Hi, as a thanks for all the reviews I got this finished off today for you. Not sure when the next one will be up as Bella's character has evolved from when I first wrote the coming chapters so I have to make sure it all fits. But, as always I will get it up as soon as I can.

Not everything is resolved here, the Cullen's visit will last a few chapters so it will still be a while before Victoria appears, but she still will for those of you who have asked.

Hope you've been enjoying the weekend.

X

xxxxxxx

The visit had been anticipated for some time but now it was actually here Bella was extremely nervous, so was Rose but she would never admit it. She had avoided speaking to Emmett recently so that Edward would not be able to gain any information from the large vampire but had assured him that she was Ok and they would talk when he arrived.

Bella looked around the living room where the rest of the coven, her coven rested, also awaiting the arrival of their guests. Tanya had decided that presenting a united front would be best and had requested all her coven members be present. She hoped things would go smoothly but one never knew. The coven leader glanced over to where Bella sat with Rose and smiled to herself at the changes she saw in both of their young friends.

Bella was now confident in her vampire body and her powers gave her a defence that now extended to include Rose. The young blonde was able to be herself without fear of judgement or belittlement in her own home and had become even more beautiful as a result, if that was even possible. Of course the evolution of her relationship with Bella had aided this transformation.

As soon as Kate signalled the impending approach of the Cullen motorcade Tanya witnesses both Rose and Bella's walls go up but she couldn't blame them, the time had passed quickly since their arrival but their reasons for leaving were still very fresh in their minds. Tanya herself was concerned to see how Bella would handle both Alice's and Edward's presence, she gestured for her coven to proceed outside to greet their guests. Presentation was important at times like this and her coven mates arranged themselves in their traditional V formation with Tanya at the head, then Kate and Irina, Carmen and Eleazar then finally Bella and Rosalie. This was designed to be a pure show of power and a reminder of how powerful her coven actually were.

The Cullen's arrived split between two vehicles. Emmett's Jeep carried himself, Alice and Jasper and Carlisle had driven himself, Esme and Edward in his Mercedes. As their visitors emerged and came to greet them Tanya and her sisters sent a wave of love and reassurance to their youngest members who welcomed it with silent appreciation.

"Tanya," Carlisle stepped forward to greet his 'cousin' with a smile, slightly confused by the formal greeting they were receiving.

"Carlisle," Tanya returned the greeting. "Before we make our selves comfortable I would like to remind your coven that this is our home and any disrespect to my coven or guests will not be tolerated," he didn't miss the way her golden eyes deliberately lingered on Edward as she spoke. In return the boy vampire frowned, confused that he was not able to read her mind, Tanya maintained her façade but on the inside she was smirking at the oaf's consternation. Served him right, she mused.

"Of course Tanya, I can assure you we have all been looking forward to a change of scenery and a relaxing visit."

"Then you are welcome," at her words her coven broke ranks and Emmett was the first to charge forward, enveloping Rose in a bear hug.

"Hey, missed you Rosie," she squeezed him back but then stepped away from his embrace, wary of Bella and her still sometimes unpredictable moods. However, she needn't have worried because the newborn was smiling and waiting for a hug of her own.

"Damn, you two look good," he complimented them with a large grin, "I can see you're been taking care of each other!" He threw in a wink which the female vampires both ignored.

"Bella!" Alice looked as though she wanted to throw herself on her friend but was holding herself back.

"Hi Alice," Bella greeted the smaller vampire warily but knew that Rose was there for her and both Tanya and Kate were also watching. Bella braced herself but when Alice stepped forward to hug her she was surprised to feel nothing untoward, she looked to Jasper who was also watching the exchange intently and felt none of her previous animosity for the male vampire.

"Let her go Al," Rose commanded and Alice realised that she was probably not making this easy for Bella and obeyed her sister, flashing as look to the blonde that was met with Rose's characteristic coolness.

Rose herself was relieved for two reasons, firstly because Bella didn't seem to experience any problems from Alice's proximity and secondly that she felt no residual desire for the pixie emanating from Bella. In fact, she was more than relieved and had confided in Kate some time ago that it was on her mind. Kate had reassured her that it was unlikely and that Rose's bond with Bella would override any other but the young blonde had not been convinced.

The entire Denali coven tensed as Edward approached the newborn, his eyes took in her appearance and marvelled at the beauty and confidence her saw, she was truly a worthy wife.

"Bella," he smiled rakishly and held out his arms to welcome her, instead of the hug he was anticipating Bella stepped back and crossed her arms over her chest.

"Edward," she replied curtly and felt Rose tense beside her. Edward dropped his arms but stepped forward again, Bella stepped back.

"Surely our time together means something to you?" He entreated.

"No." Was the only response he got from the newborn.

"But we are married!" He exclaimed, throwing his hands up in frustration.

"The ceremony was meaningless and you know it," Rose spat out as she glared at him. "And it was never consummated," she added with a smirk.

"But I love you," the boy vampire pleaded, reaching out to touch the newborn, instead of pushing him away she simply stepped back again, faster than he could move, keeping a pace between them.

"You loved the idea of me Edward," Bella ground out. "Not me, otherwise you would have allowed me to control my own life, not moulded me into the woman you wanted me to be." Rose glanced around at the Cullen's, Emmett was nodding in agreement and both Alice and Jasper looked pained, as if they were only now realising how true Bella's words were.

"I just wanted what was best for you," he retorted, anger now beginning to show in his words.

"No Edward, you wanted what was best for you." Bella replied with finality. "You are nothing to me, I have found my place and it is not by your side." At her words the entire Denali coven, including Rose, surrounded Bella, Tanya and Kate at the fore, demonstrating the truth of the newborn's words.

"Accept it or leave Edward. Bella has no more to say on the matter. Respect her or there will be consequences," Kate growled, her eyes black.

"What have you done to her? Perverted her with your whorish ways?" Edward snarled at the two ancients, they just exchanged a look and turned towards Edward, both roaring a challenge so ferocious that the ground shook, before their roars had died away they were followed by the same from the remaining members of the Denali coven, bar Bella. The overall show of force and unity knocked even Emmett back a pace or two, Carlisle looked severely rattled. As the noise died away Tanya stepped forward and got right into Edward's face.

"Last warning," she growled, he didn't reply. "Carlisle, get the boy under control or I will. Or I may allow Bella the pleasure," she threw a grim smile toward the newborn who nodded in acknowledgement of the offer. "Bella is becoming extremely powerful, it's best not to mess with her, boy!" she snarled the name, it was clearly an insult and Edward stepped forward, grabbing her arm as though to pull her towards him. Carlisle jerked forward to stop him but was too late as Bella surged forward and tackled Edward to the ground, holding him down by his throat, confident that Tanya would allow her to handle the matter.

"That was beyond stupid Edward," she snarled as he struggled. Tanya's raised hand indicated that no one should interfere. Bella stared down into the eyes of the vampire she thought she had once loved, smiling as she let her beast out of it's cage, she could feel it pressing against the feeble barrier he had tried to erect to protect himself but it was no match for her.

She bent her head so she could whisper in his ear.

"You are nothing to me," the newborn hissed. "You are a pathetic, self-centred child who is so far beneath me that I will crush you like a worm," she snarled, too low for anyone but Edward to hear. It was then that she channelled all her dominance into his chi and he squirmed beneath her, eyes wide with panic as he cried and whimpered, trying to scramble away from the newborn as he realised for the first time how truly powerful she was.

She kept up until he could no longer look her in the eye and he turned his head to the side, too terrified of what she might choose to do to him, she was so strong, he wanted to run away and hide. It was then that the other vampires present began to feel unsettled, threatened, although it was subtle and those who were not aware of Bella's power had no idea where it was coming from.

"Leave me alone Edward, I don't want to speak to you and there is no way on this earth that I will ever be with you so get over yourself and move on." She spoke loud enough for their audience to hear, released him and jumped back, he stayed down for a few moments as he recovered then twisted and sprang towards Bella who was facing away from him. A roar of rage was heard and suddenly Rose was on him, they struggled for a few seconds before Edward cried out in pain.

"You do not touch her!" She roared into his face as she gripped his neck, sending a powerful surge of her angered chi into his body. He screamed in pain as the full force of her hate and anger began to eat him from the inside out, stiffening under her as her hate ran rampant in his body.

"Stop, stop!" He finally begged, the other Cullen's too shocked to intervene.

"Learn your lesson boy or I will end you!" Rose spat her venom on his face and smirked when it began to burn his skin before turning and walking back to stand a little behind Bella.

"Way to go Rosie!" Emmett's' booming laugh was inappropriate but both Bella and Rose couldn't help but smirk, nor could most of the Denali's.

"This is outrageous!" Carlisle stepped forward but so did the Denali's, en-mass.

"No Carlisle, it is outrageous that a member of your coven was allowed to insult a coven leader after a warning and then continued to abuse my hospitality by physically assaulting me and mine!" Tanya roared and it was only then that the blonde man realised what a grave error Edward had made and he bowed his head in apology and submission towards his elder.

"Tanya, I am so sorry for the trouble Edward has caused. I know you would have been within your rights to challenge him based on his insults, to the death," he growled in Edwards direction and it was only then that the boy seemed to realise how lucky he had been. "I will escort him off your territory and ensure he is monitored for the duration of our visit," Carlisle promised, hoping to appease their host. Tanya replied with a nod, accepting his terms but her eyes were still black and her fangs visible, as were those of her entire coven, their combined power seemingly causing the air to hum.

"Then you may enter." She led the way into the house, Rose and Bella ensconced within their ranks.

"You Ok?" Rose whispered to Bella who shrugged.

"Yeah, it was what I was expecting, but thanks," she smiled at her friend as she whispered back and squeezed her hand as they took a seat on their usual couch. Emmett ambled over and both Kate and Tanya watched his progress, unsure whether the newborn would accept him on her territory. Jasper was also fixated on the interaction, he was totally confused regarding the emotions flowing around him, it seemed he wasn't the only one projecting but it was as though it were coded, the emotion itself undecipherable to him and he wondered if that was Bella's influence at work. If so she was extremely powerful.

Bella accepted Emmett's presence, her beast knowing that he was friend and not foe, Rose was hers, she didn't need the reassuring squeeze of her hand from Rose or the waves of love and calm coming her way from the three Denali sisters but it was nice to receive them.

"That was awesome, Rose," the large vampire congratulated his best friend. "Where the hell did you learn to do that?" Rose shrugged, but didn't reply.

"It seems that Rose is more powerful than any of you ever imagined." Tanya replied for her, "both Rose and Bella have come a long way in their training," the blonde elder beamed proudly at her young charges and they both met her gaze, not shy of their achievements.

"You look well Rose," Esme complimented her daughter who simply nodded. "You too Bella," in fact the matriarch was astounded by the changes in her two daughters and she realised for the first time that maybe Carlisle had been wrong in his treatment of Rosalie because she had never looked so strong and her fight with Edward had demonstrated that. She had been truly magnificent.

"When will Carlisle be returning?" Tanya, broke the general chatter of the room with her question. "We have business to discuss."

"I'll go babysit," Emmett offered and stood but not before giving Rose's hand a reassuring squeeze. It was not too long before Carlisle returned, slightly confused as to what Tanya had to discuss but also curious.

"Carlisle, Rosalie has a matter she wishes to discuss with you." Tanya explained and gestured for Rose to speak.

"I'm leaving. I'm a Denali now," she informed him bluntly. Surprisingly he hadn't seemed to expect that and sat there, slightly shocked as his oldest daughter renounced her place in his family.

"Me too," Bella added just as calmly.

"They have accepted the places we offered." Tanya spoke with finality. Rose stood and dropped her necklace which held the Cullen crest onto the table in front of Carlisle.

"These people value me more in the short time I have been here than you ever did." She spat out and Carlisle recoiled, only now realising the bitterness Rose felt toward him.

"Bella?" He questioned, needing some validation for her decision

"You didn't want me," she explained. "Strangers welcomed me with open arms and I am now a part of them in a way that you could never comprehend, Rose too," she added with a quick look at her companion. Carlisle was confused but it was Alice that spoke.

"How will the Volturi react to the size of your coven?"She questioned, acknowledging that the Denali coven was now larger than the Cullen's and she couldn't 'see' because of Bella.

"They have no problem with it," Tanya confirmed. "Aro himself approved of the additions," she smirked at the Cullen's look of discomfort. "When he met Bella he was impressed by her. They are no threat to us." She didn't mention the long-standing deal she and her sisters held with the vampire leaders, Carlisle did not need to know this, just as Aro did not need to know they actually had no interest in his position. "Jane and Chelsea expressed their concern," Tanya smiled, "but Rose put them in their place." That information sent murmurs of shock around the Cullen's but they had just witnessed Rose easily dispatching Edward but the Volturi were so much more powerful.

"Ah, yes, and what exactly are these powers Rose has discovered? You seemed to be causing Edward considerable pain." Carlisle enquired, seeking information as always.

"Rosalie's abilities cannot be easily categorised, Bella's either," Tanya deflected, knowing that the young vampire in her care would not take kindly to Carlisle's snooping. "But, their addition to our coven has increased our strength remarkably," her warning was not unheeded by the male leader.

"So it that why you wanted them, because they are powerful?" He queried, slightly angry now.

"Don't be ridiculous, Carlisle," Rose snorted. "The offer was there before they had any idea," her eyes tracking the newborn as she spoke, Bella stood and turned to leave, she'd had enough talk and was getting ansty, especially with Alice so close. Tanya's nod gave her permission to leave and she walked out to the barn to distract herself with her board.

Kate had been teaching her new tricks and she was still a little off from perfecting them, once she had her custom board in her hand she felt better. It was a gift from Irina who had crafted it herself and painted a beautiful design on the bottom, it was abstract and comprised red, white and black vines forming both separate and combined shapes over the space, it was incredibly intricate and held nuances and details only visible to the vampire eye. It was Bella's most treasured possession along with her Denali crest and the titanium bracelet Rose had bought her to hold it, 'Bella proof' apparently but the newborn had no desire to test it's strength.

Alice had watched the newborn leave and after a few minutes saw Rose seem to communicate non-verbally with Tanya and Kate before slipping out and the pixie followed.

Rose scowled when she realised she had a shadow and stopped, turning to face Alice.

"What?" The blonde sighed, trying to keep calm but she was worried about Bella.

"Hi," Alice smiled a greeting at her sister. "I just wanted to talk to Bella and I thought you would know where she was?" Rose shrugged and continued walking towards the barn and Alice paused but then followed. She was used to Rose's moods and after Edward's idiocy she could understand if her sister wasn't feeling particularly talkative.

It wasn't long before Bella heard footsteps approach, ones she recognised as Rose and Alice's, She continued skating, not really wanting to speak to the petite vampire. Although the bond didn't seem to exist on any noticeable level, Alice would always be her maker, the hurt and rejection she felt were still very prominent in her psyche.

Alice's eyes went wide as she saw what was inside the barn.

"This is amazing," she sighed as her eyes focused on Bella who was currently midst jump with twenty foot of air under her. "Wow," the pixie's admiration was obvious, her eyes fixed on the newborn and it unsettled Rose. Bella completed the jump and skated towards her partner, sensing her insecurity and wanting to be close to her. As Bella approached the blonde she caught her eye and gave her a wide, genuine smile that lit her face up and showcased her full beauty which was noticed by both Rose and Alice.

"That was so cool!" Alice gushed as Bella set her board down, immediately stepping into the newborn's personal space and she reached to touch her but pulled back when Bella stiffened, her whole posture tensing and Alice felt her beast warn her not to proceed, this was re-enforced by a growl from Rose.

Bella just nodded at the pixie's compliment and looked to Rose, Alice suddenly felt the tension and bit her lip, not knowing what to say.

"I see you took good care of her," she commented to Rose who also nodded, not volunteering any further information. If Bella hadn't have been a concern then Rose would have been happy to see her sister but at the moment with Bella so obviously stressed it was affecting the blonde too.

"You Ok?" The blonde checked with Bella who just shrugged they held each other's eye as Rose took a moment to feel for Bella's chi, she was off-balance but no negative emotions were particularly prevalent.

"How are you doing, really?" Alice probed, sensing the rather obvious tension.

"Good, this isn't bothering me," Bella gestured between Alice and herself.

"Good," the pixie nodded then went quiet but Rose was silently relieved by the verbal confirmation.

"I'm still hurt though Alice, it's not something I'm going to get over easily," the newborn stated bluntly and the words hit Alice hard. Somehow the small vampire had hoped that time and distance would make all the difference but obviously not. Alice had had plenty of time to think about her actions and she regretted acting so rashly, for losing control and inadvertently causing the newborn pain.

"I know, but you're my friend Bella and I know what I did really messed you up but I hope in time you can forgive me?" She questioned hopefully.

"Maybe," Bella offered a non-committal response as she fidgeted with her board but wouldn't make eye contact, she really wasn't in the mood to relive her past pain, Rose could feel how unsettled her friend was and she wanted to make her feel better. Unhappy Bella was unhappy Rose.

Bella closed her eyes and sighed, a small smile tugging the corner of her mouth as she felt the strength and reassurance of her bond-mate wrap around her, warming her. When she opened her eyes she met Rose's golden ones but was very aware of the other pair watching their interactions with undisguised interest.

"Alice, maybe you should leave now?" Rose suggested rather forcefully and the pixie looked between the two members of the Denali coven and nodded, she recognised that tone of voice and knew arguing would get her nowhere.

"Ok, I'll see you inside?" Rose nodded but Bella offered her nothing so she left, however what caught her eye as she turned to close the door behind her froze her in place. Rose was holding Bella, the newborn wrapped in her arms, head tucked under the blonde's chin and the expression on Rose's face was so unbelievably tender. Alice was transfixed and it wasn't until Bella growled and turned her red eyes on the voyeur that Alice felt something, she felt threatened, in danger so turned and left hastily, with a lot on her mind.

"We can stay out of their way?" Rose suggested into Bella's hair.

"Definitely," the newborn agreed with such fervour Rose couldn't help but laugh.

"Definitely," Rose repeated and grinned, giving Bella an enthusiastic peck on the cheek. "Want to go for a run?" She was suddenly full of energy and she wanted to get away for a while, just her and Bella.

"Race you to the mountain?" Bella questioned her friend.

Rose didn't reply, just sped out the door, hoping that a slight lead would help her win the race.

Xxxxxxx

Next on Crimson Bonds

"Rose!" Bella cried out, unsure what she was feeling but knowing it was intense, but it felt so right, she clung to her friend, anchoring herself as the feeling intensified then exploded inside of her. Rose was caught by the backlash and physically pulled away, scrambling to her knees, staring down with panicked eyes. That hadn't happened with Kate. What had she done? "What was that?" Bella's eyes opened and she stared up at the blonde from where she lay on her back, on the bed.