Please read the ending notes and thank you all for the love you've given me throughout this story. I hope you leave your parting thoughts with me below. xo.

Surprise, surprise!

Dr. Gerandy insisted on keeping Bella overnight for observation. Paul stayed to comfort her over Declan's nearby presence and Leah's lack thereof.

Declan needed surgery to remove what was left of his right pinky toe and part of the metatarsal behind it. The other bullet had gone into the top of his foot and exited through the arch, barely missing an artery. Despite his inability to walk, Bella worried he'd somehow escape his guarded room. They could hear him screaming and ranting down the hall every time his door was opened.

Charlie insisted on staying to guard Bella from interrogation until she was physically and mentally ready to answer questions. At some point in the early morning, one of Charlie's deputies called to inform that the 'reservation gang' had apprehended Joshua Uley' and brought him into custody. Kai was severely beaten, lacking his ankle monitor, and, supposedly, unable to recall how he'd gotten that way. None of those who'd brought him in bore any marks to prove they were the ones who'd beaten him. Charlie already knew who was responsible and refused to utter a word aside from pride in Quil's handiwork - whispered to Paul, of course.

After what felt like the longest night on earth, Paul, Charlie, and Bella left the hospital together. Charlie dropped them off at Paul's, where Leah anxiously awaited her mate and their friend. Neither woman wanted to go home until the damage to their house had been repaired, and the very idea of it made Paul more than a little on edge.

Seth, more upset than he let on, spent the next few days at Jacob's or Sam's.

Things were frustrating for a while. Not only could Bella physically not speak while her throat healed - no one would tell her what happened with Kai after Paul carried her away. The pack insisted it was in her best interest not to know more than she should so that her story would never change. There was always a risk that Declan could have her charged with assault with a deadly weapon, as outrageous as that seemed. Charlie told her that the next time she had to shoot to defend herself, aim for the head or heart.

Police questioned Bella about the circumstances that night several times over the following few weeks, and her written statements remained the same. Bella claimed she became lost after the struggle with Declan. She was stumbling around in the cold before Paul carried her out of the woods. She had no idea what happened to Joshua Uley or why they had plotted to harm her aside from the theft charges she'd pressed against them. It was simple, and while omitting the wolves, true.

Despite Sam and Jared replacing the busted doors in their house two days after the attack, Leah nor Bella was eager to go home, staying at Paul's much longer than necessary - not that he minded or failed to benefit from the arrangement. Eventually, Bella decided she needed to face her anxiety. The girls returned to their house and reluctantly tried to resume their normal routine as if the attack had never happened.

Unfortunately, their story immediately became headline news as it spread. Charlie's involvement (or his gun, rather) became a subject of public scrutiny, and soon, the public learned too much about their personal lives. Within a week, reporters in Seattle got wind of Joshua Uley's full criminal history, including the ' Revenge Conspiracy ' he and Declan had created against the women, putting their tiny reservation on national news. Curious tourists bombarded the area, wanting a glimpse of the local home where the attack had taken place, despite being well past the usual 'season.' The wolves, especially Leah and Sam, had to be more careful than ever.

Bella was certain the news had reached the Cullen clan when a large but random deposit was made to her account. She assumed Alice had seen her struggling to avoid the reporters and curious tourists, forcing her to take a leave of absence from Joy's. With Leah's support, Bella immediately donated the sum to a battered women's shelter in Port Angeles. She hoped Alice had seen it. She still didn't want their money.

Somehow, what happened had brought the pack closer together than ever. Between their concern for Bella and an even tighter bond than before, it didn't take long for the Clearwater living room to resume its former constantly occupied glory. Even Sam began spending more time around them.

Bella accepted the invasion of their house in stride, secretly grateful to always have someone there even if she had to lock herself in the bathroom to get a half hour alone. Her sleep was rarely solitary with Paul, Embry, or Quil sleeping beside her to keep the nightmares at bay during nights when Leah patrolled. It brought Bella a great deal of comfort.

Three long months later, Declan and Kai were put on trial for the break-in and attempted assault. To everyone's surprise, each made a plea bargain, barely avoiding another resurgence of reporters to the area. They had a slew of other crimes to be tried for, guaranteeing each would be in prison for a very long time. Hopefully, they'd never have to worry about seeing either man again.

February came in like a lion, bringing a snowstorm unlike they'd seen in the area since shortly after Bella moved to Forks. It was hard to believe it was nearly a year since Leah had come into her life. It felt like they'd been together forever. She and Leah gave the rest of the pack a heads-up about their Valentine's Day plans, ensuring they would be left home alone for the night. Leah had to patrol that afternoon, and Bella spent half the day slowly cooking the bolognese sauce Leah was so fond of.

By the time Leah arrived home, Bella had created them a romantic, candle-lit dinner, complete with expensive Champagne - a gift sent from Phil - and a view of the pristine snow-covered backyard and river through the new sliding door. Bella hoped memories of nights like this one would eventually replace the ones of Declan's attack in the forefront of her mind.

Dinner was pleasant, with good food, teasing, innuendos, and laughter. Afterward, Leah helped Bella clean up and put the leftovers away before they snuggled up on the couch together to enjoy the quiet and warmth of the fireplace for once.

"So," Bella nearly whispered once they were settled on the couch. "I think it's finally time I was given a full explanation."

Bella lay between Leah's long, warm legs. Leah's head was on the armrest, her arms wrapped around Bella's lower back, keeping the smaller woman snuggled against her chest.

Leah's brow furrowed in confusion. "About what?"

"Kai. What happened that night? After Paul and I left?"

Leah scoffed. "I honestly thought you'd given up asking. You haven't mentioned it in weeks."

"You knew I'd want the truth eventually, Leah."

Bella slid her palm over Leah's warm cheek before running her fingers through Leah's hair. It was growing nicely, already brushing her chin, and the once-bleached streaks were all but gone. The shorter ends underneath where Leah's head was once shaved tended to stick out somewhat, and Bella was utterly fascinated, playing her fingers through it.

"I think we've all been a little reluctant to talk about it," Leah admitted. "Mostly because we all realized the council has more control over the wolves than anyone should, and it's unfair."

Huh?

Bella sat up carefully, focusing on her beautiful lover's face as much as her words. Even after six months together, staring at Leah could make Bella's heart race and the rest of the world disappear. She loved her infinitely and unconditionally. Leah was her forever person, and it never failed to amaze her.

Leah sat upright to press a slow, sensual kiss to Bellas's lips, then pulled her back into her arms as she began explaining how the wolves had carried Kai's battered and bleeding body nearly a mile to Tribal Center. Billy and a few other council members were there, working on plans for an additional wing and better equipment at the La Push Medical Center thanks to a large, anonymous donation to the tribe.

Bella was already aware of the donation and suspected that Alice was responsible. Most likely because Bella was no stranger to the emergency room and the twenty-minute drive to Forks could mean life or death under the right circumstances. It wasn't as if the wolves could go to just any doctor with their supernatural healing and elevated temperatures. Either way, Billy was thrilled about the addition and didn't care where the donation came from. It would better their community, and that was all that mattered.

The pack carefully laid Kai's unconscious form on the meeting room floor as Billy and the others gaped at them in shock.

Alarmed, Billy leaned on the table to stand. "What happened?"

The Council was aware of Joy's attack thanks to Old Quil's late arrival, but not of the break-in or plot against the girls. They were shocked again to learn that Kai - Joshua - had been a wolf since his disappearance twenty years prior. Billy, especially, felt outraged that the man who was once his friend had cared so little for his tribe, for his children, that he'd fled his purpose and deserted them all, leaving the younger generation exposed to vampires while they'd all gone unprotected.

It was then that Old Quil had given them all another shock as he angrily pointed at the unconscious criminal on the floor. "So this is the wolf in our Little Bird's teacup!" Looking toward his grandson, he muttered, "And here we thought it was Samuel."

Leah said Quil's eyes bugged out in fury with understanding. He scowled down at Kai and delivered a hard kick to his ribs, making him cry out in pain despite his unconscious state. Jacob and Embry immediately dragged a shaking, furious Quil outside to keep him from phasing in the room or killing the man entirely.

Old Quil grumbled as he prepared to leave. "I am glad you brought him to us first. I know precisely how to deal with this one."

Billy scowled and asked, "Where are you going?"

"Samuel." Old Quil ignored his chief and said, "Guard him. Do not let him out of your sight. I will return shortly."

Billy asked, "Just what in Hell do you plan to do?"

Old Quil shook his head in disgust as he looked down at Kai. "He is undeserving of the wolf. Either that or the protector inside him is as corrupt as he is. I need to commune with the spirits, William. I will need their guidance to bind him from harming anyone ever again."

Sam asked, "What does that mean?"

Leah tried to keep a civil tongue as she asked, "Can you stop him from phasing altogether?"

She looked around at the remaining pack members, who wore equally shocked expressions. "Are you saying you could have done this for any of us the whole time ?"

Old Quil sighed as he slid into his thick coat and zipped it up. He said, "That is not what I am saying at all, young lady. Only the spirits may give or take away such a powerful gift. I am merely a communication vessel."

He bravely walked over to Leah and, despite the anger on her face, raised his wrinkled, elderly hand to cup her cheek, forcing her to meet his rheumy gaze.

"You have been through a great deal of pain, Leah. You all have. No one wanted to phase, imprint, abandon their loved ones, or kill vampires. None of you wanted to have their lives disrupted, to encounter so many adversities, and neither did the packs before you. But, consider this… you have your mate. Is our Little Bird not enough for you? Do you still wish for a reconciliation with Samuel?"

Offended, Leah glanced at Sam and scoffed. " Of course not. Bella is everything to me now."

"And because of your gift, your wolf, she always will be," Old Quil said, lowering his hand to pat her shoulder. "You two were lucky to find one another before the imprint. That is rare, Leah. All is as it was meant to be. Fate will always have her way."

Softening toward the old man while smirking at her pack, she teased, " Her way, huh? Fate is a she ?"

"Lady Fate has always been a woman, little wolf," Old Quil said sagely. "A daughter of darkness with immeasurable strength and perseverance… Much like yourself."

Leah looked down at Kai but smiled as she thought of Bella, their song, and Old Quil's ironic choice of words. Judging by the Shaman's playful grin as she turned back toward him, Leah wasn't quite sure he hadn't chosen them intentionally.

Old Quil abruptly turned and strode toward the door without another word, his cane clicking loudly as he hurried across the room. Jacob came back inside shortly after, announcing Quil and Embry had taken Old Quil home to 'prepare himself.' All that was left to do was wait.

Billy called in a massive pizza delivery to feed the wolves and remaining council members while they waited. Leah wasn't hungry. She was more worried about the anxiety she could feel from Bella while also feeling guilty that Paul was at the hospital with Bella overnight in her place. Someday, she knew, she would have to brave the place where she'd watched her father linger on machines for weeks. Bella was too much of a danger magnet to continue avoiding Forks Hospital forever.

Two hours after hurrying from the building, the elderly shaman returned with Quil and Embry carrying several items to set up in the room. A large, handwoven blanket was placed on one of the conference tables and Kai's body was laid upon it. Despite their warnings against it, the shaman shooed everyone else from the room, claiming he must not be disturbed under any circumstances. His cane would suffice should he need to defend himself. The pack and other council members reluctantly left him alone with Kai's still unconscious form.

Leah explained to Bella that they were all unsure what happened in that room once they'd stepped out into the lobby to wait. Whatever happened left a cloud of extinguished candle smoke, sage, and other herbal scents rolling out when Old Quil finally opened the doors. He gestured over his shoulder toward Kai, who was just beginning to rouse.

"It is done. The spirits have reclaimed his wolf. His body temperature is already lowering, and he will never phase again. I believe it is time to call the police, William. Let them claim their criminal. He'll need medical treatment to finish healing his injuries. He has no power to help himself now."

Old Quil barked at Quil to take him home. The shaman was exhausted. He squeezed Leah's hand as he passed her near the door. "Give our little bird my love."

"I will." Leah gently squeezed his hand back and nodded. "I'll bring her to see you soon."

"You do that."

Instead of calling the police, Sam and Jacob gladly escorted the injured Kai to the La Push police station, one painful step behind the other. He was arrested and taken to the hospital to assess his injuries. Bella had no idea that he was just down the hall from her as well when she'd left the hospital the following morning, and she was grateful for it later. Knowing Declan was so close by, screaming like a lunatic, was bothersome enough.

"So," Bella said as she snuggled further into Leah on the couch. "Kai will never phase again? He'll never be able to escape jail and hurt anyone else?"

"Never," Leah said, rubbing her warm hands down Bella's back.

The dress Bella wore for their Valentine's Day dinner was barely more than a slip with a plunging backline. It wasn't until Leah's hand came to rest on Bella's ass that she realized there was absolutely nothing underneath. She reached for the hem and pulled it upward, staring over Bella's shoulder to look down at her mate's smooth, pale backside. Leah leaned back, meeting Bella's dreamy gaze, and smiled.

"Trying to seduce me tonight, Swan?"

Bella giggled and crawled further up Leah's lithe body. "Do I really have to try?" She slid her hands up Leah's sides to cup her breasts and pressed her lips to Leah's throat.

"No," Leah giggled, then moaned. "Not really. I've always been a little too willing where you're concerned."

Leah gently pushed Bella away, confusing her mate as she climbed to her feet. She reached for Bella's hand and sighed over Bella's dazzling grin in response. Pulling Bella toward their bedroom, she added, "And, maybe I just like making you happy."

"Are you?" Bella asked as they hurried toward the bed and Leah lightly shoved Bella onto it. She giggled.

"Am I what?" Leah crawled over Bella and began kissing up the inside of her thigh.

Giggling again, Bella asked, "Are you happy ?"

Leah looked up, smirking. "Now that you're finally out of danger again? Immensely."

She shoved the skirt of Bella's dress upward, burying her face between her thighs. Before she could begin, Bella gently tugged at her hair to regain her attention.

Leah laughed. "What?"

Bella asked, "Are you sure?"

Leah frowned, sitting up on her knees. "Of course. Are you?"

"For right now? I'm perfect. But…" Bella sat up and threw her legs over the side of the bed, reaching for the nightstand.

"But what ?" Leah asked as Bella pulled an envelope from the top drawer. She turned and handed it to Leah, who flipped it over and gasped. "Bella, what did you do?"

"Open it," Bella encouraged.

Leah hesitated, glancing between Bella and the letter from the cosmetology school she wanted to attend. After a deep breath, Leah tore the envelope in half to extract the contents, making Bella laugh.

Upon seeing 'Congratulations !' she yelled, "Oh my god, Bella. What did you do?!" Her eyes shone with excitement unlike Bella had seen since the concert as they'd watched Halestorm perform, having the time of their lives.

"I– um –kind of signed you up for the courses you wanted?" Bella anxiously waited for her mate's response, appraising her reaction.

Leah shook her head in disbelief as disappointment washed over her face. "Bella… I can't go. I have patrols, and the wolf…"

"You have excellent control over your wolf," Bella gently argued. "And, I might've already discussed your going to school with the council, Jake, and Sam. They're behind you in pursuing this, one hundred percent."

"What? When ?"

Leah adjusted her position to sit beside Bella on the edge of the bed, still staring at the letter discussing her tuition, requirements, and other necessary information.

Bella said, "When we were still staying at Paul's. He helped me fill out the applications and sent them off so I could keep it a surprise."

Leah laughed. "That sneaky fucker."

Bella nodded. "It still surprises me how good Paul is at keeping secrets from the rest of the pack."

"I'll have to thank him," Leah said with another sigh.

Bella stood and walked over to their closet, grinning. "Don't thank him too much. I'm pretty sure he's got other expectations tonight."

"Huh?"

Leah looked confused again as Bella leaned into the closet and tugged on a long black rope. Out fell Paul, landing on his knees as he tried not to grin behind the ball gag in his mouth. His hands and ankles were bound, a large red ribbon haphazardly draped around him, the bow concealing his naked crotch. He wagged his eyebrows at Leah, who couldn't help but laugh.

Trying to stifle her laughter, Leah said, "Oh my god, Bella. How long has he been in there?"

Bella patted Paul's shoulder and shrugged. "I fed him first. And don't let him fool you. He could hop his happy ass to the bathroom at any point."

Leah walked over to Bella and kissed her soundly before ruffling Paul's hair as he stared at them. "And how did he convince you to make him my present?"

Bella laughed. "He's kind of our present. Besides? Who said it was his idea?"

Paul just shrugged, wagging his eyebrows again.

"I think I might like him better when he can't speak," Leah teased, making him growl around the gag. "Maybe we'll just leave him sitting here and make him watch instead."

He narrowed his eyes at her as he growled again, and she laughed.

Bella wrapped her arms around Leah's waist before sliding her hands down to cup her ass. A light squeeze of her firm flesh had Leah immediately leading Bella back to the bed as Paul chuckled.

"Happy Valentine's Day, Lee," Bella whispered as Leah's back hit the mattress.

Leah grabbed Bella's dress's bottom hem to pull it over her head. "We're only just beginning."

Fin.

That's it, folks.

I hope you've all enjoyed this story. I know DOD ended with much more Paul involvement than I'd ever intended.

But - as my readers are well aware - these stories never go as I originally planned them. The characters tend to write themselves. It's going to be difficult to NOT refer to Bella as 'Ducky' in the future. I'm sure the nickname might annoy some readers, but it grew on me.

I ended this story on a note where further exploration is possible, should I choose to return to this universe. For now, however, my DOD muse has tucked herself into bed for a nice long sleep - as evidenced by the length of time taken just to post the last few chapters.