A/N: I know you're all probably going to hate me for this, seeing as I'm not sure how this alert is going to appear to you guys, but I just wasn't happy with with a three page chapter. So, here's the updated much longer chapter, yay! As always, those who are patient, thank you so much. To those who take the time to write reviews, seriously, thank you. I know I say this a lot, but it's those reviews that keep me going, and to the people who take time to write such long/thoughtful reviews; honestly it makes my day. I know I don't respond much because I'm socially awkward and never know if I should, but I read each and every review and they all mean so much to me. Anyway, thanks for reading my rant, please enjoy my improved chapter.

Chapter 16

It had been an agonizing few minutes since Sam had promised to get permission from Jared, but soon, Sam had laid eyes on his Alpha.

"Bella!" Sam called as he reached the clearing Bella and Jared had been standing in, only to pause. Confused and more than a little worried that Bella lost it, Sam looked between Jared and Bella, who appeared ready to fight each other, then to the unconcerned Elder reading a book, then back to Bella and Jared. "Everything okay?"

"Sam, perfect timing," Bella said with clear relief in her voice. "Sparring match, two on one, now."

The light in Bella's eyes was more wolf than human, and it didn't take an expert to see that Bella needed to release at least some of her pent up energy. Sam nodded in agreement, and after exchanging a glance with Jared, both boys launched themselves at Bella.

Jared and Sam got their asses handed to them in under a minute.

"Shit!" Bella cursed, dropping between the two groaning boys as she looked between them with clear worry. "You two okay? I didn't hit you that hard, did I?" Bella had been sure she had held back as much as always, had made sure of it, but the quickly developing bruises told otherwise.

"I'm fine," Jared grunted as he sat up, trying to prove his words. "Sam?"

"I'll survive," Sam said in agreement. As long as the sky stopped spinning, that is. "I have something to report."

"Is everyone safe?" Bella demanded, immediately alert and ready for a potential threat. Elders be damned, she wasn't about to put her pack in danger because of the old windbags.

"Yeah." Sam explained what had occurred, not even bothering to look in Bella's eyes as he felt her anger start to rise. He knew he'd feel the need to submit if he dared, and he didn't want to struggle with fighting the need just to give out information.

Regardless of the ideas Bella had about her relationship with Rosalie, the idea of how Rosalie had been waiting for her, that Rosalie had thought Bella had run away, made Bella's chest tighten in a way that was undeniable.

Bella and her wolf were in perfect sync.

Elders be damned, she was going to see that frustrating blonde, and she was going to do it now.

"Sam, take me to her," Bella said, grabbing both guys by the shirt and putting them on their feet with an ease that even other wolves wouldn't be able to accomplish. "Jared, you're running interference. Don't let those Elders get too up in their own butts." Sam nodded, but before they could act on Bella's orders, another Elder than the one who had been watching them hurried over. Bella wouldn't have even paused, if it weren't for the strong stench of panic that the Elder was emitting.

"Bella, it's Charlie," the Elder said, panting with exertion. "He's in the hospital."

Shit! Bella had a moment to be torn, but forced herself to make a decision quickly. No matter how much she wanted to see Rosalie, Charlie's life came first.

"Jared, Sam, go to her," Bella murmured. Despite the low volume of her voice, her order was as strong as ever. "Do whatever it takes to make sure I can see her, and soon."

"Yes, Alpha," the boys chorused. Despite how much their bodies still ached from the accidental beating Bella had delivered, they took off. Feeling Bella's urgency as if it was their own, they pushed themselves to their limits to get to Bella's mate as fast as possible.

Bella turned to the still panting Elder, who was looking at her with a strange, almost awed expression on his face. "Take me to Charlie," Bella ordered the old man, not giving a thought to showing him respect.

"Of course." Gathering himself, the Elder started to lead the way at what felt like a snail's pace. Bella's anxiety only grew as she moved further away from Rosalie, while moving at such a painstaking pace to her father.

Bella trusted her pack to do everything necessary to work things out, but the main concern was Charlie. He had to be okay. He had to be.

Charlie hadn't been at the tribe doctor, much to Bella's fury; they had brought Charlie into Forks' hospital. Had Carlisle not been a vampire of compassion, she wouldn't have been able to even visit Charlie, as it would have been "Cullen territory." Which meant the entire ride to the hospital, Bella had to be on a phone call with the Elders where they were warning her about a misstep, about how this could be a trap by the Cullens, and more bullshit...but not a single one of them seemed to care about the fact that one of their own was in the hospital. Only about how the Cullens could be there and attack for no reason or that Bella might mess something up. It was fucking infuriating.

Finally when they arrived at the front of the hospital, Bella was about to jump out of the car and run to find out about her father. Instead, the Elder locked the door of the car before Bella could get out. When she turned to him in disbelief, he puffed up his chest. He thought he was an important son of a bitch about to impart some ancient wisdom. Bella could see the arrogance on his face, and wanted nothing more than to use that face as a battering ram if anyone wouldn't let her see her father for one more second.

"Remember, Bella, this isn't about Charlie; this is about the safety of our people. You are walking right into the head Cullens' territory, and-"

"Shut the fuck up and let me out, or I swear the only threat to your safety will be me, you fuck-" Bella's snarled threats were interrupted by a knock on the window, and both she and the Elder turned to find a group of girls waiting outside. Not just any girls, either, but all of the pack imprints, even Emily despite her still healing face.

"What are you girls doing here?" the Elder asked in confusion after rolling down his window. "This is pack business-"

"And we're pack," Rachel said hotly, crossing her arms over her chest and giving the man a look, daring him to fight her on the issue. However, the stupid fucker seemed ready to argue anyway, so Rachel's twin cut in.

"Just because we can't turn into giant wolves doesn't make us any less a part of this," Rebecca said, giving the man a sweet smile that hid the evil, terrifying bitch she could be underneath. "This is our Alpha's father, after all, and with us around, the Cullens can't do anything. We're humans after all. Right, sir?"

Bella looked from the imprints to the Elder in disbelief as she could see that one rusty cog in the Elder's head turning as he nodded.

"Oh, well, I guess so…" the Elder mumbled, seemingly convinced.

"Great!" Kim reached through the driver's window and unlocked the doors. Immediately, Emily opened Bella's door, grabbing Bella by the bicep and dragging her out as the twins kept the Elder distracted in the chance he might change his mind and start kicking up a fuss. Bella herself was so surprised by the appearance of the imprints she didn't even remember she wanted to kick the Elder's face in until Kim and Emily had hooked their arms through hers and dragged her through the doors of the hospital.

"What are you guys doing here?" Bella asked, still stunned by the last five minutes of her life.

"Isn't it obvious?" Rebecca asked as she and Rachel joined them, leaving a still confused Elder behind. "We're here to stop your stupid ass from doing anything that might cause problems for you later."

"And as emotional support," Rachel piped up. Bella turned to see her watching the alpha with clear concern. "I heard you've been going through a lot recently."

Bella shrugged, trying not to let her mind wander to Rosalie and the entire situation with the Elders. She had to stay in control, if only for Charlie's sake. "Doesn't matter."

"Of course it matters!" Emily hissed, glaring harshly at the Alpha. "Just because we imprinted on someone doesn't mean we suddenly stopped caring about you."

"It does make it a little awkward though," Kim admitted, blushing a bright red. "When I had to tell Embry…"

"At least we only did it once?" Bella asked wryly as the other three stared at Kim in disbelief. Kim blushed a darker shade of red, suddenly trying to find anything to look at that wasn't any of the girls.

"Seriously? Is Rebecca the only girl imprint you haven't slept with?" Rachel asked in disbelief.

At that, Rebecca and Bella grimaced.

"Um, about that…" Rebecca started to murmur, and Rachel's jaw dropped.

"No way," Rachel gasped. "Seriously?" Rebecca nodded awkwardly. "When was this? How did I not know? Wait...was this why you were so determined to get off the Rez and go to college on the other side of the country?"

"Is now really the time?" Rebecca asked with a touch of desperation, but it looked like that only made things worse. Immediately, Rachel knew the truth.

"Holy shit she is!" Rachel continued to gape, but there was hurt in her eyes too. Hurt that Rebecca never admitted anything to her. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"Bella, really? What girls on the rez haven't you slept with yet?" Emily asked in bewilderment. "Is there even one? Tell me there's at least one."

Thankfully at that moment, the receptionist waved Bella forward. It was more of a relief than Bella would admit, and she hurried forward, doing her best to pretend she wasn't the reason for the disapproving stare on her back or the twins arguing behind her.

"I'm here for Charlie Black," Bella said desperately. "I heard he was admitted here. I'm his daughter."

"Oh, yes, of course. Charlie Black," the woman said and she winced. Bella really didn't like that the woman winced. Why would she wince when thinking about Bella's dad? "He is accepting visitors, but I'm afraid only one can go back at a time. Your...friends...will have to stay behind."

Shit, the woman had totally heard their conversation. Bella didn't have time to care, too concerned for her father. "Of course. What room?"

"107. Just go left and straight back."

The four imprints barely had time to wish Bella luck and promise to wait for her before Bella was gone, all but running down the hall. She was so panicked, she didn't even register who else was in the room with her father until it hit her; the scent of sugary bleach.

Bella froze in the doorway, eyes wide, having to grip the doorframe as her wolf snarled with fury, the need to shift so strong Bella started to shake with the need right there in the doorway. In her mind, Bella knew that Carlisle Cullen worked at the hospital, but seeing the vampire so close to her father, able to possibly kill Charlie before Bella could even move, meant her instincts didn't give a damn about why the leech was there. All she cared about was that she smelled blood, Charlie's blood, and the leech was too close. She wouldn't let the vampire hurt her dad, she would die first.

"Bells, it's okay," Charlie said as Carlisle purposely backed away from Charlie's hospital bed slowly. "The man is just doing his job. He didn't hurt me."

"I am in complete control of my thirst," Carlisle promised softly. "I understand your fears, Alpha, but I promise no harm to him will come from me."

The man's voice was calm, reassuring, but it didn't help like it should. Not when Bella was already emotional, not when all she could smell was vampire and her father's blood, not when she could see how weak and haggard Charlie looked, when she could see Charlie's blood on the leech's hands…

Bella grit her teeth, straining not to lose it. Come on, Black, Bella thought desperately to herself, to her wolf. Don't prove the Elders right. Wrong thought, as the thought of the Elders led to their little conversation earlier, and Bella felt her anger rise. Shit, damn it, no! Rosalie will kill me if I hurt her dad.

Just like that, the wolf part of her settled, and Bella was back in control. It was hard not to curse herself; of course mentioning Rosalie would be the thing to calm her down. Her wolf just loved to fuck with her. Loved to rub the imprint bond with the blonde in Bella's face whenever she got the chance.

I'm still not in love with her, Bella thought to her wolf angrily. I never will be, either. The only reason I still want to see her is so I can get you to stop being such a dick.

Strangely enough, the wolf didn't get upset. Didn't even seem annoyed at Bella's thoughts.

"I'm sorry about that," Bella said, taking a deep breath to calm herself further. "It's been a bit of a day."

"No apologies needed," Carlisle assured Bella. The man seemed way too understanding. "In fact, I'm impressed with your control for someone so young. Not many could have controlled themselves in this situation, even with age and experience on their side, especially with a loved one in such a state." With a smile, Carlisle added, "You must have been worried, but I assure you, Charlie should be fine. We will just need to keep him overnight for observation, just in case. If all goes well, he should be coming home early tomorrow."

Why the hell was Bella's supposed mortal enemy more understanding about the shifter than the Elders? The man seemed more compassionate and human than the humans Bella was supposed to protect; that is, if Bella chose to forget the smell, golden eyes, and blood diet.

"I came as soon as I could," Bella told her dad. She hurried to her side, having to fight against her instincts once more just to turn her back on Carlisle and stand at Charlie's bedside. "What happened to you?" And why wasn't I there to protect you?

"You couldn't have done anything, kiddo," Charlie assured his daughter, able to read the pain and self focused anger on Bella's face. "It was just an accident. Wrong time, wrong place and all that."

"But what happened?" Bella stressed. "I mean, you're at Forks hospital for fucks' sake. I know it's bad when the Elders actually let someone come here."

Charlie actually looked embarrassed. "It was stupid. Managed to fall and get myself with my own knife," he admitted, but something was wrong. Bella didn't know what, maybe it was the increased speed of his heart, but Bella knew. She just knew Charlie wasn't telling her the truth; at least not all of it.

"Your own knife?" Bella repeated.

"Yeah. I'm never going to live this down, huh kiddo?" Charlie looked away, scratching the back of his head.

"Definitely," Bella said with a laugh. "Of course you of all people managed to stab yourself. You're a mess, Charlie."

"Oh, shut it," Charlie snorted, giving Bella a gentle shove that didn't come close to budging her. "Mistakes happen."

"Not one as bad as this." Bella shook her head. "Seriously, you drilled knife and gun safety into me before I could walk. How is it that you're the one that managed to stab himself? It's supposed to be who does the stupid fuck ups."

"It's thanks to those talks that you didn't," Charlie retorted. "And you better not screw up like that anytime soon, either. A man my age can only take so many heart attacks."

"You mean like the one you gave me when I heard you were in the hospital?" Bella retorted.

"Nope. The heart attacks you give me are way worse than that."

"Shall I give you two some time alone?" Carlisle cut in politely. "I'm sure you'll both feel more at ease without me around."

Charlie met Carlisle's eyes. "If you could, Doc. Thanks." Not only was Charlie cordial to the vampire, but there wasn't an ounce of mistrust or hate in his eyes. If anything, he seemed to hold respect for the leech.

"Of course. I'll check in on you in an hour." With that, Carlisle left the room, taking Charlie's medical chart with him.

"The hell was that about?" Bella whispered once Carlisle was down the hall. "You're an Elder, Charlie, aren't you supposed to hate the Cullens like the rest of them? What I just saw sure as hell wasn't hatred. You actually seem to like the guy."

"This isn't the best place to discuss this," Charlie muttered. Bella was about to push the issue when Charlie shifted to get more comfortable, only to grunt in pain.

"Seriously, the hell did you do to yourself old man?" Bella asked worriedly. She wanted to help, but instead found herself standing uselessly at his bedside as he struggled through the pain. Bella had been trained to fight and protect humans, but she hadn't been trained how to help them when they were suffering. It was frustrating, having no idea how to comfort the man who had saved Bella from so many pains over the years.

"Eh, it'll heal soon enough," Charlie said with a shrug. Bella started to voice more concerns, maybe try to get him to admit more about what had happened to him, but Charlie waved her off. "Forget about me for now. There's more important shit to talk about."

"I don't really see what's more important than you nearly dying," Bella grumbled, but she could tell Charlie wouldn't say more on the topic. If she pushed further, she'd just keep getting shut down in that too nice way of his, and Bella knew it.

"Ah, but there is. I wanted to apologize, Bells," Charlie said. Bella's eyes flitted up to meet his, not even bothering to hide her confusion.

"You want to apologize to me for accidentally stabbing yourself?" Bella asked skeptically.

"No, Bella." Charlie's chuckle stopped short with a wince of pain, his hand moving to his stomach as if to try and physically stop the pain. Bella watched helplessly as he took a deep breath, waving off Bella's hands as she struggled to try and do something for her dad. "I want to apologize for how you've been treated."

Now Bella was even more confused. "You've always treated me amazingly, Charlie. You've put up with more shit than anyone on the Rez and raised me like I was your real daughter. There's nothing to apologize for."

"You are my daughter," Charlie said sternly with a frown. "Just because we don't share blood doesn't change that. You couldn't be more my daughter even if I birthed you myself. Don't you ever think otherwise, you hear me?"

"Thanks for putting that fucked up image in my head," Bella grumbled, looking away to try and hide how much his words meant to her.

"What, you've never heard of a man giving birth before?" Charlie joked lightly, but quickly turned serious. "That's not what I wanted to apologize for. What I wanted to apologize for was how I was letting the other Elders treat you since you became the Alpha." Bella glanced over at him to see his jaw set, his fists clenching with his own anger. "I keep thinking I'm doing everything I can to help you, but I'm always outnumbered and it never feels like enough."

"Dad? Tell me you aren't crying," Bella said, horrified. She had never seen the man cry since the day he cried happy tears at Bella's adoption, but the wet look to his eyes couldn't be anything else. Shit, she didn't know how to deal with crying people at all, let alone a crying dad. She could already feel panic welling up inside of her.

"I'm not crying," Charlie said gruffly, wiping at his eyes. "I just hate what they're doing to you. How much anger and pain you're already trying to hide from me." Charlie's voice actually cracked. "This isn't the life I wanted for you, Bells. I wish I could take it away from you. Give you the happiness you deserve."

"Well I don't," Bella said softly, sincerely, and now it was Charlie's turn to be surprised as Bella took his hand in hers. "I mean it. Yeah, the Elders are shit, their rules are shit, and there's a ton of other shit-" like a certain blonde, but Bella still wasn't ready to even admit that out loud, let alone tell her dad, "-but there's good shit too." Not to mention Bella felt like no one else could properly take on the roll beside her.

"Really?" Charlie's eyes were wide, his mouth open, looking much like one of the fish he was so obsessed with catching.

"Really," Bella assured him. "Let me tell you some of the good that's happened since becoming a wolf."

That was exactly what Bella did. She told Charlie about the way the world smelled to her now, the strength and speed, how much fun she had seeing through different eyes, being in a different form. Of friendship and bonds and pack play nights and jokes and games and so much more.

"Bella, there's a problem," Emily's whisper reached the wolf's ears even among all of the noise in the hospital, interrupting Bella mid sentence. "Don't panic, but we kind of need you here. Now. We're in the parking lot."

"I've gotta go," Bella said, standing abruptly. Seeing the worry on her dad's face, Bella kissed him quickly on the head. "Everything will be fine. Emily just needs me to check on something for her."

"Bella…" Charlie looked to be searching for what to say, but couldn't seem to find it. Instead, with a sigh of defeat, he said, "Be careful."

"You know I don't know what that word means," Bella replied cheerfully, earning a bark of laughter from her dad. "Love you." Before she could hear his response, Bella took off down the hall, back toward the waiting room. She tried not to appear too panicky as her eyes scanned for any of the imprints or potential threats.

It was only when she all but kicked down the slow moving automatic doors that Bella smelled the fear and anxiety of the four girls. That, along with the sugary bleach smell of two unknown vampires.