Hey guys! I am so sorry for completely disappearing on you guys! I know I said that while on break I would be updating a lot more, well life as kind of prevented me from doing so lately. I have met this girl that lives a few minutes away from me and I have pretty much been spending a lot of my time hanging out with her instead of writing. Once again, I am very sorry for completely going MIA on you guys. But I have decided to give all my lovely readers an early Christmas present! I would like to thank all of my readers who have stuck with me throughout this whole story. I know I haven't been updating nearly as much as I used to, but I promise I am not giving up on this story. Like I have mentioned in previous chapters, I am planning a sequel for this story and in order to do that, I will have to finish this one first. =] I can't believe this story has reached over 100 reviews! I am feeling just so appreciative for everything all of you have done. So a huge thank you to everyone out there! =] As mentioned in the last chapter, I have a shout out to the 100th reviewer and I also have another special shout out to the best reviewer I have ever seen. =] Oh and my finals went well by the way. I managed to pass all my classes with A's and B's except for my biology which was a C. =] So here are some shout outs for you guys. =D

Shout outs:

So as promised, I will be giving a shout out to my 100th reviewer. So this shout out goes to Ebony17pandc. She is a very close friend of mine and it's an honor to give this shout out to her. You have been reading my stories since the very beginning (and I mean the very beginning) and I am proud and very happy when you tell me that my writing has improved greatly. Even though it takes you awhile to catch up on my chapters because of your kids =P, I know that you will eventually get to them and review. So thank you very much Rachelle for sticking with me and also helping me with everything. =]

I also have another shout out to give to possibly the best fan I could ever have. This shout out goes to the amazing Randy87M. I would like to personally thank you for sending a review for every chapter of this story. You have seriously been here since the very beginning of this story and I can honestly say that I have looked forward to seeing your reviews after every chapter. =] Your encouragement to keep going with this story and saying how much you love my writing has really helped me greatly. Its fans like you that give us authors reasons to write. And for that, I am eternally thankful for everything you have done. =]

Alright so now that the shout outs are done with, let's get on with this chapter! =D Enjoy.

Hidden Soul

Chapter Nineteen

Bella's POV

After a very long and boring flight, we finally arrived in Volterra. We quickly grabbed our bags and drove to the hotel that we were staying at for the time being. We decided that it would be best to stay at a hotel for at least one night just in case something were to happen and we weren't allowed to stay with my father. We decided that the girls were to stay in one side of the suit we got for the night and the boys were to stay on the other side. I really wasn't comfortable on Devin coming with us but I couldn't trust him to leave him back at Forks. He is still on a very short leash with me and I still don't fully believe that he is on our side instead of Kevin's.

Rosalie has been so excited about this trip here. She keeps saying how she is excited to meet the man who made, and I quote, "My absolutely stunning girl!" If that wasn't enough to make me blush, she said it while around Natasha who has constantly teased me about it. But I love Rosalie's aunt though, even if she did put me through absolute pain during Rosalie's training. But I suppose it all wore off considering Rosalie can control her powers now and use her shield to protect not only herself but others as well. Yep, my girl is the true Wonder Woman I'm telling you.

We arrived in Volterra around the evening time so we all just decided to settle into our room and relax for the night. Well, Blain managed to bring his video games (of course) and so him, Devin, and Natasha are all playing some shooting game. Destiny is on the couch talking to Emmett on the phone since he couldn't tag along. He may know about everything, but I didn't want to risk his life if anything were to go down. Carina had decided to go ahead and go to bed since she was tired. As for Rose and I, we were outside sitting on the balcony that looks over the city.

"Man, this view is absolutely gorgeous." Rosalie said as she looked around in awe.

I looked over at her and smiled at the sight. "Yes, very much so."

She turned to see that I was talking about her and she rolled her eyes. "I was talking about the view of the city you goof."

I laughed and kissed her cheek softly. "I knew that. I just wanted to remind you how gorgeous you are."

She blushed at that and leaned into me as I wrapped my arms around her waist. "So…how do you think tomorrow is going to go?"

"Honestly? I have no idea. I'm hoping it goes well with no problems." I said as I looked at her and then back to the view.

I felt her cuddle into me more while saying, "Do you think your father will be able to help?"

"God I hope so. If not, then we are completely screwed."

I heard her giggle and I looked down at her and giggled as well. We ended up staying out on the balcony for most of the night. When I could hear slow, steady breaths coming from her, I looked down and saw that she was asleep. Smiling, I scooped her up in my arms and quietly walked into the bedroom. I pulled back the covers and placed her on the bed and tucked her in. I was about to lean in to kiss her head when I heard someone start to speak.

"You really do love her don't you?"

I looked up from where I was and saw Natasha standing there smiling at the scene. I smiled and placed a soft kiss on top of Rosalie's head and then nodded my head in the direction of the balcony. She understood what I was saying and followed me outside.

"To answer your question, yes I love Rosalie so incredibly much. I honestly can't imagine my life without her." I said as I took a seat in the chair I was sitting in earlier.

Natasha took the spot next to me and smiled. "I can see your love for her in your eyes. They light up every time she walks into a room or if she's mentioned somehow. I honestly can't thank you enough for being there and taking care of her. I know I haven't really been in her life as much as I had wanted to be, but Rosalie is family and I don't like seeing her hurt or unhappy."

"So what you're pretty much saying is that if I ever hurt her, I'll have to face you right?" I asked while grinning at her.

She grinned as well while saying, "Yes, that is correct. And I'm pretty sure you wouldn't want to be shocked to death right?"

I winced at that while saying, "I'm afraid not. It hurt like a bitch the first hundred times and I would rather not experience that ever again."

She laughed and smiled at me. It was quite for a few minutes until she looked at me seriously while saying, "Do you think anything will go down in the next few days?"

"I honestly have no clue. I want to say no but there is something deep down inside me that is saying there will be."

"Do you have any type of plan if there is?" Natasha asked while looking at me still.

I looked at her and sighed and shook my head no. "No…the main thing that I am focusing on is keeping Rosalie and my family safe from Kevin. If anything were to happen to her…I don't know what I would do. I know she isn't human and she can very much defend herself, but I don't know how strong Kevin is or how well she can protect herself from a power lycan."

"If it makes you feel any better Bella, I know she can defend herself perfectly fine against a lycan, even if they are powerful. The only type of lycan that I'm not sure she could hold her own against is you since you come from a very powerful and royal blood line. Alojas are very strong and are made to protect the ones they love and care for. And if it makes you feel any better, I give you my word I will protect Rosalie when you are not able to."

I tried not to snarl at her when she said the last part. I know she didn't mean to offend me, but I have said I have a very short temper and I am very protective when it comes to Rosalie. "What do you mean by that Natasha? Are you saying that I'm not good enough to protect Rosalie? She is MY mate! I can damn well protect her!"

Sensing that I was getting angry, Natasha quickly put up her hands in a retreating type of fashion while quickly saying, "Bella, you need to calm down. I didn't mean to offend or upset you. I only meant that if you are busy training with your father that I will make sure Rosalie is safe."

I took a few deep breaths to calm myself and closed my eyes. After a few minutes I finally felt normal and I looked at her apologetically. "I know…I'm sorry for going all angry lycan on you. It's really hard to control my temper at times."

She smiled while saying, "It's completely understandable Bella. Have you tried meditating?"

"No, I haven't. Does it help?" I asked curiously.

"Of course it does! How else do you think Rosalie can control her powers so well now? I taught her how to meditate and she uses that all the time. It helps empty your mind from all the stresses and worries that is in the world and helps relaxes your body, mind, and spirit."

I looked at her dead serious and then cracked up, which caused her to look at me confused. "What's so funny?"

I attempted to talk while laughing, but sadly it didn't work out. After composing myself finally I said, "It's just…you sounded like some commercial for a daily spa or something! I don't know…I just find it humorous."

She started laughing with me as well and soon enough we were both in tears from laughing so hard. We continued to talk outside for most of the night. I was too anxious to sleep and Natasha was willing to keep me company, which I was very grateful for. It was just starting to get daylight and the sunrise looks absolutely gorgeous across the skyline of Volterra. Natasha left about an hour ago and I decided that I should probably head inside Rosalie's and my room. I slowly and quietly slipped under the sheets and not even a second later, Rosalie's arms wrapped around my waist. I smiled and kissed her on the head softly and held her close to me.

I must have fell asleep because next thing I know, I am being woken up with soft little kisses all over my face. I giggled and slowly cracked my eyes open to see Rosalie looking down at me with a smile on her gorgeous face.

"Well this is a sight that I don't mind waking up to in the morning." I said groggily as I sat up a little and stretched.

She giggled and leaned in and kissed me softly. "Good because you're going to wake up next to me every morning from now on."

I smiled while saying, "No matter what?"

She grinned and said back, "No matter what. Now, what time did you go to sleep Bella? I woke up during the night and you weren't anywhere in the room."

"I know sweetheart. I was too anxious and I couldn't go to sleep. As I was laying you down on the bed last night, Natasha came into the room and so we just went outside and talked on the balcony. I didn't even come in until sunrise." I said as I kissed her again softly.

She laid her head on my chest and cuddled into me. If I was a cat, I'm pretty sure I would be purring right about now. We stayed like this until Natasha came knocking on our door telling us that we need to get ready. I sighed softly and we decided to take turns on showers.

After everyone was all ready to leave, we packed our bags and checked out. Hopefully Nathan will allow us to stay with him. I decided to let Natasha drive us there since I was way too nervous to attempt to drive. Rosalie could sense my nerves and I felt her squeeze my hand softly. I looked over at her and smiled a nervous smile.

"Sweetheart, you need to relax okay? If not, you're going to drain yourself. I promise I won't let anyone hurt you. Everything will be fine." Rosalie said as she was trying to calm me down.

I smiled and relaxed a little bit. "I'm just worried that's all."

"Well, what exactly are you worried about? I mean, this is your father Bella. I'm pretty sure he won't do anything to hurt you or your family, especially your mate." Rosalie said as she rubbed her thumb across my hand.

"I know, but I'm still worried. I'm scared that he's not going to be able to help us at all or that somehow you or any one of the others will get hurt."

"Well, you know that Aunt Natasha and I both have the ability to defend ourselves if the opportunity came up. As for the others, they are all strong lycans…not as powerful as yourself or your father obviously…but they are still strong enough to protect. I mean, you're their Alpha Bella, you trained them yourself. If I was Kevin or anyone that was trying to harm you, I would honestly be scared to death. Because if you really look at the situation, all of us combined make a pretty bad ass group that can scare the pants off of anyone." Rosalie said as she started grinning at me.

I couldn't help but smile at her. I love how she knows just what to say to make me feel better. I pulled her in for a long, slow kiss and smiled once again. Leaning my forehead against hers I said quietly, "Can you just please promise me one thing?"

"Of course Bella, anything you want."

"Do you think you can keep the fact that you and Natasha are Alojas hidden from the others? I don't want to draw unnecessary attention towards you. And I also don't want that information getting put into the wrong hands." I said as I caressed her face and looked into her gorgeous blue-violet eyes.

She leaned in and kissed me softly and then saying, "Of course Bella. I'll do anything you ask me to do, you know that. But I'm just letting you know now that if at any point in time I feel like you or the others are threatened, I will use my powers and I'm almost positive Natasha will as well."

I sighed softly and looked back into her eyes again while saying, "Rosalie…I can't stress how important it is to keep your powers hidden during these times. If anyone finds out…if Kevin or even Alice finds out…they will harm you Rosalie. I know you can take on Alice since she isn't a full lycan, but as for Kevin…I'm not sure you can take him on. And honestly, I don't want to risk it. If I were to lose you…god…I don't know what I would do Rosalie…"

"Hey, Bella…look at me sweetheart." I slowly looked up at her and she was looking right into my eyes. "I promise you that you will never lose me Bella. I don't care what happens, but I refuse to let us be torn apart. If it makes you feel better, I will keep my powers hidden and I will ask Natasha to as well. Just please stop thinking such terrible things, okay? Everything is going to be all right. We are going to see your father and he will help us with all of this."

I smiled and leaned in to kiss her softly. We kissed for a few minutes until we felt the car stop.

"All right everyone, we're here." Natasha said from the front seat.

We all got out and looked to see where we are at. We were currently standing at the bottom of a huge hill. On top of said hill was this huge castle that looked to be at least one hundred years old.

"Well I suggest that it will be smart for only a few of us to go at first. That way, we don't over whelm them. What do you think Bella?" Carina asked while looking around at everyone and then myself.

I nodded my head in agreement. "I definitely agree. How about Rosalie, Carina, and Blain come with me to the castle? Then the rest of you can stay down here."

"Hey, why don't I get to come?" Natasha asked while playfully pouting.

I grinned and said, "Because you need to keep watch down here and make sure no one gets hurt. Also, your shocking abilities put us at an advantage."

She grinned at me and I guess she decided that was a good enough answer. "Alright, while the four of us go up to the castle, the rest of you need to stay here. If we get the okay then I will signal for the rest of you to come up with the stuff. If we are not back within twenty minutes tops, then I give you guys permission to come up there to see what's wrong. Understood?" I said while looking at everyone.

They all shook their head yes and we all split up. I ended up carrying Rosalie on my back so we could get up to the castle faster. I think she was thankful for that as well considering for someone who wasn't a lycan it would have been a pain in the ass to climb. When we finally got close enough, I put her down and we walked the rest of the way there. Standing in front of the doors were two buff looking men. When we got there, they made us stop and glared at us.

"And who exactly might you be? I don't recall anyone having a meeting with the master today, do you Paul?"

I tried not to roll my eyes at these two. Are they seriously trying to intimidate us? Because if that's the case, it is so not working.

"I am here to see Nathan Pearce. I am his daughter." I said towards the two men.

The one named Paul rolled his eyes at me. "Yeah, okay then and I am a purple hippopotamus. We have been given strict orders to not allow anyone in."

I sighed and tried to control my anger, which is quickly getting worse as the minutes go by. "My name is Bella Swan and this is my mate Rosalie Hale, and two of my pack members Carina McAllister and Blain Carmody. My father is Nathan Pearce and if you don't believe me, then look at my damn eyes. If I remember correctly, and please mistake me if I am incorrect on this, only true holders of the Aradia blood have violet eyes." I said as I looked at the two.

They seemed to not believe me at first, and then I decided to growl for good measure and that made them quiver just a little bit. "Well go on Embry, look in her eyes."

"No way man! I don't want to get my head bitten off! Did you hear that growl? You do it!" The guy named Embry said as he looked at Paul desperately.

All four of us just rolled our eyes at the two pathetic guys standing in our way. I heard Rosalie sigh before saying, "Um excuse me, I hope you don't mind me interrupting your little dialogue you have going on between you two but unlike the both of you, we have important places to be so if you would just let us in to the damn castle, it would be very much appreciated."

With that, the two quickly nodded their head and told us to follow them inside. I looked at Rosalie and smiled a bunch.

"Damn baby, you sure are sexy when you get feisty like that." I said as I wrapped my arm around her waist and kissed her softly.

She grinned while kissing me back and saying, "Only for you sweet cheeks."

I giggled and we continued to follow the two pathetic excuses of guards into the castle. We stopped at another doorway and this time it was guarded by a buff looking male and a muscular looking female.

"Paul, Embry, what do you have here? You know the master said he doesn't want visitors today." The buff male said.

The female turned her head and was looking at me intently. I glanced at her and then I pulled Rosalie closer to my body, which she happily allowed. Paul leaned in and whispered something too quietly to be able to understand what he said and they both went wide eyed and opened the door.

"Please follow Leah and myself into the throne room. I'm very sorry to keep you waiting." The male said as he bowed at me a little and then led us into what I am assuming to be the throne room.

When we walked in, the doors behind us shut making me a little nervous. I don't like being in closed doors in places I'm not familiar with. I looked around the room and I saw there was a big thrown placed in the middle of the room. No one was sitting in it, but there was a tall looking man standing in the corner and looking down at what seems to be a map of some kind.

"Master, you have visitors." The female said, finally speaking.

The "master" didn't budge but did say, "I thought I said no visitors? What is so hard to understand this?"

I could almost hear the male gulp at that. "I'm terribly sorry sir, but I do believe this is a rather important visitor."

He sighed quiet loudly and slammed shut what he was doing. He then began to speak while turning to face us. "For Christ's sake Jacob, who in the hell could possibly be visiting…" He quickly stopped talking once his eyes met mine. They were just as violet as mine were and I saw his jaw almost visibly drop. "Bella? Is that you?"

"Hi father. It's me."

So there was the next chapter for you guys. I actually had a very hard time writing this chapter. I don't know if it's because I haven't written in so long that I'm a little rusty with my writing or if I'm running out of ideas for the story. Or maybe it could just be a little rough patch of a chapter or something. I would like to once again thank everyone who has sent in a review on any of my chapters, who has favorited or followed myself or my story, or even both. It really means a lot to me and I can never thank you all enough for your support. I will try my best to update at least one more time before break is over. But if I don't, I hope all of you have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. =D