AN: This chapter, and maybe the next 1 or 2 will focus on a particular point in Isabella's not so distant past, it's really important I interrupt the present story for a few reasons, hopefully you'll see why organically. But in case not, they will detail and show some of Isabella's abilities, her character development (i.e. how she became the confident badass she is when she walks into that Alaskan bar to meet Rose), her very important past with Kate and sets the scene for a lot of the rest of the story. So they may feel like filler or me trying to drag it out, I promise I'm not, I always intended to write it this way. But I will be posting the chapters I am fondly calling the 'Katella' mini-past plotline together so you don't need to wait (you're welcome I guess?). I know we're here for Rosella, so don't fret, it's coming – but I have to set up the wider plot too...

On Mates and Mating in my story – I feel I should explain this a bit for you. I see mates in the 'traditional' lore sense, one true mate, no exceptions. Maybe where my definition differs is that they'll only find one another when both are ready or when one really, really needs the other. They will gravitate around each other whilst in the same lifetime, waiting for the 'right time', this is subjective to the individuals – some mates never meet in their lifetime due to this. It's not an 'instant' connection, and love is a different matter altogether. Effectively, they are able to love and be loved by people/creatures who are not their true mate, it'd be a lonely existence otherwise and also, I firmly believe that everyone we cross paths with are meant to cross our paths for one reason however big or small. Maybe it's for your learning/benefit/experience or theirs, maybe they stay, maybe they go. It's all important. How can we know love unless we've experienced it, even lost it? You needn't buy that or believe it, but this is my personal experience and philosophy, and my story, so *shrugs*. Lastly, yes, in this story, you can have more than one mate, many creatures are non-monogamous, this depends on the species and individual(s), I don't see my versions of Rose/Bella being anything but for the other – HOWEVER, if you guys love the Katella part and shout at me enough, MAYBE I'll reconsider. Anyway, sorry for the long AN, if you've even read it LOL. Enjoy the story!

Chapter 9

~ Isabella ~

(Several years earlier)

"That's the second time a witch got me with that damn dagger" she complained through gritted teeth. Orion's panic and disbelief filtered through their connection as she hastily restored it, silently asking their friend to quieten their emotions – she really didn't need a migraine as well.

"Do you – think – we lost him?" A feminine voice panted as they rounded a sharp dark corner and surreptitiously hid by the huge dumpster. Isabella groaned in pain and shook her head in exasperation.

"Well he'll probably have to go lick his wounds for a bit" she offered as she roughly pressed a palm against her wound, "maybe a day or two?" She contemplated aloud.

"What a fucking nightmare" her companion said with her arms flailing in the air before her eyes widened "Christ, that crazy bastard is loose and…" Isabella felt concerned eyes roaming over her body as she shifted this way and that trying in vain to get comfortable, "you're wounded" a sharp string of curses followed the statement and Isabella winced.

Orion's worry increased – her head began to throb and she groaned, completely exhausted by the nights turn of events.

"Mhm, it is a bit of a pickle" Isabella half-smiled as she ended all pretence and instead, stumbled into the cool brick behind her, and leaning the majority of her weight on the wall, she finally clutched at her wounded side uselessly willed her blood to cease its pouring from the open stab wound.

Orion's warnings of her taking more precautions until they fully completed the merge, when her body would become the closest thing to invulnerable any creature on the planet could get – echo's in her mind. Of course in order to reach this great feat, Isabella and Orion would require to give whatever memories they had left.

And both were reluctant to do so for their own reasons. One they shared however, was that it hurt like a morherfucker and the other obvious reason was that it put them in an extremely vulnerable state. Imagine a caterpillar hanging from a tree, though cocooned they may be, they were also more vulnerable to l predators. To exchange memories, it started the process of their 'transformation' and afterwards they'd need to enter their 'hibernation' state to finalise any changes, this is where her abilities may be altered, her body and mind strengthened along with her very DNA being rewritten. It was complex and Isabella didn't have the energy or time for it yet. They could hold off for a while longer.

"A pickle?! Really, Isabella? You've been stabbed, you're profusely bleeding, not to mention the wounded and pissed off witch roaming freely around Prague…" Isabella grimaced at the shrill tone that shocked her back to the present.

"Your stating of our current predicament is not helping anyone you know." She rolled her eyes, "and you're the one that confronted him when I said not to…" she smirked as she recited in exaggerated air quotes 'your perverse use of magic is offensive to our kind, and it not only poses a great risk to our safety but that of the other creatures in this city! I beseech you to stop!" Isabella finished, with her over pronounced British accent that vexed the witch if the sudden flare of irritation in her hazel eyes were anything to go by.

"Oh stop it, and I don't sound like that! Anyway, it's true and I stand by what I said, blood magic is absolutely forbidden as you well know, so many people died Isabella" the woman interrupted, with a dark and haunting look in her eyes.

"You're cute when you're upset, Cecile," Cecile stuck out her tongue playfully "and I never said I disagreed with your statement, it's why I offered my help after all and as for the actions of your coven mate…"

"Former!" Cecile spat as she bent down to examine Isabella's wound. Isabella eyed her wearily.

"Right, former coven mate – we will see that he gets his due comeuppance" she said with steel in her eyes and Cecile nodded sadly "anyway, it doesn't matter now does it? Let's just get cleaned up and rethink our strategy a bit. Try get ourselves out of this pickle jar" Isabella wiggled her brows at the stupid joke. Cecile sighed, but her lips formed a small smile nevertheless before she quickly prodded Isabella's slowly healing wound, Isabella hissed suddenly as the witch recited a quiet spell and she swiftly swatted at the still outstretched dully glowing hand.

"Fine fine, Christ you're annoying" Isabella rolled her eyes, "A pickle, honestly" the witch muttered under her breath, her smile widening, and it highlighted her soft features. She looped a strong arm under Isabella and began to drag the injured woman away from the brick wall.

"I'm hungry" Isabella said seriously after several beats of silence and minutes of being pulled in the general direction of their hotel. Cecile's surprised feminine laughter echoed ominously as they stumbled through the softly lit cobbled streets of Prague.

~

"We should call the vampires" Isabella said as she carefully threaded the needle to begin stitching her wound, in a last ditch attempt to speed up the healing.

"I'd usually argue otherwise…but you may be right, unfortunately…" Cecile said as she sat on the edge of her single bed in their hotel room, slowly twirling her brown hair at the ends, "and why isn't it healing? I literally saw you flung out of a ten story building and watched as your bones reset themselves and the internal bleeding heal in minutes, but a simple stab wound? It's been ages Issa" Cecile watched in muted horror as Isabella carefully wove the needle and thread through her flesh, forcibly closing the wound. She chose to ignore the nickname, because she hadn't the energy to correct the frustrating woman.

"The bastard used a demonic blade" Isabella said, and quickly added "it was also covered in complex runes, very rare, I'm not sure how he came to possess it" she finished in tone that said she would offer no further information.

For Isabella trusted very, very few people, and Cecile, a London coven leaders eldest daughter of thirty two; with a secret personal vendetta against the man they currently hunted – was not amongst those few by any means. Seemingly to recognise this, Cecile wisely remained quiet and began searching through her rucksack for something or other.

"Mother would no doubt prefer to keep witch business to ourselves, these things can be so…" she paused as she pulled out a bag of toiletries "delicate" she finished with a pointed look.

"I know, and I get it, I really do. But Jeremy, not only has a powerful weapon," she cut the thread with her teeth and withheld her hiss of pain at the sharp tug "but he's also practicing blood magic and in doing so, poisoning the local humans' blood. Which has serious consequences for vampires, they-" she winced at the sudden biting pain that pulsed from the base of her neck "I can't go into detail" she gestured nonchalantly at her neck, to the tattoo that prevented her from sharing specific details that her clients didn't wish for her to share, effectively a magical and bespoke NDA, "but, I will say, that the vampires need to know of this. It could protect their kind, and most importantly – to me anyway, safeguard the humans they feed from and potentially turn – annnnd it's somehow my job to try and protect humanity from the supernatural world" and the supernatural world from themselves, she neglected to add.

Cecile nodded grimly, either too exhausted to argue or knowing that it would be futile – Isabella wasn't certain. She was a difficult person to read, and her abilities went a bit haywire around powerful witches.

She quickly decided that she'd complete more of the merge as soon as possible, and the thought made Orion both happy and apprehensive. It was not only a painful process but sharing your memories, the deeds you've done, done to you, and the things you've witnessed – it was a gruelling and sobering experience. But they remained invulnerable in their reluctance to share more of themselves and neither enjoyed the feeling of that blade as it sank easily into her usually impenetrable flesh like warm butter.

"I'll just get ready for bed then, make your calls if you want, when I'm done, we'll go over our plan" she didn't wait for Isabella to respond and instead, padded towards the small shared bathroom. Isabella waited until the shower could be heard before she pulled out her cell and pressed the speed dial number. It rang twice before she heard a familiar deep voice.

"Isabella Swan, what a surprise. To what do I owe the pleasure?"

"Hello Marcus, I apologise for the late call but there's something you need to be aware of" she said diplomatically.

"Oh? Please do go on" his voice was warm, though she was under no illusion that he was anything less than ruthless and cunning. He was still the King that she tolerated the most. Marcus was silent as she explained her predicament, humming at certain intervals and tutting in others.

"Intriguing though this situation may be, what do you need from me?" Marcus asked incredulously and without a single hint of concern. She sighed. Why must she spell it out for them every single time?

"It would be helpful if you could send a representative to my location. Preferably someone with an offensive gift, they can also help to keep you informed of our progress, liaising with myself and my Wiccan contacts to do so. We don't anticipate too much trouble with Jeremy but, the extra fire power may help, just to be safe" she advised and Marcus hummed, contemplative.

"This Jerimiah…" Marcus began.

"Jeremy" she corrected, slightly irritated. But the sound of the flowing shower lulled her into a strange sense of calm, it was most likely Orion's calming presence though.

" Jeremy, my apologies," he said, amusement in his light tone, "this Jeremy, he is using illicit magic, yes? It seems to me a problem for the witches to resolve no?" Isabella grit her teeth and clenched her jaw. She really would need to spell everything out to the vampires.

She found them impossible sometimes, you'd think their longevity on the earth, the things they've seen and done – would make them the most intelligent beings on the planet? But oh, no. In fact, their exceptionally long existence made them lazy - curious over inconsequential things, and not curious enough about the important stuff. In Isabella's opinion, the Volturi wasted their second lives hiding in their fortresses, playing with their food. 'Heavy is the head that wears the crown' – but only when you actually deign to wear the fucking thing!

But her contract with the vampirc self elected monarchy was still new, to both parties, so she'd have to be patient before they can begin to see the value of it, of her influence. It's a good job Isabella could be patient, thanks to Orion's influence mostly.

"Jeremy is using illegal blood magic, it's something most covens around the world forbid the practice of. It has great consequences to the wielder and those nearby. Mostly, the human populous" she managed to say, deciding that this could be a learning opportunity, given her love of knowledge and sharing it, she relished in sharing this fact with the old king, "it infects them, like a virus or infection, for lack of a better explanation. The magic, especially if the wielder uses human blood to conjure and wield, subsequently poisons their blood.

If a vampire were to then feed on or even turn, an infected human…well, it could be catastrophic and would present you with a serious mess to clean up" she explained the issue in further detail in Italian to the old King, being mindful of potential ears listening in on their conversation. He had a few more questions for her, mostly to settle his curiosity and flex her knowledge.

"If this is so bad, how have we never noticed such an event before?" Marcus asked dubiously.

"You have, you just didn't know what the true cause was at the time. Seemingly normal, rational, Vampires who seemingly changed overnight. Behaving more irrational, beastly, violent?" Marcus hummed in acknowledgment "Slaughtering villages, turning children… breaking your laws left and right with little concern for the consequences. You stopped them, but after a lot of the damage had already been done – sound familiar?" Marcus neither agreed nor disagreed and so she didn't mention the several human plagues that were linked to blood magic gone awry. It did sound ridiculous, but Orion had witnessed this a few times in their long existence between their long hibernations after failed merge attempts.

"I see," Marcus finally said after several quiet seconds, "and this vampire representative will help you stop this threat? Mop up another species' mess?" He asked curiously.

"Yes, and in doing so, they may help stop a threat to your kind Marcus. This is proactive work, I'm sure your people will be impressed to hear how you stepped in and stopped this threat?" A bit of flattery did wondrous things for the Volturi monarch, but it did make her skin crawl a bit, "just like the actions of one vampire does not represent your entire race, nor does Jeremy represent his coven or the witches as a general supernatural species. You're all intelligent and old enough to know this" Marcus scoffed, "Your kind are not without your own errors in judgement I'm sure, and I promise that the witches will deal with the matter according to their own laws, and I will support them implicitly. I have their coven leaders representative with me.

I am offering you a chance to utilise my services, my connections and unique skills to protect your people, as well as your food source" she finished, disgusted with that last sentence but hoping it may sway him.

They could handle the issue without the vampires sure enough but this was an opportunity she could use to show them first hand the benefits of their arrangement. It was selfish of course, and she was contractually and morally obligated to inform the ancient Kings of the threat to their people but… holding her breath, she felt Orion's sparkling pride and she exhaled.

"Hmm, fine. We will send someone to your location. I expect regular reports on your progress." He finally acquiesced and she rolled her eyes, "and Isabella?" She swallowed her anxiety and hummed in response, "thank you for your warning and for allowing us to intervene" with that half baked thank you, they exchanged awkward farewells.

"Why are they so fucking difficult?" She muttered as she slumped against the soft bed and swiftly buried her head into the pillow. But she would take whatever help she could muster, she had no connections to any shifter packs in this part of Europe and she hadn't the time or resources to search for them, so she had no way of warning them of the increasing threat moving silently through their territory.

She closed her tired eyes, hoping they'd be fast enough to stop Jeremy before anyone else died or was hurt.

~

"Okay, so we have a plan" Cecile said with renewed optimism. "It's a loose plan, but a plan nevertheless" Cecile said, less optimistically. Isabella rolled her eyes to the sky, unsure whether it was the British or Wiccan in the woman that made her so contradictory all the time.

"Yep, we know where he's headed, although whether he's allowing us to find him or he's simply ran out of juice to stop our tracking abilities, I'm not sure" Isabella worriedly said, "I'm hoping it's the latter, but we'll have to be extra cautious just in case he's leading us into a trap of some sort" Cecile rubbed at her temple as Isabella methodically packed her bag, her hair still damp from the shower.

"Fabulous. So we intercept him before he crosses the border, try and talk some sense into him, and if that doesn't work…" Cecile sighed, "we'll stop him" she finished sadly.

"We'll stop him" Isabella repeated quietly, her eyes briefly flashing their emerald green before she gently and a bit awkwardly patted Cecile's slumped shoulders. She quickly leant around the shorter woman to examine their map.

"If we camp here tonight" she pointed to a private park near the boarder, "we can zero in on where he'll likely pop up".

"Okay, I can probably cloak our presence there too" Cecile offered with a smile.

"Good. I'll keep tracking him in case he changes course, but he's weak, I can feel it" Isabella self consciously rubbed at the healing wound.

"He used too much energy getting away from us, he won't get away again" Cecile's promise was dangerous and determined.

"No, he won't" Isabella agreed with equal determination.

~

~ two days later ~

"Cecile!" Isabella shouted as she swiftly erected a shimmering and transparent protective shield between them and their sneaky attacker.

"I'm okay, just winded" her companion muttered as she stood and dusted her jeans off.

"Who is this asshole?" Isabella grit as she held her palm steady.

"Jeremy's younger brother, Micah" Cecile advised with a pointed glare in the general direction of the young man who'd attacked them as they camped. Isabella had just been about to warm their food through on the fire. She glared in regret at the spilled rice and beans, which would now make a nice meal for the local wildlife. What kind of monster attacks during dinner? She thought and Orion's giggle made her groan.

"So not funny, O" she whispered as she returned her flickering emerald gaze to the tall trees.

"I- I'm sorry, but I can't let you kill him, Cece" the attacker – Micah shouted from the trees, and Isabella sighed.

"He's broken several laws Micah, but if he turns himself in, he won't die. I can promise you this, you have my word" Cecile shouted back. Isabella decided that she was quite sick of this assignment and was looking forward to finishing her doctorate in the fall and teaching her classes. Orion's ongoing amusement tickled her insides and she smiled briefly.

"What of the outsider? What of her word?" The voice shouted, Isabella had already located the man, she could see the heat signature of his body several feet away, crouched behind a large tree. Her night vision was a bit like an owls in it's clarity, especially in their bright green state – her (new) true form.

The brown eyes from her human life were an illusion used to blend in better. Given her green eyes were far, far too noticeable and unusual for humans and other creatures to not ask questions about. But in times of heightened emotion or when using her abilities, she unconsciously dropped the magical illusion.

"She's with me, she's a friend of our coven"

"How can I trust you'll treat him fairly?" He asked, despair in his desperate tone. Isabella pitied the man, who clearly loved his brother and could not see the man for what he'd become. Funny how family rarely acknowledged the darkness living so obviously inside their loved one. A flash of golden eyes and a small excited pixie entered her mind and she shut it down before Orion could latch onto it. Xe knew of the Cullen's, but she hated dwelling on them.

"He will be judged fairly for his crimes Micah, but he's hurt people. Children for fuck sake" Isabella breathed in Micha's dismay, "he must face punishment. But if he attacks us, we will have no choice but to defend ourselves. But not before offering him the chance to turn himself in to face judgement from his coven. I assure you this" Isabella said diplomatically, before she cautiously lowered her palm to lower the protective shield. She groaned at the energy it took to hold it. She grew impossibly stronger after their merge and the smaller ones following, so she couldn't fathom how much stronger she might be when their transition was fully finalised. But her energy and power presently, whilst impressive, was not unlimited – she would require rest and food to recharge.

"I just wanted to reach him first, try to reason with him, but he went on and on about his new magic, he ran away and I lost him in Prague. I'm worried for him" the voice cracked at the end and Isabella felt utter sadness and fear emanating from Jeremy's brother.

"I know, me too" Cecile admitted.

"Ow! Fuck a duck, what the fuck?" Micah shouted and he surged forward. As the lanky man broke the tree line, Isabella noticed the tight grip on his right forearm, he ran carelessly towards them, his face contorted in mild pain and fear. How had this idiot got the drop on them? She thought self-deprecatingly.

Her eyes allowed her to clearly see the blur that raced in front of him faster than a bullet, only one creature moved like that. Isabella groaned in annoyance, and she held out her hand to grip the creature by the neck, before proficiently slamming the hard body down to the earth. The creature grunted at the sudden impact and a tiny crater formed beneath them.

"Fuck, if i knew this is how you would greet your representatives, I wouldn't have volunteered!" The feminine voice said, amusement in the light tone, it's owner, was a woman – a vampire – she had pinned violently to the dirty woodland floor. "But if you want to pin me down later, I'd be more than happy to oblige" the voice was significantly lowered into a sultry tone and Isabella's head tilted in confusion. She released the vampire, who stood abruptly. "Huh, your eyes are brown now, I liked the green though this works too" gold eyes raked shamelessly over her body, and she felt suddenly naked in her thin waterproof jacket, black combat pants and boots.

"Who…"

"Right. Marcus sent me to assist, though I'm not entirely sure why" the woman – the very attractive woman emphasised her point with a seductive smirk.

Isabella finally noted her beauty, given that she no longer registered this creature as a threat. Had subtle curves at the waist, long straight almost white blond hair and a distracting smirk that lit up her gold eyes Her body was subtly muscular, as though she'd trained it relentlessly. A warriors body. Isabella flushed at the knowing feline grin that spread wider on the vampires face. Stupid beautiful, deadly creatures. She thought and Orion reluctantly agreed.

"Kate Denali, nice to meet you." She held out her perfect hand and as Isabella clasped it gently, she gasped at the sudden electricity that flowed through her veins and charged her heart.

AN: Thank you for the support so far, I'm really enjoying reading your reviews and comments, please keep them coming, they fuel my motivation to continue the story.

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