A/N: Thank you for reading! I love your reviews and the conclusions you guys are already drawing. I'm ecstatic you guys are reading and favoriting! Your response is truly overwhelming.

As always, I own nothing... And thank you to my beta: GoOasis726

Previously:

Bella could see the shivers running up and down his skin, and she worried that he was letting his anger get the best of him. She knew from hearing his story of transformation the night before that anger could trigger a phase into his wolf. Her breath hitched, and she reached over to him slowly, hoping she could help calm him again.

—-

Laying her hand on his arm, she stroked her thumb over his skin.

"Bella, you shouldn't touch-"

"All due respect, Billy, this seems to help." She didn't intend to sound disrespectful, but she was too concerned with helping Sam to care.

As she watched, Sam's trembling ceased, and his fists unfurled. Reaching over, she grabbed his hand, laced their fingers together, and rested them on her thigh.

"Okay, Chief. I think I'm ready to start this meeting. As for why Bella is here… She already knows everything. And frankly, she's here on my side. Not to examine me like a Science experiment." He took a deep breath and continued, "I need her to be here."

Billy cast his eyes around, glancing at the other elders. "Fine. I know that she's aware of the truth of our legends. I see no harm in her staying if she brings you comfort."

There were a few grumbles of discontent with Billy's decision, but one warning glance at the group from the Chief of the tribe caused them to quiet back down. They may disagree with him, but he was their chief, and they would abide by his decision.

Billy asked, "Did you bring everything we needed?"

Bella couldn't tell which of the elders he was looking at– either the man she had yet to meet or Harry Clearwater. Harry was another of Charlie's good friends. Aside from Billy and Harry, Bella didn't know the rest of them, but she supposed that was normal. After all, she wasn't Quileute.

The elderly man beside Harry cast his rheumy eyes toward Billy and answered, "Yes, Chief. Harry and I gathered all the journals we possess."

"Thank you, Quil. We should probably start there. Let's divvy them up, and we can each read them and share information at our next meeting?"

Billy's suggestion didn't sit well with Bella. She felt Sam needed to read them all, and then they could get divided between the elders to read at their leisure. They weren't the ones turning into giant wolves to chase cold ones. She decided it wouldn't bode well for her to speak up too much, especially on that topic. She looked at Sam and could see the uncertainty etched on his face.

Bella whispered, "Ask for them all if you want to. You are the one most affected by this."

Bella's words seemed to give him confidence. Sam straightened his shoulders and said, "Chief, if I may?" He paused and waited for Billy's nod. Once he received it, Sam continued, "I know each elder needs to read them as well, but I can't help but feel as if I should read them all now. I'm a fast reader. My mom was adamant that I learn to read Quileute, and I'd like to read them all rather than wait for others to finish them. I can bring you one or more back each day if that would be acceptable?"

Again, grumbles sounded around the group. And again, Billy hardened his gaze and turned his frown on the elders as he said, "Sam's request makes sense. He is the one shifting and sharing his body with a spirit warrior. However, Sam, I ask that you take only half at a time. The rest will remain here. I will read through them again. It's been a while, and I will mark my places. Should you need another before I finish, we can trade."

Billy cast a long look toward Quil and Harry, and Bella thought maybe he was trying to communicate silently with them. While the older man wanted to argue, judging by the dissatisfied look on his face, he merely nodded when Billy asked if everyone agreed to Sam's request.

"Sam, there are many things you will find in the journals of our ancestors. It has been a few years since we have read them. However, we'd be happy to answer any questions you have."

Immediately, Sam asked, "What do vampires smell like? Do the books say anything about that?"

Billy answered, his brow furrowed, "It is hard to explain as the past warriors didn't have the same things to compare it to. However, many described it as a sweet or antiseptic smell combined with death."

Bella gripped Sam's hand harder. He glanced at her from the corner of his eye and nodded once, answering her unspoken plea for confirmation.

Sam took a deep breath, and his eyes slid shut before he asked his next question. "How do I kill them?"

Bella's heart went out to him. While feeling certain that some of these creatures had lived multiple lifetimes, it had to be hard to think about fighting something that looked like a human, no matter that it was really a monster underneath. She wasn't sure she would be able to do it. But she knew she would be there for Sam, as long as he would let her, to help him through.

"You rip them apart with your teeth and claws and then set them on fire," Old Quil replied.

The very tips of his ears turned red as Sam asked, "Where do I carry a lighter or flint stone? My clothing doesn't exactly phase with me." Bella couldn't help but remember the sight of his backside as he'd slept cuddled up to her legs the day before, and her cheeks flushed for a different reason than Sam's embarrassment.

"Let us think on that, Sam. I'm sure we can come up with something to help," Harry said.

"What else is imperative that I know? I'm not entirely sure what questions I should ask here, guys." Swallowing, Sam continued, "I've heard the legends, yeah, but there must be more that you remember."

A man with the blackest eyes Bella had ever seen and an unfortunate unibrow over top of them answered, "He needs to know about the treaty, Chief."

"Thank you, Tom. There is a coven of vampires that the last pack made a treaty with. There were five cold ones, but only three wolves. My grandfather thought it best to make a treaty with them. They drink from animals, not from humans. It is the only reason Ephraim made such an agreement."

Before Bella could fully process that, Harry was speaking again, and Bella felt like she needed a recording device or a notebook to fill with answers to their questions.

"Do not let them bite you, Sam. These are not traditional vampires. Their skin is like a rock. Impenetrable by anything other than the claws or teeth of a wolf that we are aware of. Also, while they do drink blood, their bite is venomous. This venom is fatal to a wolf. According to our records, it will kill you if you get bitten."

Tears filled Bella's eyes. Sam was the only wolf. No one knew if others would transform, and she was terrified of what that meant for him. Even if this coven of vampires didn't kill humans purposefully, there was still a chance one could slip up. And five against one didn't seem like great odds, even if Sam were the most experienced wolf in the world.

"Well, that's definitely good to know. Avoid the teeth. Got it." Sam tried to play it off as though it didn't bother him, but the tense set of his shoulders told Bella otherwise.

"Should we speak of imprinting, Chief? It might behoove Sam to avoid romantic entanglements." The wrinkles on his face made his frown more pronounced as the elder glared pointedly at Bella.

Billy hesitated before agreeing, "Yes, he should know about imprinting. That is what the past pack called it. Imprinting is the wolf's way of finding his soulmate."

When Billy paused, Sam asked, "And how does that work, Chief?"

"From what I remember, it is similar to love at first sight. It happens when the wolf or man looks into her eyes for the first time. While before, it was the Earth's gravity holding you here. After imprinting, it will be your soulmate that holds you. You will orbit her; feel drawn to her. She will become the center of your universe."

Smiling, Sam turned and winked at Bella. Bella felt confused and wanted to pull her hand away. Somewhere out there, Sam had an imprint. Bella knew she felt drawn to him and desperately wanted to know everything about him, but Sam would have felt that already if it was her. Bella didn't understand how he could turn and wink at her when finding that out. They had some passionate makeout sessions, and she was getting a little angry at his flippancy at finding out he had a soulmate.

To her surprise, Sam asked, "And if I have felt that since phasing? Then what?"

The room fell utterly silent. After a brief pause, Billy said, "Please explain what you mean, Sam."

"I explained yesterday how I transformed back into a man. The wolf felt drawn inexplicably to the most amazing smell ever. I followed it through the woods and found a girl. The wolf looked into her eyes and felt the world tilt on its axis. Then again, once I'd phased and looked into her eyes again, everything inside me knew she was mine, and I was hers."

Bella's sharp inhale was audible as she stared at Sam's face, trying to comprehend what he was saying–that she had heard him right. His gentle smile lit up his face as he watched her. She gripped his hand tighter, and he squeezed back gently, letting her know everything was okay.

"How can you be sure?" Elder Tom asked. "Every other imprint recorded has been of Quileute or Makah descent. Never has there been a paleface among them." Despite Sam's low growl at the disrespect shown to him and his imprint, he continued, "Oh hush, now, wolf. I meant no disrespect. Only speaking the facts as recorded."

Clearing his throat, Old Quil brought all eyes to him. "Actually, Tom, the Swans do have a bit of Ateara blood in them. Charlie's great-grandpa married my aunt. And besides, who are you to question what the Spirits wish? They have guided young Samuel to Bella, and we will respect that."

There was a chorus of agreement from the others around the small circle, but Tom remained sitting with his arms crossed and his face set in a permanent scowl.

When Sam had no more questions, Billy and he split the stack of books. Wheeling himself inside, Billy went to look for an old backpack to carry the ones Sam was taking home. After safely stowing the books and slinging the bag over his shoulder, Sam gripped Bella's hand to help her stand. She took a tentative step and fell into Sam as pain radiated up her calf. Perhaps it was worse than Bella thought. Leaning heavily on Sam's arm, she tried to take another step. When that attempt failed miserably, Sam scooped her up to carry her back to his house.

Old Quil stopped them at the start of the drive and said, "I remember one story of an imprinted pair, Sam. The imprint was injured, and the wolf licked her wounds."

Bella made a strangled sound in her throat at that news. Patting her lightly on the cheek, Quil said, "After a while, the imprint completely healed. I don't know if it's the connection or if wolf saliva has healing properties, but perhaps you might try that for Bella's ankle."

After thanking Quil for the new information, Sam started back down the path to his home. Bella could feel the blush on her skin blazing. When she dared look at Sam, he met her gaze steadily with a smirk. His voice rumbled low in his chest as he spoke softly to her. "I don't mind helping to heal your ankle. It might be fun for both of us." He wagged his eyebrows, and Bella couldn't help but giggle.

"I might let you lick my ankle as a wolf if you promise not to use me as your chew toy…Besides, I can think of better long-term uses for your tongue."

When Sam raised his eyebrows and stuttered, "O-oh yeah?"

She realized how her statement had come out and couldn't help but flush bright red again. Sam's chuckle revealed he was far from offended, but Bella still felt she should explain. "I only meant kissing!"

"Sure you did," he laughed again.

When she hid her face in his chest, he kissed her head and hurried the rest of the way to his house.