The drive back home went surprisingly smooth. I will admit I had little faith in Tanya's driving ability, especially when it came to my truck. I waited for her to make some type of snide comment about how slow my truck was but nothing came. She looked perfectly content with going slow. Although I couldn't be sure if it was because of the weather.

Mine and Tanya's food was resting in my lap as we pulled into the driveway. We didn't really get to talk on the way since Tanya had to focus on the road and couldn't read my whiteboard. I sighed in relief when the truck stopped. The snow always made me nervous regardless of who was driving.

Tanya was at the passenger side in an instant. Now that there were no humans around, she didn't have to pretend to be human. She helped me out of the truck and led me to the front door. "Do you want to go to your room or the living room?" Tanya questioned.

I pointed toward the stairs and Tanya got the hint. She kept me steady as I climbed up the stairs on my own. I wobbled a bit but Tanya kept a firm grip on me so I didn't fall. Tanya knew exactly where my bedroom was. I wasn't sure if she followed my scent or if she knew from running past my house.

Tanya helped me onto my bed. The food was put on the night stand. She looked as if she wanted to climb into my bed with me but instead, walked over to my desk and grabbed the chair. She dragged it over to my bedside. "Do you need anything?"

I thought about it for a minute. Water. Tanya disappeared before I could show her the message. She returned in seconds with a glass of water and a straw. Thanks.

"So, you asked why you felt such rage earlier," Tanya started. "The simple answer is… you felt my rage."

And the complicated answer.

"It's another part of the mating bond," Tanya said. "I can feel some of your emotions, usually when they're more heightened, such as fear, joy, depression, pleasure." I blushed. "Because you're human, you only feel my more extreme emotions such as rage."

Does it ever go away?

Tanya shook her head. "Based on what I've learned from Carmen and Eleazar, a mated couple in our coven, no. It's simply part of the bond. Eleazar believes it's meant as a protection for the couple. For if one of a mated pair dies, the other will follow at some point."

Great. I was forever stuck with feeling the emotions of a vampire. Lucky for me it was only the most extreme of emotions. With any luck I wouldn't have to feel it ever again. Unfortunately, I wasn't that lucky.

"How are you feeling?" Tanya asked concerned.

I'm okay. The nausea is gone. I'm still cold but it's getting better. I should change.

I was able to pull myself out of my bed. I was still a little shaky, to the point where I knew I wouldn't be able to change without Tanya's help. I was debating on whether or not it was worth changing.

"Bella," Tanya said with a sigh. "Let me help you. I promise to not do anything inappropriate but you can't be comfortable in jeans and boots."

Tanya held me steady while I removed my clothes and pulled on my pajamas. I tossed my dirty clothes into the hamper. I stared at Tanya's jacket. I should give it back. I wanted to give it back. But it smelled so nice. Part of me really wanted to keep it. "Keep it Bella," Tanya said. I blushed when I realized she had seen my internal debate. "Goodness knows I have plenty of jackets that I don't need and I'm sure Kate will buy me five more to replace it."

Why do I feel so attached to it? I hated myself for getting sucked back into the world of vampires but I was weak. I couldn't resist.

Tanya took the jacket from my hand and sat it on my desk. She helped me back into bed before taking her spot on my desk chair. "My scent," she answered once we were settled. "Did they tell you about how our scent is meant to draw humans in?"

Yes. Something about how it makes you the perfect predator.

"The one true thing they said," Tanya muttered. She shook her head. "Yes, that is the general idea. But as my mate, my scent is calming to you. It's meant, not to attract you to the predator, but to comfort you. In times of great stress, it can soothe you and in in times of pleasure it will heighten that feeling, make you more excited."

I blushed at the thought. Great, just what I needed. I did not want to start thinking about Tanya in pleasurable situations. I refused. I shook away those thoughts.

My hand hovered over my whiteboard as I debated writing out my next question. Why did they lie to me so much? I ended up writing. I moved to erase it before Tanya had a chance to see it but it was too late. She had already read it.

"I don't know." Tanya said honestly. "I have a few theories but that's it. I don't know if they're right or not. The only way to know for sure would be to ask them."

Can you tell me your theories? I couldn't deny I was curious. I had an idea myself, an idea I couldn't bring myself to say myself.

"Are you sure? I don't want to hurt you?" Tanya said softly. I nodded. "I believe they knew you weren't Edward's mate." I flinched at the sound of his name. "At the very least he knew since he wouldn't have felt the pull to you. It's possible the others didn't know but unlikely with Jasper and Alice's gifts. Either way, it's most likely that Edward," another flinch, "didn't want you to know much about vampires so you didn't figure out the truth. A simple conversation with any of the mated pairs and you would have known something was off."

I looked down at my hands, tears falling down my face. I couldn't stop them even if I wanted to. Everything had been a lie. He never loved me… a part of me already knew that. But everything else had been a lie as well. I was nothing to them, all of them. I don't know which one was more devastating.

Tanya's hand hovered near me. "Can I hug you?" she questioned.

I nodded, desperate for any type of comfort at this point. I should have said no though. I didn't want to give her false hope. Tanya stood and I sat up so she could wrap her arms around me. I sunk into her embrace, my nose buried into her neck, inhaling her scent. Tanya had been right. Her scent did wonders for me.

"I'm so sorry Bella," Tanya muttered into my ear. Her grip on me was tight but not uncomfortable. She pulled away after several minutes. "I didn't mean to hurt her… I shouldn't have said anything."

I shook my head and reached for the whiteboard.

It does hurt but you were honest and that means a lot to me. I tapped my marker to the whiteboard in silent debate. Can you lay here with me? Your… scent is soothing and well… never mind.

"Scoot over," Tanya instructed. She kicked off her shoes while I moved over to allow her space to lie down. She climbed onto the bed. She didn't touch me. I could smell her and the pain lessened. It didn't dazzle me or distract me like his scent did. It was a drug in a whole different way and as much as I hated to admit it, I liked it.

Why would E… I erased the E. I couldn't even write his name. Why would he do that? What does he get out of pretending I'm meant for him? Especially if he was going to turn around and leave me.

"Did you know he came here not long after you moved to Forks?" Tanya asked. I thought back. I didn't recall hearing anything about a trip to Alaska. I shook my head. "You're his singer. Most vampires kill their singers as soon as they meet. That coupled with your ability to block his gift… I wonder if he was under the delusion you were mated and because you're human it was easy to dismiss the mating bond."

Or? While she was doing great at being honest, I could tell she didn't want to tell me everything. Probably to not hurt me more than I already was.

Tanya sighed. "Or, because you're his singer he wanted to keep your scent around for as long as possible," Tanya confessed.

I bit my lip. I had a feeling that was the right answer especially after what happened in the woods, when it was made clear to me he didn't love me. I closed my eyes and let the tears fall. Tanya didn't say anything. She let me process the information in my own time.

I hadn't realized I had fallen asleep until the sound of voices woke me up.

"Bella," Charlie called softly.

I didn't open my eyes as I didn't want him to know I was awake. I focused on keeping my breathing even. Tanya was running a hand through my hair. It took me a minute to realize I was laying on her. "She's asleep Chief Swan," Tanya said. She absolutely knew I was awake but didn't say anything which I appreciated.

I couldn't see Charlie's face but I imagined he was rather surprised to see me laying in bed with Tanya. I hope he didn't get the wrong idea. "Right. How is she?" he asked concerned.

"She's feeling better," Tanya answered. "She was still cold when we got here. I had to help her change since she was a little unsteady. She's been warming up since then and her forehead doesn't feel warm so no fever."

"Good. Good," Charlie said. I could picture him nodding.

"I'm sorry for keeping her outside for so long," Tanya said. It felt like the apology was not only for Charlie, but me as well. "We were talking about why she moved to Alaska and got distracted. I should have known better."

"It's okay Tanya," Charlie said gently. "I'm glad she was talking to you at all. She's been… well distant ever since the Cullen's left, back when we were still in Forks." I tensed slightly at hearing the Cullen's name. Charlie moved further into my room, I heard some shuffling and it sounded like he was now in my desk chair. "When they left, it was as if part of her died. She wasn't eating or sleeping, she's still not eating or sleeping much. It terrified me to be honest, especially when she stopped talking. I tried to get her to move to Florida to be with her mother but Bella refused. It was the first genuine emotion I had seen in days. Finally, I realized she enjoyed living with me and I started looking around for jobs. She seems happier since we moved. She's trying harder to be… normal I guess. I'm glad for it but still… I worry about her."

"I don't know her well Chief Swan, but she does appear to like being here," Tanya said in an attempt to reassure him.

"Call me Charlie," Charlie instructed. "And I hope she does. I would give anything to see her happy, genuinely happy, again." He shifted in his seat. "Did she eat at all?"

"No," Tanya said. Her hand stilled for a second before resuming its stroking. "I believe she was too distracted to think about food. Hopefully she'll eat when she wakes up."

"Yeah," Charlie said with a sigh. It was silent for a minute, perhaps longer, I couldn't really tell. "You and her… are you involved?"

Tanya laughed. "No Charlie, we're not. We just met today after all."

I imagined Charlie's face red with embarrassment. I wouldn't be surprised if mine was too. "Right," he said again. "How old are you?" He was still suspicious of our relationship status and I wasn't exactly helping. Once we were alone I would have to reassure him.

"Twenty-five Charlie," Tanya answered. "My sisters and I own the coffee shop that Bella works at. I'm sure Bella mentioned my younger sister, Irina?"

"Irina, yeah I recognize the name," he said. "How did you guys end up owning a coffee shop so young?"

"Our parents died when I was eighteen. They left behind a sizable inheritance," Tanya explained. "The shop is more Irina's thing. It's her way of giving back, by allowing those in need of a job a stable income and flexible hours. Kate and I help when we can but Kate also owns an auto shop nearby."

"That's… well that's really something," Charlie said. Even without seeing his face, I could tell he was impressed. He stood, the chair scrapping on the hardwood floor. "You're welcome to stay as long as you want Tanya. Uh, if she wakes up, will you tell her to get some food?"

"I will Charlie," she promised.

I heard Charlie leave the room and shut the door behind him but I still didn't move. It was useless to pretend, Tanya knew I was awake the entire time. "I know you're awake Bella," she said. I sighed and sat up. She handed me my whiteboard. "Do you have any questions?"

How old are you really?

Tanya laughed. "Physically I am twenty-five but I've been alive for over one thousand years," she replied.

I gasped. Over one thousand? How was that even possible? She was older than all of them combined. She didn't seem that old. What about your sisters? Wait, are they actually your sisters?

Tanya laughed. "Yes, Kate and Irina are biologically my sisters. Kate is 23 and Irina is 22. I was turned by our biological aunt, and I turned them about a year later," Tanya explained. "Eleazar and Carmen are not related to us. We met about three hundred years ago. It's hard to remember the exact amount of time. Eleazar used to work for the Volturi but he wanted a different way to live. He found Carmen when he was a nomad. The two of them found us and they've stayed with us ever since."

Do you move around every few years? That's what they did.

Tanya shook her head. "No, we've never had a need for that," she said. "We may disappear for a while but we've never left. Most of the time, humans don't really notice when we're not around. Irina and Kate run their shops mostly through other people, only getting involved when needed."

And humans never figure it out? That seems kind of strange.

Tanya laughed. "Yes, I can imagine from your perspective it would be strange. Most humans aren't as observant as you. For the most part, they tend to realize there is something off about us, something they can't explain. But humans don't automatically jump to supernatural explanations. They simply ignore anything that cannot be explained by science. Human nature is what allows us to stay here for centuries."

There was a lull in the conversation. There were many things I wanted to ask but I held back. I could feel myself slowly getting sucked back into the vampire world. I'd already talked to Tanya more than I ever intended. There was something about her that made me interested in what she said. I couldn't explain it. Actually, I was fairly certain I could explain it. It was this stupid mating bond.

I accepted that I wasn't meant for him long ago and I suppose Tanya wasn't the worst person to be mated too. But there was a part of me that wondered, if I was going to be mated to a vampire, why couldn't it have been him? Why did the universe hate me so much?

I doodled on my whiteboard. Tanya was on my bed with me still. I wanted to ask her to move but I didn't. Another thing she had been right about. Being in her presence made me content. I wasn't healed from everything that happened but it was getting there. Her presence seemed to speed up the healing process, especially since I had learned everything with them had been a lie.

"Your father wants you to eat," Tanya commented after a few more minutes of silence. "You really should eat. You're lighter than you should be." I shrugged and continued doodling. Tanya got out of my bed and headed to the door. "I will get you some food."

She left the room and once again the tugging was back. This time, when I thought about it, I could feel exactly where it was leading. Straight to the kitchen where Tanya was. It seemed that now that I had made contact with Tanya the tugging wasn't as bothersome as it was before. Now, it seemed like a subtle reminder that she was nearby. A thought that was far more comforting then it should be.

I climbed out of bed and grabbed my homework. I was feeling much better, almost as if I was never feeling ill in the first place. I took my homework to my bed and dumped it on the comforter. Normally, I never do homework in my bed but it was warm and comfortable and I was still a little chilly.

My math homework was spread out in front of me. I chewed the end of my pencil as I tried to figure out this problem. I was so engrossed in my work that I didn't notice Tanya was coming back to my room.

"Bella," she called when she got to the doorway.

I looked up. She walked into my room while a plate of food. I recognized the food from the BBQ, although it looked like she only did half the portion Charlie gave me. She sat the food on the nightstand. "You need to eat," she said gently.

I pointed to my math homework. She sat down on the desk chair and scooted over to me. "I can help you with it," she offered.

I thought about the offer and shook my head. The last thing I wanted was to rely on her. I grabbed my whiteboard. I'm managing. It takes time but it's not as difficult as I first thought.

I wasn't sure if she could tell I was lying. "Okay," she agreed. It appeared she wasn't aware after all. She stood. "I should go. If you need me, fill free to call or text." I grabbed my whiteboard, ready to tell her I threw away her number. "I added it to your phone while you were asleep. Along with Kate, Carmen and Eleazar's number, just in case."

Thank you. I still didn't plan on contacting her, or anyone, except maybe Irina if needed. But it was nice of her to offer the phone numbers on the off chance I wanted to text her. I saw what her intention was. She was making herself, and the others, available to me, giving me the chance to contact them on my own terms.

"Your father will be up here soon to check on you," she informed me. "Have a good night Bella and if you need me, fill free to text."

I watched as Tanya walked out of my room. I was happy she was leaving and I would finally have peace from vampires. But there was a part of me, the part that felt the tugging now that she was gone, that wanted to stop her from leaving.