Peter snarled at Emmett, "How dare you! How dare you take my daughter as your mate! What the hell makes you think you're worthy of her?!"
Emmett tried to break out of Peter's hold, but Peter was too strong. Peter started to dig his claws into Emmett's neck. Alexis ran towards her father and grabbed him by the waist, and began to plead with him, "Please, Daddy, let Emmett go! He's my mate and the father of your grandchild!" Alexis yelled while tears ran down her face.
At hearing the desperation in his daughter's voice and smelling her tears, Peter narrowed his eyes and threw Emmett with enough force that the vampire crashed into several trees, toppling them over. Emmett lay there for a while. That was the first time in a long time that Emmett had felt pain. Alexis ran towards Emmett and fell to her knees next to him.
"Emmett! Emmett, are you alright?"
Emmett groaned and slowly sat up. He looked at his mate in wonder, "You're pregnant? Why didn't you tell me?"
Alexis helped Emmett stand, "I didn't know until now. I haven't felt any symptoms or anything."
"Then how is it your dad knows?"
Peter growled, "I can smell it; her chemosignals have changed!" Peter yelled, shaking with rage, his eyes changing to a Lycan blue.
Liz placed herself between her husband and Emmett. She put her hands on Peter's face, "Peter, look at me; you need to calm down. I know you're angry, but this isn't helping the situation," Liz told her husband.
Peter looked at his mate and closed his eyes. He let Liz's calm demeanor wash over him and settle his anger. Peter opened his eyes, and they were back to normal. He glared at Emmett, "This isn't over, Vamp. You and I are going to have a long talk about this."
Emmett gulped but agreed. Emmett did not doubt that if Peter wanted him dead, he would do it. Carlisle stepped forward to diffuse the situation and introduced himself to Peter. Peter had calmed down enough to answer civilly, though he would glare at Emmett a few times. Peter was debating on whether to let Emmett live. His resolve wavered when Peter saw his daughter's concern for her mate. Peter sighed and realized he couldn't kill Emmett without hurting Alexis. But that didn't mean he wouldn't kick Emmett's ass.
After a while, everyone introduced themselves to Peter, but he noticed that Derek seemed to hover over Bella, and he smirked; he knew his nephew had finally found his mate.
The Cullens invited everyone inside for dinner and began discussing their strategy. The wolves and vampires listened closely to what Ambrus had planned out. With Alice's visions, they knew precisely when the newborns would attack, so if Bella's scent could draw them in, it would catch them off guard.
Ambrus decided that Bella leave a trail of blood in the clearing where the fight would be and that she be taken somewhere safe. Edward immediately volunteered much to Derek's announcement. But Ambrus explained that all of the Lycans were needed for the battle. Derek reluctantly agreed on the condition that he carries Bella to the campsite. Seth would join them later.
Once that was settled, the Hales returned to Liz's house along with Bella. Derek decided he would tell her that she was his mate. Lexie decided to go home with her family to spend time with her dad, much to Emmett's disappointment, but he understood.
The Lycans arrived at the Hale house and started catching Peter up about what was happening. Dinner was served, and the discussion continued. Peter questioned his daughter about the big vampire, and she told her father everything; of course, she didn't go into their mating. Alexis knew her father couldn't handle that.
As the night progressed, Derek became grumpier. The girls rolled their eyes and encouraged him to tell Bella the truth. So, he asked if he could walk Bella home. They decided to take a long way around instead of jumping the fence. It was initially quiet as they walked, but Derek stopped Bella, "Bella, I have something important to tell you. You may not believe it initially, but I promise it's true."
Bella looked at Derek, concerned, "What is it?"
Derek sighed, "Do you remember the first time we met at Lexie's graduation?"
Bella never forgot that moment. She felt a strange pull towards Derek. She never figured out, "Yes, I do. I felt this strange pull towards you and an attraction I have never felt for anyone, not even Edward. Why did I feel that?"
Derek gave her a dazzling smile, his green eyes lit up in happiness, "I wanted to wait until you were out of High School to tell you this, so now is a good a time as any," Derek took a deep breath, "Bella, the reason you felt that way is that you and I are mates."
Bella stared at Derek momentarily, "You mean the way Lexi and Emmett are mates?"
"Yes," Derek answered.
"Why didn't you tell me before?"
"You were still in High School and involved with that Edward guy. I wanted to let you realize the vampire was not for you without my influence. And I wanted you to graduate High School first. You were too young to know that."
Bella smiled at Derek, "I knew something about you drew me in, but I couldn't figure it out! So what do we do now?"
Derek took Bella's hand and kissed it, "Whatever you want. You're mine now, and I'm yours."
Bella thought momentarily, "Is that why you don't want me to go camping with Edward?"
"Yes, it's my job to protect and love you, not the vamps. But my mom is right; I'm needed in the fight. However, I want you to know something. Because of our bond, I can feel your emotions, so if something happens, call me, and I will be there in a flash. Being a Lycan gives me superior speed and strength. And I will take you to the campsite, myself. My understanding is that the youngest shape-shifter will be there to guard you as well. I hope he's up to the task."
"He is, Derek, don't worry. Bella reassured her mate."
"It's my job to worry and care for you, Bella, especially since you're human," Derek said as he leaned in and kissed Bella.
Bella lost herself in Derek's kiss. She melted into his touch and realized that everything Derek had explained was true. Derek and Bella walked to her house, hand in hand. When they arrived, Derek packed a tent for Bella and extra warm clothes and blankets. He wanted to ensure his mate was as warm and comfortable as possible. Once he had finished, Derek kissed Bella goodnight and walked toward the backyard, and jumped the fence.
Charlie, who had arrived a few minutes earlier, looked at his daughter, "So, you and Derek Hale, huh?"
Bella smiled, "It's more than a crush, Dad. Derek and I are mates!"
Charlie chuckled, "What is it with Hales falling for Swan girls?"
"I don't know, Dad, but I've never been happier or safer."
Charlie nodded, "Good, that's all I want for you, Bells. And I know if Derek is anything like his uncle, you will be loved and well-protected, and even though you don't need my approval, I approve of this relationship."
"I'm glad you do, Dad."
"So what are you going to do about Edward?" Charlie asked.
"There's nothing to do about Edward. I don't like him anymore, and he's finally accepted it. He will take me into the mountains to protect me; even though Derek doesn't like it, he knows he's needed for the battle."
Charlie nodded in understanding. Father and Daughter stayed up longer, talking about the next day. Bella told him she wasn't worried. Alexis and the other Lycans will trounce the newborns, "I don't think Carlisle and the others will have much to do."
Charlie agreed; he knew that, as werewolves, the Hales were dangerous. Charlie could only imagine how much more deadly they were than Lycans. After a while, Bella and Charlie went to bed; they would have a long day the following morning.
The day before the battle, Charlie and Bella got up early and went to have breakfast with the Hales. Charlie noticed how Derek couldn't keep his eyes off his mate and pulled her into his lap after she served him breakfast. Derek and Bella shared their breakfast, and Charlie chuckled. That was the same thing Peter would do with Liz; their instincts told them to care for their mates.
Once the meal was over, everyone changed and headed toward the field. Bella decided to leave a trail of her blood to attract the newborns. After a while, the Cullens showed up, and Edward walked toward Bella to talk to her. Derek's eyes narrowed, but he allowed it. Edward told Bella where he would set up the campsite, but Derek disagreed.
"You're choosing a site that's too high; Bella will freeze up there. I will take her to a lower site where she will be more protected."
Edward looked surprised, "I thought Jake was going to carry her?"
"Change of plans; the newborns have no idea what a Lycan smells like. They'll never make the connection."
Edward didn't look convinced, and Derek flashed his eyes at him and growled, "Look, whether you agree with my plan or not, this is the way it's going to be," Derek growled out and took an aggressive step towards Edward; Bella grabbed Derek's hand, and he calmed down immediately. Derek pulled a map, "This is where the campsite will be. The outcroppings will block the wind, and you have a wall to your back for protection. If you want to make yourself useful, you can set up ."
Edward reluctantly agreed. He didn't like someone else telling him how to protect the woman he loved. But Edward knew there was no point in arguing with Derek. So, Edward gathered the camping gear that Derek packed and left. Derek and Bella followed at a more leisurely pace. They talked about what it meant to be mates, and Derek asked Bella where she wanted to go to college, " I thought about going to UW with Lexie, but I also got into NYU, and since you go there, I think I will too."
"You don't have to, Bella\*\*;\*\* I'll transfer to whatever university you want to attend."
Bella shook her head, "I need a change. I can't stand it here anymore. And I want to be with you," Bella said with a smile.
Derek smiled and leaned in to kiss Bella.
When they arrived at the campsite, Edward had everything prepared, and Bella and Derek went inside, leaving Edward in the cold. Derek got his mate settled and told her he would stay with her until the following morning, then Derek would head down to the field. Since the cold didn't bother Edward, Derek made him sit outside while he and Bella shared a sleeping bag.
The next day, Derek cooked breakfast for Bella and Seth, who had arrived earlier. Edward looked on curiously; why was Derek Hale so friendly to Bella? He didn't have time to ask Edward and told Derek they needed him on the field. Derek stood and pulled Bella with him, "I'll see you later. Remember, if you need anything, all you must do is think to me."
Bella nodded and gave Derek a passionate kiss. Edward stared in disbelief. And with that kiss, Derek sprinted away. Edward whirled around and glared at Bella, "Why did that overgrown dog kiss you?"
"I'd watch what I say, Edward; my mate wouldn't take what you called him lightly."
"YOUR MATE!" Edward yelled.
"Yes, my mate. Derek Hale and I are mates."
"What about us?" Edward asked.
Bella sighed, "How often do I have to tell you, Edward? There is no us; we have been over for a long time. What I felt for you is nothing compared to what I feel for Derek."
"But I thought we could be mates."
"Edward, you and I both know that isn't true; I'm your Blood Singer, nothing more. And I've told you time and time again that I don't love you or want you. It would be best if you learned to live with this. I thought we could be friends, but it's clear to me that we can't. So let's get through this and move on. I'll leave with Derek and his family when this is over, and I will go to NYU with him," With that, Bella turned and went back into the tent.
Edward was in shock; sure, he knew that Bella didn't see him the same way, but Edward thought that if he saved her from Victoria, she would come running back to him. That was why Edward left a trail for Victoria to follow. The vampire was convinced that he could take Victoria and that he'd be a hero. But now everything was ruined! Bella was Derek Hale's mate, and he knew he could never defeat Derek if he couldn't read his mind.
Edward was so preoccupied with his thoughts that he didn't hear Victoria. She jumped out of the tree and shoved Edward to the ground. Edward tumbled and stared at Victoria, surprised.
"How?"
Victoria smirked, "Easy; I only need to keep my mind blank, and you're blind."
With that, the fight began between Victoria and Edward.
Derek arrived in the field and stood with his siblings, cousin, and Ambrus. Alice tensed, "They're here."
At that moment, the newborns burst through the tree line. There were more of them than Alice had seen; she wasn't sure they would win. She and her coven rushed to clash with the army; as soon as they collided, the Lycans transformed and joined the fray. The fighting was intense, and the Cullens were doing well, but the Lycans were better. A few moments later, the shifters joined the fight.
The newborns fought savagely, but ultimately, they were no match for their rivals. As the last newborn was killed, Alice suddenly gasped, "Lexie, Victoria is after Bella. Edward is dead!" Alice shouted as a tear fell from her eye.
Derek didn't waste time; he was off, running at top speed. He arrived in time to see Victoria through a match on Edward's body. Leaping between Bella Victoria and Riley, Derek roared and lept at Victoria, tearing her throat out with his teeth. He then grabbed her red hair and decapitated her.
Riley watched on and decided to run instead of facing the enraged werewolf-looking thing, but Riley didn't get very far when Derek pounced on him and ripped him apart limb from limb. Once he was dead, Derek gathered the body parts and threw them on the burning pile that was once Edward Cullen. He transformed back, and Bella blushed to see Derek standing before her in the nude.
Derek smirked, "See something you like?" He asked seductively.
Bella tried to speak, but nothing came out, so she only nodded. Derek chuckled, "Next time, I want our mating to be special," Derek said s he walked into the tent to get the extra clothes he had packed just in case.
Meanwhile, at the bottom of the mountain, the others were gathering the body parts and throwing them into a pile to burn them. The Lycans turned back into their human forms. The minute Peter was dressed, he made a beeline for Emmett. Emmett swallowed hard and stepped back upon seeing the enraged Lycan heading straight for him.
"Now, Vamp**,** you and I are going to have a long talk," Peter growled, his eyes flashing blue.
Emmett had no other choice but to agree, and Peter and the others went to the Cullen house to have a long, serious talk.