Chapter 5

"Bella is in danger," the doc said.

"Tell me something I don't already know. Who is after her?" Paul growled.

"So, you know. How?" the doc asked, sounding surprised.

"We've caught a trail of your kind at the beginning of January in New York and again today. They seem to show up to her concerts." Paul didn't want to tell the doc that they couldn't come anywhere near the Res. He wanted to keep Bella's shield a secret as long as possible, hopefully forever.

"It's the Volturi, Aro to be exact."

"Who the fuck is the Volturi?" Paul asked, confused. What kind of bullshit was this.

"They are kind of our leaders, and Aro is one of the three kings if you will. They have a residence in Italy, in Volterra, and are ancient; they've been around for 3000 years. They make the law for our kind. They have a guard that has many powerful and extremely dangerous vampires."

"And now one of them is after Bella. Why? It doesn't make any fucking sense." Paul could not believe this shit was happening. Why the fuck these bloodsuckers didn't leave them alone?

"Yes, Aro has decided to get Bella to himself. Why he knows about her, we don't know for sure. But it seems that he saw her on Edward's mind. Aro has the same ability as Edward did; he can read minds."

"And why the fuck was he showing his mind?"

"Edward helped the Volturi deal with the vampire world problem a few months before he kidnapped Bella. Edward's gift was more useful than Aro's since Aro needs a physical contact to read the minds Edward didn't."

"But Aro's is more far-reaching; he can read every thought a person has ever made. And considering how captivated Edward was by Bella..."

"For fuck's sake!" Paul interrupted the doc. "That psycho has caused epic problems to Bella."

"Yes, it seems that way, and we want to help. I do feel responsible."

Paul didn't know what to say to that. He didn't hold anything against the doc and the rest of his family, he owed them Bella's life, but he had hoped they wouldn't have ever to see them again, have nothing to do with them.

"We need to meet and discuss what this means and how we'll deal with it, but Bella isn't coming. I don't want her anywhere near your kind anymore, no offense," he said after a short silence.

"None taken," the doc said, "how is she? She's fully recovered from … the incident, I hope."

Paul didn't want to tell him about her pregnancy either, but maybe it was good that the doc knew. He had been very good to Bella when he saved Bella from turning one of them. Bella would have died without the doc.

"She's pregnant," Paul told him.

"That is wonderful news Paul," the doc said, sounding genuinely happy for them. Damn, Paul found it hard to dislike him. He wanted to hate every fucking leech ever walked on the face of the Earth, but this son of a bitch was too caring and good-hearted to be hated.

"How far is she?" the doc enquired.

"She gives birth by the end of April," Paul told him, and he was unable to hide the pride and joy he felt when talking about Bella and the babies.

"Ah, that makes sense then," the doc said gloomily.

"What does?" Paul felt a pang of dread in his heart.

"Alice saw Aro deciding to get Bella when the time is right, and it is safe to say that he's thinking the right time being after the babies are born."

Paul squeezed his eyes shut and willed down the tremors rising from within. The wolf clawed inside him wanting to phase.

This was not happening.

"What the fuck has she ever done to get your kind coming after her?" Paul growled. You fucking freaks; he didn't say that out loud, though. The doc didn't deserve that.

"Nothing, of course, but she cannot help what she is like. She is one of a kind. Truly unique," the doc said. "She is a musical talent, for one, and that sort of thing fascinates Aro. She's also beautiful and was able to block Edward from reading her mind and was immune to his allure. It had made Aro curious about her. You see, our gifts get stronger after we are changed, so whatever it is that made Bella be able to block Edward is going to be a strong gift if she's ever changed."

"She'll never be changed!" Paul growled. "Why the fuck these sickos, your son included, think they are allowed to just take whatever you want?!"

"Aro is beyond caring about human lives. The Volturi lives by their own rules, and they are ruthless. What Aro wants, he gets. Bella is in grave danger because of that. But as I said, we want to help you."

Paul sighed and cracked his neck. Jared and Embry were watching him; they've heard every word. Their faces were mirroring his feelings: disbelief, anger, worry. Was he ever able to stop worrying?

"Can Alice see what is going to happen?" Paul dreaded to ask this, but he needed to know.

"No. She can't see anything about Bella. It is like she doesn't exist. It is confusing since Alice could see her when Edward took her, but now she has disappeared completely. You, shapeshifters, are also a blind spot in her visions, but that was the case before. So, we can't know what is going to happen. We only know that Aro has made the decision to go after Bella, and he is going to take three of the most powerful guards with him, Dimitri, Jane, and Alec."

"What that all means?" Paul asked, feeling exhausted.

"We don't know. But we try to figure things out, and maybe you could help us understand some things better."

Paul didn't know what the doc meant precisely. It was certain that Bella's shield blocked the psychic, and she couldn't see Bella. Did the doc suspect something? Should Paul tell him? But that would mean if any of the Cullens met these Italian psychos, they would be able to see Bella and her gift.

"Do they know about us?" Paul asked.

"I cannot be sure. But I think they most likely do. When Edward was with Aro, Edward was thinking about our move back to Forks, and with that, he had probably thought about the treaty we had made with you. But do they know about the link between you and Bella? That I don't know."

Paul felt his head spinning. His wolf was growling and howling inside. His mate and puppies were in danger, and he was going mad with worry.

"Okay. Thank you for calling me, doc. I'll think about what you told me for a few days, and I'll call you back."

Paul ended the call.

"What..." Embry started, but Paul lifted his hand to silence him. He didn't want to talk with him and Jared now. They heard everything. They would discuss this with the whole pack when back at the Res.

"We'll talk later. You heard what the doc said. I don't have anything to add to it. I need to be with Bella now."

Paul went to the bedroom and closed the door silently behind him. He stayed at the door and looked at his beautiful wife, snoring her mouth open. His eyes blurred. He had always been powerless against the rush of emotions Bella caused in him. He'd never cried before Bella, but looking at his wife, sleeping peacefully, hand protectively over the bump crowing his babies, Paul had to swipe off a single tear from his cheek.

How the fuck had the most amazing moment in their life - the birth of their baby twins – become a moment of dread. Something he wished would not happen. What the fuck should he tell Bella? Should he tell her nothing at all? But of course, he knew it was impossible to hide anything from her. She would sense something was wrong. She would demand to know. "We're in this together," she'd said.

But he didn't want to make her worry. What would the stress do to the babies?

What would it mean to keep her and the babies safe and alive? Paul knew he would do whatever it took. He would sacrifice his own life and anybody in the pack, the whole pack, without a doubt, if he knew she and the babies would be safe. It wasn't thinking of a proper alpha, but Paul had never asked to be one, and there was nothing more important than the safety of Bella and his babies. If Bella died, he would die, and it would end the pack. It was in everybody's best interest to keep Bella safe.

Embry couldn't sleep. He was pretty shaken by the news the leech doc had given Paul. What would it all mean? Bella was in danger but didn't that mean they all were? Katie too. The thought made his wolf growl. But wasn't La Push and the whole Olympic Peninsula safe? There hadn't been any leeches since the bonfire. As long they stayed close to home, they were safe. Weren't they?

But of course, Bella couldn't stay home, or could she? Surely, she would do whatever it took to keep her babies and herself safe. Embry couldn't see why she would risk any of that over her career. He was sure Paul would make her see reason if Bella didn't understand herself.

Embry got up from the bed and went to the kitchen to get some water.

He missed Katie. It's been a long eight days being away from her. His body was aching to phase, and he couldn't wait to be back. But even feeling this edgy now, he had enjoyed being away from the Res. Seattle had been the furthest place he'd ever been and seeing Boston had been an exciting prospect for him. It also made him appreciate home more. Even though he was only 17, he knew he would never want to live anywhere else than in La Push.

And Katie was the same. He guessed imprinting with him had made her fall in love with La Push too, and being from the Makah Res herself, La Push wasn't that different. Katie wanted to teach small children in the Res. That's why she studied in the community college in Port Angeles to become a pre-school teacher.

Embry didn't know what he wanted to do when he finished high school. But he had enjoyed learning more about their history and getting fluent in Quileute. He knew that studying the almost dead language wouldn't bring him a job, but it made him feel prouder of his heritage, more than he had ever felt before. And being a part of the shapeshifter pack made more sense, too; the feeling of being part of something so privileged was amazing. Because that is what it felt like now: a privilege. They were protectors, and being a protector was so much more than running after dead corpses. It was anything but really.

All had changed when Paul became alpha and that Kal-lape had visited them. Life now had a future, even a bright one. He and Katie had made plans to get engaged when he turned 18. It would be another seven months, but it would go fast.

His phone buzzed in the bedroom. Embry dashed back and closed the door.

It was Katie.

"Hi honey, why are you calling this late?" Embry answered the phone. It was 3 am in La Push.

"I just miss you so much," Katie said. "I couldn't sleep."

"I miss you too," Embry said, smiling. He could picture Katie in her bed. Wearing her pink polka dot nightie, she always wore to the bed. "We'll be home late on Monday."

"Is everything okay? You sound a bit strange?"

Embry sighed. He didn't want to tell Katie about the threat to Bella. Things were still a bit strained when it came to her. Katie didn't like Bella, she was too full of herself, in Katie's opinion, and she felt Bella was somehow responsible for what had happened to Kim and Jared. This was the only thing that caused disagreements between the two of them. Embry liked Bella and thought she was a cool chick if a bit weird at times. But Katie and Kim were good friends, and Katie wanted to be loyal to Kim, who blamed Bella and Paul for what had happened.

"If I tell you, you have to promise me not to tell anybody. Not even other imprints."

"What is it, Embry?"

"Promise me."

"I promise. You are scaring me."

That was the last thing Embry wanted to do.

"You don't need to be scared. But Paul got a call from the leech doc today."

"Oh. Why did he call?"

"He told Paul who is the leech showing up at the concerts."

"Well, who. Do I have to drag it all out from you?" Katie giggled.

Embry hated his. He really didn't know if he should talk about this, although Paul hadn't said anything about not telling either, so maybe he could. But Paul had been out of his fucking mind after that call and wasn't probably thinking straight.

"Katie, I really don't know if I'm allowed to tell you yet. Paul wants to talk about the call together with the whole pack first."

"Embry. Don't be silly. Of course, you can tell me," Katie said.

"Okay, but remember that you promised not to tell anybody, including Kim and Milly."

Embry told Katie about the Volturi and how one of them wanted Bella.

"Maybe that would be something she deserves," Katie huffed.

Embry couldn't believe his ears. "Katie! You can't be serious!"

"Why not? She's caused so much trouble to the pack, and if vampires want her so bad, why not let them have her."

"Goddamit, Katie! You can't say things like that. You don't have to like Bella, but fuck. That is so sick even to think like that."

Katie sighed. Embry could feel her moving from the bed. She walked to the kitchen and poured herself something to drink. Embry was silent. He was angry with her.

"You're right," Katie finally said. "Of course, I shouldn't. But I can't help it that I hate her. I just saw Kim today, and she is miserable, Embry. I don't know how to help her." Embry heard that she was on the brink of tears. He longed to hold her, and his anger vanished.

"I understand that, but it's not Bella's fault what happened. You have to let go of that hate," Embry said. "I get that Kim hates her. Bella got her lover in the end, but Kim lost hers. But you didn't."

Katie didn't say anything, so Embry continued. "I don't think you hating Bella helps Kim either. You need to stop it. Kim might be hurt at first, but damn. She has to get out of a funk and start living. She is hurting Jared and making him miserable."

"Yeah, I hate that. But I can't understand how Jared can just stop loving her just like that."

"None of us understands that shit. What was that Old Quil done to us. But Jared never loved her before imprinting, so you should be asking instead how he was able to fall in love with her in the first place."

"I guess."

"But maybe you could help Kim get better, help her let go of the past, and see what would be there for her. Maybe she would want to start studying something at the same college?"

"Maybe. Sorry, Embry. You are right. I spend too much time with her. And Milly isn't helping her either. She is all about hating Bella, and the two of them can be such bitches."

"It would probably be best if you didn't hang out with them?" Embry suggested.

"How could I not hang out with them. We're all imprints, and imprints stick together."

"Johana isn't part of the Bella hating club, and neither is Claire."

"Yeah, you're right."

"Aren't I always?"

Katie giggled and then yawned. He caught her yawn and realized he was ready to fall asleep. Talking with Katie relaxed him.