Disclaimer: Stephenie Meyer owns Twilight, I own my own imagination.

I will not repeat the tribal stories, because we all know them. I will retell some of the pack personal stories though. There will be some changes.

Also, I have no idea how real adopting and foster agencies work, so I'm making stuff up to fit the story.

Also as I'm not American I'm not familiar with the grades, so if I'm wrong, please forgive me.

The song for this chapter is Linkin Park Crawling.

Oh and I will use one line from one of the books by Nicholas Sparks. I just loved it, couldn't resist it and of course

I do not own it.

Bella POV

It was a very short walk from Leah's and Sam's house. The beach was just a stone's throw away. It was just Leah and I walking, boys have taken off earlier with all the food.

"So what do you think so far?" she asked me.

"Well, I'm not sure..." I trailed off and she almost glared at me. I elbowed her playfully. "I'm just messing with you girl. I love it here already," I laughed.

"You better," she giggled.

We were chatting like we were best friends all our lives. I didn't even realize that we were on the beach until I saw the glow of the bonfire in front of me.

All the wolf pack and some others, who I assumed to be the elders, were sitting in the circle around the huge fire. Everyone has turned their heads at Leah's and mine approach.

Leah made her way over to Sam and sat on his lap. The only free space was between Embry and Paul and I settled myself down.

"Should we begin?" an older looking man on a wheelchair spoke. His eyes reminded me of Jacob. Everyone nodded.

"Welcome to La Push Bella. I am Billy Black, Jake's father and also the head of the council," there, I was right.

"It's nice to meet you, sir," I politely replied and bowed my head. He then went on to introduce the other elders: Sue and Harry Clearwaters, who were Leah's and Seth's parents, Quil Aetara Sr, Quil's grandpa, Charlie Swan, the Chief of police. I know, the same name but he wasn't my dad. Just a coincidence.

Then was the time to begin the tales. I was listening in awe. I knew my mouth was hanging open but I did not care. Hey were so captivating, I did not want to miss anything.

I didn't grasp the idea yet that now also my heritage was so rich and beautiful.

The stories of spirit warriors, wolves and cold ones were materializing themselves if front of my eyes.
I could almost touch the history.

The way Billy was talking about The Third Wife has brought tears to my eyes. I wept for the lives that were lost.

Finally I learned that the cold ones were in fact a vampires and that the Quileutes had a treaty with the strange golden eyed ones. They claimed to be different. They killed the animals to survive.

Unfortunately they just moved back into near by Forks.

At least I knew now what has nearly killed me back in Denali. And the white band was in fact the bloodsuckers also. They triggered my growth spurt and transformation.

"So how this all started in here?" I asked.

"I was the first to phase," Sam said, "It was three years ago, just before the Cullens moved back to the area. We think that they have been visiting their old house to prepare for the move and were unaware of the wolf gene still being active.

"When I phased I freaked out big time. Luckily Leah wasn't at home, but the furniture suffered. I ran out to the forest and stayed there for a week. It was then I remembered the legends. I managed to calm myself enough to phase back and sneaked into Black's house.

"Billy was always like a second father to me. Hell he was my firs, since Joshua hes never really show his face enough to care. Billy listened and believed me. Then I showed him my new form. He said to me to go back to Leah. To fight for her. After she accepted me I was able to tell her everything.

"In within ten months everyone else has phased. We reestablished the treaty and got rid off a fair amount of leeches," Sam sounded very proud of himself there. But then he should, he was getting rid of the abomination that were the vampires.

"So Bella, tell us more about yourself," Billy said to me. I liked him already.

"As you know now my mother died in a childbirth..." and I went on with the story.

I told them about my life growing up in different agencies, then the school. I told them about my new teachers and how they triggered my transformation. They were very curious that there was another coven of yellow eyes.

Sam said they were going to speak with the Cullens about them and if necessary include them in the treaty if, or when they come to visit.

Then I went on to the day I exploded and the leech that was killed in my flat. All I have told them was all roses and daisies version. Nobody had to know my pain.

"So, here I am. And if you let me you are not going to get rid of me so easily," I chuckled.

"I don't think anyone will let you leave now anyway," Paul said to me and casually put his hand on my thigh.

Many things happened at once. My body stiffened and a cold sweat was beginning to show on my brow. Trembles started rocking my body and traitor memories flooded my head. The fear was crawling under my skin and through my veins.

He doesn't mean it the way they did, he doesn't mean it the way they did, I repeated like a mantra over and over in my head.

I started to hyperventilate, I was crumbling and I knew it.

"Bella, are you all right," Paul asked, concern written all over his face.

"I'm sorry, I have to go," I stood up and run.

I run not knowing where, the darkness enveloping me like a thick blanket.

Finally I stopped by a huge driftwood in the middle of the beach. I collapsed to the ground and let the tears overtake me.

After what seemed like a lifetime I sat up and looked into the black abyss of the ocean. The breeze was drying my tears and the steady hum of the waves was slowly calming me down.

That's right Bella, get a grip, I chanted my new mantra now.

After a while I could hear a footsteps. I didn't need to look to know who that was. Leah put her hand on my shoulder and I covered hers with mine. I started crying again.

"Shh, everything is gonna be all right, shh," she embraced me and rocked me back and forth. What did I do to deserve such kindness?

"I know that you will talk when you good and ready but I want you to know that I am here. It's strange, I know, we only know each other for less than a day but you are already my sister and a friend, the best one" she said.

"Thank you," I managed to whisper between hiccups.

"Any time honey, any time."

She stayed with me like that for a little while longer. I was so grateful that she didn't push me to open up. Hell, I had no idea how to do this anyway.

Instead she made me talk about silly and inconsequential things to take my mind of the horrors of the past.

I took many deep breaths, I was good to go back.

"Are you ready?"

"Yep, as ready as I can be."

We jogged all the way back. I didn't realize how far I went. When we reached the fire, the gathering of people was awaiting me.

I was afraid to see the look of pity but I found none. Instead there was genuine sympathy and concern for me.

I sat down next to Paul again. I looked at him and I could see his whole body stiffen. I knew he blamed himself for my reaction. He put as much room between us as the limited space allowed.

It hurt to see him this way so I did the only thing I could think of at that moment. I reached for his hand and squeezed it. The sudden contact send a spark up my arm and made us both jump. We looked into each others eyes and I could feel Paul relaxing and moving closer to me and at the same time interlacing our fingers.

Billy motioned to me to come over to him and I immediately obliged. I kneeled in front of him and he gently touched my face. I closed my eyes listening to his whispers in an almost forgotten tongue of Quileutes.

He gently laid his fingers on my eyelids and continued his sacred whispers. Then with one swift motion he sliced my wrist.

The sharp pang of pain made me open my eyes and the gash healed in the matter of seconds. All my blood was collected on a stone which Billy thrown into the fire. I could feel a strange shift in my mind now.

I was officially a part of the pack, I had a family now.

–

The bonfire continued late into the night. Everyone had a lot of fun and I was able to bond with everyone there. It was nice to be among other freaks. It made you feel normal for once.

"All right everybody. It's been quiet those last few weeks so I'll let you all off of the patrol for tonight. Jake, Embry and Quil run perimeter once to make sure and then go home and get some sleep. Tomorrow we all help train Bella," Sam shouted the orders for the night.

We all left out and soon enough I was back in my own room in my own bed.

I was tired but sleep was evading me. Every memory and emotion was raging inside of me. I was tossing and turning to the point that my bed started to groan.

"That's it," I whispered and sat up. I wiped the sweat from my brow and made my way to the window.

I inhaled the fresh scent of the forest. I remembered what Sam had said earlier.

I needed to run, I wanted to feel the speed and freedom while I sped through the woods like a ghost.

I stripped in my room and jumped out the window. I hit the ground with my front paws and run into the darkness.

The area was still new to me but somehow I knew I would not get lost in here. In the end I could sniff my way back home.

The run was exhilarating, such a difference to my first time. I didn't have to run for my life.

Short while later I came to a halt at the cliffs. The view was breathtaking. My enhanced senses allowed me to indulge in the richness of the night.

I sat on my haunches and let the breeze brush through my fur. To the passer by I would look like an ancient statue, a guardian of the forest. A black spirit of the great wolf.

I closed my eyes and my mind drifted off to my past. A past that I wanted to forget about all my life...

"Bella, I want you to meet somebody," Sharon, the boss lady from my foster agency said to me.

"I'm coming," I said to her and left my favorite doll Lulu on my bed and took my teddy with me.

"Here. There are Mr and Mrs Blackwood and they would like to spend some time with you. Maybe they can be your family if you like it there," she said to me and I just nodded. I didn't want to go with them. I didn't know why, but I just didn't. But what can seven year old orphan really know, right?

But I did know. The black and blue bruises were concealed by my russet skin and the knife to my throat ensured my silence. After two weeks I had enough. I escaped with only my pajamas in the middle of the night. I didn't have any shoes and by the time I reached the next building my feet were bleeding so much I could not walk any more. Lucky for me there were no monsters in that house.

-8-8-8-

I was just turning twelve and starting my 6th grade in the new school. I was already a freak there due to my skin color. I was considered exotic by many. Especially my math teacher.

I was always a straight A student but into a second semester my math teacher started to ask me to stay after the final bell. Math was my last lesson of the day.

First it was to discuss the tutoring program for the colleagues with lower grades. I was to be their tutor after school or so I thought. I had a talent for explaining things and he thought I would be an ideal candidate to help others.

It turned out I was an ideal candidate to help him...

An image of tear stained face of a scared girl flashed before my eyes while the teacher was touching her in places that should be forbidden. He didn't take all her innocence but he scared her enough...

No, I will kill the bastards who did this to you! I didn't even realize that Paul has phased. His rage was saturating every particle in the air.

Paul, what are you doing here?

Same as you, couldn't sleep. So this is why you run away from the bonfire earlier?

A faint 'yes' escaped my mind.

I was ashamed, I was sure that nobody would want me after that. I concentrated hard not to let anything else slip.

Where are you?

The cliffs.

After a few minutes I could hear Paul's paws hitting the forest floor with a steady pace.

Hey, he sat next to me and nudged me with his nose. He once again tuned up with my thoughts. Freaking pack mind.

So this is what you think of yourself? Are you fucking blind? You are the purest and most beautiful woman I've ever laid my eyes on. You just need to believe in yourself, he said.

I could feel how attracted to me he was. I couldn't lie, so was I. He was hot. But how could he even consider to love me after seeing all that? And how could I even consider trusting anyone?

Just leave the sugar coating out, all right. You are not seeing my pants let alone getting in them so you can forget it. So just leave me the hell alone! Oh, and if you mention to anybody what you so rudely eavesdropped I will neuter you painfully! I shouted at him and bolted for Sam's cabin.

I was phased and back in my own bed in no time. And luckily this time sleep came in to me without trouble.

I woke up the next day with a sense of dread. I shook my head and run to the bathroom. I decided on a cold shower to wake up and shake all the nightmares of the last night. I threw a pair of shorts and a t-shirt and made my way to the kitchen. Great, everyone was already there.

"Do you need any help Leah?" I asked stifling a yawn. Fantastic. The only free seat was next to Paul, again.

"No, I let you off today. I've got everything done anyway," and true to her word the huge cooked breakfast was served within five minutes.

I was shooting daggers at Paul the whole meal. He was chewing his food with his face down. I don't think I was discreet enough. Everyone was looking at us funny. I hoped that Paul could keep his mind shut long enough.

After the breakfast everyone rushed out of the house and into the forest. I could hear Jake whispering to Paul.

"If you were any more whipped, brother, they'd serve you on ice cream," everyone snickered after that.

"Shut up, just wait your turn. I'll be the first to laugh," Paul retorted and they engaged into a wrestling match.

"All right stop, otherwise Bella will think we are a bunch of retards or worse," Sam attempted to calm the group.

"Too late brother," I answered with a smirk and Sam narrowed his eyes at me.

"So you think we are retards?"

"No, worse," I stuck my tongue at him and run into the forest to strip and phase. When I came back all the wolves were waiting for me.

All right then, show me all your goodies, I was met with a silence, Jeez I meant your fighting skills, I rolled my eyes. They really were crazy.

Hey, we heard that! Jake shouted.

I know, you meant to, damn pack mind...

I watched as all the wolves took part in the fights. They were all almost equally strong and skilled, although Jake's and Sam's size was working to their slight advantage.

I was told that because Sam was an Alpha and Jake had the purest bloodline they were the biggest in the pack.

In fact Jake supposed to be the leader, but the kid did not want it yet. He settled for a second to gain more experience.

All right Bella, it's your turn, Sam called me, remember, this will be your first time so take it easy, just try to channel your inner wolf and the rest will come to you with time and practice.

Sure, I answered and trotted to the middle of the clearing.

So who will be the first?

Maybe Leah, Quil suggested.

You bunch of perverts, so you want to see a girl on girl? I cocked my head playfully.

I, well, I, no... Quil was stuttering and I burst out laughing joined by Leah.

Always being on my own has given me a lot of time to practice a strange hobbies. Yoga and Tibetan meditation was one of them.

I closed my eyes and was able to block my mind from them for a bit. I looked deep in within myself and found the wolf that now was a part of me. I found its soul and bonded it with my own.

When I slowly opened my eyes, it was still me looking through them but now joined by the power of the wolf.

Every movement of my body now had the purpose, every muscle was ready to strike.

All right big boy, yes Jake I'm talking to you, come here, he hesitated. They all sensed something different about me. It was like ripple of power that echoed through the pack. What, are you afraid of a big, black she-wolf? I challenged him.

No, he grumbled and met me in the middle.

Remember Bella, take it easy, Sam reminded me yet again.

Sure, big brother.

And the dance begun. We were circling each other at first, none of us beginning the attack until I barred my teeth and threatened Jake. He answered on instinct and jumped in my direction. When I met him head on I could hear a yelp from the pack. It was Paul. He was worried I would get hurt. Huh, they should worry about Jake.

I let my wolf take over, though I had enough control not to hurt my pack brother.

The fight lasted all of two minutes until I had Jake pinned to the floor and whimpering in submission.

All right, so who is next? I said when I released Jacob.

Damn, you are good and like just a baby. Shit, beat by a girl, Jacob was shooting obscenities under his nose.

How did you move so fast? Sam asked me.

Well, I'm just super awesome, I barked at him and was met with a raised eyebrow. All right, I used to have a lot of time off so I engaged into meditation and all that Far East crap. It help me to find my inner wolf so you don't have to waste your time to train the new baby walk. As you can see I can fight better that all of you and I know that Jake was not holding back either.

You right, so now you can start the patrols with everyone else. You are up first with Paul, Sam ordered in his alpha voice. He was pissed that his little sister was better than him.

You got to be kidding me... I grumbled.

Paul, show her all the ropes, borders and the boundary line and oh, tell her about the school as well. I hope she will be able to control her wolf around them better than anyone else too, Sam said and everyone but Paul and I left the clearing.

All, right, so what's up with the school? I asked Paul when we were alone.

Well, we have to go there with the Cullens.

What?

A/N

Ta da. I know, a cliffy and How can they go to the same school. Don't worry, I have a good explanation which will come to you in the next chapter, lol.