."

"Okay, well, I think I'm going to head back to the beach. Try and clear my head. We can talk once you guys have Quil taken care of."

Still ignoring the scene unfolding behind her, Bella took off towards the heart of the reservation. Mat glanced at Jake for a moment, and seeing the man nod his head, he chased after her.

Sitting by the campfire, everyone having changed into different clothing, even Bella who was attempting to rid herself of any remnants of the night's earlier events, the group sat in silence as Bella paced back and forth.

"You don't remember the Cullens mentioning anyone that had someone out for them personally?"

Sighing, Bella rubbed her hands down her face in a very human gesture, "Jake, you know the past is cloudy at best, but no, I can't recall them saying anything. I know Jasper's past was checkered and bloody, and they always felt on edge having him around me, but being the target of someone? No, they enjoyed their mock everyday life façade that they wore so well too much to be in the crosshairs of an assassin."

Sitting beside Mat, she curled her knees up to her chest and wrapping her arms around them, she stared at the brilliant orange flames dancing back and forth, inhaling the smell of salt and sea and burning pine.

"Well, if he wasn't lying, and given the one that escaped, I don't think we're finished with whoever this is. We've been lulled into complacency lately, taking advantage of our lack of danger. We're going to have to amp up perimeter guarding."

"Jake"

He turned to meet her serious expression.

"You've mentioned before that your dad knows how to get in touch with Carlisle."

"Bella, who's to say that guy knew what he was talking about, that he wasn't lying? There's no need to make that call yet."

"What if you had lost Quil tonight? Would it be serious enough then? At least make the call and let them know that their name was brought up; see if Carlisle has a clue who it could be. You don't need to mention me at all."

Jacob was weighing the validity of her words when Sam spoke up, "She's right, Jacob, we need to be prepared, whatever it takes."

"I'll be fine. You don't need to protect me."

Sighing in resignation, Jacob caved under the push of the group, "Fine, fine. Let's give the leech brigade a call."

Deciding that she didn't want to be in hearing range of Jacob's discussion with the good doctor, Bella and Mat headed out to their favorite cliff. Bella took comfort in nestling up to what she claimed was now "her wolf," letting her fingers drift through his fur. He tried to ignore the adrenaline that kept threatening to spike at the thought of more hidden killers lingering in the trees, waiting for the moment to rip Bella from his grasp.

"Too bad we can't go back into hiding," she mused out loud.

He turned his head to look at her, and motioned for the trees.

"You know we can't. They're our family and we would never leave them at a time like this"

He grumbled in response, huffing out a breath and turning his head to look the other direction.

"Aw, now, don't be like that…" She teased ruffling her fur.

In response he knocked into her with his shoulder and when she started to laugh, he continued to roll into her, until he was partially laying on his back on top of her while she shook in mirth under his overly large frame. Internally, he smiled at the sound, barely moving when she put forth next to no effort to remove him from his current location. Wrestling with each other that continued to the point that a nearby tree was broken, the two continued on till they heard approaching footsteps.

Taking care to brush off dirt and debris from her clothes, Bella couldn't help but laugh when she noticed a straggling branch caught in the fur behind his ear. She reached over to pull it out, causing Mat to flinch at her movement and turn his position in challenge, to which she jumped on his back and wrestled with him.

"Stop moving, you idiot, you have a twig stuck in your fur," she shrieked with laughter.

Jacob just stood there with arms crossed, watching the two, an understated smile on his face.

"Could you two try and rein it in?"

Mat stopped moving and Bella slid onto the ground gracelessly, laughing more when she hit the dirt before jumping to her feet and dusting herself off again.

With bright eyes, she gave Jacob her attention and he was surprised to see the same look on her face that he'd often admired on Cali's. That care free joy that seemed to light her up from the inside when he did something that brought her pleasure. That look of…love? Bella was in love?

Snapping her fingers, Bella interrupted Jacob's descent into thought, "Hello? Jacob? Anyone home?"

Clearing his throat, he came back, "Yeah, I just wanted to let you know I talked to Carlisle. He doesn't have any idea of who this vampire was referring to, but felt it was worth paying attention to."

"It seems the family is a little split up in locations right now, but they want to return, for a visit at least. Take a look around and see if they can find something we may have missed."

Bella crossed her arms, "And, you said?"
"I told them okay. Bella, you know I have to protect the tribe. It's my number one duty. So, I don't know, maybe you and Mat can leave, hide out till after they've left."

"No."
"No?"

"No, this is my home. I live here now. They left for whatever asinine reason. I'm not bowing to their appearance, trying to make things easy on them. I'm staying here."

"You sure?"

Bella glared in response, and Mat growled at her shift in posture. Jacob held his hands up in surrender.

"Okay, I got it, you're staying. They'll be here day after tomorrow. Carlisle said he'd call when they were getting close. I've got to let the rest of the group know."
Bella nodded and watched Jake walk away, chewing on her lower lip. Mat let her stand there in silence before bumping into her and reminding her of his presence.

"I'm fine," she dismissed his concern, "It'll all be fine, right? You'll stay with me and we'll find out how to help the pack and then the Cullens can just pack up and go back to where they came from."

If only she felt that her words held any truth.

A/N: So, I'm more than a little excited to explore this little plot twist. Thanks for those of you who've stepped on board to follow this story. Your show of support is much appreciated!

Xoxo - Ginja