The wind whipped quickly around her and Bella opened her eyes to find herself in the forest. The sky above her was dark, and though the trees should be alive with noise she found herself surrounded by silence. She scanned her surroundings and was surprised to find herself in a familiar place. Just to her left the trees began to thin and she walked slowly into what was once her meadow..his meadow. The ground below her crunched with each step. As she reached the center of the once beautiful place, she heard a loud crash behind her. Turning she watched as red eyes and diamond bodies slithered quietly from the trees by the dozens. A head of flaming red pushed its way through the crowd and stopped only feet from where she stood.

Bella jolted as a soft hand laid gently on her shoulder. "Easy Bells" the deep voice soothed and a sob caught in Bella's throat as her eyes met her fathers. "Hey now kiddo, none of that." He said as he wrapped an arm around her shoulders, not turning his eyes from Victoria. "I'm here to remind you."

"Remind me?" Bella rasped

"You're never alone,love." Charlie smiled and Bella watched as the large bodies of her wolves prowled behind their prey. Among them stood each member of the Cullen family, fighting together as one.

She watched in fascination as the group worked together to destroy the hoard of vampires. When the battle ended a sole survivor remained. Red eyes and red air streamed towards her as Victoria screamed her fury. Just before Victoria's cold hand could clasp around her throat Charlie's hand's dragged her backwards and she fell to the forest floor.

Bella opened her eyes and groaned. She felt Paul's warm arms wrapped tightly around her.

"Izzy, baby, are you okay?" Paul asked, worry bleeding into his voice.

She blinked to clear her vision and found she was still in the council hall.

"Paul, can you sit me up?" She rasped.

His arms tightened lightly around her and he sighed.

"Christ Iz, you really got quit with the fainting, you're gonna give me gray hair." he teased and she chuckled.

"Yea, well, you can thank the spirits for this one." She said as he sat her up and helped her into a chair.

Jacob pulled a chair up to sit in front of her and softly grabbed each of her cheeks.

"Are you alright?" he asked gently and Bella saw concern flash behind his stoic expression.

She nodded softly. "I'm okay Jake." She glanced up to Paul and took his hand with a soft smile. "We're okay, but… I think there's something coming. Something bigger than we thought."

A crease formed between Jacob's brows and behind him a throat was softly cleared.

Jacob turned his head towards the noise but did not look away from her.

"Jacob..if I may?" his father wheeled slowly to their side.

"I understand that this council has not set the best example" he frowned, "but we would like to help if you'd let us."

Bella looked quickly around the room and found that Old Quil no longer sat among the elders.

Jacob followed her and gazed, "Jared is escorting him home." He looked again to his pack mates before standing and facing the council.

"We will accept whatever guidance you can provide, but know that all decision now lay with the pack."

The council all nodded and turned to face Bella.

"Love, you said.. Did you see something? Were you given a message?" Sue asked quietly from her seat.

"I was alone in the woods" Bella stated, "surrounded by cold ones." Around her the pack snarled.

"It was Victoria. I believe she has created an army, and I believe that she is coming for me."

Paul trembled behind her and before she could calm him he scooped her from the chair before sitting down with her in his lap. She could feel his arms trembling around her, and his growls vibrated her throat where he buried his nose.

"Did you see anything else?" Jacob asked, tension filling his muscles.

"The wolves were there. They were joined in battle by the Cullens. I believe.. I believe there is a reason that it is me who stands in the center of this." she breathed. "I believe that it is my history with the Cullens, my association with their family, that will bridge the gap between our families and help us to win this war."

Bella sat in silence as the council seemed to consider her words.

Finally Billy spoke. "Son, for centuries our people have protected this land. For centuries our warriors have sacrificed so that we might live in peace. If an alliance is what it takes to keep our loved ones safe, I believe it is a risk we must be willing to take."