***BELLA POV***
Though I'm not the fastest in our squad like Shadow, I am pretty fast, and I'm putting everything into reaching Bree before the other wolf. Seconds before the two collide, I jump and slam into Bree's back, sending us both to the ground and under the other wolf. I pin Bree down before looking up to see the other wolf charging us again. I debate on tackling her, but then Bree would be free. Thankfully, I don't have to make the decision because someone tackles the wolf in the side, and the two go tumbling. When they stop, a large panther is standing over the wolf, and I recognize its scent as the other shifter from inside. The wolf growls up at the panther, but the panther just stares down at her. I'm assuming the two are talking through a link because the wolf stops growling a few moments later. I feel Bree struggle under me, and I look down at her.
"You can get off of me now," she says. I give her a look, and she huffs. "I'll be good."
I tilt my head, not quite sure if I believe her, but finally get up. She's up a second later and frowning at me.
"Did you really have to tackle me?" she asks in exasperation.
I snort and turn just as the panther lets the wolf get up. I watch the wolf shake her fur and run off into the cavern behind the waterfall before my gaze lands back on the panther. Her fur is pitch-black, but the tips of her ears, paws, and tail are maroon red. I'm slightly taken aback by her eyes which are dark-amber and glowing slightly.
'I'm sorry about, Cieran,' I hear a voice in my head that I realize is coming from the panther. 'I figured I'd follow you all just in case because she can be a little aggressive sometimes.'
'That seemed more than a little aggressive,' I reply, and she sighs.
'That's because she's still a little shaken up about Shane,' she says and my ears flicker at the name.
What's so important about this Shane?
'Who's Shane?'
'Shane isn't exactly our alpha, but she is our leader. All of us fight together like a pack, but we aren't a typical one.'
'Why did she say I smell like her?' I ask, and the panther looks towards the waterfall just as Cieran exits with a new set of clothes.
Cieran walks over and tosses some clothes to me and the other shifter.
"I'll explain things once you've changed," Cieran says as I pick the clothes up in my teeth.
I notice Bree about to make some kind of retort, but she stops when I send her a glare. She huffs in return, and I trot behind a tree to change in the slightly larger clothes. When I return, Bree is scowling at Cieran who is glaring back, and the other shifter is watching the two closely from beside the blonde vampire.
"I think we should have some introductions before any explanations," the new shifter says. "My name is Kia, and this is my friend Cieran MacCaul. I'm a panther shifter while she is a werewolf."
"That explains the smell," I realize with a laugh, and everyone looks at me like I've gone crazy. "I'm sorry. It was just bugging me that I couldn't place Cieran's scent even though I remembered it. Werewolves smell like shifters, just slightly different."
"What's the difference between a shifter and werewolf?" Bree asks in confusion, and I look at Cieran.
"Would you like to explain, or shall I?" I ask, and she looks at me in slight amusement.
"You go ahead. I want to see how much you know."
"Alright, werewolves are very much like shifters other than the fact that their strength varies on the phases of the moon. The closer it is to the full moon, the stronger a werewolf becomes while the closer it is to the new moon, the weaker a werewolf becomes. Werewolves also have a secret weapon at their disposal during a full moon that makes them completely different from shifters," I explain all that I know before I turn to Cieran. "How'd I do?"
"I'm impressed," Cieran laughs slightly. "How do you know all of this?"
"I ran into a werewolf a while back and learned a few things. Now, will someone please explain why a fight was just about to happen?"
Cieran and Kia exchange a look before Kia sighs.
"Cieran attacked you because you smell like Shane," she explains.
"What?" I ask in confusion.
"As you know, a werewolf's senses vary with the phases of the moon. Because the full moon is near, my sense of smell is heightened beyond a shifter's, and your scent is like Shane's."
"But I don't even know who Shane is," I reply and Cieran frowns.
"Of course you do. She must be of some close relation to you if you two smell so much alike," Cieran says.
"That's not possible," Bree speaks up.
I give her a confused look, but she is looking at Cieran with wide eyes.
"Bree, you know who Shane is?" I ask, and she looks at me.
"I've met her before, and you're nothing like her, Bella," she states in a firm tone. "Before I joined this squad, I was sent on a mission with Shane. She's a ruthless person who cares little for mercy. She has no heart."
"Don't you dare speak badly about Shane!" Cieran roars as she steps towards Bree, but Kia quickly holds her back.
"Why shouldn't I?" Bree shoots back. "It's the truth."
Cieran growls and struggles against Kia's hold, but the girl holds on tight. I quickly step in front of Bree and make her look at me.
"That's enough, Bree," I state, confusion laced in my voice as I stare at the younger girl. "I don't know what's gotten into you or why you're acting so hostile, but you need to cool it. I'm sure this Shane has a reason for how she acts."
"And she does," Kia says as I turn back to the two. "You may not understand it, but the Volturi took a lot from Shane."
"Like what?"
"Shane was forced to become a slave to the Volturi in order to protect some townspeople. The Romanians attacked, and she had assembled a group to fight back. The Volturi were afraid they would lose control over her so they used some excuse and killed her mate because of it."
"I-I didn't know," Bree says in a soft voice as she ducks her head in shame. "It must've been horrible for her."
"That's why she acts that way. The loss changed her, and she never recovered."
"This still doesn't explain why we smell similar or why you nearly attacked us," I tell Cieran, and she sighs.
"As you heard, Shane was sent on a mission. We don't know much about it other than that it was really important and really dangerous-" Cieran starts.
"Was?" I cut in, having noticed the past tense being used.
Kia and Cieran exchange a look again before Kia sighs.
"Shane was supposed to have already been back from the mission, but she hasn't returned. She's gone missing," Kia explains.
"And that's why I was so aggressive," Cieran speaks up. "When I noticed you and Shane had the same scent, I thought you two had been in contact, and you knew where she was. It was only after I calmed down that I realized that it was just your relation to her."
"And what relation is that?" I ask.
"You're close, but not like direct siblings. Possibly half-siblings or cousins."
My eyes widen as I suddenly realize something.
"Oh my god, maybe she can tell me about my past," I breathe with a smile. "Maybe she can tell me where I come from and about my parents."
"Bella," Bree frowns, and I look over at her.
A throat clears, and I look over at the blonde vampire who I had forgotten was here.
"Maybe we all should just calm down and patrol like we had planned to do. Kia, Cieran, Bree, why don't you three head off towards that way while Bella and I will head off this way?" the vampire suggests.
I see Bree going to argue, but Kia cuts her off.
"Sure, come on, Bree, let's go do some patrolling," she says as she grabs Bree's arm and starts pulling her away.
Bree looks back at me in worry, but I smile.
"I'll be fine, Bree," I say with a smile.
"But what about me?" she asks with a slightly horrified face. "You can't just leave me with strangers."
"You're a vampire, Bree," I laugh slightly at her expression. "You'll be fine."
"I swear, if they kill me, I'm going to kill you," she threatens, and I frown.
"How is that possible?" I ask in slight amusement.
"I just will," she states, and I raise my hands in surrender while the others laugh slightly.
Bree huffs before following Cieran and Kia off. When I can't see them anymore, I turn to the vampire.
"I never caught your name," I say, and he smiles.
"My name's Charles," he replies.
"It's nice to meet you, Charles, but why did you want to speak to me?" I ask, and he opens his mouth before closing it.
He looks at me with indecisiveness in his eyes before it's hidden away, and he sighs.
"I know Shane," he starts to walk off, and I quickly follow. "I've spoken to her many times. We've both become each other's confidants, in a way."
"What does this have to do with me?"
"What I'm trying to say is she's told me about you. I can help you get your memories back."