New chapter!

Welcome to those of you who have recently joined us and thanks as always for all the reviews.

I know a lot of you were hoping for Victoria to be in this chapter but I'm afraid she's not. Instead another character is making an appearance. But, saying that she won't be too long in arriving.

Enjoy! LD x

xxxxx

Bella needed space. After her trip to the city she needed to think, needed to clear her head and make sense of what had happened. So, she headed for the forest, reassuring Rose before she left that she would be fine and that her mate would be able to sense if she was in trouble.

Bella ran for miles, towards the north and the less populated areas close to the Arctic. This is was where she had come with Rose when Irina had returned home and the sisters requested some privacy at the house. Except they had gone even further north, Rose had taken her right to the glaciers and they had tracked a polar bear and her cubs, not for lunch, even Rose knew they were an endangered species.

Now she was only a hundred miles of so from the home, the glaciers were further north still and herds of caribou grazed the tundra like grasslands.

Bella frowned when she heard a noise that was out of place in the forest and she let her curiosity get the better of her, taking to the trees to investigate. It was unlikely to be a human but she didn't want to take any chances, she trusted herself not to attack if it was.

When she reached the last tree top before open grassland she stopped, the sight before her fascinating. There were two animals circling each other, a dead caribou between them. What made Bella stay and watch was the fact that it was a wolf and a large cat, it looked like a mountain lion but it was very far north for it's kind. They were quarrelling over the kill, the wolf appeared to be wounded but it refused to back-off, growling and snapping at the large cat every time it tried to force it away.

Bella watched the dance for several minutes until the wind changed direction. Blood. She could now smell that the wolf was wounded and she wondered why it persisted in defending what she assumed was it's kill. A closer look showed blood on one of the caribou's large antlers, maybe it had been injured bringing the beast down and the cat was being an opportunist?

The stand-off did not last much longer, a particularly persistent attack by the cat finally drove the wolf away from the corpse and it unwillingly limped away towards the tree line. Bella was curious, impressed by the wolf's tenacity, it reminded her of Rose, she smiled at the analogy but didn't think her mate would appreciate it.

So, she followed the wolf as it slowly made it's way through the trees, getting ever slower as it did and leaving a trail of blood as it went. Finally, it approached a rocky outcrop and issued a series of sharp yips, after a few seconds a small bundle of pure white fur came barrelling out of a small opening in the rock. She had a pup.

Now everything made sense to Bella, the mother was fighting for her child's next meal. The young vampire watched as the female wolf collapsed on the ground, exhausted but still finding the energy to greet her cub as they exchanged happy yips and licks. The puppy wanted to play but Bella knew the older wolf had lost a lot of blood and needed to rest. The pup sat back on it's haunches and it looked sad that it's mother did not want to play so it began nudging her with it's black nose but was getting little to no response as the mother closed her eyes and took shallow breaths.

Bella did not know what came over her but she felt a pull towards the scene playing out before her and dropped from the tree she had been hiding in, startling both wolves. The mother raised it's head and growled a warning but Bella ignored it, there was no threat to her so she hunkered down several meters from the animals and watched. It seemed at though the mother realised the vampire was no threat as the rumbling growls stopped, eyes appraising Bella before her head flopped back to the ground. Bella inhaled, scenting the wolf. The injury was serious, the bowel had ruptured and that meant the wolf was going to die. This upset the newborn, still very in touch with her humanity, but she was distracted by an inquisitive wolf cub as it sidled up to her. The wolf mother yipped a warning and the cub stopped and sat down between her and the vampire, looking between them as it did.

"I won't hurt it," Bella spoke, she did not know why, it just seemed the right thing to do. The mother wolf stared at her before a rattling breath passed through her body and her head once again fell back to the ground. The pup yipped at it's mother who gave a weak growl, that seemed to be the permission the pup needed to approach Bella, sniffing cautiously at the hand the vampire held out for it to scent. Bella giggled when a hot, rough tongue poked out and licked her. The sound of the newborn's laughter startled both animals and the puppy fell ungraciously on it's rump, letting out a startled bark as it did so. The mother looked up to check it was Ok, her mouth lolling in what looked like a smile before returning to the ground but still keeping an eye on her cub.

The puppy regained it's confidence and approached Bella again, this time nudger her hand before flipping on it's back and exposing it's soft belly. Bella hesitated before cautiously reaching her hand out, pausing to check the mother wasn't going to object, there was only another wolfy smile but no sign of objection and she lowered her hand to the silky soft fur.

The puppy went wild, wriggling like crazy under Bella's fingers, both of them enjoying the sensation. Soon they were playing, the pup pouncing stalking the young vampire as she pretended not to notice, giggling when she was 'caught', the cub licking her face.

This went on from some time until a whimper from the mother wolf caught the pup's attention and she, as Bella had quickly established, ran over and started nuzzling up to the larger wolf but Bella suspected it would do little good, she could smell the decay in the wolf's wound and it was spreading fast.

Bella sat on the ground, crossed legged as she listened to the pup paw at it's mother as she reassured it with licks and small yips, they seemed to be having a conversation. The mother eventually nudged it, pushing it towards Bella, the pup looking between the two very different creatures before trotting over to Bella and sitting down, paw raising to rest on the vampire's knee.

The newborn turned back to the mother wolf as she gave a sharp bark, they locked eyes for a few seconds before a final rattling breath and her head fell back, lifeless, eyes glazed over in death. The puppy was frantic, rushing to it's mother and yipping and licking her and Bella wished she was still capable of crying as she witnessed it's distress.

"Come here little one," she urged and the pup looked over to her but didn't leave it's mothers side. "She loved you but she had to go, " she explained, knowing that there was no way the cub understood her hoping the sound of her voice would sooth it. It seemed to work to some extent as it left it's mother and walked, head down, tail between it's legs, back to the vampire then sat, looking at her with it's piercing blue eyes.

Bella frowned, she should just leave, let nature take it's course, the pup would either survive or die. It would probably die if it stayed here, scavengers would look on it as a juicy meal. Bella solved one problem, picking up the dead wolf and taking it over to the rocks lying near the small cave they had been using as a den. She laid the body down and quickly covered the corpse with a pile of rocks. That would keep the scavengers away from the pup and the thought of creatures tearing at the dead animal felt wrong to her, even though it was nature's way.

Once she was done she looked down at the pup, hopeful eyes looking back at her, tongue lolling happily out the corner of its mouth and she made her decision. She scooped it up, tucking it carefully into the crook of her arm and set off back home at a steady run, mindful of her passenger.

Rose felt Bella return and couldn't help but rush down to meet her mate. She was puzzled when she couldn't see her then a noise from around the back of the house told her where her mate was likely to be.

"Rose, don't be mad," Bella held a hand out to stop the blonde approaching any closer to the small shed that housed various gardening equipment.

"What's that smell?" Rose wrinkled her nose as she took an experimental sniff of her mate.

"Oh, um, that's Storm," Bella supplied, trying very hard to look innocent.

"Who the fuck is Storm?" Rose growled, immediately assuming Bella was referring to another vampire, too caught up in her jealousy to put two and two together until a scratching and whimpering made her pause. Another sniff and her eyes went wide. "Bella?" Her mate shrugged and sidled backwards towards the shed, nonchalantly reaching behind her to flip the latch.

Rose stood stock still as a bundle of white fur flew towards her, a hyper puppy jumping up to place it's paws on her legs as it looked up at her.

"Bella? Why is there a wolf pawing me?"

"Um?" Bella fidgeted and at any other time Rose would have found it adorable but she was too stunned to really notice. All animals avoided vampire's, Rose hadn't been close to an animal she hadn't been hunting for over eighty years so to say she was a little stunned was an understatement. "She followed me home?"

At that Rose threw her head back and laughed, a genuine, happy laugh that had Bella staring at her warily as she chewed her lip.

"She likes having her belly rubbed," Rose blinked at her mate's comment then looked down at the cub now waiting patiently.

"Storm?" Bella crouched down and the little wolf yipped happily and rolled onto her back, tail wagging enthusiastically. "It's Ok, she likes it," Bella reached out and gently took her mate's hand and brought it down to the wolf's soft belly. Rose let her fingers run through the downy hair, marvelling as she did do. It had been so very long since she had felt something so soft. She looked up to meet her mate's eyes and smiled.

"Thank you," Rose thanked her mate for the experience and Bella returned the smile, shyly.

"Do you think they will let us keep her?" Bella asked hopefully and Rose knew she was already emotionally attached to the wolf.

"Where did you find it?" Rose questioned, looking up from the pup for an explanation from her mate.

"Her, it's a she," the newborn jumped in so defensively it made Rose smile softly, she could tell Bella already cared for the animal but that was in her nature.

Bella quickly relayed the story to the blonde.

"It, I felt she was asking me to take care of her. It's silly, they are just animals but the way neither of the were scared of me. I know that never happens," she finished with a sigh.

"Well, even if any of the others have a problem I know there are wildlife parks where we could find her a home," Rose reasoned but the wave of sadness that emanated from her mate when she made the suggestion gave her pause. However, none of the sisters would want to make Bella sad either so maybe they could persuade the others to let them keep her?

Logically Rose knew that the life of a human was fleeting to a vampire, let alone that of a canine but she just wanted Bella to be happy and would do anything in her power to make that so.

"Listen, she's probably hungry if she was waiting for the meat from her mother," the blonde reasoned and at that the cub began whine, looking up with it's blue eyes. "Ok! Food!" Rose chuckled as she found herself addressing the wolf direct. "I'll go to the store because I don't feel like going hunting and butchering a carcass for her," Rose offered and Bella just grinned, happy her mate was taking this on board so readily. "You stay here and I'll be back as soon as I can."

"Thanks," the mates shared a soft kiss before Rose ran to her car, the Red BMW quickly disappearing in a screech of tyres as she raced off.

The closest town was a good hour away but Rose made it in thirty minutes. They had a pet section to their general store and she found what she needed, just get the basics she told herself as they did not know how long the wolf would be staying. She then went to pick up some meat. Enough for a few days but she would make sure whoever went hunting next made sure to bring their kill back so she she could butcher and freeze it.

That made her pause and shake her head at herself. She was as invested in the creature as Bella was. A sigh and she walked quickly back to her car but not fast enough to draw attention to herself. Another fast drive and she was home.

Bella heard the car approaching and she and the wolf walked round from the back of the house where they had been playing with a baseball Bella had found in the shed with some other sports equipment.

"Hi," she greeted her mat with a smile and a kiss that threatened to turn into more than a simple greeting. "Sorry," she muttered, pulling back as her mate moaned.

"Later," Rose purred, smirking as she winked at the newborn. "First things first," Rose popped the trunk of her car which released the smell of the meat, nauseating the vampires but exciting the cub who jumped up and tried to climb into the trunk to get to it.

"Hey!" Rose barked. "Mind the paint!" She growled fiercely. Both her mate and the pup cowering in the face of her ire. "Sorry," the blonde blinked, realising she may have over-reacted, a little. "I'm sorry."

"It's Ok babe, sometimes I think it's a close call between me and the car," Bella sighed dramatically to which rolled her eyes.

"Me too!" The blonde teased at which her mate laughed but the cub's whimpering was becoming persistent as it clamoured to be fed. "I'm sorry little one, here," Rose shredded the bag that held a good size chunk of beef and placed it in the large feeding dish she had purchased and put it on the ground. The little wolf attacking it with it's tiny sharp teeth, growling happily to itself as it began to chew off chunks of raw flesh.

"I bought meat not dog food, better for a wolf," Rose reasoned and Bella nodded her agreement as they looked on, both vampires smiling indulgently at the little ball of fur.

"What else did you get?" Bella looked up, spotting a trunk full of more than food.

"Oh, um?" Rose bit her bottom lip as she went to pull out the other bags.

"Rose, I said the basics!" Bella laughed as she saw the numerous bags. "Show me," she smiled at her mate, loving her even more if that was possible.

"I didn't buy much!" Rose defended her purchases, pausing to reach up and tie her hair off her face before turning to her mate, hands on hips. "Just the essentials," she pointed and then ducked to retrieve the rest of the bags. "Food bowl, water bowl, bed," she pointed to the large, extremely comfy looking dog bed in red plush, it looked expensive and Bella could probably have curled up comfortably on it.

"What about those?" Bella pointed to a selection of collars and leashes.

"I didn't know what you would like best, and she'll grow fast," Rose replied then blinked, the action so unnecessary it made Bella giggle.

"You know what?" The newborn purred as she stepped into the blonde's personal space, hands falling to her mate's hipbones.

"No, what?" Rose murmured, slightly intoxicated by the close proximity of her mate.

"I think you're a big softie, Rosalie Lillian Hale." There was a whimper as Rose responded to the light nip her mate gave her neck.

"And you're not? My bad-ass Alpha? Hmm?" Rose returned the nip, except harder and letting her fangs sink deeper into the skin but without piercing it. It was Bella's turn to moan at the sensation but suddenly remembered what they were supposed to be doing.

She pulled back a little and then let out a bark of laughter as she saw the cub sitting by their feet, looking up, tongue lolling in a smile.

"Cock blocker!" Rose growled under her breath but then let out the smile that was lurking under her grumpiness.

"You brought toys Rose," Bella shook her head as she continued the conversation from where she had left off.

"Just a couple," the blonde defended herself as she shoved the newborn out of the way to get to the bags. Bella shoved her back and soon it was a free for all as they wrestled on the ground, both taking care not to hurt the puppy that was joining in, yipping happily.

"What the hell is going on here?" Their coven mates had arrived home, the sisters taking a trip to the city to shop and meet up with Carmen and Eleazar who had yet to return home after the completion of the young vampires mating.

To say they were surprised to see their young friends covered in dirt and being pounced on by a small wolf was an understatement of epic proportions. They could only stand and watch as first Rose then Bella climbed to their feet and taking up stances that had Irina smiling to herself at the stereotypes of themselves they presented. Despite the dirt on her clothes and odd stick in her her hair Rose stood straight, arms crossed over her chest and look of guarded indifference on her face. Bella was looking down, biting her lip and toeing the ground with her sneaker, hands shoved deep in the pockets of her jeans.

"So?" Tanya asked and at that the young wolf bounced up to her and proceeded to rest it's paws on her thigh as it looked up at her inquisitively, much as she had done to Rose. It then moved off to Irina then Kate before weaving in and out of the coven members. learning their scents before returning to plonk herself down between the youngest vampires, tongue hanging out as she panted, still recovering from their play session.

"Bella found a wolf!" Rose blurted in an uncharacteristic outburst.

"Rose!" Bella hissed, mildly irritated by her betrayal but it had the coven coven members stifling their laughter until they were subjected to the blonde's glare. "I found her," Bella owned up and looked to the assembled coven for their responses. To be honest they were all looking a little stunned, not a usual look to find on a vampire but then when had they ever had a pair of vampires like their young ones to contend with?

"Her mother died and," Bella broke off, unsure of how to finish the explanation.

"Bella thinks her mother asked her to take care of her," Rose finished for her mate.

"She did?" Eleazar was curious now.

"It felt like it," Bella shrugged. "They weren't scared of me, even though she was dying," she explained.

"She's not scared," Rose added.

"I can see that!" Eleazar had knelt down and the wolf, sensing his interest, had padded over and they were observing each other, the pup tilting her head, mimicking the male vampire. It would have been hilarious it if hadn't have been so odd.

"What's all this?" Kate pointed out the bags littering the ground by the back of Rose's car.

"Um, shopping?" The blonde provided innocently.

"For the dog -, wolf?" Tanya queried with a single raised brow.

"Um, yes?" Rose was a little unsure of the coven leaders possible reaction to her answer.

"Rose, as usual, went a little crazy while shopping. That was what we were discussing when you returned," Bella gave an exaggerated sigh. "But, I would like to ask if I can keep her here. Otherwise Rose suggested a wildlife park," at that all that shared Bella's bond were hit by a profound wave of sadness which clearly indicated the newborns' thoughts on that matter.

"Well," Tanya looked around at her friends and none seemed to be harbouring any objection. In fact, she chuckled to herself, they were all more interested in getting to know the puppy as it made the rounds than showing any signs of unhappiness with the idea. "A vote? All hands in favour?" There was a millisecond before all the coven's hands were in the air.

"That's settled then, welcome to the family -?" Tanya paused.

"Storm, her name is Storm," Bella provided confidently.

"Welcome to the family, Storm," Tanya finished and the cub let out a short bark as though acknowledging it's new place in the family and made all the vampires smile, they were enchanted by her.

Xxxxxx

Next on Crimson Bonds

"Shit!" Rose banged her head on the hood of the car. "What did you do that for?" She growled at Bella.

"I can't help it I'm excited!" Her mate replied, practically blurring she was bouncing so fast. "I get to see my dad!"