Summary - "Bella is an average girl, struggling with her homosexuality and her life at home. Can the love of not one, but three vampires help show her that she shouldn't be afraid? A/B/R/V".
Author's Notes – Inspired by my dear friend Hollowgo..
Rating - Older Teen to Mature
By: WDG and Lash_Larue
The Garden of Four - Chapter Twenty Two – She is THE ALPHA
Rosalie, Victoria, and Alice were sitting in the garden, enjoying the sunset.
"Is Bella going to wolf school this weekend?" Rosalie asked Alice.
"Not wolf, lycan," Alice corrected. Rosalie rolled her eyes.
"Okay, lycan, then. So is she?" Rosalie pressed.
"I think so, we didn't have any real plans, and she should get started. The sooner she learns, the better," Alice answered.
"Right, that being the case Vic and I are going up to Alaska and join the boys and the cousins," Rose informed her.
"We can't miss the chance to pick on Emmett, he gets so mushy around Tanya. That is one p-whipped vampire!" Victoria said with a sly grin. "You want to come with?"
"No thanks, I'll hang around in case Bella has some spare time," Alice replied.
"You're whipped too," Victoria informed her.
"Damn right, and glad to be. Like you aren't?"
"She's got you there, Vic, and don't think I don't know you swiped Bella's Mariners jersey," Rose informed her with a grin of her own.
"You two pervs get out of here," Alice ordered, shaking her head, "don't be too hard on Emmett, okay? He's really been pretty good about the four of us."
"Yeah, he has," Rose admitted, "but still…"
"Beat it," repeated Alice. A short time later the sound of Rosalie's Lamborghini faded into the distance.
Alice went up to her room and crawled into Bella's side of the bed, she had missed her mate through the night and Bella's scent was strong on the pillow. It both calmed and aroused her, and Alice wondered how Bella's talk with Charlie had gone as her hands wandered over her body. She wondered for almost an entire minute before Bella's scent and the memory of her touch drove most conscious thought from her mind. A few minutes after that the one remaining thought was of how much better it felt to have Bella inside her than her own small cold fingers.
A vision tickled at the edge of her mind, but it was vague, and she was too far gone in her fantasy to pay heed to it.
"Are you certain that one of the lycans you scented was the one who attacked Bella Swan, Leah?" Sam asked her.
Sam had called the pack together, except for Jacob, who was on a special mission that Sam had assigned as soon as he had 'heard' Leah's discovery.
"Completely certain," Leah said flatly, "the trail leads straight towards the Cullen's house. I followed it to the edge of our territory, both ends of it." Sam nodded.
"So what do we make of this? It appears that the lycan that changed Bella visited the Cullens, the question is, why? The Cullens claim Bella as one of their own, why would they allow the lycan who changed her to visit, and what's more to leave unharmed?" Sam put the questions to the pack.
"Maybe they were scared of the lycan," Embry suggested, "they're pretty powerful, and the scent I got from Leah's mind said 'alpha' pretty clearly."
"I don't think so, the Cullens together are surely a match for any two lycans, alpha or not. That big one, Emmett, I know he's protective of Bella Swan, and he's a fighter," Paul countered. "No way he'd let that go unpunished."
"And yet he did…" Sam said quietly.
"Maybe they knew about it beforehand," Taylor suggested. "Maybe they had their own reasons for wanting her changed."
"That doesn't make sense," Leah protested.
"Who knows how a leech thinks? It kind of makes sense to me," Sam mused. "Suppose, just suppose, that they wanted Bella Swan to be immortal for some reason. If one of them changed her it would break the treaty, and we would be at war. I doubt they would take the risk of asking a vampire from outside their coven to do it, not many vampires have the restraint to keep from killing once they taste blood. But an alpha lycan, an old one, they might be able to do it."
"Why would they want her to be immortal?" Leah asked. "And anyway, there's no way they could have known I'd chase Bella into the woods that day, much less where." Sam shrugged.
"We have many more questions than answers," Embry pointed out.
"And more speculation than questions," Sam admitted.
Billy Black cleared his throat for attention. While not a pack member, he was a tribal elder and the head of the Black family. For those reasons he attended this meeting, and this was also why the meeting was being conducted in human form.
"You have something to add, Billy?"
"Just that the simplest way to get a question answered is to ask someone who knows the answer," Billy said in his deep voice.
"You think I should arrange a meeting with the Cullens?"
"I do, and I think that we should also consider whether or not the Cullens having a hand in Bella's changing might not be a violation of the treaty. I think that it would be, and as long as we're speculating, we might consider what the Cullens teaming up with some lycans would do to the balance of power here. If they brought in more vampires, more Quileute would change. The presence of lycans would not have the same effect…"
That thought was not a comfortable one at all.
"I'm going to shift and contact Jacob," Sam decided, and he walked into the woods to do it.
"Is Sam shy or something?" Leah asked Taylor.
"Just polite, Sam is kind of old-fashioned."
"What do you think of Billy's idea, Taylor?" Leah asked quietly.
"Could be. I mean, the Cullens have always honored the treaty, and all I hear about Dr. Cullen is very good. He's even helped out at the reservation clinic, for free. Of course, that would have been a smart thing to do if they are planning to catch us off guard. I don't want to believe it, but we'd be foolish not to consider it. Those lycans had to have some reason for going there, and I just can't see vampires and lycans gathering socially, can you?"
"I guess not, I'd think the smell would keep them apart. Vampires stink to us, and I bet we don't smell too great to them either," Leah admitted.
"We aren't lycans," Taylor pointed out.
"Closer to them than vampires. We just don't know, and that's a fact."
"I've decided to take Billy's advice," Sam announced when he returned to the group. "Jacob says that most of the Cullens are gone. There is only Carlisle and his wife, and the little Alice girl there at the moment. I called Carlisle and asked for a meeting. I told him it concerned Bella Swan and he was most agreeable."
"Who's going with you?" Paul asked him.
"Just Leah," Sam answered, and the storm of protests almost sounded like howling. Sam raised his hand for silence, a small smile on his face. "Carlisle was concerned that most of his family are gone, so I agreed to meet with them with just Leah as a sign of good faith. Of course, the rest of you will be a couple hundred yards downwind, with Jacob," the smile grew wider. "If I decide the treaty has been broken we can take them out before they know what happened. Without Carlisle we'll have a lot easier time with the rest of them. Who knows, they might not come back all at once, and we can avoid a large fight altogether."
"This is if the Cullens had something to do with it, right?" asked Seth. Seth was not comfortable with the direction this was taking. He kind of liked Carlisle, who had cared for him when he was very ill.
"Of course," Sam assured him, "we will not be the ones to break the treaty."
Privately, Sam was sure the Cullens had already broken it. It was the only reason he could imagine for the lycan's visit. A huge russet-colored wolf appeared from the forest.
"Change and follow Jacob," Sam ordered, "get in position and be quiet. If the Cullens are innocent they don't ever need to know you were there."
"And if not, they won't live to tell about it," Paul said coldly as he kicked off his shoes.
"I'm going to Shelia's school, Dad," Bella told him. "You're welcome to come along as long as you promise not to shoot her or anything. It wouldn't do any good anyhow, and don't try and kick her ass either. Remember what happened to Renee when she hit Alice."
"I'll go. I know I can't really do anything to protect you from her, but I don't like you going alone. Besides, I guess she's the best one to ask questions about becoming a lycan," Charlie admitted.
"So you'll do it?" Bella asked excitedly.
"Hang on, Bells, don't go off half-cocked. I haven't decided yet." Bella's face fell. "Bella, honey, I'm thrilled you want me around forever and all, and God knows the thought of losing you, and Alice too, makes me ill. I'm just not sure I can stand going through what I saw you going through. Frankly, I think it might be too late for me to do it. I was pretty old when you were born, and I'm older now. I'm not sure I like the idea of being stuck in this body forever, it's got a lot of miles on it."
"The change might fix some of that," Bella said eagerly, "look how much better I got! Not just my body, either. Really Dad, it's an amazing feeling!"
"I'm glad you feel that way sweetheart, but I'm not you. I might not react like you did, Carlisle told me he'd never seen or heard of a transition like yours. Frankly, if that was easy I might have to pass."
"Okay Dad, I appreciate you thinking about it, anyhow," Bella told him, trying her best to hide her disappointment.
"Nothing's decided yet, let's go meet this wolf-woman."
Bella had called Shelia earlier and gotten directions, and then called Alice to let her know she was going. Alice had seemed pleased that Bella was going, and had offered to accompany her. Bella thought that would be a bad idea since there were young lycans there who might react strongly to the presence of a vampire, and Alice, while not really happy about it, had to admit she was right. She made Bella promise to come straight to her house after meeting with Shelia though.
Now Alice was glad she wasn't going with Bella. She didn't trust the Quileutes, and she couldn't see them. Bella would be safe with Shelia if something went wrong. Carlisle was not worried about the meeting, but Carlisle saw good in everyone.
"Pull over here, Dad," Bella announced, and Charlie parked the cruiser on the shoulder of the road.
"There's nothing here, Bella," Charlie pointed out.
"This is as far as we can go by car," Bella explained, "the village is in a very remote place."
"Oh. How far?"
"Only about ten miles, just take a few minutes," Bella assured him.
"Ten miles. On this terrain. A few minutes…"
"Yep," Bella promised.
"Okay, I'll bite. How?"
"Remember giving me piggyback rides when I was little?" Charlie nodded. "Your turn, hop on."
After a minute or so Charlie relaxed and actually enjoyed speeding through the trees and up the side of the mountain. He had never before realized just how powerful Bella was, even in her human form.
"Not a word of this to the guys at the station, okay Bells?" Charlie pleaded.
"Mum's the word dad, can I tell Emmett?"
"Oh GOD, no!"
Bella stopped as they reached a sign on a security gate proclaiming private property, and Charlie slid off her back.
"One hell of a piggyback ride, what now?"
Bella pushed a button on a small console.
"Apprentices Incorporated, how may I help you?" Came a voice through the speaker.
"Bella Swan to see Shelia," Bella replied.
"The director is expecting you, an escort will arrive shortly."
"Decent security," Charlie said approvingly, having spotted several surveillance cameras.
"I guess they don't want surprises."
"That might be bad, yes. I think I've heard something about this place. Private school for gifted kids. The bulletin didn't say anything about lycans, though," Charlie told Bella.
"Some things are best kept in confidence, Chief Swan," said Shelia, who had suddenly appeared on the other side of the gate. "I'm glad your father came with you Bella. Are you going to shoot me, Chief Swan?"
"Bella made me leave my gun at home. I have to admit that I'm very angry with you though, even if there is nothing I can do about it."
"I can't blame you for that. I apologize for the pain I have caused you and your daughter, Chief Swan. This school exists to keep things like that from happening," Shelia told him.
"So you don't teach them how to change people here?" Charlie asked.
"We teach them not to, and how to control themselves when the change is upon them. Bella is the only lycan I have ever seen or heard of able to do that on her own. The only excuse that I can offer for my action is that there is something unique about Bella that overcame centuries of discipline. She is the only human I have ever changed."
"Centuries?" Charlie asked.
"Many, many, of them, yes," Shelia confirmed. "Please, come and see the school," she invited.
An hour or so later, Charlie had to admit that he was impressed, both with the school and with Shelia herself. The students, who ranged in age from about 10 to adults, were all very polite and seemed content for the most part. He had seen a few of the younger ones in tears, but all of these were being tenderly cared for. It was better than any public or private school he had ever seen, and he told Shelia as much.
"Thank you, Chief Swan, that's very nice to hear. I'd like you to meet my mate, Alicia. Alicia, this is Chief Swan, Bella's father." Charlie took the offered hand and could not help but return the smile that Alicia gave him.
"You have a very special daughter, Chief Swan," Alicia told him. "We're very glad that she is going to study with us."
"Thanks, I think she's pretty special too," Charlie admitted, and he reached out and mussed Bella's hair.
"Da-ad!" protested Bella, but she was grinning. This meeting had gone much better than she expected it to.
"The social room is empty just now, we'll be comfortable in there. I'm sure that both of you have questions," Shelia said as she indicated a nearby building. They entered and found comfortable seats, and Alicia went and got drinks for them all.
"Who wants to go first?" Shelia asked.
"Do you mind, Bells?" Charlie asked.
"Nope, go right ahead," Bella answered.
"Right, first off, I've noticed that all of you seem deferential to Bella," Charlie said, "I mean more than just politeness. I know a little about canine pack dynamics, is this a similar thing?"
"It is, Chief Swan. Lycan packs are indeed similar in their hierarchy to normal wolf packs, so is the Quileute pack," Shelia informed him.
"Better make it Charlie, it'll save time. Is Bella a member of your pack, then? I thought you were in charge here."
"I am the alpha of this pack, yes," Shelia told him, "the deference you observed is in reaction to the singular power that Bella has. I am an alpha. Bella is the alpha. Were she to give me an order I would have to obey. It has been over a thousand years since I have met anyone I would yield authority to. Bella has much to learn in order to wield this power wisely."
"And you think you're the one to teach her?" Charlie asked sharply.
"In all modesty, I do. Not one of my students has ever attacked a human. I mentioned that Bella was the only person I have ever changed. I believe that the alpha in Bella commanded me to do this."
"So Bella is the only human you've ever bitten?" Charlie pressed.
"Sadly, no. When I was newly changed, very young, very ignorant and very scared, I – I tried to change my parents. I killed them both…" Shelia's eyes filled with tears, and Alicia put an arm around her.
"Bella wants to change me; can you teach her how to do that without killing me, if I agree?"
"I can teach her what she needs to know, yes. The discipline not to kill you will have to come from her. Bella, have you hunted in your lycan form?"
"Not much," Bella admitted, "I went out with Emmett once, but I prefer Esme's cooking to raw meat."
"I should hope so," Charlie muttered.
"You will need to, if you both decide on this," Shelia told her. "You must grow accustomed to the power of your bite, learn to gauge the pressure. You have to understand that a nip will not do, it must be a full-mouth bite. It is not merely the chance of you succumbing to blood lust that is the danger here. I have no doubt that that will not be a problem for you. The difficulty will lie in not killing your father outright with the bite, or biting off his arm or leg. The bite I gave you was just about the slightest injury that would serve."
Bella paled at this, she had nearly lost her arm.
"Oh," she whispered.
"What about the stress of the change? I saw Bella change the first time and it was awful," Charlie asked.
"You seem in good health, Charlie," Alicia answered, "you should have Dr. Cullen check you out if you decide to do this. As a matter of fact, it would be a fine idea to have him present should this happen. I can't imagine anyone better to care for you."
"We can use my old room at the Cullen's," Bella offered, trying to lighten things up.
"Medical treatment won't affect the change?" Charlie inquired.
"No, once a sufficient bite has been inflicted, the change is inevitable," Shelia told him.
"Would he grow like I did?" Bella asked.
"Perhaps a bit, but not so much, of course he would get much stronger, and the muscular development would be apparent if anyone were to look. Oh, and Charlie, any aches and pains that have been bothering you would disappear. Your hair would get thicker too," she added with a grin.
"So if Bella doesn't kill me, I'll get better looking? Might be worth a shot just for that. I guess I better hit the gym for a while first, just to have a plausible excuse for the muscles," Charlie mused.
"You want to do it?" Bella asked, growing excited in spite of her fears.
"Again, not so fast Bells. The gym won't hurt no matter what. I need to talk to Carlisle, and I need to think about it some more. So do you," he insisted.
"I know I want you with me dad, we'll make a great team!"
"I get that, Isabella, although I don't really know what you mean with this second stuff. As far as I know it would just be you and me on the wolfish side of the family. Might be fun to be able to tussle with Emmett, too. But what worries me most about all this is you, Isabella," Charlie told her.
"Me? Why? And what's with the 'Isabella' stuff? Are you mad at me?"
"I'm not mad; I'm being a father now, because from what I gather, I might die, Isabella. How would you handle that?"
Bella turned white.
"Are you sure it's a good idea to meet these mutts with just the three of us?" Alice asked Carlisle.
"Sam just has some questions about Bella, and he said he would only bring Leah with him. Perhaps Leah wants to know how Bella is getting along, I know she still feels guilty about what happened," Carlisle replied.
"She should feel guilty, although I have to admit that things are a lot easier now that Bella is immortal too," Alice conceded.
"Indeed, I almost feel as if Leah did us a service," Esme said.
"We were all very fortunate, but let's not forget that Leah had no knowledge of who the lycan was. Had it been any other lycan but Shelia things would likely not have turned out so well," Carlisle replied. "In any case, let go see what Sam wants."
The Cullens ran swiftly to the meeting place, sure enough, they saw Sam and Leah waiting for them. The wind carried the scent of the pack away from them, and the wolves were being absolutely quiet. They were far enough away that their heartbeats were inaudible, but they could fall on the Cullens in seconds.
"Greetings, Sam, Leah," said Carlisle, "what can we do for you?"
"You can explain why the lycan that attacked Bella Swan visited you," Sam said bluntly. Carlisle was slightly taken aback, but he saw no reason to evade the question.
"As it happened, the lycan that changed Bella is an old acquaintance of mine. She called to offer to help Bella adjust to her new life," Carlisle explained.
Sam felt ice run down his back; it looked like the theory was true, but he wanted to be sure before doing something that could not be undone.
"Did you have any prior knowledge of the attack on Bella Swan, Doctor Cullen?"
"Of course not, how could I?"
"You said you knew this lycan. If you knew anything about this in advance then the treaty is broken. We will not stand by while you build an army of lycans to threaten the Quileute people. And there is till the matter of the attack on Bella Swan, who was then a human. The lycan must answer for this attack, will you yield her to us?"
"She is not mine to yield, Sam, but I promise you that building an army of any sort is the farthest thing from my mind. I would never do anything to jeopardize the peace between us," Carlisle said sincerely.
Alice surreptitiously sent a text to Edward, she did not like the way this was going at all.
"Will you broker a meeting between us and this lycan?" Sam asked.
"I will certainly ask her if she is willing to meet with you, but I would require assurance that you merely wish to talk to her," Carlisle replied.
"Call her now, I am scarcely going to attack an alpha lycan and three vampires with only Leah at my side," Sam admitted. "Leah has been troubled by what happened to Bella, and so the whole pack has been troubled. We have admitted our part in what happened, and Leah has accepted her punishment. It seems only fair that the lycan who did the damage account for her actions, doesn't it? Especially if she is going to be visiting you, she did after all cross our lands. Perhaps the treaty needs to be amended to include her?"
That did make some sort of sense to Carlisle, Alice however was growing more uneasy by the second. She could not see the future this close to the wolves, but she did not dare leave. She blessed the fact that her family drove like maniacs, but they were far away. Her phone vibrated in her pocket, but she did not dare answer it.
"Your phone is ringing, Alice," Leah pointed out. Alice shrugged.
"They can wait, this is more important. Your hair looks nice, Leah," Alice told her.
That simple kindness gave Leah grave misgivings about this whole affair, especially since she could tell that Sam had just about decided that the treaty was broken. There was nothing she could do, however.
"I'll call her, Sam. It is of course up to her whether she comes or not." Sam nodded.
He was taking a bit of a risk here, an alpha lycan was nothing to take likely, and he could not insist that she come alone. If she brought many others, they would just have to forget about attacking, but the chance to get the alpha as well as the head of the coven was just too good not to take a chance on. The fact that the full moon was not near also played in their favor. He reinforced his order to wait and remain silent; he could feel the excitement building in his pack. They were ready.
When Edward received Alice's text, he and his family, and Tanya, were out hunting. They were actually a lot closer to home than they were had they been at Tanya's home. They had all fed, and they decided that running would be far faster than returning for the cars as they could go straighter than the roads. The cars weren't as fast as they were, anyway.
"Shelia has visitors," Carlisle explained, "but she says that she would be happy to meet with you and answer your questions. She be here soon."
"Did this lycan say how many would be coming with her?" Sam had decided to chance asking that much.
"Just her," Carlisle confirmed, "please feel free to bring additional pack members should you feel the need. I understand your concerns, Sam. As pack leader you have responsibilities, but I assure you that we would never do anything to violate the treaty we have honored for decades."
Sam inclined his head, "I will bring one additional member, and I thank you for your understanding. Please excuse me; I must shift in order to contact the pack. I'll bring Seth, I think you know him." Sam smiled and he and Leah headed for the woods.
"I don't trust him," Alice said flatly.
"Have you had a vision?" Esme asked her.
"No, I can't see anything with those dogs around." She looked at her phone. "Edward and the others are returning as fast as they can, but I don't think they'll get here in time."
"In time for what?"
"I don't know, I can't see!"
"That was Carlisle, the head of the Quileute pack wants to talk with me about you, Bella. They have some concerns that my changing you might have violated some treaty they have with the Cullens," Shelia told them.
"We'll come with you," Bella said, "I'll tell them everything is fine."
"No need, I don't have any sort of treaty with the Quileutes, and they'd never dare come here. They know who top dog is," she said with a smile. "Alicia will show you around some more and answer any questions you may have. I'll be back soon."
Shelia was gone in a flash.
"She's fast," Charlie admitted.
"Even for a lycan," Alicia said with pride.
Seth had changed back and put on his shorts, and he walked with Sam and Leah back to where the Cullens were waiting. Sam would rather have had Paul or Jacob to start the fight, but he thought that Seth's presence would reassure the Cullens.
"Oh, Shelia left her jacket when she visited," Alice said suddenly, "I'll go and get it." Shelia had done nothing of the kind, but Alice wanted to get away from the wolves and try to see something. She didn't like leaving Carlisle and Esme, but she couldn't stand not being able to see any longer.
"I have to admit that I don't like this much either, Carlisle," Esme told him. Carlisle nodded, it felt wrong to him too, and he was just about to call Shelia and tell her to forget it when she showed up. The Quileutes were approaching, and it was just too late to cancel things.
"Is this her?" Sam asked when he reached the line.
"Indeed. Shelia, this is Sam Uley, Quileute alpha," Carlisle told her.
"What's this about?" Shelia asked, aware of tension in the shifters facing her. Perhaps it was only a normal reaction to her, but she made ready just in case.
Alice had at last had a vision. A vision of more than a dozen huge wolves storming from the forest, her brothers and sister s could not arrive in time.
"Bella!" her heart cried.
"There's trouble," Bella said sharply, "I have to go to Alice and Shelia." Before either Alicia or Charlie could ask anything at all, Bella was trembling violently. Alicia's eyes went wide as she recognized what was happening.
"She can change at will!"
In an astonishingly short time, Bella had changed to her pure wolf form. She was huge, and so white that her fur had a blue tinge.
"Follow," she silently commanded Alicia.
Charlie was sharp enough to figure out what was going on.
"Give me a lift," he asked Alicia, even as he regretted not having his gun, though little use would it have been.
Alicia carried Charlie on her back almost as easily as Bella had, though Charlie thought that Bella was a bit faster.
"Funny what you think of at times like this," Charlie mused as they speed through the trees.
"We have one simple question for you," Sam told Shelia.
"Ask it then."
"How did you know where to find Bella Swan, and how many lycans have you created for the Cullens little army?"
Alice had rejoined her family in time to here that.
"Don't be stupid!" Alice yelled.
"Sam, what do you mean?" asked Carlisle, genuinely puzzled.
"That was two questions," Shelia said calmly, "there is something unique in Bella Swan that called me to her. Something in her commanded me to change her. As for how many lycans I have created for Carlisle, none. Bella Swan is the only human I have ever changed, and I did not change her for Carlisle."
"I'm afraid that I don't believe you," Sam answered, and his clothes exploded as he changed. Seth and Leah had time to exchange terrified glances before Sam's command to change overwhelmed them and they too began to change.
"I wish this had been one of those times I was wrong," Alice thought bitterly as the wolves raced towards them.
Carlisle and Shelia stepped in front of Alice and Esme, there was no time to retreat, and they would never make the safety of the house.
Shelia managed a partial transformation, and she sent an alpha command to Sam. He shook his great head for a moment, and the approaching wolves hesitated briefly.
"Alpha you are, lycan, but not my alpha," Sam sent back as he fought to clear his head.
The pack lunged forward in a mass.
Edward was far in front on the rest, and he could now begin to pick out Alice's thoughts though she was still many miles away. Alice's mind was the easiest of all for Edward to hear, and he did not at all like what he was hearing.
He kept running, and wished for more speed.
There remained only two strides before the sixteen wolves fell on the three vampires and the lone lycan. Some wolves would die, but the outcome was really not in doubt.
"STOP!" rang a command in the brain of everyone present, the wolves collapsed and rolled over onto their backs, Shelia dropped to one knee, and the vampires took several steps back.
The immense white wolf skidded to a halt between the two groups and stood staring at the prostrate wolves.
"You were wrong, Sam Uley. The Cullens played no part in my change, except to care for me and support me after the attack. Shelia bears no blame either, for it was at my command that she changed me. The treaty remains intact. There will be no war between the Quileutes and my vampire family, ever, for know that my mates and Queens are of the Cullen coven. You are therefore bound to them as you now are to me."
Bella looked over the trembling wolves, and then at Alice, whose face was shining with joy and relief.
"Please tell Edward he can relax, he's going to run his legs off," asked her, a wolfy grin breaking out on her face.
Alicia had arrived with Charlie just after the wolves had collapsed, and both of them were still in a bit of shock from what had nearly happened here. Bella gave Charlie a little woof, and he smiled.
"I will not interfere with the Quileutes, you still have your purpose, and there are other vampires than the Cullens. You still have purpose, one mistake does not cancel generations of service. You may not attack the Cullens, nor may the Cullens attack you. Peace you will have with each other, and I hope that in time trust and friendship will grow between you, but peace you will have, I have spoken."
Bella checked and saw that the two-legged individuals acknowledged her command in this matter. She could not truly force the Cullens against their will, but she had no need to.
"You may call on me at need, Sam Uley. Now take my brothers and sisters home. You have been a fine alpha, I see no need to replace you. But for Christ's sake, Sam, lighten the fuck up, okay?"
The wolves regained their feet, and Bella walked over to Leah Clearwater.
"You too, Leah. You did me a favor, and relax about Taylor. Yeah, she's hot, but I've got my hands full, see?"
Leah gave a sort of chuckle, and nodded her head before giving Bella a lick on her cheek. Sam bobbed his head to Bella and lead the pack back home.
"I came as soon as I could," Edward said as he joined them, "looks like I missed the fun. Is that Bella?" he asked in amazement as he gazed at the huge white wolf.
"Yep, that's my girl alright," Alice confirmed. "I'd better call Emmett and let him know there's no fight, I'd hate for him to get here and be all disappointed, he'll tell the others."
Alicia hurried to hold Shelia, who was back in human form now, and Charlie strolled casually over to Bella. He stood beside her and reached up to pat her on the shoulder.
"So kid, is shit like this gonna happen often?" he asked her.
"I dunno dad. I guess this sort of thing is what I'm for."
"Well then, it looks like you could use some experienced help."
"Really? You want to?"
"Really, just as long as Carlisle thinks I can take it. Maybe if I get blasted before you bite me I won't notice. You go get changed, and then give Esme a hand in the kitchen. I'm gonna win the rib-off tonight, got to get in practice."
Bella gave him a lick that knocked him down, and she and Alice ran to the house.
"Do I have a great kid, or what?" asked Charlie as he got to his feet.
End Chapter 22
Okay guys and girls I would love to take credit for this amazing chapter, but twas not I who did this amazing master piece of a chapter this my friends was all done by my good friend Lash_Lure so please all props for this chapter should go to them.
Thats All I have to Say for now.