Bella rubbed her eyes as she sat in the truck. Rachel caught a ride with Mike to school that morning, and Santana and Quinn left shortly after them. Bella spent most of that time alone, wondering when the hell her life got so fucked up, but it was her own fault. Rachel meant what she said the night before. The annoyance and anger didn't kick in until that morning, but she was more upset that Leah was the one who told her and not Bella. Rachel had screamed and thrown all of Bella's old promises and words into her face before storming out. For most of the morning, Bella was tempted not to go to school, but…
"Fuck," she sighed.
Bella flexed her fingers and exhaled, unbuckling the seat belt. She got out and stretched, her bones snapping into place, and she made her way up to the front only to pause when her phone rang. She dug it out of her pockets and answered once she saw who it was.
"Hey, Beaux. Everything good?"
"Depends on how you answer this next question."
"Which is?"
"How well did you know Rosalie Hale?"
Bella's stomach lurched, and she said honestly, "I don't think I ever really did."
There was a slight pause on the other end before Beaux clicked his teeth and said, "Okay. Be looking for another call."
And then he hung up. Bella wanted to call him back and demand answers, but she knew the call would be wasted. Beaux wouldn't have given them to her, and she was late enough as it was. Plus, she was in no mood to handle anything dealing with Rosalie Hale on top of everything else. Bella continued toward the school and opened the main door. She'd already missed her first and second period class, and she seemed to have gotten there right as the bell rang. Bella walked with her head down as she went to her locker, too lost in her head to notice how silent everyone had gotten. By the time she registered the presence behind her, frozen ice and syrup dripped down her head to her face and neck. The two jocks behind her high-fived and made a crude comment as they attempted to pass, and it was like the last Jenga piece had been ripped away.
It all came tumbling down.
"Hey, dumbass!"
Both jocks turned around, and Bella aimed for the closest one. She cocked back her fist and managed to pull her punch at the last second, but she still felt the jawbone crack under her knuckles. As soon as the first jock went down, screaming and bleeding onto the floor, Bella spun and grabbed the other one, slamming him into the locker. His head snapped back into the metal, and while he was dazed, Bella pressed her forearm into his throat and added pressure until he was choking. His face turned red, and she scowled at him.
"Did you motherfuckers not learn the last time?" she seethed.
There was commotion behind her, but Bella ignored it. She felt like she was moving on autopilot.
"Isabella!"
Bella ignored the person calling her name.
"Isa- damnit!"
Something strong yanked her away and off the ground. Bella was dragged down the hall and into an empty classroom. She was thrown into the corner, and Bella jumped up, spinning around and about to tear into whoever did it. But she stopped. Coach Sylvester stared back at her, unimpressed, and she watched the older woman lock the door.
"First, you need to calm down before you shift and break a centuries long treaty. Lima may not be the biggest city on the map, but it still attracts the right and wrong kind of attention." Bella blinked hard and slowly stood up straight, staring at Coach Sylvester in confusion. Coach - Sue - sighed and rubbed her face. "Did you truly think I lived that long in Forks because I liked the weather?" she asked.
Bella squinted and asked, "Who are you?"
"I am who I said I am."
"What are you, then?" Bella corrected.
"A Beta. Or, I used to be. I have not shifted in a long time," Sue admitted.
"What's a long time?" Bella asked, blinking away the remnants of her anger.
"I was six when my pack was killed by hunters," she said softly. There was a slight pause before she added, "Lucian saved me and took me in, and he asked me to look out for you when he found out you were coming here. I have been trying to find the right time to tell you, but there is no right time, is there?"
"No," Bella sighed, sitting on the desk. "Not - not for this."
Sue nodded and leaned back against the wall. They stayed in silence before Sue let out a humorless laugh and said, "Lucian warned me you were vicious, but what I saw in the hall was not viciousness. What happened?"
"Rachel found out, and we are not," she paused, "talking at the moment."
"Did you expect a different reaction?"
"No, but that doesn't mean it hurts any less. She's my sister."
"Sister's fight."
"I know."
Sue shook her head and unlocked the door.
"You'll be called to the principal's office in about ten minutes. I can't protect you from suspension."
"I wouldn't want you to."
Sue nodded and left the classroom, and Bella hung her head. She glanced down at her hands and flexed her fingers before tucking them into her palm. She stayed in the empty classroom until the intercom called for her.
Mike jogged behind Rachel as he tried to catch up, but she was moving a lot faster than a human should. He was tempted to tell her that, but he figured it would fall on deaf ears. Rachel was angrier than he'd ever seen, and her eyes had been toeing the line between copper and brown all afternoon. It was a miracle she lasted until the end of the day, but he wasn't entirely sure her waiting until the hallways cleared was a good thing. Mike was still a little off balance about the whole wolf thing, but even he knew that confrontations in Glee never went well. Add in the furry friend problem, and he was already anticipating World War Four. A sequel to the shit storm from the year before.
Rachel turned down the side hall, passing Santana and Quinn without a second glance, and the duo looked affronted before Mike jerked his head and semi-dragged Quinn with him. Quinn reached out and grabbed Santana, and they were a mini-human chain as they raced after Rachel. When Rachel pushed open the door so hard it slammed against the wall, the entire group stopped what they were doing, and Mike stumbled forward with Quinn and Santana. Quinn let go of his hand, and Mike rushed to stay a half-step behind Rachel as she stormed up the stairs.
"What in the world -
"You vindictive and spiteful bitch!" Rachel shouted, cutting off Mr. Schue.
Mike barely had time to catch his breath when Rachel straight up stopped in front of Brittany and slapped her. The sound echoed in the room, and even Mr. Schue was shocked into silence. Santana and Quinn were stuck frozen at the door, and Mike already knew he was going to be without his best friend and her sister for at least the rest of the week.
"I warned you, Brittany. I fucking warned you that if you did not take our names off that list, you were going to regret it. Did you think I wouldn't find out that you placed her at the top? That you practically told everyone with access to it they had free reign to dump on her whenever they felt like it? Those idiots are lucky to walk away with a broken jaw and a concussion."
"Lucky?" Finn exclaimed, breaking his silence. "Johnson won't be able to talk for six months!"
"Considering she could have snapped his neck, I would say a shattered mandible is extremely lucky."
"You can't-
"Will you shut the fuck up? We get it, Brittany's your girlfriend, but she can take care of herself."
"Rachel, this is highly inappropriate -
"You can shut up too," she said, barely looking at Mr. Schue. Her eyes had never left Brittany, who was holding her face and glaring at her. Rachel bent down and lowered her voice, forcing everyone to hold their breath just to hear what she said next. "You will take my sister's name off of that list, and you will leave it that way. Whatever issues that you have with me, you have them with me and me alone. If you drag her into it, I will make your life a living Hell. Do the mature thing, and grow the fuck up and move on before you realize I have been more than forgiving these last four years. But one more misstep…"
Rachel left the threat hanging, and Brittany turned an awful shade of red as she gave a sharp nod.
"Good."
Rachel stood up and walked down the stairs, Mike sliding out of the way to avoid being run over, and she held up her hand to Mr. Schue.
"I will tell Figgins myself," she said, walking out.
Mike cleared his throat and was about to follow when -
"Why didn't you stop her?"
Mike turned to Finn, and he asked, confused, "Why would I?"
With that, Mike hurried to catch up with Santana, Quinn, and Rachel. They didn't go far, as Rachel had stopped and was hunched over in front of the lockers, taking deep breaths. She finally pushed off and stood up straight, flipping her hair over her shoulders and heading back toward the front of the school. Mike looked at Santana and Quinn, and they shrugged helplessly before walking away. He pursed his lips and took out his phone, seeing the message Bella sent him once she was suspended.
Bella (Rae's Sis) - Keep her out of trouble.
"So much for that," he muttered.
Leroy leaned against the island as Isabella and Rachel sat at the table.
"How long?"
"Until next Wednesday," Bella answered.
"Just three days," Rachel sighed. "I can go back on Monday."
Leroy nodded and said, "I would love to be the authoritarian, but I think right now, that is the last thing you two need. It pains me, as a parent, to say this. You two reacted poorly, Rachel more than anything, and I think this adjustment period is taking longer than expected. Then again, school just started, and not everyone is content with moving into the present. But you cannot hit and punch your way through the school year. Find a compromise, and find it soon. I have to go back to Cleveland tomorrow evening, so I asked Sue to check in on you guys when possible. Can I trust you not to get arrested in my absence?"
"Yes, sir," Bella said tiredly.
"I promise," Rachel added.
"Good." Leroy rubbed his temples and shook his head. "And fix whatever happened between you two, okay? Sue mentioned you two were fighting, and I think that's got a lot more to do with your behavior than whatever went down at school. The last thing you two need is to be fighting. Figure it out."
Bella bowed her head, and Rachel looked off to the side. Leroy sighed and left them alone in the kitchen. The sound of his bedroom door closing offset the tense silence.
"You should not have slapped her," Bella whispered.
"And you should have told me the truth," Rachel snapped. "So tough shit."
"Rachel, please. This - it's not something I like talking about. I only brought it up with Leah because they were threatening to pull rank, and…"
"Pull rank?"
"You shifted on their territory," Bella grumbled. "Sam was claiming you as his. It wouldn't have worked for multiple reasons. One, you're an Alpha, so it would have been a challenge to make you submit to him. And two, you're already in my pack."
"I am? Since when?"
"Since ever," Bella admitted, rubbing the back of her neck. "You are my sister. I vowed to protect you for the rest of my life, and that vow placed you in my pack. I guess now Santana, Mike, Sam, and Quinn fall under that category. Leroy and Charlie too, technically. And Sue and Emma. Honestly, anyone you care about, I care about, which means they are in my pack."
"Seriously?"
"Yeah."
"But what about the whole Alpha thing? If I'm an Alpha too -
"True Alphas always have another Alpha in the pack," Bella cut in, squeezing Rachel's hand in apology for cutting her off. "It's hard to explain, but True Alphas are like the wolf of all wolves. We're Shifters who can lead more than one pack. So in our absence, there has to be a second. It's just in this scenario, the second is another Alpha, then a Beta, then the Omegas. You would be the Alpha of my pack when I'm not around."
"Oh. So, you're the owner, and I'm the manager?"
"Uh, sure? I'm not entirely sure that's accurate but it's as close as we're going to get."
"What else do I need to know?"
"I mean, I'm going to be twice your size, and you're already bigger than usual. We have abilities that other wolves don't have. In our human form, at least. Like I know a wolf that can control the elements, and there's another who's telekinetic."
"What's yours?"
Bella flushed and said, "I was told I was blessed with the strength of ten Shifters."
"So, what, you're really strong?" Rachel deadpanned.
Bella shot her a look and picked up the kitchen table with one hand, and Rachel rolled her eyes.
"Point taken," she said.
Bella snorted and put the table back down. Rachel sighed and folded her arms, leaning back in her chair.
"How did it happen? When did it happen?"
"Ah, well, William Black Sr. slept with Renée's mother, and Renée came to Forks to confront him after he abandoned her, but she never got the chance. Instead, she got together with Charlie, but then she cheated on him with Hiram, and the rest you kind of know. She sent me to stay with Charlie when I was about nine, and I found my grandmother's diary. She explained her relationship with William and how he treated her, and I just…I wanted to make things right for her, I think. Anyway, I confronted Billy and Old Quil, and they laughed at me. They took the diary and threw it in the ocean, and they called my grandmother a liar and a whore. Then they told me to get lost."
Bella chewed on her bottom lip and gave Rachel her hand, showing the scar going across her palm.
"I ran into the woods, and Moriah Uley found me. She'd heard everything, and she stayed with me until I calmed down. She knew what it felt like to be shunned by your family. And then she cut her palm with a rock. I'd already cut mine when I fell after running into the woods, and she put her palm over mine. Our blood mixed together, and she promised that for as long as she lived, she'd protect me from the others. She would be my family, and that even in death, I would never be alone."
Rachel frowned and traced the scar with her finger.
"Uley?" she repeated, looking up at Bella. "Like Sam?"
"Yeah, she was his older sister." Bella took her hand back and huffed softly. "They wanted to keep it a secret. I didn't know it then, but Moriah was the True Alpha before me, but no one wanted to admit it because she was a female. Sam was the one they assumed would get the title. They groomed Sam and Jacob for so much, and it went to the women instead."
Bella clenched her fist and stared out of the back window.
"What happened to her?"
"She was banished and forbidden from shifting ever again. And she killed herself."
"Bella…"
"No, it's fine. I made my peace with it. And I had already left Forks by then. I didn't tell Leah this, but I was in my bedroom when I felt Moriah's spirit settle inside of me. Like she…she was there with me, and I remember this pain. There was so much pain and anger and grief, and I passed out. I woke up as a wolf, and I heard Moriah's voice telling me how to shift back. She stayed with me until I was about sixteen, and then I woke up one morning, and she was gone. Anyway, my shift happening that early came with a complication. That's why I wear glasses. But other than that, I'm as perfect of a True Alpha as I can be."
Bella's voice dripped with derision at the end of it, and Rachel studied her. Then her eyes widened.
"You loved her," she said softly.
"She was…yeah. As much as someone can love a person who isn't there anymore. She was sixteen when I met her, and I was sixteen when I lost her."
Rachel turned and wrapped her arms around Bella.
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"I was forbidden until it came up with Leah. I'm not sure how, but I was able to break the order."
"Forbidden? By whom?"
"The Council," she muttered.
"What? Why?"
"They knew what Moriah did. I don't know how, but they found out. And even though Hiram was our father, my bloodline is a bit more complicated than yours, and they don't want the drama that comes with it. They have as much power over the wolves as Sam does, and I guess they weren't willing to risk any conflict"
"What do you mean? What drama?"
"Rae, William Black is my biological grandfather. I'm older than Jacob, and my status as True Alpha supersedes Sam. I am quite literally the rightful leader of the La Push pack. A title they consider too important to belong to an outsider," Bella said. "They forbade me from ever speaking about it before I understood what that power meant, and it was an order I couldn't ignore."
Rachel stared at Bella for a long beat, and she eventually kissed the top of her head. She didn't say anything, not that anything else needed to be said, and she just held her. Bella's emotions got the better of her, and her shoulders shook with silent tears as she broke down. Rachel's ear twitched when she heard Leroy trying to sneak down the stairs, but she ignored him. It was like everything question she'd had about her sister was answered in a matter of minutes, and while she was still annoyed Bella never said anything, she understood her a little more.
Later that night, Bella sat on the ledge outside her window with her phone to her ear. She wasn't worried about Rachel overhearing, as the girl snuck out to meet up with Mike once Leroy went to sleep. That gave Bella the chance to call Beaux back.
"Why did you ask me about Rosalie Hale?"
There was a humorless chuckle on the other end before he said, "A little birdie called and told me I needed to prepare for my wayward sister visiting me in a few days. When I asked for a reason, she came clean and said it was her trying to make amends for leaving her mate behind."
Bella stopped breathing, and Beaux hummed in amusement.
"I told this little birdie that if she wanted me to help my sister and make things right, I needed to know the name of the woman who stole Rosalie's heart. After all, she'd sworn off love and filled her nights with nameless women in the basement of every club in New Orleans. That little birdie said Isabella Swan, and I felt as if all the stars had aligned for once."
"Don't tell her where I am," Bella whispered.
"Why?"
"I'm not - I don't think I'm ready."
Beaux barked out a laugh and said, "Tough shit. While I owe you my fair share of favors, this one is off the table. If the topic comes up, I will tell her. If it doesn't, then you'll get your wish. But Rosalie will find you. She's the stubborn type."
"Then let her find me. I don't want it because someone helped point her in the right direction."
"Petty."
"Rightfully so," Bella hissed. "She left me."
"Whatever happened between you two is between you two. But she's still my sister. You would do the same."
"Yeah, yeah, I know. Any news on the wolves?"
"The female one has been causing some drama. Rumors from my inside man is that she's questioning the big Alpha more than usual, and she's on the outs."
"Alright, I'll talk to her. She's a good one, just stubborn."
"Sounds familiar."
"Fuck off, Beaux." Bella released a tired breath and added, "Thank you. I…tell me if she's okay?"
"Of course. Goodnight, Bella."
Breckenridge, Colorado
The door splintered as Rosalie slammed it against the house and stomped down the stairs. Carlisle was next out of the house, followed by Emmett and Esme. Alice, Jasper, and Edward were gone, hunting or visiting Europe in Edward's case. Emmett shrugged off Esme's hand and stayed right with Carlisle, hovering in case things went South.
"Rosalie Hale, get back here!" Carlisle shouted.
"Go fuck yourself. I'm done with this coven and with you."
Carlisle grabbed her arm, and Rosalie yanked it away, her shoulder cracking from the force.
"How dare you? We made our choice -
"Enough! Just stop with the bullshit and the lies and the excuses! We did not make a choice. You had your son make the choice for all of us, even though we disagreed with you. We should have never left Forks. No matter what, we brought Isabella into our world and left her behind all because Edward got all bitchy and whiny about how he couldn't resist her blood. We abandoned her!"
"I made a decision that was best for our family."
"Carlisle, do you even understand the magnitude of what just happened? Leah hates us with every fiber of her being, but she called me to tell me that Victoria showed up in Forks looking for Isabella. And when she didn't find her, she burned down Charlie's house. It doesn't matter that no one was in it, she wants revenge, and she won't stop until she finds it. How long before she hunts her down? We need to find her first and warn her -
"Edward -
"Fuck Edward! He was never her mate, and you know it! She's mine," Rosalie said, her voice cracking. "She's always been mine, and you still can't accept that you were wrong in believing him. I was forced to the background while my mate kissed him, loved him, and wanted him. I'm not standing in the background anymore, not this time, and not with this. Isabella has her whole life ahead of her, no matter if she wants me in it or not. I'm going after her. I can't lose her, Carlisle. I won't. Not again."
Rosalie took a step back, and she placed a hand over her chest, grabbing her necklace. She hesitated before she yanked it off, throwing it at Carlisle's feet. Esme gasped, and Emmett bowed his head.
"You have destroyed my life twice too many, Carlisle, and I will no longer risk a third," she said.
"Rosalie-
"My answer is final. I'm going to find her."
"I'm coming with you."
Carlisle spun and looked at Emmett, who slipped off his bracelet and dropped it next to Rosalie's necklace.
"Emmett, I can't ask you to do that," Rosalie said.
"Too bad. I wasn't on board with leaving Bells in the first place."
Carlisle bristled and said, "If you two leave –
"Yeah, yeah, don't come back." Rosalie turned and threw over her shoulder. "That's the whole fucking point," she said.
Esme didn't even stop them. She just stayed there on the stairs, staring after them in resignation, and Rosalie went to her car parked outside of the garage. It was one of many she owned, but the only car she bothered to bring to Colorado. Emmett jumped into the passenger seat, and she never looked back as she peeled off down the road. Rosalie made a sharp turn onto the street that led back to town. Once they were far enough away from eavesdroppers, Emmett whistled.
"Well, that was dramatic. Where are we going?"
"Eventually, Lima, Ohio. I have a friend that lives there. I met her when we went to high school in Cleveland all those years ago. Unfortunately, she figured out what we were," Rosalie said. "It's a small town, and we can set up shop there while we try and narrow down where Isabella is."
"Hold on, what happened to you not wanting to risk the Volturi's wrath?"
"She isn't the type to tell secrets. And I've kept an eye on her."
"Why not go back to Forks?"
"She's not there," Rosalie said flatly. "Leah said she left a few days ago, and Isabella never told her where she was going. Leah also threatened to tear me apart if I hurt her, which begs me to question how many more people knew I was in love with her?"
"Rose -
"I should have never left her." Rosalie slammed her hand on the wheel and clenched her jaw. "Damnit, Emmett, I should have stayed! Isabella was mine, and I was forbidden from saying anything to preserve peace in the family. Well, you know what? Fuck that and fuck them. Alice, if you're seeing this, good. I'm going to find out what happened to her, and I swear, if she dies before I find her, I'll kill Edward myself."
Emmett shifted away from her with a wince, and Rosalie pushed down harder on the gas. Then she huffed and pressed a button on her screen. She scrolled through her contacts without taking her eyes off the road, and when she found the number she wanted, she hit the call button. The phone rang through the car, and Rosalie relaxed when the person answered.
"Do you know what time it is?"
"Yes."
"What do you want, Hale?"
"Are you still in Lima?" she asked.
"Yes, I'm still coaching too, in case," she paused, "your brother is interested."
Rosalie snorted and said, "You know damn well why Emmett can't play football."
"Hey, I think he could be good at pretending with practice. All I'm saying."
"Whatever. I'm calling because Em and I need a place to hole up."
"Break up with your family?"
"Something like that," she deadpanned.
"Well, say nothing else. My house is open for you both, you know that."
Rosalie relaxed and let out a short breath.
"Thank you, Shan. I appreciate it."
"No problem. When are you thinking about getting here?"
"Probably not until next week. Maybe next Wednesday? We have a stop to make on the way."
"I'll have the place set up for you then, and I'll leave the key somewhere only you can get it."
Rosalie grinned and said teasingly, "Thanks, Coach."
"Shut up."
The call ended without fanfare, and Emmett started bouncing in his seat.
"You want to try out for the team, don't you?" she sighed, glancing at him.
"Look, if we're really out of the coven, maybe we can make our own rules? Carlisle never let me, and I've been working on moves so I don't stand out too much. Or maybe I can coach or something. You know how much I love football, Rose. I just-
"Fine," she interrupted. "Fine, okay? This is a new start, so I can't see why not. You know the risks, so if you feel like you're attracting too much attention, you get injured or quit. Deal?"
"Deal!"
Emmett's smile was almost as bright as the sun, and Rosalie started laughing.
"God, you're ridiculous."
"Thanks. What's the other stop, by the way? I thought we were going straight to Lima?"
"Uh. New Orleans." Emmett froze, and Rosalie slumped forward. "I think it's time we made amends with Mama and Beaux," she said.
"Aw, hell. They're going to kill us."
