As I watched Bella standing besides their ludicrous mini-van I was captured completely by the look of contentment on her face in that moment. For the first time since I had seen her she seemed at peace as she took a deep breath.
I wondered again what could have happened to put so much on the shoulders of this unusual family.
It only last for a moment but even when she opened her eyes and Alice spoke, Bella caught my eyes and I could see hope glinting into the only window to her mind I had.
I turned my attention to the group around me feeling my mouth open automatically as Alice flew into the trees followed closely behind by everyone but Bella.
"You still worried about us keeping up." I laughed to shocked to really speak a co-he rent sentence at that moment. I took a moment to gather my thoughts turning in time to see Bella disappearing into the trees.
I followed and heard her footfalls speed up as she realised I was chasing her, a devilish smirk spread across my face as I to increased my speed, We managed to enter the clearing at around the same time but the smile she gave me told me she knew I would have won if she didn't have the head start.
The baseball game was confusing to say the least, not only were they fast but strong to and managed to get 30 runs without Mixie even playing but what occurred next I could barely believe.
We knew that Max defiantly had some control over fire and had suspected that Darnel could manipulate air, even though we couldn't be sure. What we didn't know was that barely scratching at the surface of the group of 6 in front of us.
As soon as we had exchanged positions their thoughts sharpened I kept seeing different parts of what appeared to be the same conversation, infuriatingly I was only to get snatches of words like bats, fashion, signals.
I watched them carefully as Alice took her place.
"Alice really doesn't suite that blue."
Instantly I was staring at Emmett who looked just as shocked as the rest of our family, I couldn't understand it, I would recognise Emmett's voice any where and it took my mind a minute to register the laughter ringing in my mind from 5 different 'voices' none of them my family.
I searched the carefully composed expressions of Bella's family as the laughter steadily faded. Alice finally connected her bat to ball and I saw Bella disappear only to re-appear a moment later to get Alice out with the help of Max on third base.
There was no possibility Bella could have made that catch in that time but her face like her mind gave away nothing. Something was going on and I knew they had planned this.
It continued when Japer stepped up to the plate and his bat missed the ball 3 times.
Look at his face, I almost feel guilty NOTI stared at Sasha then at Jasper. I couldn't understand how she could of managed it, I was still deep in thought when Connor broke my train of thinking.
He's in trouble nowAgain my head snapped to Connor who was smiling in anticipation at Emmett. I watched as he easily connected bat to ball sending Jasper a smirk before he took off running I watched as he rounded second base.
Then he wasn't moving forward but his legs were still working furiously, he was floating Emmett was FLOATING.
I shook my head slightly trying to shake some sense in my brain. I heard the laughter of Bella's family and witnessed as Emmett realised he wasn't getting anywhere and the next second he was on the floor again and Bella, Max, Sasha, Darnel, Connor and Mixie were stood by us laughing tears streaming down their cheeks, it was only then I realised Alice was laughing with them.
The memory of Emmett's legs working so hard as he floated assaulted my mind and I began laughing as well soon joined by most of my family.
We took minutes to calm down enough to speak as expected Carlisle spoke first but you could hear the amusement still in his tone.
"So I think it may be time for that chat."
I watched as Bella nodded before looking at Emmett smirking at him quirking an eyebrow as she spoke.
"Was that what you call wiping the floor with us?"
I couldn't take my eyes off of Bella for a moment as her statement penetrated my unusual slow mind. She made Emmett float that much was evident from what she said but how??
"Well well little Bella's got skills." Emmett wrapped his arm around Bella shoulders messing up her hair and I heard the sharp in takes of breath from her family and I watched as Bella's expression changed to one of shock as though she was expecting something to happen.
"Wow Emmett your lucky you still got your arm." Connor spoke quietly staring at Bella as though she were an alien.
"If he touches my hair again he'll be losing a lot more than that." Bella broke the tension as easily as Emmett slipping out from his arm silently. I laughed along with everyone.
When Carlisle returned the subject back to the matter at hand my curiosity returned and I couldn't wait until we got back home.
It was silent as we made our way back to the cars and I could feel the tension returning.
Alice and I didn't speak as we led them to our home.
Once we reached our current home I made my way inside heading for the living room to Rose and Emmett. Rose had seemed to realise that they had just as much to hide as we did so resolved to give them the benefit of the doubt much to my relief.
I could tell this was going to be hard enough on the 6 people currently making their way through to our living room and I was sure that a hostile vampire would do nothing to make them relax.
I listened as Bella set her terms and Esme went to snacks that we brought every week to help us appear normal and I watched as her family dived on the food after Connors thanks.
I smiled when Bella assured us that they did get feed not that I would ever doubt that it was more the fact that she seemed so motherly regarding her family, defending herself as a capable person to look after them. I was awed again at how naturally she slipped into the role.
I watched as Bella admitted that it was indeed her that made Emmett float as I expected and I couldn't contain the question that escaped my lips.
"How?" Her eyes snapped to mine in a second.
I smiled as she tried to make a joke of it and showed us an example of her ability. They looked so natural as Connor moaned about the movement of his chip bowl before it moved to its original place.
As Bella explained how she learned to control it she looked at me again freezing m to the spot as she told me how hard it was for her to control herself when I confronted her in the woods, even though she never actually mentioned the incident I knew the encounter she was talking about and I let the guilt wash over me again for my rushed actions.
She must have seen the guilt evident on my eyes because the next moment she was apologising for bring it up and avoiding looking at me. That only made the guilt worse but I didn't answer afraid that I would make the situation worse rather than better.
Alice explained her own gift before Carlisle asked her about the rest of her family's unique attributes. She told us about each of their gifts in turn and I smiled at the playful banter between the two families.
Bella asked if any one in our family had gifts and soon Jaspers was explain and proven with the help of a hysterical Mixie.
Carlisle's next question shattered the comfortable atmosphere completely.
"When did you run into our kind before?"
8 simple words and my mind was assaulted like an explosion, suddenly a thousand different images were flowing through my head all of them broken until I could only make out the smallest details.
Reds eyes
Syringes
Darkness
Metal tables
Pain
I pinched the bridge of my nose between my fingers trying to slow them down clear the haze surrounding the images so I could get at least one clear picture to work with. And then….
'I'm a Barbie girl in a Barbie world' I nearly laughed at the ridiculousness of it all until I saw the movement of the family. It was instant the song started and they moved almost as one.
"I need a computer." Sasha ordered with a serious expression on her face Alice moved with out hesitation and appeared back instantly.
"It's our house alarm someone with an abnormal temperature is on our land." Bella explained as her family crowded around. It was simply amazing watching them moving as one while they concentrate no longer the children they seemed to be as they dug greedily into the food.
"Something wrong, the temperatures to high not low." This time it was our turn to freeze but not one of the 6 even spared us a glance as they converged closer to Sasha.
"Pull up the cameras Sash." Her brow furrowed as she looked in the screen and I knew without actually seeing that she was looking at what looked like wolves but impossibly large.
"Werewolves" My family stiffened and I met Carlisle's eyes.
I'll have to tell them something.
I nodded slightly listening to the conversation in front of us. He sighed and turned his attention to Bella.
"Bella, there not werewolves exactly."
I watched as her brown eyes turned suspicious and hard and I could tell Jasper was trying to calm the situation down but she was blocking him. I watched with nervous tension as all the trust we had with them melt away.
"How do you know them?" There was no emotion in her voice only determination.
Carlisle explained that we had met them before and that, like them, had a promise that we would not tell anyone about them. To my great relief they allowed Jasper's influence to calm them.
Her voice was softer when she spoke and she listened carefully to Carlisle before she turned to face her family.
As she spoke to her family I saw the other reason she was considered she was the leader of this unusual group.
She spoke with such confidence and authority that if she had used that voice on me I would do nothing but obey her. I noted the way she planned quickly on her feet but still came up with most safest option for all of them and the way she pushed them not to fight unless needed put here even further up in the estimation of all of the vampires present.
The thoughts of all of my family ran through my mind coupled with my own feelings of protectiveness over them compelled the words to leave my mouth.
"We can help." She span to face me so quickly even I thought she would be dizzy but no her unwavering eyes connect with my own as she spoke again.
"Thank you but it would be unfair to ask that of you, I promise you we won't attack unless they do." I didn't need to be Jasper to be able to note the concern she felt not only for her family but also for my own and that made my conviction stronger.
"We may not be able to tell you about them but I can promise you they wont attack with us there at least until they have listened to you, please." Heard the pleading note in my tone and knew I was begging with her.
I couldn't care about that I needed her to understand that we/I wanted to help that they'll wouldn't have to face this alone, that they could trust us. She didn't speak only stared; it was Max who finally spoke.
"You would do that for us?" She turned to look at him now a thoughtful expression and I heard the confirmations in my families' minds as well as Carlisle verbal one.
I listened as the details were explained and nodded when I needed to, we all followed Jasper's instructions knowing that with his military mind he would provide the safest option for all of us and the one most likely to succeed if it came down to a fight.
As the ones approaching the scene on foot left I watched as Bella and Esme slipped silently from the room, I followed them knowing I was doing something completely wrong but I wanted to know what was going on. So I listened.
I was horrified as I heard Bella telling Esme to leave if something happened and not only her but everyone. She wanted us to take her family and just leave her there with them. ALONE. How could she be so foolish, I understand she has a gift but to go up alone against 6 werewolves?
She's trying to protect her family and my own, to take such a risk.
I could hear the concern in Esme's voice and I could see Bella's desperate eyes pleading with her to understand and in that moment I knew what Esme was going to say even as she protested.
"I will do what I can Bella."
I watched detached as Esme moved back towards the others and listened as Bella took a deep breath. It was that breath that brought me back. I moved purposefully towards Bella until I was stood directly in front of her.
"Bella" She jumped slightly as I spoke before facing me.
"I don't need this Edward lets just go." She turned to leave and I put my arm in front of her blocking the way knowing she could probably fling me into the next room if she felt like it but I had to speak to her.
Surprisingly she simply sighed and leant her back against the wall.
"Bella you can't do this, your family wouldn't leave you, you know this and neither would I." I placed a finger under her chin tilting her had so she would look at me.
I connected with her eyes and I could see the pain and heart break this was causing her. I could almost feel the warring emotions in her mind.
"What exactly am I supposed to do? It's just a back up plan that's all. We don't want to fight and we wont unless necessary." She took a deep breath not even blinking as she met my eyes. "I need them safe my family as well as yours."
How I wish I could even get even a glimpse of her mind if only for a moment. I knew there was no way I could deter her so I silent swore to myself to not leave her even for a moment no matter what happened.
So I simply nodded and released her. I walked behind her as we returned receiving a pointed glance from Esme.
You wont leave her will you EdwardHer tone wasn't scolding merely stating the fact; I smiled at her reminded once again how well my mother figure knew me.
We left soon after as I settled myself in the front with Bella while Alice and Darnel sat back. No one spoke and the tension mounted the closer we came to their home. I listened reassured to the 'voices' of both group.
It didn't take me long to come into contract with the packs 'voices'.
The Cullen's are with themOnly two of each of them from the smell
What exactly is the plan here we don't know they've done anything.
ENOUGH at least with him here we won't have to change
"You have got to be kidding me."
My head shot to Bella, she looked furious. To my surprise she started to pull over.
"Bella, what are you doing?" I kept my tone low to avoid any ease droppers although at this point it was hopeless.
She turned her furious gaze on me and it immediately softened. She leaned forwards so close that I could taste her scent on my tongue. It was tantalizing, I felt her warm breathe on my ear and I had to hold my breath.
"You could have told me they were human too." I could only nod as her husky tone broke through my mind.
"Tell my family to move in a bit when they get the chance but stay down wind." I nodded again. She gave me a wide smile and I finally focused enough to follow her instructions.
I smiled at her and nodded when Esme told me they were ready. She nodded smiling with that same glint in her eyes and walked straight out of the car followed closely by Alice and Darnel. I had no clue what she was going to do but the glint in her eye told me it probably wouldn't be good.
I was right.
"That's enough. Show yourselves right now." Her voice was loud and strong as she glared into the trees lining on side of their drive.
A growl was heard from the trees before a large black wolf appeared blacks eyes shining with determination.
"What's your business here?" My voice was dead and emotionless as I translated his words. Bella's eyes narrowed as she took in the situation.
"Do you really think I'm talking to any of you through him?" Her tone was cold as she regarded the wolf in front of her. A growl ripped through his mouth and I could feel my own growl rising in response.
Edward enough, she knows what she's doing.
I swallowed hard watching as Darnel came to flank Bella the wind picking up already in response to the threat.
"I can growl back if you want but we might get further with words don't you think." Bella was unfazed by the growl except for the slight curling of her lip.
"Very well but make no mistake I am not the only one here and try to attack me and we will respond in kind."
Bella simply nodded and tapped here foot impatiently.
I like herYou would Seth now stay on guard form my count were missing 5 bloodsuckers and 4 of what ever the hell they are.
I shook my head contemplating whether I should repeat that just to see what they say but I thought better of it knowing there's was no point feeding a fire.
Barely a minute later the 6ft 2 tall Quileutes stepped from the trees in only a pair of long jean shorts, his hair was cut short and his face a mask.
He stayed at the tree line regarding us with cold eyes.
"If your not going to say anything you may as well turn back into the wolf at least he wasn't completely mute. I watched as his jaw clenched.
"What is your business here?"
"I could ask you the same thing, what do you want?" I could feel how tense Bella was.
I wasn't much better, from there minds I could see that they only just caught their scent's and were in full protect mode although at least 2 of them seemed reluctant to act wanting proof of the threat.
"We don't want your kind on our lands." I knew he was assuming that they were like us in some way without even a lick if evidence. His tine was not helping Bella's anger level or Darnels as she clenched her fists until the whites of her knuckles were showing and the wind began to intensify.
Alice seemed the most calm of us all her eyes fixed on the point behind he pack leader picking out the black eyes of the one guarding him.
"And what kind am I??" Bella didn't give him a chance to answer before carrying on her tirade. " Last time I checked I had a heart beat unless you over looked that point when you crossed on to OUR land?, I also seem not to be sprouting fur and a snout so from were I'm standing it seems we're the only ones here with the right to question anything."
She looked fierce as she glared at the pack leader who was now visibly shaking with anger at her words.
"You are NOT human!!" Darnel let out a loud laugh before he turned his gaze forward again.
"And you are." Bella put a hand on his arm and he relaxed slightly giving her a sheepish glance.
"We have done nothing to any one here, you have no reason to be on our land." Her confidence astounded me; I could tell the wolf was barely able to hold onto his human form.
"We have questions" His voice was shaking slightly.
He's losing control. We have to get him out of her fast.
No Seth we keep position
I wont stand by and let him attack her, she's right they've done nothing Embry. How can we justify this?
Seth's right
"Why are you with the bloodsuckers?" I bit back a growl as Alice stiffened slightly.
"When you entered our property you set alarms off our friend here convinced us to try and talk to you and not demand you leave our property." I couldn't help he warm feeling that enveloped my chest as she called us friends and I could tell from Alice's thoughts that she felt the same.
"They told you about us." In that moment I knew his control was lost.
"Bella!"
In the second it took me to shout her a warning the now wolf leapt at her.
"No" Bella's hand shot up and he froze in mid air barely two feet away from her face.
In the next 10 seconds we were surrounded by wolves, I felt her power touch brush past me as she stopped the others moving closer.
Her jaw clenched with effort.
Our families came next Carlisle taking control standing by Bella.
"Stop she's not hurting you any of you calm down and realise that."
Sam enough he's right.
They are a threat. How is she even doing this?"
Let me Change and talk to them.
No Seth it's too risky, there's 13 of them.
And none of them has attacked us, please just let me try were powerless either way.
He's right
You know he is
Fine but on your heads, Jacob, Paul seeing as you agree you can change to.
I listened to their thoughts and silently thanked the 3 using their brains. I was so absorbed that I almost missed the conversation going on around me.
"Mix, what are you doing here? Everyone go now I'll catch up just go NOW"
"No" A chorus of 5 voices screamed as my family shook their heads not removing their eyes from the wolves.
"I'm sorry Bella but I couldn't stop her." Esme's voice was thick with guilt event though I knew she would have felt worse if she had left.
"Bella I need you to let go of the three on your left." She looked at me incredulously, her face was paler and she was nearly sweating with effort.
"Do it Bella." Mix ordered not taking her eyes from Bella until she nodded slowly.
"They need to put some clothes on, they'll be back in a moment." I explained as they darted into the forest only to emerge a second later.
Paul and Jacob stood back slightly letting the smaller Seth lead the way. Seth was tall nearly 6ft but you could see the innocence shining in his eyes.
They were all tanned and had short black hair.
"We come in peace." He laughed slightly trying to lighten the tense mood. "Sorry I've always wanted to say that."
I walked slowly up to Bella gently placing my hands on her shoulders, she shivered slightly at the temperature difference between her now over heated skin and my own cool touch, I leaned in to whisper in her ear taking in her beautiful aroma.
"It's okay, you can stop we wont let them near your family." Her eyes flickered to mine before she let out a long breath and nearly fell; I grasped her shoulders tightly pulling her to my body supporting her with an easy arm around her waist.
The feel of her close contact was bliss she fit perfectly as if I was made with her in mind, I could feel her pounding heart beating through her back that was currently resting on my chest.
The wolves had now converged around the others and we stood at an almost face off.
"I'm sorry." It's not easy to stun a vampire let alone 7 and 6 apparently biologically enhanced humans but that did it. "We may not have went about this the right way but we're trying to protect our town and tribe."
We knew what their purpose was from meeting with the pack before but we listened as he explained the Quileute tribe background. I watched as they took in all the information and the emotions playing across both their faces and minds.
"We caught onto an unusual scent tonight and tracked it here, we could tell that there were six of you and that you had interacted with the Cullen's." He rubbed the back of his neck in a subconscious gesture.
"We weren't planning on attacking only to observe but obviously that didn't pan out, would we be able to ask some questions just to get some information we can make the same treaty with you as with the Cullen's minus the whole turning people thing unless you can actually give people powers cause if that's"
Jacob coughed loudly before whispering.
"Dude your totally rambling."
"Jump in any time." Seth whispered back.
The wolves' minds were silent as they to listened for reactions.
Connor laughed along with the rest of Bella's family, even she managed a breathless chuckle.
"No we can't turn people." Max chuckled.
"We just want some place to settle for a while we wont stay long a year at most." Her voice was stronger now but I was certain I could hear a slight tremor to her voice.
All eyes turned to Bella as she spoke.
The three Quileutes nodded.
"We need to talk as a group, I promise we wont attack but we communicate better when were all in, well you know." Seth was smiling and I knew he was happy confident this wouldn't end in a fight.
We simply nodded and watched as they all went to the forest. I turned my attention away form the wolves and focused on Bella.
Her family we dying to come closer but no one wanted to break the line and risk someone being at risk.
So I once again bent my head slightly to whisper into her ear trying to make sure the Quileute's wouldn't hear us.
She looked less pale but still seemed too weak.
"Are you okay?" I was concerned I'd never seen her so vulnerable before.
She smiled slightly closing her eyes leaning against my chest taking a deep steady breath. "Hungry if I'm honest."
A blush crept on her cheeks and I couldn't understand why.
"I mean I probably should of eaten more earlier." She opened her eyes slowly and seemed to realise she was leaning on me and tried to straighten herself only to fall back after a moment.
"Just rest it'll be over in a moment." I rested my chin on her head lightly. I looked over at our families mouthing she's okay to try and placate them slightly.
A minute later Seth, Jacob and Paul came through the trees and all three were smiling and a breath of quiet relief was heard.
"As long as no harm comes any one by your hands we have no problem." Seth spoke with a wide smile. "See told you it would work out."
His kind-hearted nature spoke volumes to me and I couldn't help but smile back.
"No questions." Max asked suspicion in his tone.
"Nope just don't go nuts or anything exposure and all that." Seth turned to the others and nodded.
"I hope we see each other again."
We listened to the 24 pairs of paws disappeared into the night, no one moved until everything was quiet and then suddenly 5 pairs were at Bella's side.
"Bella, are you okay?" Max was speaking in a low tone trying to keep calm although his eyes were panicked.
"That was stupid Bella, unbelievably so. Did you honestly think that we would have left you? It would have taken more than these vampire to take us away do you understand me!!" She didn't even take a breath and that was impressive even.
"Sash, I'm sorry okay and I'm fine." Her breathless tone did nothing to convince any one present.
"I'll carry her back." I really wasn't ready to let her go just yet and I knew she wouldn't be able to walk on her own.
They just nodded silently and we all headed straight for there home everyone relieved that at least one hurdled had been cleared.
I know I'm no Alice but I knew something was coming if I could only figure out what it was.
I'm sorry about not updating sooner and I'm sorry if there is any mistakes I proofed read it quickly but I don't currently have a beta (any one interested pm me). Please review and thank you for all your reviews so far it means so much to me.
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