The Twilight Series belongs to S. Meyer, no copyright infringement is intended. I'm just playing with the characters.
AN: Finally the long-awaited chapter with Rosalie and my goodness do these four girls like to talk, I couldn't get them to shut up! lol
They had barely made it onto Highway 101 before Rachel's chatter started up. It was non-stop and Leah wrongly assumed that Angela was quiet. Between the two of them she couldn't even begin to sort through what she wanted to get out of the meeting with Rosalie.
Her irritation evident with her first words, "What the fuck, Rachel? It was bad enough when you were tagging along, but now her?"
It appeared Angela had more of a backbone than Leah had noticed with the few glances she had gotten of the girl. The polite girl who had introduced herself to Leah's little brother—the same boy that couldn't be described as little anymore—wasn't afraid of Leah's bitchy attitude.
"A thank you would be nice considering I've provided you with the perfect alibi. Kim and Claire will go along with it, so none of them will be suspicious when we are gone for the better part of the day. In fact, they think we are all meeting up in Port Angeles and then driving to Claire's apartment in Neah Bay to spend the day there. It's just far enough they won't run to check it out and they trust us, which is more than I can say for you at the moment."
"What…" Leah stuttered, speechless for the first time in her life.
"Without Angela, your big plan would be for naught. There's no way they'd excuse you from wolf training after Seth removed the order. How were you going to explain why you were going to be gone all day when your dad's in the hospital after having a heart attack?"
"I'd think of something," she muttered.
"But now you don't have to. This is the thing, Leah, being an imprint is one of the best…"
"And worst things," Angela chimed in.
"That can ever happen to a girl," Rachel continued. "Sure, there's all this never-ending love and devotion. It doesn't matter if you're having a bad hair day or feeling bloated—to them you are a goddess and they will worship the ground you walk on."
"But sometimes, a girl needs her space. They get all worked up if you ask for alone time," Angela added.
"Or want to spend time with your girlfriends. And I get it, it's the bond and everything, but I had a life before Embry. I had things I wanted to do and now I'm kinda stuck and it chafes."
"And we know something is different about you and Seth. We, the imprints, have talked about it. You might be just what we need to change the dynamic a bit," Angela digressed.
"See in a world run by boys, us girls have to stick together. So are you with us or against us?"
"Rachel, that's a pretty loaded question. As for Seth and I—things are different because of how everything's played out, that's all," she hedged.
Angela and Rachel chuckled at her evasiveness. "Sure and pigs fly," Rachel replied.
"Bella's been part of the inner circle for a long time and while I may be nice to her because we go to school together—well, it doesn't feel like she should belong."
"It's strange," Rachel seconded. "I thought I was the only one who felt that way, but Ang and I got to talking about it one night while she waited for Jake to come home. Claire said something to Emily about it and Emily mentioned it to Kim who said something to me. Why would all of us feel the same way?"
"I've always been quiet. I like to people watch, you know, observe how people interact with each other—their behaviors and mannerisms. You can see it when you look at all the imprints and their wolves. They gravitate toward one another. When one moves, the other follows. We even begin to copy each other mannerisms and speech patterns…"
"That is totally creepy, by the way," Rachel said jokingly.
"It's different though with Bella and Jared. They are still two separate people, which doesn't make sense when you consider an imprint is the other half of the protector's soul."
"And while I know you can defend yourself if things with Rosalie go south, we're the perfect addition to make sure it doesn't happen. The last thing she'd want to do is start a war."
"Fine. Thank you for saving my ass."
"I'd make you say it like you mean it, but I am just going to bask in the glory of outsmarting you," Rachel retorted, sticking her tongue out at Leah.
The rest of the drive was relatively peaceful. Angela had printed up directions from MapQuest, something Leah had forgotten to do. Had it not been for her smart thinking they would have been driving around possibly for hours trying to find Ruth's Chris.
Between making a couple of stops to stretch their legs and use the restroom along with traffic they had made good time. They pulled into the parking lot twenty minutes early.
"So, what's the plan," Rachel asked.
"Ask her what she knows about the bite mark on Bella. That will solve part of the mystery. You realize I haven't put that much thought into this, don't you?"
"That's what I figured. Which is why it's even better Angela's here. Did you know she's the editor for the Forks High paper?"
Leah raised an eyebrow in Rachel's direction before responding dryly, "Are you trying to set me up on a date with her? 'Cause from where I'm standing, it sure seems like it."
"No, silly," Rachel replied with a playful slap to Leah's arm. "It's just, well, Angela's new to all this. I don't want her to feel left out of things either. We all grew up with this—the stories and traditions. She's going to be the chief's wife someday, so it's up to us to help her out."
"Did I get a personality change that I'm not aware of?"
"No, not exactly. It's just you've been different…since the whole…well, you know," Rachel explained as she gestured to Leah and waved her hands around.
"Excuse me, for needing some time to figure things out. Once your boyfriend goes missing, is presumed dead, and then returns from the grave at the same time you've somewhat moved forward with your life—then you can tell me what's normal and not for my behavior. You're the one who called and made plans with me, but didn't keep them."
"But you never called me back. Friendship's a two-way street."
"Exactly."
"I think we should go in before you two start a brawl. I may have only recently got to know Rachel, but she's stubborn and I get the feeling you are, too," Angela said, interrupting their conversation.
"Fine, you're right, Ang. Don't think that means that you've gotten the last word either, Leah."
Rachel's words were punctuated by the slamming of the car door as she exited it. Both of the remaining occupants shook their head at Rachel's antics. It had always been this way between Leah and Rachel. The two of them would butt heads constantly. If there was something to fight or argue about they would find it.
"Are you sure you want to be related to her," Leah asked Angela without preamble.
Angela shrugged, "I really don't have much of a choice, do I? It's kinda a package deal. The trick is to let her think she's won. Though I will admit sometimes while I'm nodding in agreement at whatever drivel she's trying to get me to believe…" she trailed off as a blushed stained her cheeks. "I do imagine ways to torture her."
Leah burst out laughing, tears welling in the corner of her eyes. Angela followed suit and the two of them laughed until Rachel's fist banged on the hood of the car. Their chuckles quieting, but grins covered their faces as they stared at Rachel glaring at them.
"Alright, let's get this over with."
They got out of the car and the three of them walked toward the front door. A maître d' appeared out of nowhere and held it open for them as he greeted them quietly, "Good afternoon ladies."
"Thank you," Leah murmured. "We're meeting someone here."
"Aww, you must be the party for Mrs. McCarthy. I was under the impression that it would be only two of you. No worries, we shall get it all sorted out. If you'll follow me," he finished, gesturing with his hands as he started to walk toward the dining area.
It was hard not to gawk at the décor in the restaurant. Even without seeing a menu, they could tell this wasn't a normal steakhouse. This was where wealthy business men and women had lunch or dinner with clients. Where a husband might take his wife on their tenth anniversary; it was not a place the residents of Forks or La Push were accustomed to.
The maître d' led them into the back of the restaurant and through a set of glass double doors. It appeared to be a banquet area; a place that people could rent if they had a large party or gathering. Only one table was occupied and even without taking another step forward, Leah knew that this was Rosalie Cullen.
It wasn't the pale features or golden eyes that gave her away. It was the perfection of her face. Even the most beautiful models had some imperfection—something that showed they were human and capable of being damaged. Her skin was too smooth, free of lines or wrinkles, pores non-existent, not a single blemish.
Her hair was elegantly coiffed. Even the clothes she wore spoke of her inhuman nature. No wrinkles, not a speck of dust or fuzz. She was simply perfectly put together and it was that fact that unnerved Leah the most. Not the fact that this was a creature that could kill any occupant in the room with a single bite.
"Mrs. McCarthy, my apologies," the maître d' began. "I had thought you said it would be a table for three. I must beg your forgiveness. I promise that my staff will ensure that you and your guests will be accommodated appropriately."
Rosalie's eyes drifted over the three of them before she turned to the maître d', "No worries, James. I simply forget that my friend Angela was in town, too. The addition of one more shouldn't change what I've ordered for lunch. Simply bring an extra place setting."
"Of course, madam," he acknowledged with a small bow. "Ladies, what may I get you to drink?"
The three of them took a seat at the table with Rosalie. Leah sat on Rosalie's left while Angela was on her right, and Rachel was across the table from her. It had been how they had discussed seating arrangements in the car. The hope was that Rosalie would have qualms about attacking Angela and Leah could defend herself. That just left Rachel as the odd person out. Though Rosalie didn't look like she would be able to hurt a fly, Leah was very aware her frailness was deceptive.
They ordered drinks and James was off to fill their drink orders while he checked on the meal that had been ordered. An awkward silence feel over the group while the waited. It was Angela who broke it.
"Hi, Rosalie, it's nice to see you again."
Rosalie was surprised by Angela's greeting. It wasn't because Angela had been unkind in the past, but it was more the fact that she had been aloof. She had never liked interacting with humans, particularly teenage ones, but it was something she tolerated for the family. When they started out in a town as high school students, it usually gave them more time in one place.
To her, being a nomad like so many of their kind were seemed unnatural and an awful type of existence. She supposed it had to do with the time period in which she had been changed and what her desires for life were. Not that she would call this existence life by any means, but she had come to terms with the curse of immortality she had been given.
"Likewise, Angela," she replied back with a nod. "So, which one of you is Leah?" She gazed curiously at the two native girls.
"I am," the taller of the two girls said.
It made sense to Rosalie that the taller girl was. For some reason the other girl reminded her of Ephraim Black. Something about her features which showed a heritage that could be traced back centuries. Not that the other girl's couldn't. Truth to be told they both held themselves regally; royalty in their own right.
"And you are," she stated to the remaining girl.
"Rachel Black."
"That explains it," she replied.
"Explains what," Leah asked, but they were interrupted by the staff bringing in their meal.
A cart of silver covered platters was pushed into the room. Another waitress carried a tray with their drinks which she set in front of them. Several pitchers containing tea, lemonade, and water were set down on another table. James put place settings in front of each of them. When he turned toward the cart and began to remove the covers, Rosalie stopped him.
"James, we'll serve ourselves. It's been so long since we've had a chance to catch up. I can trust we'll be given privacy so that we may eat and visit at our leisure?"
"Of course, Mrs. McCarthy."
With a snap of his fingers, the room was cleared. The double doors closed softly behind him, leaving them alone again.
"You were saying," Leah prodded.
Rosalie's gaze landed on Leah, a single brow arching as though she couldn't believe the audacity of Leah's question. "The familiarity in her features to Ephraim Black. He was the one who offered the treaty."
"You met my great-grandfather?"
"Yes, at the time it was only the five of us. Alice and Jasper hadn't joined the family. We were unaware of the wolves in the area when we moved here. It was while we were hunting one day that we came upon them…or they came upon us. Either way, they were outnumbered and the treaty was offered as a compromise to prevent bloodshed. My father, Carlisle is a peacekeeper and believes that even in this existence we have the capacity for good."
"When were you born," Angela asked shyly.
"Into this life," Rosalie asked, seeking clarification.
"Umm…both."
"I was born on April 10th, 1915 in Rochester, New York. At eighteen, I was left for dead and Carlisle found me. He believed my death would be a waste and changed me. That was 1933," Rosalie answered. "Now, while I cannot enjoy the food which they've brought—there is no reason for it to go to waste."
Leah was quickly learning that werewolf hunger overcame all types of feelings. There was little doubt that even happiness would be unable to phase her appetite. Was this what her life was going to be? An all you can eat buffet? At least, it didn't seem to stick anywhere to her body, so sweat pants and baggy tees weren't in the near future.
"I know I mentioned it on the phone, but I need to understand what happened with Bella," Leah began in between bites of food.
"Why?"
"How much do you know about the wolves?"
"Personally, not much. It wasn't something that was interesting to me when we encountered the pack all those years ago. Carlisle and Edward would be the ones to talk to. They were fascinated with it."
"What if we told you, one of us was a wolf," Rachel asked.
Rosalie's golden gaze pierced Leah. She wasn't sure what the blonde vampire was trying to do—size her up or figure out what it meant. Either way, she met Rosalie's gaze with a fierce gaze of her own. She didn't realize that Sopiya felt the need to make her presence known until the rest of the table gasped.
"Leah," Rachel cried out. "What the hell?"
"What? I didn't do anything."
"Yes, you did."
Angela nudged Rachel, effectively shutting her up. Once again, the room was eerily quiet.
"That would explain it. It's been a long time since I was near one of the pack, but," Rosalie paused to gather her thoughts. "Frankly, you've got a bit of a wet dog smell to you."
"Well, you don't smell like a bed of roses, either," Leah threw back.
"So, females change too," Rosalie inquired politely, ignoring Leah's last remark.
"Nope, just me. It's a fairly recent thing, too."
A million questions entered Rosalie's mind. While she knew they wanted information on Bella, she was interested in this girl. Even as a vampire, the men of her family tended to see the females as weak. Could it be the same way for this girl? Or was she seen as someone just as strong and capable as her male counterparts?
"How about instead of playing twenty questions, I'll tell you what I know about the pack and you can fill in the blanks for me?"
"Fine and you'll tell us about Bella and what happened between her and your family?"
Rosalie nodded in agreement before beginning, "Mind you, the information I have is mostly second hand. But as I was saying Carlisle and Edward were very intrigued by the wolf pack. I think had Ephraim agreed to it, Carlisle would have loved to get a peek at their genetics and understand how genes played a role in your abilities."
"But genetics is a fairly new science," Rachel remarked.
"For humans, yes, but Carlisle's been around for hundreds of years. He's constantly questioning the how's and why's of things. And Edward, well, he's been alone for so many years—the rest of the family has mates, so he's often left to his own devices. Science is just one of his many hobbies. Has Bella told you anything about our kind?"
"No, she doesn't say much about Edward or any of it at all," Angela answered. "It's like she chooses to forget it or pretend it doesn't exist, but… She knew about this before any of us did and you'd think she'd want to share information that would keep the pack safe. There have been other vampires in the area since you've left."
"You've heard of humans having special abilities, like premonitions or visions of the future? Or have you ever met someone who can seem to move an angry crowd to calmness? Or incite a mob to riots? Perhaps, you've known someone who can seem to read your mind?"
The three girls nodded. For Leah and Rachel, it was something they had grown up with. There were also the stories and legends of those who knew things that others didn't. Who seemed to have knowledge or sense which was beyond the average person's ability.
"What if I told you that the venom which changes a human into a vampire also has the capability to make those abilities stronger?"
"Like a superpower," Rachel asked.
"Yes, just like that. Some of my siblings have traits which they carried from their human existence into this one; only these are now intensified. I suppose one could even say that Carlisle's compassion, Esme's motherly tendencies, and my beauty and my husband's strength are all traits that have been enhanced by venom. But some of my siblings these traits have essentially become superpowers."
"That's why I said my knowledge is second hand of the pack. I know things only because Edward can read minds. Any thought which goes through your head, he can hear. This is true for every single human or vampire he's ever come across except for one."
"Bella," Leah guessed.
"Yes, her mind was the only one he couldn't read which fueled his obsession with her, but getting back to my original point. Edward knew the moment we came across the pack that there were only those three wolves. They had fought several vampires, but no more than two at a time. He also knew they had mates and small children at home."
"So, basically, you already knew that you had the pack at your mercy?"
"I suppose that's how you could view it. Ephraim's pack was the first for several generations. It had almost been too many years in-between their pack and the last one. There comes a point when the truth becomes a story—a tale told to children and they no longer believe it. I know when we returned to Forks this last time, there wasn't a pack. Edward made sure to find out before we moved back. We didn't know if your numbers would be the same or grow and we couldn't risk being outnumbered, especially if the treaty wasn't upheld."
"This pack wasn't formed until last May."
Rosalie's eyes widened slightly, her mouth dropping open. "May," she repeated.
Leah nodded, "Yes, my boyfriend at the time was the first one. It was just before I graduated last year. He disappeared for a month—he was stuck as his wolf."
"So, you want to know about Bella and how she isn't a vampire now?"
"Yes, it might help solve a problem."
While Rosalie wanted to know what the problem was, she knew it would probably be revealed later. So, she continued, "Edward and Bella started dating in March. He had been obsessed with her for months. Not only was her mind silent to him, but her blood sang to him." At the unspoken question in the girls' eyes, Rosalie added, "Think of your favorite food. Now imagine that it's sitting right in front of you, but you can't eat it. There are humans whose blood calls to us, making it nearly impossible to control our desire to consume them."
"He spent several weeks becoming accustomed to her blood and scent before he finally was able to approach her. For weeks, Alice was plagued by visions of Edward killing Bella or our classmates in his desire for her blood."
Angela paled. Rachel looked a bit green around the gills. But Leah she was strangely fascinated. Granted some of her fascination could have to do with Sopiya and all the knowledge that was to be gleaned from this strange dialogue.
"One day the family decided to play baseball."
"You play baseball," Rachel interrupted with a skeptical look.
"Of course, it's the great American pastime," Rosalie eyed Leah again, mirth in her eyes. "Maybe someday we could have a vampire versus wolf game, it could be interesting. But I digress, while we were busy playing, three vampires—nomads—came across our game. There wasn't enough time to get Bella out of there and once they caught the scent of her, things took a turn for the worse."
Rosalie continued with the story, telling them how James was a tracker and decided that Bella would be his next meal. How the entire family had worked together to try and stop James, but in the end, he had caught up with Bella and tricked her into believing he held her mother.
"Bella went to save her mother's life, only to get caught in James' trap. We were close behind her, but he managed to bite her before we could stop him. The venom was already making its way through her body. Edward was left with a choice—let Bella change or attempt to save her life by sucking the venom out. Remember what I said about Bella's mind?"
"Edward couldn't read her thoughts," Angela answered.
With a nod, she continued, "When Carlisle talked to one of our friends about it, he thought perhaps Bella was a shield."
"A shield," Leah questioned.
"Some things are physical traits while others are mental or emotional. Something within Bella's mind didn't allow Edward to read her thoughts. It didn't stop Alice from having visions of Bella's future, but your future is more of a physical thing. And Jasper could still affect her emotions—while emotions can be mental, they also can have a physical component to them. If you're embarrassed, your cheeks turn red and you freeze. When you're angry, doesn't it feel like your heart is pounding and your limbs tremble?"
"I guess," the three of them agreed.
"Moving on, any of you taken Anatomy and Physiology," Rosalie watched as Angela and Leah nodded their heads. "Think of venom as a virus. It attacks the cells, injecting its own program into them and causes it to change. James injected venom into Bella's bloodstream and it immediately began its journey through her body. Now with each heart beat which organ gets blood first and the largest amount?"
Angela and Leah sat in silence thinking about it. Leah closed her eyes, focusing her mind on the lecture she had sat through only a week ago. In her mind, she watched as blood entered the right atria and flowed into the right ventricle where it was pushed to the lungs to be oxygenated. Then it returned via the left atria and was pumped into the left ventricle. This was the most important part of the cycle. This ventricle had to stretch and fill, so that when the heart beat and pushed the fresh blood into circulation, it could provide oxygen and nutrients to all the tissues.
She saw as the blood flowed out of the heart into the largest artery, the aorta. Three more arteries branched off the arch of the aorta. One to the right and the other two to the left side of the body; her eyes popped open as she realized the clue Rosalie was trying to give them.
"The brain," she blurted out.
"Correct," Rosalie replied with a smile. "The glitch is in Bella's brain. Even though Edward sucked as much venom out as he could, there was no way for him to get it all. Changes occurred."
"So, Bella has a vampire brain," Rachel injected, completely confused by the science lesson.
"Not exactly and granted this is my own theory, but it was shortly after the incident with James that both Edward and Alice began to act different. The two of them have always been close—their individual powers when put together make them a strong force and the family relies on them to know if humans are getting suspicious of us. Bella knew what we are so, we couldn't just pack up and leave."
"But you did," Angela remarked.
"Only after Jasper nearly took a piece of Bella when she got a paper cut while opening her birthday presents. I don't believe for one moment that Alice didn't see all the potential futures of that day. Instead, it was the excuse Edward needed to walk away with a minimum of fuss from the family. So, now why don't you tell me why you needed to know what happened?"
"Did Edward ever mentioning imprinting when he talked about the wolves and their mates?"
Rosalie frowned, "Not that I recall."
"It's something we do," Leah explained. "It's mate matching by the wolf spirits."
"They describe it as gravity," Angela added. "When they first turn into the wolf, it's very confusing. It's a difficult transition, accepting the instincts of the wolf and maintaining your humanity."
"An imprint grounds them; ties them to their human lives while giving them something to fight to come home to. It also gives them the strength they need to accept their wolf spirit," Rachel chimed in.
"Somehow Bella is an imprint, but how that can be possible is beyond me. How can someone with tainted blood be the mate of a wolf? Wouldn't the wolf have recognized their natural enemy," Leah asked.
"This connection you describe, what is it? Physical, mental, emotional…"
"It's all three," Rachel answered. "That's the beauty of it. I suppose it starts out mental as it doesn't occur until they look into your eyes. They feel a pull toward you which guides their actions. They desire to spend time with you, filling the holes you didn't realize were in your soul. Best friend, lover, and mate. As your relationship progresses, it becomes more physical until the bond deepens into an emotional connection in which you can't imagine your existence without them."
"Is there anyway Bella would have known about this?"
Leah and Rachel both answered "no" while Angela meekly answered, "yes." Three sets of eyes turned her way. Two of the sets expressed varying levels of shock and anger.
"It wasn't me!" Angela cried out, holding her hands in the air. "Jake did it. It's how she figured out what the Cullens were. He told her some of the legends when a group of us went to First Beach last year. I don't know if he told her about imprinting."
"But it wouldn't matter if he did or not," Rachel said quietly. "Emily slipped up one day. It was right after I came home and Embry imprinted on me. Jake had brought Bella over to cheer her up," she paused, glancing at Rosalie. "She was all messed up after you guys left. It wasn't the first time she'd been around the pack. Dad encouraged Jake to hang out with her, so they all tried to act as normal as possible around her. The next weekend, she came by again and that's when the imprint happened."
AN: *wipes brow* Glad to have that out of the way. So, it's nearly revealed the mystery of the imprint... I'm patiently waiting for your thoughts.
FF_8756144_34 02/12/13 3:02AM