Over 100 follows on 4 chapters. You guys are the best! Thanks so much.

This chapter begins to explore the vampire bonds that form the backbone of this story. They are not canon. There are true mates which are relatively rare and chosen mates which is what most vampires experience, where a choice is made to pursue the relationship. Aside from that is the bond the Denali sisters share between the three of them which is unique and covered fully in a chapter or so.

Any questions drop me a review and I'll respond, the subject is a little complicated but will be fully covered in the next few chapters and how it relates to Bella, Alice and Rose.

This is a slighter longer chapter as it flowed too well to break it up.

This is the first chapter featuring the Denali's. For descriptions I have gone with the gorgeous actress's that played in the film but borrowed Tanya's hair colour (strawberry blonde) from the books and also Kate's height which will be 5' 2" as per the books (or rather Twilight wiki) making her a lot shorter than the actress that played her.

Lil'D signing off.

xxxxxx

"Here we are," Alice announced as they pulled up outside their 'cousin's' home in Denali, Alaska.

In the end it had been Bella that was sent away, to Alaska. After many unsettled days with Bella violently rejecting all contact with Edward and moping around when Alice spent time with Jasper (despite Rose's best efforts to occupy the newborn) Carlisle had called a meeting with Bella and Alice, Rosalie had invited herself.

"So," he began as they sat around his study or rather Rose stood by the window, Carlisle occupied the chair behind his large desk and Bella and Alice the couch. "Bella, we seem to have a problem." Bella's head was down, shoulder's hunched as she picked at the hem of her top.

"No, Edward has a problem but as usual he's not the one being made to deal with it!" Rose snarled and Alice frowned, turning her still red eyes to her father.

"I agree, if Edward would just give her some space then they could co-exist with no problem, it's his refusal to leave her alone that is causing all the trouble!" Alice added her argument to the mix and Carlisle sat back in his chair as he surveyed his 'daughters'.

"I do agree with you about Edward's behaviour and I will be speaking to him about it but there is another matter that has come to my attention." All three women froze at his words, all breathing stopped as they waited for him to continue. They knew it was unlikely, but obviously not impossible, that Edward had read their minds and informed Carlisle of what had transcended the day of Bella's first hunt but there was no guarantee. It seemed Bella's shield power now encompassed not only her mind but also memories of her interactions with any of the other vampires, hence their secrets had remained secrets from everyone, except Jasper.

"It is the fact that I have noticed that Bella's attachment to Alice seems to be causing Jasper problems." Alice blinked but stayed silent, as far as she was aware Jasper had kept her confession to himself. "The last thing we want is to make him feel insecure and it's not healthy for Bella either." Bella started at the mention of her name, her head flying up to stare at Carlisle. "Bella, we know you're attached to Alice but she can't offer you more than friendship." This was a moment that Bella would have blushed if it was still possible. Despite Carlisle's deductions all three women breathed a rhetorical sigh of relief that it was this he was concerned about and was not voicing suspicions about Bella's first kill or subsequent coupling with Alice.

"I feel it would be better, for us as a coven, if Bella and Alice spent some time apart. It should also give Edward and I time to work on his behaviour." The blonde vampire paused as he surveyed the room before focusing on Bella. "I know both you and Alice are finding his behaviour stressful but I don't think anything would be achieved by sending him away. He needs guidance and if it's not addressed the problem could potentially escalate." His words were absorbed by the other occupants of the room and Rosalie was the first to speak.

"So, you want Bella to leave?" She growled, eyes fixed on her father. "How is that fair? He messes up her transformation and can't respect her wishes and she is the one that you're sending away?" She raged. "It's so very obvious who is the favourite son is in this house."

"She's right Carlisle." Alice stepped in to the conversation. "We took on the responsibility of turning Bella as a family and we need to deal with it as one. Jasper is my husband and I love him," she squeezed Bella's hand as she spoke. "But Bella is my best friend and respects me, she would never -."

"Alice, I understand what -" Carlisle interrupted.

"How can you understand if you don't let her finish speaking!" Rose growled. "This is a family and not a dictatorship, if I wanted that I would have joined the Volturi!" The blonde was incredibly angry, her eyes were black and she came to stand by Bella, a protective hand now resting on her friend's shoulder.

"It's Ok Rose," Bella covered the blonde's hand with her own. "I'll go, I can't relax with him around," her shoulders slumped in defeat.

"Then I'm going too! I can't be here knowing you're being sent to live with strangers when you're so young. She's a fucking newborn!" The blonde's rant turned on her father again and Alice was not exempt from her ire. "She might be exhibiting amazing control but were you turned so long ago you've forgotten how hard it is just to function normally?" She begged the question of them both. "Alice turned Bella, therefore Bella looks to Alice for support, just as we looked to you, Carlisle. Bella needs Alice to be there for her. I think you're making a mistake and I'm not going to support it. I'm there for Bella, not your convenience," she hissed.

That had ended the conversation and two days later the three female vampires had made the drive to the Denali coven's estate in Alaska.

"Come on," Alice practically bounced out of the Jeep in her excitement to see her cousins, it had been almost a year since she had last seen them. Rosalie and Bella followed a little less enthusiastically. Rose got on well with Tanya and Kate but was not particularly close to the others.

"Thank you," Bella reached out to hold her hand. Since the blonde's passionate defence of the newborn Bella was showing her more affection but was still very anxious when Alice wasn't around, especially if the pixie was spending alone time with Jasper.

"It's Ok, I'd never let you go through this by yourself," Rosalie reassured her friend. "It'll be Ok, you'll see." she tried to sound enthusiastic but by the rueful smile Bella gave her she knew she'd failed. Bella surveyed the large ranch house which was going to be her home for the foreseeable future and sighed. It was a large building made of wood and stone set in a large clearing surrounded by forest . It looked totally at home in the Alaskan countryside unlike the Cullen's slightly pretentious homes.

"So, Carlisle is sending us his newborn to babysit?" An attractive blonde woman exited the house and greeted them. She looked to be in her early twenties and had long, curly strawberry blonde hair which was tied off her face, their host was about five five and her ethnic heritage clearly marked in her bone structure, Eastern European probably. She was beautiful, Bella observed before she responded to the comment.

"I'm not a baby," Bella growled and crossed her arms over her chest as she surveyed the older vampire who just eyed her curiously. They had never met, Bella had never accompanied any of the Cullen's on their visits and the Denali's had never visited the Cullen's when she had been around. Visits had always seemed to coincide with Bella's trips to visit her father which had to be more than a coincidence Bella thought.

"So, you're Bella?" Tanya surveyed the attractive newborn, she was not what she expected but could see why Edward had wanted to keep her for himself. She looked a little unsure which was normal given the circumstances but there was an underlying strength that she hadn't expected to see from what she had heard about Edward's human mate. The brunette nodded curtly and scowled but offered no further introduction. "I'm Tanya, welcome to my coven," Bella nodded politely. "I hear there have been a few issues since you were turned?"

"Yes, my misogynistic coven leader believes it's too disruptive for his male coven mates to keep her around." Rose commented scornfully which caused their host to frown, Rose knew that as a female coven leader and vampire over a thousand years old such information would not be looked on kindly.

"Well, she is rather attractive," Tanya purred, the coven leader took note of her guest's reactions to that comment which was intended to provoke a response from them so she could gain a greater insight into her guests. Alice looked guilty, Bella embarrassed by the compliment but Rosalie just scowled and met her gaze head on. Not that she would have expected any less from her blonde friend. "Let's go inside and you can give me your side of the story, Ok Bella?" Tanya addressed the newborn directly and Bella nodded but still held on to Rose's hand, the fact not missed by their host. "There is no one else home right now as I thought that would be too overwhelming. Kate will be back later tonight but the others have taken an extended hunting trip," she explained as she led them into her home.

Bella took in the large, high ceilinged room. It was light and spacious but also felt homely, various art work adorned the walls, some contemporary and some of age. She looked forward to having a better look when she got chance. Right now Alice was bouncing around, caught up in the excitement of seeing Tanya. The coven leader was happily fielding the pixie's questions. Rose watched Bella, smiling to herself at the open curiosity on her face.

They were shown to their rooms and dropped off their luggage which was substantial as Rosalie especially had no idea how long she intended on staying, she was seeing this as a chance for an extended visit if she remained welcome. Rose and Bella had rooms next to one another and Alice's was across the hall. Once they were settled in they met back in the living room and Tanya suggested they go though to the cosy room she had claimed as her den. Bella eyed her surrooundings with interest. The room contained three walls of bookshelves, seating for four in the form of individual leather arm chairs of varying designs and a large, antique desk dominated the far wall with a small window behind it which was covered by thick, red velvet floor length curtains.

"Oh, Bella, do you need to feed?" The elder vampire queried as she looked the newborn over, she seemed slightly distressed but otherwise her control over her emotions and level of lucidity was beyond anything she had witnessed before, normally this would take several weeks if not months to achieve. She had no idea how this young vampire had caused Carlisle enough concern to want to isolate her from his coven, even temporarily. But, Rosalie's comments had shed a little light on that but she needed the full story before she would pass judgement.

"No, thank you. I'm fine. I fed two days ago." Tanya's brow arched at the information and she spent a moment studying the newborn, really looking at her for the first time. Bella was extremely attractive, even for a vampire, with her lustrous chestnut hair, heart shaped face and lips that were generous but in no way off balanced her other features. And she smelled really good, Tanya noticed for the first time.

"When were you turned again?" The coven leader enquired when answered her question.

Nearly two weeks ago," Alice jumped in with the answer before Bella could even open her mouth.

"And you last fed two days ago, remarkable," the last word muttered almost to herself but was easily caught by her companions.

"Yes, she is rather," Alice chirped proudly.

"Now tell me why you're really here?" Tanya urged as they each settled into one of the large comfy chairs that were arranged by the fireplace. Their host took the one on the far left, then Rose who made sure Bella was next to her, with Alice on the far side.

"So?" The question was left hanging for a few quiet moments. "I'm right aren't I? There's more to this story than Carlisle told me. Or knows?" She'd hit the nail on the head there as she noticed the reactions of the younger vampires. "So tell me, everything." She sat back and waited for them to speak as she observed them. Bella and Rose were both looking at Alice so she assumed that the seer was at the centre of everything.

"Well, I don't know how much Carlisle told you but you knew about the arrangement with the Volturi?" Alice took the plunge and began to explain why there were here.

"Yes, and to be honest I'm glad it's been honoured," Tanya smiled at her guests and waited for them to continue with the story.

"Yeah, well not before Edward insisted they get married," Rose scowled as she spoke and as usual the mention of her husband's name caused a growl to emit from Bella. Tanya turned startled eyes on the newborn. "It's Ok, we'll explain," she reassured their host.

"Well, I can't say I'm surprised that he's involved. But continue," Tanya urged and Rose took up the story

"Ok, so they they got married," it had been a small family affair with Carlisle officiating. "And Bella got frustrated with Edward's lack of enthusiasm to, um." She paused before a wicked smile lit her face.

"Rose!" Alice warned her sister.

"He was reluctant to explore their sex-life, as a married couple." Rosalie moderated her explanation to humour her sister. "Even though he'd promised Bella that once they were married they would consummate their relationship," she sneered.

"Silly boy. How long had you been dating?" Tanya queried and Bella shrugged.

"Three years," she grudgingly informed her host.

"Three years and he still couldn't master control of his strength?"

"Or didn't want to try," Rose growled as Tanya nodded.

"It takes time but it can be done," the elder blonde informed them with a sly smirk which left little to the imagination. "But for a vampire his age it shouldn't take three years. And no sex before marriage, you poor girl." Tanya sympathised. "And how outdated, how were you to know if you were sexually compatible?" She mused but her words stirred a response from Bella.

"I had to die a fucking virgin because he couldn't get over his hang-ups," she growled and Rosalie reached out a hand to comfort her but it was knocked away.

"Bella, calm down," Alice intervened and this time Bella growled but her body relaxed. Tanya watched the exchange intently.

"You need the full story to understand," the ever observant Alice had spotted their host's curiosity."Rose?" The blonde nodded and continued the story.

"Anyway, Bella knew she was going to be turned but they brought the date up several weeks because of Edward's, shortcomings." She smirked, as did Tanya. "So Edward began the transformation under Carlisle's supervision but he lost control despite his training so Alice stepped in."

"You turned her?" Golden eyes turned to survey Alice.

"Yes, Bella and I have always been close and I thought that was what she would have wanted."

"I did, thank you," Bella added quietly and exchanged a look with the pixie who was the first to look away, ducking her almost shyly.

"Edward tried to interfere but it was clear even during the change that she needed Alice," Rose informed the elder blonde.

"Interesting," Tanya's mind was cataloguing all the information but she knew there must be more.

"Anyway, Bella can't stand Edward being anywhere near her, she hates him but he won't leave her alone, he keeps trying to force himself on her," Rose growled and Tanya's eyes darkened.

"Is that why Carlisle sent you here, for protection," she asked.

"It's the only reason I agree with," Rose replied curtly.

"There's more, isn't there?" Tanya queried softly, looking between the three younger vampires.

"Yes," Alice took over the story telling. "Bella feels most comfortable with me but she listens to Rose too." Bella just rolled her eyes at the comment and slumped back in her chair. "So after checking to see if there would be any problems and seeing none I agreed to take Bella on her first hunt." There was a pause as she took a deep breath. "Bella caught a human's scent, I had no idea, I hadn't seen any humans in the area but there he was and Bella tracked him down, caught him before I could stop her, she was too fast." Tanya listened with horrified fascination to the tale. "I caught up before she killed him, I told her to stop and it seemed as though she was going to -."

"She listened to you?" Alice nodded at Tanya's incredulous question.

"Yes, she challenged me but it looked as though she was going to leave him."

"But?"

"But he started to bleed, probably from a graze," the pixie explained. Tanya gestured for her to continue. "But it was me, I lost control, after having Bella's blood -. I couldn't stop myself, couldn't stop Bella and then it was too late, he was dead and -."

"And then they fucked," Rose ended the tale in her typical blunt manner and the admission sent Tanya reeling. "But Carlisle knows none of that, only we three and Jasper know what really happened. Now you of course." The room was silent as the confessions hung in the air.

"Alice, Bella, are you Ok discussing this with Rosalie here?" Tanya's voice was firm. "I think that as you all seem involved we should discuss this together?" The three younger vampires exchanged looks then nodded. "Bella, if at any time you want to stop just say so, this is a discussion and not an interrogation. I just need to know the details and then maybe I can help. I have many, many more years experience in being a vampire than your coven combined." It was true but when it was put like that it sounded very impressive.

"Bella, show me your neck," Tanya commanded Rosalie's eyes went wide as Bella held her hair aside and exposed her skin.

"You marked her," Tanya whispered, her eyes flicking between the two. "You marked her the day she turned?" Alice nodded and bit her lip.

"Why, is that bad?" Rosalie asked worriedly and Tanya snorted.

"I shouldn't be surprised you do not know the significance of this. But Carlisle's 'purity' has put you at a disadvantage, he always did shy away from the baser side of our nature." She sighed and looked between the two darker haired vampires. "Now normally, when a vampire is turned they do have a connection to their maker, this usually weakens over time but there is usually something there. Because you two were already so close the transformation has magnified it." Rose nodded her understanding and Bella and Alice were not far behind.

"What you did by marking her after her first kill was strengthen that bond, between maker and newborn." Bella dropped her head and avoided eye contact with any of the other vampires. "Because it was also a sexual experience, her first sexual experience, it has even greater implications, you have marked your territory so to speak. It would be how you would claim her as your mate, were you not already mated. This, and the fact that Bella's transformation seems to have awoken her gayer tendencies has left her in a very vulnerable position. She needs to be with you to feel complete, secure, loved." Bella looked up at this with such pain in her eyes and Tanya's heart went out to her.

"You poor child." The blonde coven leader looked at Bella with such empathy that Rose realised that coming here probably had been the best decision for Bella's welfare.

"I'm so sorry Bella," Alice went to kneel at the brunette's feet and reached for her hands, taking them in her own, smaller hands. "I had no idea how this would affect you. It's all my fault Bella, I am so, so sorry!"

"What are Bella's options?" Rosalie cut to the chase and sat back, waiting for the elder vampire's advice. Alice stayed with Bella, squeezing her petite frame onto the chair next to her friend. Tanya surveyed the small group and sighed. She felt very sorry for Bella, the poor girl had been very hard done by, albeit without any malicious intent on Alice's part.

"There are no easy choices," she began but Rose had suspected that would be the case. "Basically there are three options. One, Alice leaves Jasper and becomes Bella's mate. Although the full mate bond is not yet there is would develop very quickly, especially with regular sex." Bella sighed deeply and Rose felt her sadness, they both knew that was not likely to happen. "Two, Bella stays here and over time and lack of contact with Alice the bond will weaken back to that of friendship. Unless they reconnect sexually." Tanya smirked, if either of the two dark haired vampire's could blush they would be beetroot red right now.

"What's the third option?" Rosalie queried quietly.

"Well, that Bella seeks to actively break the bond, by bonding with another vampire." One golden and two red pairs of eyes widened and Bella threw her head against the back of the chair.

"I'm totally fucked," she groaned and Rose had to agree. Alice looked distraught that she was causing her friend so much pain.

"Maybe literally," the coven leader threw in much to the discomfort of her companions.

"Would that be a mating bond, or just dilute the bond with Alice?" Rosalie questioned Tanya.

"Good question, whilst I've not seen exactly this situation before, general experience has shown me that unless Bella wishes to form a mating bond or finds her true mate then it would be purely recreational." Tanya finished with a wide smile, as though that solved everything. Maybe if you were a thousand year old vampire it was an acceptable solution but for an inexperienced newborn it was a nightmare.

"So, we all want to know..how was the sex anyway?" Rose choked and Alice gasped at Tanya's question, Bella looked down and avoided eye contact, she was mortified that the question had been asked. It was bad enough that her first time had been with her best friend who she could never hope to be with and have her dirty laundry aired in front of a complete stranger. No! Tanya had to know the intimate details that Bella was still trying to get her head around herself.

"Tanya!" Rose jumped in to save her sister's dignity.

"Sorry, only joking. I wouldn't traumatise Bella any more than I have already. This stays between us, I promise."

"Thanks Tanya," Alice spoke up. "So how do we suggest we do this? To minimise the trauma for Bella?"

"Well," the older blonde paused to gather her thoughts after the teasing. "Am I assuming that there is no chance that you would consider perusing a mated relationship with Bella?" A tense silence filled the room as Bella stared at her friend. She knew what she wanted, she wanted Alice. Her Alice.

"I'm sorry Bella, I love Jasper. I love you too and if it wasn't for him I would have no problem pursuing a relationship with you." The pixie was upset, but not as upset as Bella as the rejection cut right to her soul.

"Nobody wants me!" Bella's cry broke the hearts of the other women in the room.

"Oh Bella, I'm so sorry. If I could change things I would." Alice pleaded, embracing her friend while Rose and Tanya looked on, helpless to take away her pain. Only Alice had the power to do that and it didn't look like she was going to. "Jasper, he loves me and I love him but what we had, together, Bella, was very special and I will never forget. Never Bella, never," If Bella could have cried she would have as all that was good in her new world was taken away with those words.

Rosalie was bereft as she saw the damage her sister had inflicted on the brunette's heart. Tanya, whilst older and more jaded recognised the love Alice had for her friend but at this time it was not enough to conquer that which she felt for her husband. Jasper was a good man who had, by the sound of things, already been very understanding about the women's situation.

"I would insist that Alice leaves tonight," Their host stated firmly. "The decision has been made, the sooner you leave the sooner Bella can begin to heal." She advised with a heavy sigh.

"I'm sorry, I love you," Alice reached up to stroke Bella's cheek as they stood outside by the Jeep they had arrived in saying their goodbyes, it really was like ripping off a band-aid, fast and incredibly painful. As Bella looked down into Alice's eyes she couldn't resist and lowered her lips, reaching to cup Alice's head as she kissed her, putting every emotion and ounce of love she had to give the pixie into the kiss.

"Don't forget me, please?" She begged as she pulled away, eyes dark.

"I promise Bella, I promise," Alice replied. "I love you. Take care of her for me Rose," the small vampire instructed her sister. Rose nodded and stepped forward to wrap her arm around Bella's waist, holding her close.

"I will," Rosalie felt the newborn shake as silent sobs wracked her body. "Shh, I've got you sweetie," she comforted Bella with a sensitivity she usually kept hidden away, unaware of the golden eyes watching her from the windows of the house where Tanya stood.

It had been an interesting day since her visitors had arrived Tanya thought as Rosalie guided Bella back towards the house and Alice drove off. The confessions of the trio had amazed her, imagine that, Carlisle's poster children had actually acted like vampires for a change. But Bella intrigued her, she was unique, different. Now she had heard the full story she knew there was a hidden fire in the newborn and she was looking forward to tending the flames and watching them burn because she knew they would burn so very bright.

Xxxxx

Next on Crimson Bonds

Then there was pain.

Pain as she was caught by the throat in mid-air, before she had even fully risen from her crouch. Pain as she was slammed hard into the ground, so hard that the earth flew up in an explosion, showering the surrounding area with clods of earth and stone. Pain as the hand around her throat tightened and kept tightening until it felt as though her head was going to separate from her body. Bella panicked, she began to thrash in Kate's grip, which did nothing, she was helpless. Kate held her down, watching the expressions that crossed Bella's face with fascination, her predator now fully engaged as she studied the newborn's reaction to her superior strength.