Bella's Point of View

3 Months Later

Today marked a very important day for the packs. We all were all gathered back at the meeting hall, to sign new peace treaties. There were so many changes coming, it was a bit thrilling. Of course, everyone made the long drive to Hoodsport, a staggering four hours away. But this time, no one was quite so on edge. The dynamic of the packs would forever change. There would be a new order, a new leader and new bonds.

Alice and I have been seated outside on the huge porch on the outside of the meeting hall. Along with Leah, Emily and Claire. The meeting hasn't started yet. So we decided to enjoy some peace and quiet, while the men were inside debating senseless topics.

I watched with a raised brow as Claire hovered over Alice, a protective hand placed over her steadily growing stomach. Alice was about six months along now. Alice was always petite, and her baby bump reflected that. Still she continued to wear oversize clothing to hide it. But it was beginning to get really hard for others not to notice.

"Alice dear, are you sure you have been getting enough rest?" Claire asked with a warm motherly look.

"Well, as much as I can. My back is killing me, all the time." She responded with a weak chuckle. "But I'm sure it's nothing compared to how Bella is feeling."

Everyone's eyes flickered over to me now, taking in my massive stomach. It looked like I was much farther along than Alice, but that wasn't the case. I was five months along. In three more months, I would be delivering. If I was to wait for the full term, it would be too risky. Having triplets made things a little more complicated. So Alice and I would be giving birth around the same time.

Leah chuckled, eyeing my stomach, before looking down at her own. She rested her hands on her tiny bump. "I'm hoping I don't get that big, no offense Bella."

Emily winced, shifting uncomfortably in her seat, before looking away from everyone.

I felt really bad for both of them. Sam had gotten the both of them pregnant and very close to the same time. Emily was only a few weeks further along than Leah. It was an uncomfortable situation. We weren't sure why that vampire had dissolved Sam's imprint with Emily. But it really put a stop to his relationship with her. I didn't know how to feel about it. On one hand, Emily was hurting. But then again, Leah is now the happiest I've ever seen her. I wanted both of them to find happiness.

"Mating season really did a number on the packs, didn't it?" Claire said with a chuckle. "Where are the other girls? The men made it quite clear that they wanted me to look after all of you until the meeting starts."

"Well, Kate is in the bathroom, she has been struggling with morning sickness for a while. Irina and Alec are with her at the moment. Rosalie wasn't interested in coming out here, she is inside with Emmett. That only leaves the girls from Jacob's pack. They all left when Jacob left. Probably wanting to stay close to the father of all their children." Alice said, making a sight face.

It was still a complete shock that all the women from Jacob's pack, who didn't have an imprint, ended up pregnant with his child. I felt bad for those women. They all thought that he loved them. They were brainwashed. They would follow him to the ends of the Earth. And for what? A psycho rapist. I'd be perfectly happy never seeing him again.

Claire sighed, straining a smile. "Let's not talk about that scoundrel. Let's remain positive. Everyone is okay now." Her words sent a wave of bliss throughout the group of us. Everyone's tense posture loosened up. I clung to the positive vibes, letting myself relax into my seat as well. A smile came to my face. Claire was very kind. She has been really helping out since the whole thing with Jacob.

"I was meaning to ask, have you found out the gender of your baby yet? Either one of you?" I asked gently, I moved my sights to Leah and Emily.

Leah beamed. "I'll have a boy. I'm thinking of the name Joshua. After Sam's father. I'm not sure how he will feel about it."

Emily lowered her head. "I'll be having a boy as well. I think I'll name him Levi, after Sam's grandfather."

Leah and Emily looked at each other. I could see the pain in their eyes. The anger and jealousy was clear. Their relationship would always be a mess. I just wondered how Sam was going to deal with this. I'm sure he had no plans on something like this happening.

"What about you Bella? Did you pick out names for your babies?" Emily asked with a timid smile.

I chewed my lip, pausing to think for a minute. Edward and I thought of a few names, but it was still pretty up in the air at the moment. "Well, for the two boys, Wyatt and Cade. For the girl, Allison or maybe Brooke. We aren't really sure yet."

Alice pouted, folding her arms across her chest. "I thought you liked the name Miranda, that's such a cute name Bella."

I laughed. "It's not a bad name, but Edward had to be okay with it too. Besides, if you like the name, why don't you use it for your daughter?"

"Jasper and I already picked Ashley for a name. I think it's perfect." She replied with a wide smile. "I can't wait to meet her."

"All of them are wonderful names. I find myself wishing I too could have a baby." Claire admitted with a sad smile. "But that's not possible. It's enough just to be surrounded by all of you."

Claire was such a nice woman, I think she would have made a wonderful mother.

Suddenly I watched as Edward, Sam, Lucy and Raymund came out the door and to the porch. They all had calm looks on their faces. Apparently this wasn't going to be a very tense meeting. Sam went straight to Leah, giving her all of his attention. Emily watched in agony.

I felt a lump form in my throat watching them. But Edward's gentle touch distracted me. He kneeled down to his knees, placing his hands on my stomach.

"How are you and the babies?" He asked with a tender smile on his face. His hands lightly stroked my stomach, right on time to feel a light kick. As if one of the babies were responding to him.

"So far so good," I replied with a chuckle. "Will the meeting start soon?"

Edward nodded, standing up to peck my forehead. "We are starting now, are you feeling alright to come inside and take part?"

"Of course,"

With a light touch, Edward helped me up to my feet. My center of gravity was a little off, since my stomach was growing at such an alarming size. I knew that it worried Edward. He didn't want me to fall, so he mostly stayed by my side. I didn't mind it at all.

We walked hand in hand back inside the meeting hall. Alice stayed close to me, until she spotted Jasper. That's all it took. She went over to him immediately and clung to his side. Jasper smiled widely as he held her close.

The room was full of familiar faces. And a few new ones. Edward walked me to a circular table near the center of the room. Like the last time we had a meeting here, all the leaders of the packs would sit here, along with their partners. This time Sam brought Leah with him. Lucy had Henry. Raymund had Claire. Followed by the second in command, the betas of each pack. Emmett with Rose, Jared by himself, Jane used to be the beta for Jacob's pack. But the day Jacob left, she went with him as well. So Lucy appointed Alec as the new Beta, Kate sat comfortably at his side. This was our new ruling over the packs.

"I think the first order of business is to decide the borders." Sam said, clearing his throat.

"I vote for everything to be open. No more borders. We are all friends here now." Lucy said with a confident smirk.

Sam raised a brow, looking around the table. "I agree that the packs are pretty united, but I'm not so sure about the vampires. I realize they have helped us a lot over the course of these few months. But let's not forget there were some problems as well."

Raymund snorted, his expression relaxed. "I hardly see the issues. We successfully took care of two rapists amongst your kind."

"You lied about Mike Newton. The group of you conspired right along with Jacob. First with Mike, then with Leah. And Sam as well. Henry attacked Leah, had Liddie take her memories, then Sophia erased Sam's imprint with Emily." Edward said with an even tone.

Claire lowered her head, a sad look coming to her face. "We truly regret our actions. We desperately wanted peace."

I wasn't convinced that was what all the other vampires felt. I glanced over to the table where they all sat, frozen. Unmoving. Not even breathing. It brought chills down my spine and the urge to attack. But I kept myself in control. I fought against every urge I had. Even though I didn't trust the vampires, not anymore, I still wanted to keep up a solid relationship with them. Their protection could benefit against other vampires that lurk in our area.

"Mike Newton, was for Henry's sake. He wished to protect his daughter. We realize we should have talked with you first. It won't happen in the future." Raymund allowed. "As for Leah getting attacked. That was an accident. Henry lost control over himself. He was right in the middle of hunting. But he managed to stop. He didn't kill her."

"So, why erase her memories?" Sam said with a frown coming to his face.

"Well, we didn't want you all to think we meant to hurt her. We were going to convince her that it was another vampire who had attacked her. Eventually, when everything calmed down, we planned on providing all her memories back to her." Raymund replied.

"Again, we realize we haven't been very honest. But I promise, we will remain open and honest from this point on." Claire interjected quickly.

"And as for Sophia, taking away my imprint with Emily?" Sam said, turning to throw a glare in Sophia's direction.

She was truly beautiful. A red-head, pin-straight locks and long angular features. The vibrant red lipstick on her lips were a sharp contrast to her pure ivory skin. She clicked her tongue in obvious annoyance. "Leah shared her heartbreak with me and Liddie. How the love of her life left her, over some silly imprint. I've never heard of something so cruel. Love is more than some forced connection between strangers. That bond isn't real. The proof is what happened after I erased the imprint. There was no real love between Sam and Emily. Sam went right back to the woman he truly loved from the start. That's why I did it. Not because of Jacob."

Sam swallowed, glancing to where Emily sat. Pain danced in his eyes, before turning back to Leah. He placed his arm around her, keeping her close to his side. "I'm sorry," He whispered quietly.

I didn't agree with what Sophia said. I know the love between Edward and I was real. It wasn't a forced connection. We both were willingly tied together. Our souls were connected. Even if the imprint was to be erased, I was confident that my feelings for him would never change.

Lucy wasn't a fan of where this conversation had started going. "Look, there were some mistakes. Fine. But let's not completely throw the idea away. How about the packs will dissolve boundaries, while keeping limited boundaries with the vampires."

"How limited?" Edward muttered.

"Let's say, they can roam all lands during daylight hours, but once night hits, they can only remain on their land?" Lucy bargained.

Sam and Edward shook their heads stubbornly.

"They can enter my land during the day, for a few hours, every other day." Edward said with a reluctant look. I squeezed his hand, which was laced in mine under the table. His body remained tense. I could tell he didn't like giving up this much to the vampires. He really didn't trust them. Didn't want to be around them. He worried that something was going to happen. He believes that Jacob's influence still lingered there.

Sam rolled his eyes. "After everything that's happened. I'll allow it, once a week, only in the daylight hours."

Lucy made a face, but let her shoulders slump. "I guess that's the best we can do."

Raymund shrugged his shoulders. "I can't think of any reason that any of us would be interested in being on your land. So it doesn't bother us one way or another. The only one that really is interested, would be Henry. But that's only because of his daughter."

"Fair enough, let's decide on how these packs are divided. I'm aware there are a few people that would like to transfer packs." Sam said, glancing around to the other tables.

Lucy smirked, folding her arms across her chest. "All who want to transfer to my pack stand up."

We waited, no one stood.

"And who would like to transfer out of the pack?" Her tone turned cold.

Three men from Jacob's old pack stood, none of them making eye contact with her. They looked tense, uncomfortable, and almost embarrassed. I didn't know what Lucy could have possibly done to those boys, but they looked eager to get out of her pack. Also, Irina stood. She didn't look quite herself. Not since Felix's death. She cut her hair really short, and tended to wear more masculine clothing, some of which was Felix's old clothing. She kept a hard look on her face at all times.

"What pack would you like to join and state why you would like to leave your current pack." Edward said, watching the three of them with narrowed eyes.

The first guy buffed out his chest. "There is no way I'm serving under a woman. I'd ideally like to join the blood moon pack."

Lucy snorted. "Pathetic,"

Edward turned away, leaning back in his seat for a moment. "What do you think, my sweet? You will be the luna of the pack. Would you feel comfortable with this boy joining us?" His dark eyes captured me for a moment. Distracting me once again.

The guy watched me anxiously. I didn't bother giving him a second glance.

"Anyone that would question the leadership of a pack, purely because of gender, no, I don't think I'd be interested in someone like that in the pack."

"You heard the verdict, it's a no for us." Edward nodded.

Sam looked over the guy now. "And what is your name?"

"My name is Zack, but my friends call me Zeke." He announced with a bow of respect.

"Well Zack, Edward won't accept you. But I might. If you answer something for me correctly." Sam offered.

Zack bobbed his head eagerly. "What's the question?"

"What does it mean to be strong?"

Without hesitation Zack answered. "Having the strength to protect everyone. Physically and mentally."

There was a pause, Sam and Edward exchanged looks.

"Not the answer I was looking for, but I'll allow it." Sam granted with a look of reluctance.

The remaining two guys joined Edward's pack, after answering a few questions. Edward didn't seem thrilled about letting anyone join his pack, but he looked to me for suggestions. I thought it was a good idea to add more people to our little family. And the two that joined never had any respect for Jacob, or his choices. I remembered Irina telling me that a long time ago. I trusted her judgment.

"What pack would you like to join Irina?" Sam asked with a slight smile. "You are welcome in either pack."

Irina set her hands on her hips. "If he would allow, I'd like to be in Edward's pack. I've found my Luna, I'd like to follow Bella."

Edward nodded with a chuckle. "Of course, we would love to have you."

I smiled brightly at the relief that came to Irina's face. She bowed her head respectfully, before taking her seat. Lucy narrowed her eyes at Irina for a moment. "That's a shame, to lose a strong female from my ranks. But I understand."

There were a few more switches between the packs, but it didn't take too long. I had to take a few bathroom breaks in between people talking. Alice went with me each time. The size of my stomach made me really unsteady on my feet. So if Edward wasn't able to walk me to the bathroom, Alice was there. These meetings were always so boring. Hopefully this will be the last one, for quite a while.

Sam's pack had nearly doubled in size, after everything was said and done. But it was Edward's pack that had the most members now.

Lucy only had four. She renamed the pack, the Silver Dawn pack. Lucy was given the okay to recruit more members, if she found any more of our kind. Lucy's pack was small for a reason. She decided to make her pack into more of a nomadic pack. They moved around a lot, searching for others, to bring them in to supply fresh blood to the remaining packs. Of course, they would return to Forks often, but they mostly would be on the road. If I had the option, I would love nothing more than to live my life on the road. Traveling, seeing new places, learning new customs and beliefs. The world was a big place and there was a lot that I didn't know about. Maybe someday, I will get to see some of it.

With the new faces in the pack, Edward decided to change the name of his pack as well. Of course, he wanted my input on names. We had it narrowed down to two. We decided over a game of rock-paper-scissors. In which the pack name Crimson Stone was established. Everyone agreed with the name in a vote.

I was looking forward to joining Edward's pack, that was really all I could think about. But that wouldn't be for a while. Not until we get married. That thought alone was enough to scare anyone. I wasn't sure how I felt about marriage. I never really saw the point in it. But Alice thought differently. She talked endlessly about Jasper proposing. She was really looking forward to it. Although, he didn't leave any hints of doing that any time soon.

The meeting ended on a positive note. Everyone seemed happy. We all wound up meeting back up at Sam's for one last party, to seal the deal. I wasn't sure if Edward was up for it. I think the two of us would just go home and have some alone time. That's all I wanted. And perhaps a foot rub. My body had all kinds of new aches and pains, now that I was pregnant. That was another thing, I couldn't wait for this pregnancy to be over. I was uncomfortable most of the time. I knew it would be worth it all in the end. When I could finally hold my angels in my arms.

A/N: I hope you enjoy this chapter. If so, leave a review. I really appreciate hearing what you all think. If anyone is interested in becoming a Beta for this story, reach out to me. I'm open for some help.