Not a lot to say today except of course congratulating you guys on how outstandingly awesome you are!

And, next chapter remains unwritten as yet but after that we will be returning to my pre-written material where the Cullen's return. So, updates will be a little more regular then but expect the next chapter in around a week. Sooner, if I can x

Enjoy, Lil'D

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Bella stood with the Denali sisters and Rose on an outcrop overlooking a small town. It was football season and the majority of the town had gathered at the local stadium which was below where they stood. They were all unnecessarily bundled up in warm jackets and both Kate and Bella were wearing trapper hats, much to Rose's utter disgust. Well, Bella did look kind of cute, she thought as she subtly checked the newborn over, eyes lingering on the newborn's ass before Kate caught her looking and smirked.

"Ok?" Tanya questioned, distracting the young blonde from glaring at Kate. Both Tanya and Irina had a hold of the newborn's hand. Rose stood back, a little put out that she wasn't able to help but she just wasn't strong enough to help should Bella lose control.

"Fine, thanks." Bella's eyes were their usual red and she tentatively took a shallow breath, even then she could still detect the accumulation of human scents, wafting up on the breeze. She inhaled again, deeply this time, the scents were much stronger and she felt a small reaction from her beast. Nothing she couldn't control. "Can we go closer?" Rose simply smiled at the question, she could feel Bella's calmness through their bond. However, the sisters look both surprised and concerned.

"Bella? I'm not sure -." Tanya began but the newborn growled.

"I'm never going to be able to see my father if I don't learn control. I can't learn if you won't let me test myself!" Bella growled. A wave of dominance swept over the assembled vampires and Rose smirked at how this unsettled the sisters. She herself was relatively unaffected, it always affected her differently than the others, more reassuring than controlling they had found when they had experimented between themselves. This also made Bella happy, allaying any concerns the newborn had about forcing Rose to obey her in any way, now or in the future.

Rose felt the effect but felt no compulsion to act on it. It had not yet been discovered if this was simply Bella's reaction to their bond or the fact that Rose was Bella's equal. It was something they intended to test between themselves but considered it personal and did not want the result becoming common knowledge among their coven. They both appreciated all the help the sisters had given them they also needed their own autonomy and Rose was very cautious. It was always best to be underestimated and whether she proved to be the weaker vampire or not she wanted the information to remain private.

"Alright," Tanya relented. "To the edge of the parking lot," she agreed and the four of them made their way quickly down the hill, mindful of the security cameras that would be watching the area. They came to a stop, still a few hundred metres from the stadium, they were closer but the scents were partially blocked by the stadium walls.

Bella felt fine, in control as she looked around. It had been a long time since she had been so close to any humans, except the one she had helped Alice kill. He had been different though and herself newly turned. She shook her head to clear it of that thought, now was not the best time to be re-living that memory.

They loitered on the periphery of the lot, Tanya buying them some food from a fast food outlet across the street so they looked less conspicuous and they waited, the game was nearly over. Bella began to get a little agitated but more from boredom and lack of contact with Rose than anything else. Tanya and Irina insisting they remained with their arms linked with Bella's. When the crowd began to trickle out Bella growled as she picked up their scents. Much stronger now as they wafted across the lot as the sports fans headed for their cars.

As they did Bella regressed slightly, her fangs dropping and eyes darkening but otherwise she knew she was in control and felt no urge to get closer to the human masses that were now pouring out of the stadium. Instead she focused on her link with Rose, locking eyes with the blonde as she did so but not depending on their bond for it's calming influence, she wanted to do this on her own. Instead she used her love for the blonde to ground her, remind her who she was and why she was doing this. When she broke the gaze she knew her eyes were once again their normal red and her teeth had retracted.

Rose smiled softly as she felt Bella reach out to her through their bond, their eyes met and she could feel the love of the brunette. This seemed to be happening more and more and she liked it, a lot. She was also wondering if it would develop into something more, god knows she wanted it to but she forced herself to stay calm, the last thing Bella needed was |Rose's hormones messing with her control.

As more and more people came out Bella focused on her father and how they would drive to a game for Charlie's birthday and then go get food at a diner afterwards so he could talk sport with the other game goers eating there. She hadn't minded, it made her happy. So, with that thought in mind she purposely used her dominance to push the sisters away from her, their beasts capitulating and their physical selves loosening their hold until she was standing, unfettered.

Rose tensed but felt how calm her bond-mate was so didn't get too concerned. Except when a group of five human females set off to walk right past where they were standing. They were laughing and chattering, obviously having fun. Bella wasn't stupid so she did allow Tanya and Irina to once again take her arms as the group approached. They al watched as the newborn tracked them as they came closer.

Although both ancients held her in a death grip Bella remained un-phased. Remembering the time Charlie had caught a fly ball and proudly presented it to her, only to have her let him display it in the living room so he could gloat to Billy about it. She smiled as the humans approached, totally relaxed. Totally calm, even as they passed and one of the young women smiled at her she felt no desire for their blood even though she could smell each individual scent and the fact that one of the women was on her cycle.

The vampires held stone still until the group had passed out of scent range.

"Wow!" Rose threw herself on the brunette as soon as the group had passed out of sight. "I am so proud of you!" Bella wasn't prepared for the press of Rose's lips against hers, the action causing her to freeze in pleasurable shock.

"Sorry," the young blonde murmured and pulled back, ignoring the smirks of the sisters.

"Home?" Bella held out her hand to her bond-mate, the crowds having dissipated, leaving the group of vampires mostly alone in the now quiet streets. Rose nodded, relishing the opportunity to be close to her newborn.

"Ok, let's go. We'll get to the edge of the rail-road and then we can make a run for it." Tanya instructed, the others murmuring their agreement as they walked the few hundred meters until they reached the more industrial side of the town, away from prying eyes.

Xxxx

"Emmett's coming soon," Rose announced as they neared their home, she'd just received a message on her phone. "He's bringing some of my things," she explained. "He won't be staying," she confirmed to her coven leader who just nodded her acceptance.

So, it was of little surprise that they actually found the large vampire pulling up just as they arrived home.

"Rose!" Bella exclaimed as she saw what Emmett had brought with him and practically jumped on her bond-mate, crushing her in a hug. "Best. Friend. Ever!" She punctuated her words with wet kisses to the blonde's cheeks, the sisters watching, slightly bemused at the newborn's reaction to he battered red truck sitting on their driveway.

"I thought maybe we could fix her up together?" Rose suggested shyly, unsure of what Bella's reaction would be to that idea.

"Yeah?" Bella queried, almost as shyly.

"Sure." Rose confirmed, smiling now her offer hand been accepted. Emmett grinned as he watched the exchange, he loved seeing Rose so happy, Bella too. He'd always liked the girl but had never, ever expected Rose to be into her, she had been so unlike the vampires Rose was attracted to. But, now she was a vampire herself Bella had that quality, that quiet confidence which always got to Rose. Well, from past experience it got to her in a way that called out to her dominant side, he had always loved it when Rose pulled that card on other vampires. The one that had them panting and begging for her to fuck them, not that she always did. It was sometimes just about the power and he hoped Bella would be able to cope with that. Hell, he'd been with Rose for years and could barely keep up sometimes.

"Emmett!" Bella's greeting was much more enthusiastic than the last time he had seen her. This time there was no aggression, only a hug with which she easily lifted him off the ground, as though he weighed nothing

"Ummph!" He exclaimed as Bella literally squeezed the air from his lungs. "I heard you banged Irina?" He took the opportunity of their embrace to whisper in her ear. "Don't you ever hurt her Bel's," he warned before pulling back, studying the newborn with the most serious expression she had ever seen on his face. "I have no idea how you drive that thing," he grumbled, loud enough for everyone to hear but holding the newborn's eye.

"I would never intentionally hurt her," Bella growled back in a whisper, offended by his suggestion. Very, very offended and they all felt her beast unleash, the focus of it's ire the large male vampire.

"Bella!" Rose called as she blurred to her bond-mate's side.

"Rose?" Emmett whimpered, very confused as to why he wanted to crawl away and hide.

"Easy, my Bella," Rose tangled her fingers in the newborn's hair, noting her blackened eyes and fangs as she began gentle scratches against the brunette's scalp. Bella took deep breaths as she continued to glare at Emmett.

"What the hell, Rose?" Emmett had dropped to his knees and Bella was hovering over him, glaring down.

"I won't hurt her," the newborn snarled and Emmett nodded frantically.

"I know, I'm sorry!" He whimpered and it was then that Bella regained some focus, shaking her head she stepped back.

"Sorry," she mumbled before turning and jogging away, towards the forest.

"What the fuck, Rose?" The blonde frowned down at her friend then back towards where Bella had disappeared, she noticed all the sisters staring at the spot the newborn had disappeared and issued a warning growl before walking backwards, following her bond-mate but not taking her eyes off the others until she was certain they weren't going to follow.

"What the fuck was that? " Emmett climbed to his feet and stared after the two females.

"Well, bro," Kate walked up and clasped him on the shoulder. "Seems we have us an Alpha," she informed him bluntly. "And Rose, well, she's a little sensitive when it comes to Bella at the moment. They'll come back later, they always do," she finished, letting Emmett know this was a fairly regular occurrence.

"You mean once they're done banging?" He questioned impishly but Kate just rolled her eyes.

"If only dude!" Emmett looked at her in surprise. "I'm telling you, the sexual tension between those two -,"

"Is intense," Irina added with a smirk.

"So I heard," Emmett rumbled disapprovingly as he frowned at the youngest sister. Irina just shrugged.

"Rose is in for treat," Kate chuckled, "I wouldn't mind getting me some of that!"

"Kate!" Tanya reprimanded her as they walked to the house. "Things are hard enough for them as it is without your libido getting in the way. Besides, I thought you were Rose's, and I quote 'sex toy'? Hmm? I hardly think you could handle our newborn, you saw how long it took Irina to recover from the experience?" Emmett's eyes widened as the sisters continued to tease one another before Kate and Irina challenged him to game of Call of Duty, a request he just couldn't turn down.

It wasn't until four ass-whoopings later that the young females returned.

Rose had found Bella at their usual spot and it had been quiet between them. Bella eventually accepting the comfort Rose offered and making herself comfortable, head in the blonde's lap as Rose used the tried and tested relaxation technique of simply running her fingers through the brunette's hair.

"It's OK," Rose eventually murmured. "He was just looking out for me," she didn't know exactly what had been said but could take a good guess.

"Did you tell him about what I did, to hurt you?" Bella queried softly.

"No! No Bella, that was a mistake, wasn't it?"

"Yeah, but I still messed up," Bella sighed and turned her head so she was looking up into golden eyes, golden waves falling around her bond-mate's face.

"You did, but I forgave you. You just need to forgive yourself," Rose sighed and smiled softly down at the newborn, so loving and trusting as she laid there. "Can you do that? For me?" Bella looked away, shy from the request but nodded.

"Anything for you, Rose," she replied, looking back with a smile, lost in those golden eyes.

"So beautiful," the blonde murmured happily, inhaling deeply as she did so, marvelling at the intricacies of the newborn's delicious scent. Nothing more was said until they made the silent decision to return to the house.

A further round of video gaming taking place before the burly vampire returned home.

"I'm good," Rose promised as she hugged her best friend good-bye.

"Alright, cuz I don't think I can take her again, even for you Rosie!" He let out a booming laugh and hugged her back. "Behave!" He warned with a wink before he began the run back to the Cullen's.

xxxxxx

It was a few days later when Bella frowned at the commotion she heard downstairs, there was a clamour of excited voices and she realised that it must be the missing Denali's returning home.

"Come on," Rose was up and at the door before Bella could react. She was obviously excited to go and greet her friends.

When Bella didn't respond immediately Rose blurred back to the bed and crawled back on so she was hovering over the newborn.

"Come on! I want to introduce them to my totally bad-ass bond mate!" She purred in Bella's ear.

"Yeah?" Bella purred right back.

"Yes! Now move that tight little ass downstairs, now!" The blonde growled as she nipped at the newborn's ear causing her to yip and leap off the bed, her hormones all confused by the blonde's actions, and words. Rose liked her ass? "Down! Now!" Rose commanded and Bella nodded, obediently following her friend.

As they approached the living room Rose felt Bella's chi expand to envelope hers, she felt the dominance but she knew it was just Bella's way of protecting her so she was unphased. Well, a little touched actually as she squeezed the newborn's hand. Bella offered her a shy smile before they came into full view of the coven.

"Rose!" Carmen rushed forward to greet her friend. Rose liked Carmen, she was almost motherly but like the fun aunt rather than exhibiting Esme's placid domesticity. "And you must be Bella!" Bella stood her ground but dropped Rose's hand and the blonde felt a much stronger flare of the newborn's chi which snapped the sisters attention to her and made Carmen falter.

"What?" The dark haired female stopped her approach, turning to her coven mates for answers. It was then that Eleazer stepped forward, hand outstretched towards the newborn but was met with another, much more aggressive surge from Bella's chi which was accompanied by a roar, more fierce than any Rose had heard from the newborn before.

Both the unfamiliar coven members stepped back, unsure what was happening but feeling Bella's dominance.

"Easy!" Tanya held her hand up. "Give her some space."

"What?"

"What was that?" Both newcomers stared at the newborn with a mixture of expressions, curiosity being the main one but Rose thought they should have been a lot more wary than they were. Eleazer took another step forward and Rose stepped in front of Bella as he did. But, it didn't prevent the almost physical blast projected by Bella's chi. This time the dominance was unmistakable and all the vampires present, except Rose, felt their beasts cower.

"Bella, shh," Rose turned to the agitated brunette and reached up to cup her face. "It's Ok. You can trust them," she confirmed. They locked eyes and Rose felt her friend calm and the other vampires felt the newborn's influence abate.

"What the hell was that?" Carmen turned worried eyes to Tanya.

"Bella's an Alpha." Kate chipped in cheerfully.

"A very strong one," Irina added proudly as she flashed the newborn a warm smile which caused Rose to glare at her with narrowed eyes.

"Really?" Eleazar was fascinated and was about to approach but stopped, recalling her previous reaction. "I would very much like to read you?" He questioned politely and Bella frowned, looking to Tanya for an explanation.

"All he has to do is hold your hand Bella, it won't hurt or affect you in any other way," Tanya explained. The newborn then looked to Rose who nodded her agreement. Bella slowly reached up until her hand was palm up and Eleazar clasped it.

After a few seconds he frowned.

"Nothing." He commented and Kate chuckled.

"She's a shield, a very strong one. Watch." She stepped forward and placed her hand over Eleazar's, he cried out and pulled his hand back, shaking it furiously as Kate gave him a strong electric shock but even when Bella's hand was in direct contact with Kate the young vampire felt nothing.

"See?" Kate smirked at the look of consternation on Eleazar's face.

"I do!" He stepped back with a smile. "Remarkable, truly remarkable." He declared, beaming at his wife.

"Well, before we all get better acquainted I have an important matter to discuss." Both Rose and Bella tensed, unsure what this was going to be about. "I have offered Bella and Rose a place in our coven. They both wish to leave the Cullen's. My sisters and I are in agreement. Are you?" She addressed her friends who shared a look.

"They are welcome," Carmen beamed, agreeing for both of them.

"Good, then it is settled." Tanya nodded, pleased with the result. "Now, only one thing remains. Bella must meet the Volturi."

xxxxxx

Next on Crimson Bonds

"Are you fucking serious?" Rose yelled, seriously angry. "I am not letting her anywhere near those fucking psychos!" She ranted, furious at the suggestion.