Thank you, thank you, thank you!

I really enjoyed writing this chapter and when I did the feel of it gave me the basis for the remainder of the story. Hope you enjoy it too.

That is all! Lil'D x

xxxxxx

"Let's get you to your room huh?" Rose suggested and Bella nodded, she was tired if that was even possible for a vampire, so she let the blonde take the lead and she followed her inside. She trailed behind her friend up the curving staircase to the guest room Tanya had assigned to Bella. The room was large and comfortably appointed with a luxury private bathroom and large bed. It had a large window and doors that opened out onto the balcony that ran around the top floor of the house, providing each resident easy access to the surrounding landscape should the need arise.

Rosalie assessed her charge and left her standing in the middle of the room as she sped to draw the curtains closed and pull back the bed.

"Lie down," she urged, emphasising her words with a gentle push towards the bed. Bella stumbled forward and even her vampire grace barely kept her standing. She hurt so fucking much, the moment Alice was out of sight the longing had started, it was an almost physical pain, tugging at her soul. "Bella, please. Lie down." Rose cajoled the brunette who was just sat, slumped on the edge of the bed. Bella ignored her, so the blonde took matters into her own hands and bodily lifted the practically catatonic newborn and laid her onto the bed and spooned her from behind, her cold body offering only the warmth of companionship.

They lay together for over a day, Bella unmoving, Rosalie refusing to leave her side. She was so worried, how the fuck could Alice be so stupid? It wasn't rocket science to understand how marking and vampire mating worked. What the fuck did she think would happen? That was the trouble, she didn't think. Bella must have been very persuasive, or Alice must have been really far gone in the feeding frenzy to have given in but Rose suspected it was a combination of both. Stupid pixie, but that didn't help Bella who's troubled newborn days were only going to get harder.

xxx

"What's going on?" Kate called cheerfully as she entered the house, she'd had business in Anchorage and had just returned. Kate exhibited a similar bone structure her sister, defined cheek bones but her face was a little sharper than her sisters but no less beautiful. Her hair was long and straight and more a traditional light blonde than Tanya's. She was also the most petite of the three Denali's hitting 5' 2" but her height was deceptive. She was incredibly strong and had the power to issue an electrical charge from her skin which her playful nature took advantage of much to her families annoyance as she was a born prankster. "Where is everybody?" She could smell that their cousins had arrived but there was no sign of them. She could also smell an unfamiliar scent, it was intriguing, not sweet but incredibly rich with something she couldn't quite put her finger on, it must be Bella, she concluded.

"Hi, you've walked into a big old crock of shit," Tanya cheerfully informed her coven mate who raised her brow.

"Really?"

"Oh, hell yeah," Tanya adopted the current time's slang to express how bizarre her day had been. She placed her book down on the side table next to the couch she was sitting on and turned her full attention on Kate who flopped extremely ungraciously on one of the other couches, she was the most informal of the coven and had adapted extremely well to the past couple of decades. She loved the casual clothing, the music and the fact that anything goes.

"So, where are the others?" Kate prodded for more information.

"Ugh!" Bella and Rose are upstairs. "Alice left."

"Why?" Kate sat forward, intrigued. "Why are they here? Why did Alice leave?" She wanted answers but Tanya wasn't sure how much she could reveal to keep her promises to the young ones so she stuck to the basics.

"Well," she sighed, "Bella's lovely but her turning wasn't as straightforward as it should have been."

"How so?" Kate relaxed back against the couch and threw her legs up as she sensed that this was going to be interesting.

"Basically Edward fucked up her change so Alice stepped in."

"Oh!" Kate immediately knew the complications that would be causing.

"Yes, Bella's bond to Alice is the strongest I've ever seen between a maker and a newborn," Tanya left out the other reasons their bond was strong as she had promised to keep the trio's secrets. Plus, she knew that both their guests would be able to hear every word of the conversation she and Kate were having. "We talked and apparently Bella's attachment isn't just affecting her, it's also impacting on Alice and Jasper's relationship." Kate nodded, she liked Jasper but knew he loved the petite vampire greatly. "Not only that but Bella now has an aversion to her husband."

"Husband?" Kate had missed that piece of information, the Cullen's' had been too caught up in the preparations for both the wedding and then Bella's transformation to keep their cousins up to date. The first Tanya had heard of the nuptials was when Carlisle had called to ask if Bella could stay with the Denali coven, she had neglected to pass the information onto Kate.

"Yeah, sorry. Deadward insisted that they marry before she was turned. Poor girl caved but now she's ended up with a thing for Alice and has tried to literally rip Dickward's head off more than once." She paused and looked to her sister for her reaction but Kate said nothing. "He won't take no for an answer, doesn't accept things have changed." Kate frowned.

"It's uncommon but it does happen, the change can be unpredictable," She reasoned. "So Carlisle couldn't wait to get rid of her huh? Too disruptive?"

"He's a misogynistic bastard!" Roses voice, although not raised was easily heard.

"Rose?" Kate jerked her head towards the ceiling.

"Who else," Rosalie replied dryly.

"Aren't you going to come say Hi? I want to meet Bella," Kate asked.

"No," Tanya interrupted quickly. "Bella's not taking the separation from Alice well. Rose is taking care of her."

"Oh, shit! Poor girl." Kate sympathised. "Sorry Bella, even though I haven't met you yet!" She called.

"You're an ass!" Rosalie replied but there was an almost chuckle hidden there.

"You love my ass!"

"You wish!"

"Enough!" Tanya stepped in to stop the childish banter. "You two can play later, Bella needs Rose right now." That impacted Kate's teasing and she turned her attention back to her sister.

"Why did Alice leave?"

"Because, I explained Bella's options, none of them were easy. Alice chose Jasper so I told her to go. It's best for Bella in the long run. Rose is moving in with us until Bella feels better. She's practically catatonic right now. I don't know how long it will last but she really is remarkable," Tanya's soft smile exposed her feelings towards the newborn.

"How so?" Kate sounded sceptical, she knew her sister and she knew she didn't take to new vampires well.

"She's had a tough break, she didn't ask for all this drama. Carlisle's practically banished her from his coven, her family, because he fears more for Edward and Jasper than her well-being. But she's strong, she'll come round eventually Rose, don't worry." She addressed their guest who would hear even from upstairs. "Until she does you both have a home here, permanently if you need it." The younger blonde didn't reply just wrapped herself more tightly around Bella's body. The offer had touched her but she would never admit that to anyone. Rose had been listening to the conversation downstairs and she trusted Kate and was glad she was around but she was still worried about Bella who had not shown any response to the entire conversation.

Xxx

When Tanya left to hunt, Kate waited until she returned and caught her sister on the edge of the estate, away from any ears in the house. Given the delicate situation surrounding Bella's arrival the other coven members had taken an extended leave from their Alaskan home until Tanya deemed it safe from them to return. The coven leader sighed when she caught Kate's scent, she had a feeling this conversation was coming, she approached her sister, who was sitting on a fallen log, and took a seat next to her.

"You're offering them a place in the coven?" Kate queried harshly. "I mean I like Rosalie but Tan, something like that should be a coven decision, not just yours.

"Kate -,"

"We should have discussed this."

"When you meet Bella, you'll understand." Tanya reasoned, brushing a stray twig off her sleeve. "She's special Kate, even this soon after the change she's remarkably lucid. But the connection to Alice is just screwing her up. I think we can really help her, Rose too." The other blonde shook her head as she tried to absorb the information. "Just wait, if you hate her then of course I value your opinion and the offer will be reconsidered. But I think you'll like her, I really do," she nudged her sister who chuckled.

"Ok, I trust you on this. You are an excellent read of vampires." Kate complimented her companion.

"Just give her time, give both of them time. You won't regret it." Kate just rolled her eyes at her sisters' cocky assumption.

"What about Alice?" Tanya frowned at that and stared back towards the house as she considered the question.

"I'm disappointed in her, her heart was in the right place but her information was severely lacking. She is far too trusting of Carlisle, his lifestyle choices have kept them sheltered from the education in vampirism they should have had. I think Rose had realised this which is why I offered her a place too." Kate nodded her understanding. "When Bella's feeling complis mentis I want you to help me train her, Rose too."

"Train how?" Kate regarded her sister cautiously.

"However you deem appropriate," was her sister's response. With a clasp of the shoulder and a smile Tanya left her sister alone to think things over and headed back to the house to check up on their guests.

xxxx

After two days, where Bella hadn't moved, from her bed, Tanya put her foot down. She went up to Bella's room where Rose was sitting on the bed reading, her free hand stroking through Bella's hair as she laid in exactly the same position she'd held since Alice had left.

"Come in or go away," Rose growled without looking up from her book. "this isn't fucking YouTube."

"Bella, you're going to hunt." The coven leader ordered the comatose newborn. There was no response.

"Bella, Tanya's right. It's been too long. I'll take you out." Rose sighed, when she also got no response Tanya took charge, she swiftly opened the balcony door then physically picked Bella up under the arms and carried her to the balcony before Rose could even move.

"Hey!" Rose protested the manhandling of her friend. "What the hell are you doing?" She yelled at her host.

"Waking her up." Tanya replied as she dropped Bella's unresponsive body off the balcony and to the ground below.

"What the fuck are you doing?" Rosalie screamed as Bella fell, she was over the railing in a split second only to come face to face with a black-eyed, very pissed Bella who had risen to a crouch as she snarled at the rude awakening.

"Tough love's the way to go!" Kate chuckled as she watched the drama unfold from where she had been waiting under the balcony. "Nice to meet you Bella," she greeted the newborn cordially. However, Bella did not reciprocate. She snarled and ran at Kate, knocking her to the ground.

"Oooh, someone woke up grumpy," Kate taunted as Bella held her down, baring her teeth in Kate's face. Bella's fangs were fully elongated as she pinned the older vampire to the ground. "Awww, she wants to cuddle," Kate cooed, wrapping the newborn up in a bear hug, effectively trapping Bella against her body. As Kate tightened her hold Bella began to struggle as she realised that she was actually trapped, a growl ripping from her chest.

"It's Ok, she won't hurt her,much!" Tanya whispered to Rosalie who was watching with concern as the two vampires wrestled. "Bella just needs to learn to respect her elders." Rose issued a curt nod, she agreed with the reasoning but maybe not the method. Bella couldn't go around attacking their hosts like that, it was disrespectful and downright dangerous. At least Kate had been expecting it but an attack from a petulant newborn would not go unpunished and any punishment from vampires as old as those in the Denali coven would be severe.

Rose watched as Bella continued to fight the hold Kate had on her, kicking and snapping her teeth, growling and snarling, eyes pitch black. The newborn was getting nowhere except more angry and frustrated, she wanted to be free, wanted to hurt her captor for humiliating her. In the blink of a vampire's eye, Kate released Bella and sprang to her feet leaving the newborn reeling from the sudden change of position. Bella's head was spinning and it took a second to steady herself on her feet, as she did she dropped into a crouch, once again issuing a challenging growl to her opponent.

"Tanya told me that you were impressive for a newborn," Kate taunted. "That you had some degree of higher function but all I'm seeing is a child, a weak child." That was the final straw for Bella and enraged past coherent thought she went for the kill.

"Bella no!" Rose cried and lurched forward to prevent the newborn making a very big mistake but Tanya was quicker, grabbing her arm and issuing a dominant growl that stopped Rosalie dead.

"No!" Tanya warned. "Do not interfere," she cautioned, her tone demonstrating her true age and power and in an act of submission and respect Rosalie stepped behind the coven leader. She was not keen to have that power directed in anger towards herself but was still worried for Bella's safety, not knowing how far Tanya would allow Kate to go to teach Bella the lesson she needed to learn.

"I am not a child!" Bella growled before issuing a challenging roar which Rosalie thought was moderately impressive, she admired the ferocity on the newborn's face as she settled back into her crouching position, fingers extended into claws, fingertips barely pressing against the ground, every muscle tensed, chestnut hair falling in waves across her shoulders. Tanya was also watching and caught Kate's eye, it was time to bring this to a close.

"No? Then prove it," Kate taunted as she stared at Bella across their battle ground, adding a 'come hither' gesture that enraged the newborn. Game time, Kate thought as she smirked. It was the smirk that made Bella snap, the smug look on the blonde's face, she would show her who was stronger, who was faster in their newborn body. She would pulverise her tormentor into the ground. She didn't heed Rose's warning, too focused on bringing her rival down, the thought was still ghosting her conscious as she flexed her toes, pushing off the ground so hard she left a craterous indentation as she ran towards Kate.

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.

Rose wanted to run to Bella, to help her, to stand by her side as her coven-mate, as her family and her friend but she knew better than to move. So she just watched the power-play, watched as Kate played with the now helpless newborn, toying with her prey, the slightest movement to interfere would bring the ancient's wrath down on any who a dared to intervene. Rose was not that vampire, she was a child by comparison and although her instincts screamed at her to protect Bella her rational mind and the very real threat of Kate and Tanya kept her in place.

"Open you eyes," Kate commanded the brunette lying under her. "Open your eyes!" She roared, slamming the newborn harder into the ground for emphasis. Bella forced her eyes to open and found herself staring up into a midnight visage, black eyes filled with nothing but the promise of more pain and Bella allowed her body to go limp in submission. "You will not abuse my sister's hospitality again," the blonde roared and Bella tried to turn her face away from the anger and pure, pure rage. "Look at me!" Bella's face was held in an iron grip and turned back to meet her captor's gaze. "You will not disrespect this coven," another slam and Bella whimpered as she met the ground. "Any further attack on me or any of my coven will be met with consequences you cannot comprehend. Are you understanding me?" Kate's grip loosened just enough for Bella to draw air into her lungs.

"Are you understanding me?" The roar was louder and more fierce than any before, the air rattled with it's force and Rose saw that even Tanya flinched at it's animal ferocity.

"Yes," Bella gasped. "I'm sorry." The apology stunned Kate, the majority of newborns may have managed the one word answer but an apology, the very concept of an apology would have been beyond them. "I miss Alice," Bella whimpered. "I don't know what to do, how to stop feeling this way," she admitted to her captor and Kate reigned in her beast and loosened her grip on Bella's throat.

"Bella?" Rose couldn't hold back any longer but she heeded Tanya's gesture and remained still until the blonde touched her arm, indicating they should leave Bella and Kate alone.

"It's done," was Tanya's stoic explanation, Rosalie was reluctant to leave her friend alone with the vampire that had almost ripped her apart but Tanya's expression told her not to argue so she followed the coven leader inside. "You know it was necessary."

"I know, but it was painful to watch," Rosalie replied as she listened for any clue as to what was going on outside. "But maybe if Carlisle had tried that method with Edward he wouldn't be such a fucking dick!" She growled as she thought of the spoiled brat.

As Rose and Tanya occupied themselves within the house, each caught up in their own thoughts the conversation between the two combatants continued.

"We need to talk," Kate's eyes had regained their usual honey gold colour and she gracefully stood, leaving Bella's battered body on the ground. The newborn didn't move, unsure of what was expected of her but in no way wanting to anger Kate again. "You look like shit," she chuckled as she took in Bella's dishevelled appearance, her clothes were ripped and she was covered in dirt with leaves and twigs tangled up in her chestnut hair. She was a mess. "It's Ok, it's over now." The blonde held out her hand, nodding to indicate that Bella should accept it which she did albeit gingerly as though she expected the beating to continue. "Unless of course you try that again," Kate laughed outright at the look of pure terror on the newborn's face at the mere suggestion that she would dare challenge the ancient again.

"No, I'm really sorry," Bella's red eyes were downcast as she stood awkwardly next to the crater her body had recently formed.

"Come here," Kate beckoned and Bella stepped forward anxiously, the blonde grasped her chin again, gently this time but it didn't stop Bella flinching at the touch. "Relax Bella," she urged as she turned the brunette's head from side to side, inspecting her skin for any damage. After releasing her chin cold fingers trailed down Bella's neck, coming to rest over the now almost fully healed and barely visible bite Alice had given her. Bella gasped at the contact but held still as she allowed Kate free access to caress the skin.

"It's unfortunate but not the end of the world," the blonde murmured as she dipped her head to sniff at Bella's neck, now realising exactly what Tanya had not told her, but the mark told her everything. "Mmm, you really do smell good." She grinned wolflishly before a cold tongue slipped out to taste the newborn's skin, swirling over the bite. Bella whimpered at the contact, quivering as the sensation travelled through her, exploding in a flood of arousal. "Hmmm, Alice has been a very naughty little vampire hasn't she?" Bella didn't respond, she didn't know whether to be scared or turned on, her instincts now told her submit to Kate without question but she still felt a connection to Alice and it was confusing her. Kate was confusing her, one minute she was threatening to rip her apart and the next she was close, so close.

Kate smirked at the obvious internal conflict Bella was experiencing.

"I've always imagined Alice to be a little wildcat in bed. Was she? Hmmm?" Bella didn't reply to Kate's question, she knew that if she did it would involve her defending Alice which in turn would probably lead to her disrespecting the vampire now running her fingers over Bella's body.

"Unfortunately she's always turned down our offers but she really doesn't know what she's missing out on. I bet she's incredibly kinky, or could be persuaded to be." Kate's hands were now cupping Bella's breasts as she stood behind the newborn, whispering in her ear but still the brunette didn't move, it was taking every ounce of her control but she refrained from defending the pixie even though Kate's words were stirring a deep anger in defence of her friend, lover.

Bella whimpered as Kate allowed her hand to travel down until she was cupping the brunette through her jeans, the blonde vampire's breasts pressing into her back

"It's Ok to feel this way, it's not wrong or dirty. It's natural and part of life, you need to embrace it, not bury it down deep," at the last word she rubbed against Bella's crotch eliciting another whimper before she was released, the hands that had been teasing her, taunting her now holding her as Kate wrapped her arms around the newborn, holding her close to her own body, her chin resting on Bella's shoulder.

"I understand how hard it must be for you. To end up in a situation like this, your first sexual experience lost in a bloodstained haze then abandoned by the one that claimed you as her own. But you've already begun to heal. You need to be knocked down, destroyed before you can start over and we will build you up stronger than anyone ever believed possible, if you will let us? Kate asked the question and waited for Bella's response. She admired the newborn's control.

"Yes." Bella gasped as she closed her eyes.

"Lesson learned." Kate released the brunette who staggered slightly before righting herself. She couldn't look the blonde in the eye, still reeling from her body's betrayal and the way it had reacted to the dominant vampire.

"It's time to hunt," Kate sympathised with Bella, she did, but she also knew that for Bella to recover she needed discipline and control and Kate was an expert in all kinds of control.

Bella followed Kate as she began to jog towards the tree line.

"Keep up, if you can!" Kate called over her shoulder and put on an incredible burst of speed, disappearing into the trees, a blur even to Bella's enhanced sight. The newborn accelerated, still relishing the feeling of being so fast and strong, her legs pumping as she followed Kate's trail through the forest. She didn't know how long they had been running but the terrain had changed from forest to mountain. Bella finally caught up with Kate at the peak of a mountain, Bella had no idea what it was called but she joined the blonde who was silently surveying the view, they were above the cloud line and only the tops of other distant mountains were visible, their snow capped peaks peering through the mist.

"I like it here, it's so peaceful." Bella remained quiet but nodded. She was still extremely wary of the elder vampire and her body was still aching from the beating it had taken, and the other things. She was off balance and all her emotions were competing for supremacy. She still missed Alice, her heart ached for her as did her body but she now had new, different feelings toward Kate. She knew her inner beast was submissive towards the dominant female but she also recognised that she was attracted to her elder. Whether it was purely because of the beating she had been given and was a variation on hero worship or because Kate really was beautiful but the attraction felt wrong, clashing with her innate need to be with Alice. Everything was so fucked up. Bella waited in silence, not knowing what to say or what was expected of her as they stood on the rocky outcrop.

"Shit happens Bella," Kate finally turned to her companion and met her eye. The light was reflecting off her skin and it was shining and giving extra depth to her eyes which were a deep red. "But I meant what I said, I'm sorry things happened the way they did. At least it wasn't a violent first time as it is for so many." Bella winced and looked down, knowing that Rosalie's history was probably known to the blonde. She wasn't so naive that she didn't know that at the time of Kate's turning the majority of women were nothing but property and consensual sex was probably the exception, not the norm.

"I know, I'm lucky." The almost imperceptible inclination of Kate's head indicated her approval of Bella's acknowledgement. The girl was smart, the blonde mused to herself as she recalled the play of expressions that had occurred as she had considered Kate's words. At least she had enough knowledge to realise that she was one of the lucky ones and was not wallowing in self pity. Instead it seemed as though she was genuinely trying to work through her pain. Well, now that she wasn't a comatose mass refusing to leave her room.

"You are," Kate continued the conversation after a long silence. "But it doesn't mean I don't sympathise with you, the maker's bond is strong enough on it's own but to have that compounded by a mating bond, however incomplete, is a hard burden to carry." She watched Bella as she spoke and saw the wave of sadness cross the brunette's features before Bella shook it off and turned towards her, waiting for her next words. "I will also let you know that I am extremely impressed with you Bella, you are a truly remarkable newborn." Bella dipped her head shyly at the praise, strong accents of her human self showing through. "I wouldn't have treated you that way, to mark is to make a commitment. It should never be an inconvenience," she growled as she thought of Alice's reckless behaviour and how she had returned to her own life relatively unaffected. "As well as guiding you I will also be teaching you everything you need to know about being a vampire. Rose too as I know she chafes against Carlisle's opinions. "Having knowledge and not using it is better than not having it and making mistakes, such as Alice did."

"I like to learn," Bella murmured to which Kate smiled.

"Well, I have a lot to teach."

"I bet you do," the brunette murmured and even Kate's vampire hearing could not fully decipher the undertones in her words but she was looking forward to teaching Bella. The brunette was intelligent and lucid, she may be lacking control but that would come with time.

Kate tracked a herd of deer and let Bella drink her fill, three strong young deer which was excessive but Kate allowed the blood-letting, it was a healthy way to let of steam for the newborn and Gaia knows she needed it. Bella tossed the last carcass away from her and knelt on the grass until she had regained some control. Kate watched and when she saw that Bella was back in herself she gestured for the newborn to accompany her back to the house and they set off at a run. When it was in sight the blonde paused, turning to face her companion.

"Bella," Kate stepped into her personal space and Bella gasped as the scent of the older vampire sent her reeling, it seemed stronger, thicker and it invaded her senses. "Easy," Kate reached out and steadied the brunette, allowing her hands to rest on slender hips as she eased up on the pheromones she was pumping out. She had intended to relax the newborn to make the conversation she wanted to have less awkward for her for her, not incapacitate her. All vampires used pheromones to entice their prey, it was a natural adaptation to make luring humans to them easier. However, once vampires reached a certain age some were able to control the strength and effect their scent had on those around them. Kate cursed herself for overdoing it realising that none of the Cullen's were old enough to emit more than the basic level scents and she'd just hit Bella with the equivalent of some really stronger uppers.

"Listen to me," golden eyes locked on red. "I know how you feel about Alice but if you have any interest in breaking your bond I can help." Bella frowned, not exactly sure what Kate was saying, her brain still fogged from the blonde's scent to think clearly. She did smell really good though, Bella started purring at the thought. "Shit!" Kate cursed under her breath as deep rumbles of pleasure began to issue from the newborn who's eyes were now hooded as she regarded her mentor. "If you need, if you want to -. Fuck!" She was a thousand year old vampire not some pathetic human but the words jut weren't coming. "What I'm trying to say is that if you need someone safe, someone with your best interests at heart, someone who won't hurt you or take advantage of you come and see me. I'll make the experience everything it was supposed to be. And then some!" Kate's cocky nature came to the fore and Bella blinked, finally realising what was being offered and she didn't know whether to be embarrassed, flattered or aroused. She went for the latter as she was still reeling from whatever it was Kate had done to her but it felt so damn good!

"Thank you. It means a lot," the newborn purred and allowed herself to be held as the blonde's arms rose to embrace her. Kate held her until she knew the effects of her pheromones had worn off a little but when Bella didn't immediately pull away she knew the young one had not been freaked out or offended by her offer for which she was grateful. It was an offer born out of her like and respect of the youngling, not her own need to conquer.

"Go clean up, Bella," she urged. The brunette nodded, offering a shy smile and a nod of thanks before jogging towards the house and Kate followed, her steps slow as she tried to reconcile the days events with the intriguing creature that was Isabella Swan.

Xxxx

Next in Crimson Bonds

"Stay. Away. From. Her!" Rosalie snarled again and this time Kate did not ignore the threat but leapt over her desk in one fluid move, coming to a stop right in front of Rosalie.

"Or what?" She growled right back. "What are you going to do Rose?" Kate challenged. "Fight me?" The younger blonde scowled but didn't back down.

"If I have to, I will," she held her ground even with a very pissed ancient vampire in her face. "What you did was wrong, Bella has enough to deal with without you taking advantage of her." As soon as the words left Rose's mouth Kate snapped, a roar of pure rage exploding from her chest.