AN On to the next chapter, where Bella returns to the Cullens.

chapter 7

BPOV

I headed back to the motel mentally preparing myself to head back to the Cullens. I still had a job to do after all. Just because there was some strange glitch going on that had me feeling like I'd met my mate, didn't mean I could abandon my duty. And that was to investigate the seer and her gift.

I quickly grabbed a shower, making sure to wash the scent of the wolves off of me thoroughly. I didn't want to alert them I'd been there. After I was dressed again and scent free, I packed my stuff and checked out of the room, to make sure I had all my ends neatly tied up if I had to leave suddenly. Then I packed everything in the car and headed to their house again.

I bit my lip nervously as I made my way over. I wasn't sure exactly how to get there by car, so I rolled down my windows and was quickly able to follow their now familiar scents. I wondered how Edward had taken my sudden disappearance.

Though I hadn't been gone long, not even a full 24 hours had passed, I had run out on him which must have left him bewildered. Especially if he'd felt the same.

Though my mind was still slightly in denial and refusing to believe it was actually the mate connection I'd felt. It could still be a fluke. Perhaps it was just regular old attraction. Who knew?

But my heart did know. And it was screaming at me that regular attraction did not feel this way.

But still my mind was undecided.

A mate was dangerous for me. A mate could be used against me. I shuddered to think what would happen if Edward were truly my mate and Aro discovered his existence. I quickly pushed that thought away. I didn't even want to go there.

Nothing was certain yet. I could simply avoid him and just look into Alice and then leave again.

But as I pulled into their drive and came up on the house, the front door opened and a dishevelled looking Edward appeared, all my plans flew out the window and the only thing I wanted was to get to know this handsome boy.

His clothes were rumpled and dirty, his hair a mess, like he'd been pulling at it, and his face was drawn into a frown. I frowned at that. What had happened to him?

But then his gaze zeroed in on mine and before I knew what was happening the car door was yanked open and Edward pulled me from the car, crushing me against his chest in a crushing hug. I was confused.

'she's here!' someone yelled from inside the house and soon every was gathered around us. Edward was still holding me tightly. And I struggled with myself not to let myself sink into his embrace. When he finally pulled back he cradled my face in his hands.

'Bella' he breathed. 'You're okay.'

'yes?' I said but it sounded more like a question. I was thoroughly confused about what was going on.

'I followed after you when you ran earlier and found your scent heading into Quileute land' his voice trembled slightly. 'I … we didn't tell you about them so you couldn't have known, but when you didn't return…' his words were a jumbled mess and I still had no idea what was going on.

'Let's go inside.' Esme interjected, pulling me slightly away from Edward. His hands fell from my face to my shoulders and down my arms until he was holding onto my hands tightly. His touch leaving a fiery trail all over. 'I'm sure Bella is confused and then we can explain everything fully.'

'That would be great.' I muttered as I stared up at Edward with a confused frown.

His frown had disappeared to be replaced with relief. He reluctantly released one of my hands and started guiding me to the house, quietly muttering to himself that I was safe and unhurt.

'What's going on?' I asked once we were inside.

Edward pulled me to the couch and sat us both down, sitting close to my side and pressing himself against me so our legs and arms were touching.

'When you left rather abruptly,' Carlisle started. 'Edward got worried and followed you. Your trail lead towards Quileute land and he called me.' he sighed. 'We have a treaty of sorts with the Quileute people. We don't set foot on their land and we promise not to hurt any humans. In turn they leave us in peace. You see, they are shapeshifters with the strength to kill vampires.' He looked at me with concern.

I just nodded for him to continue, I didn't let on I knew about the wolves of course. But this explanation still didn't really explain this freakout.

'We started running the boundary line to see if you'd crossed back somewhere, but when we didn't find any other trails we started to get worried. The wolves that are currently shifting are young and dangerous and can attack quite indiscriminately.'

'They've attacked vampires?' I asked shocked. The pups I'd met didn't seem like they'd survive that in this state.

Carlisle shook his head. 'Not that we know of. But they are very much capable of it and inflicting serious damage in the proces. The current alpha blames us for his current state and he's not very forgiving. When you hadn't returned after some hours, I called Billy black, the chief of the tribe, and he told me you had been sighted on their land and were involved in an altercation with one of the wolves.'

'And that was all he would tell us.' Edward spat. His shoulders tensing and his hand tightening around mine. 'We didn't know if you were hurt or even alive and the bastard-'

'Language.' Esme interjected, but there was no heat behind it.

'didn't tell us anything.' Eward continued as if Esme hadn't interrupted him.

'We almost crossed into their land to go look for you ourselves. ' Emmett said, looking quite upset it hadn't happened.

'But I assured everyone that Billy would have told us if something bad had happened and made everyone wait here for you.' Carlisle cut in quickly.

It seemed I had caused quite some stress for the family by my sudden disappearance and unknown allegiance with the wolves. I would have to be more careful in the future when going to the reservation. I couldn't have my trail followed across the boundary line again.

'That's why we were so anxious and are relieved that you're okay.' Esme finished, smiling gently at me.

'Are you hurt?' Edward asked, turning to face me fully and checking me over.

I shook my head, overwhelmed at how kind and caring this vampire family was. They definitely were a different breed from the others. Or was this what being in a warm and loving environment could do for our species? I pondered that for a moment as Edward's concerned gaze roved over my form assessing that I was indeed unharmed.

'So what happened?' Rosalie asked when Edward was satisfied that I was fine.

'I went for a run to clear my head. I like to go to the ocean when I'm thinking about things, so I just followed the scent of sea and ended up at a beach. I did run into a large wolf who wasn't too happy about me being there, but there wasn't much he could do about it.' I shrugged. Again I stuck as close to the truth as I possibly could. 'After that I went to the motel to grab my things and my car and then I came back here.'

'What do you mean, he couldn't do anything about it?' Jasper asked.

I grinned and turned to Edward. 'Would you like me to show you why you never have to worry about me getting hurt?'

Suddenly I was excited at the idea of showing a small bit of my shield's ability to him. I didn't want him to worry about me. I didn't like that I'd been the reason for his distress. And if I showed this to him, I knew he wouldn't have to worry about that anymore ever again.

He frowned at me, his eyes curious as he nodded slowly.

'Jasper would you mind helping out?' I asked, gesturing outside.

Jasper was frowning too, but he nodded anyway. Everyone got to their feet, curious as to what would happen as we headed outside. I asked Jasper to face me out on the lawn. The rest of the Cullens stood watching curiously from the porch.

'Attack me.' I told him.

He hesitated, his eyes cutting to this family.

'Come on, I promise you can't hurt me, and I promise I won't hurt you… much'

Emmett guffawed at that, probably assuming that with Jasper's skill and experience I was no match for him. little did they know.

But it convinced Jasper of the same and he sank down into a crouch and grinned at me. 'Let's go then.'

I readied my stance. Jasper charged and as he neared me, I snapped my physical shield outwards. He bounced off of it like he'd hit a wall about five yards from me. He flew backward landing hard on his back at the edge of the lawn.

It was silent for a beat.

Jasper groaned as he sat up, rubbing his head. Then Emmett broke out in laughter. And the tension broke.

'How did you do that?' Jasper asked in wonder as he got to his feet.

'You didn't even move!' Emmet exclaimed.

'I told you my shield could do more than just keep these guys out of my head.' I said with ease, gesturing at Jasper, Edward and Alice.

Carlisle's eyes seemed to bulge in surprise. 'That was your shield?'

I nodded and Emmett grinned as he sprang down the steps excitedly. 'I want to try!' he exclaimed, bouncing around me like an excited puppy.

And just like that everyone was having a go at testing out my shield. All bounced off and after they'd been knocked on their asses stared at me in wonder.

'Wow.' Edward said as he was the last one to come down from the porch. He was the only one that hadn't tried yet.

'Want to try?' I asked him. He hesitated, seeming to debate with himself if he wanted to or not. 'I'll lower my shield so you can hear me.' I smiled at him hoping to entice him to try.

It was one thing to see something, another to experience it for himself. If he bounced off of it, I knew he would never again fear for my safety. He'd know my shield is impenetrable.

My offer seemed to do the trick. He walked over and got himself ready. I lowered my mental shield.

Ready? I thought at him. He jolted for a moment but then nodded and charged at me.

For his benefit I tought about using my shield, shifting it out and ensconcing me in its safety. And just like the rest he collided against it and landed firmly on his back a few yards away. I snapped both my shields back in place.

'That's amazing. It's like a muscle.' Edward said in wonder. 'I'm sure you normally work it on pure instinct. Does it have immediate response?'

I nodded. 'I don't have to actively think about it. I only did that to let you see how it works.'

'You, my dear, are a marvel' Carlisle muttered as he shook his head at me. I smiled.

'Well we won't have to worry about you getting eaten by wolves any time soon.' Rosalie said with a laugh. I agreed.

We headed back inside and once we were all seated again I apologised for making everyone worry.

'Normally we wouldn't have been so worried.' Esme said. 'don't feel you have to report to us just because we asked you to stay with us. It's just that the wolves are dangerous and normally we can rely on Alice to know if things will work out.'

'But I can't see you.' Alice finished dejectedly. 'I tried so hard the entire time you were gone, but the most I got were some fuzzy glimpses of I think one of the wolves and you?'

She rubbed her temples as she frowned. 'Don't strain yourself.' Jasper told her gently, pulling her into his lap. She pouted and nodded. 'You know you can't see everything.'

'I know. It just sucks.'

I had a feeling Alice wasn't used to not knowing how things would turn out. I must make her more frustrated than she was perhaps letting on.

She sighed and settled against Jasper, closing her eyes. I wanted to ask more about her gift, but I figured now wasn't the time for that. She looked exhausted, like she'd put herself through a lot, and I wasn't about to question her if she was feeling poorly.

'you okay?' Jasper asked her quietly.

She nodded, giving him a quick kiss on the cheek.

'Now you know about the wolves, we do ask that you keep their existence a secret from other vampires and especially the Volturi.' Carlisle said. 'They might mistake them for children of the moon and slaughter them.'

I nodded. 'Of course. Don't worry. I know you're taking a leap of faith inviting me in your home. but know that I would never if I can help it put you in harms way.'

And that wasn't a lie. I truly felt I had no other option after spending time with them all, but to protect this coven at all costs. My normal ways of operating were going out the window. I couldn't kid myself any longer. I was invested. I was emotionally invested in this family.

They were warm, kind and gentle vampires. A rarity among our kind. And I decided there and then to protect this coven whatever would happen.

I still had to make sure Alice's gift was indeed harmless, I did plan on doing that. But I was certain given the fact that they were this genuine and caring, that there was no way her gift was a cause for concern. I just hoped that if they ever found out my real identity they could forgive me for coming to them under false pretences and lying to them.