*POV BELLA*
The aroma of bacon stirs me from my perfect dream of Alice, but it's the bell like giggle that reminds me reality is better than any dream. Not wanting to open my eyes just yet though, I pull Alice back into my arms.
Bella: good morning beautiful.
Alice: good morning my love, I know you smell the bacon… Just because Carlisle got us out of school this week, doesn't mean we get to stay in bed all day. Besides, Billy called a family meeting.
Bella: what?
Alice's mention of Billy surprises me, these days he doesn't leave the Res.
Alice: he called a family meeting. He's downstairs actually. Up, up, lets go.
Great… before I can react, she pushes me off the bed. I glare at her as she looks over the edge, causing her to giggle. Her laugh warms my heart, making it harder to be mad at her, but still irritated at her antics. Instead, I get up and head to the bathroom to wash up. I'm not surprised to see Alice sitting on the bed with her arms crossed when I come back out. I didn't give her our morning kiss. Not saying anything, I walk straight into the closet to get some clothes. I debate if I should get dress in the closet but figured it would be more fun to get back at her by teasing her. Putting on my sports bra and boxers, I walk back out with my jeans and shirt in my hands. I see her eyes roam my body and chuckle as I walk pass her back to the bathroom. I swiftly put on my jeans and throw on my shirt, grabbing a hair tie before opening the door. I'm met with a very tiny upset, but very cute Alice. I chuckle before pulling her into a hug and kissing her deeply.
Bella: maybeeee, you'll find a nicer way to wake me next time.
She "hmmmm" but doesn't pull away or disagrees. Giving her a forehead kiss, I pull her along as I head to the door. I smell Sam, Paul and the others, as soon as I open the door. Full house it seems. Alice "hmmm" again, answering my thoughts. It amazes me how she can easily read my mind. How in sync we are.
Edward: we have to find a way to lure Jasper and Victoria out.
Charlie: since they're after Bella and Alice, I think they should be hidden away.
Bella: I won't be hidden away.
I could tell my sudden arrival was unexpected.
Bella: I'll stand with my family. You on the other hand, will be down at the Res. Where Esme and Jared can protect you and the others.
We stand in a small stare off. I know it's the father in him that wants to protect me. It won't let him accept that, there's nothing he can do. No human weapon will work in this situation.
Billy: Charlie, I know you don't like the idea. But we have to trust them. We're human brother, there isn't much we can do. If we're there, Bella will be too busy trying to protect you, she'll mess up. Trust me, I want to fight next to Jake in this also. But I want him to be in his best mindset, it's the best chance to come back home to me.
I see Charlie slowly back down. He knows Billy is right. I pull him into a tight hug, hoping it'll convey all my feelings. Hoping it'll give him some comfort. We're only pulled apart by Billy's cough.
Billy: ok, ok, enough with the mushy stuff. I came here to invite everyone to a bonfire tomorrow. Our tribe has a tradition to have one, the night before a big battle. We gather to help our warriors relax. We celebrate the win… because we know we WILL win. Though we were born to fight each other. To hate each other. That hate perished when our families became one. When our Belly and Jake imprinted on your Alice and Edward, you became a part of our tribe. The instant Tanya and her coven decided to come help our family, they became a part of our tribe. With that being said, OUR tribe's traditions, now includes each and every one of you. If you will, please join us tomorrow.
Looking around I see the faces of every vampire soften at the gesture.
Emily: I know you all don't eat human food, so Sam and I, will have some animal blood on standby. They'll go out and hunt tomorrow evening, making sure it's fresh. Bella said it's best warmish.
Her body is immediately pulled into Esme's arms.
Carlisle: we'll be honored to join you all, Billy. And Emily, you all don't have to do that. We appreciate it very much, but we all already had plans to feed tomorrow morning.
Bella: part of the tradition, is to share a meal together Carlisle. It's believed that by sharing a meal, it strengthens us together. Brings us even closer for the battle.
Sam: after all the times Esme has fed us, it'd be nice to repay her.
I smile at Sam; he's come a long way. Warmth spreads through me to see everyone I love here together.
Tanya: we'll be there Billy. Thank you for inviting us to your home. It's an honor to be included.
Carlisle: we'll be there too. Just tell us what time and what we can bring.
Billy: sunset. Bring some firewood… Now, if you'll excuse us, we have some preparations to take care of. Come on Charlie, there's some fish out there with our names on them.
I hear Charlie mumble under his breath that he'll be the only one making a catch, before turning to join Billy out the door. Esme and Carlisle go into the kitchen and start bringing out plates of food for everyone. I sit down and pull Alice into my lap, holding her close to me. As we get closer to the battle, my wolf needs her beside me. Jake feeling the same, holds Edward's hand while he eats with the other. As we get closer to the battle, our wolves feel the need to be as close to our imprints as we can be. We would've even went hunting with them tomorrow. We all joke around while we eat, Sam telling stories about Jake and me making mud pies when we were little.
When we're all done eating, we head outside to practice. While I haven't fully mastered my shield to protect everyone, I am able to expand it to one other. Carlisle stated that as long as I can protect myself and Alice, the others will manage. I still ask to practice more with Kate. This time trying to protect at least one other with a wolf. We train for hours, only breaking for lunch before fully parting for dinner. Not wanting to overdo it for the wolves. Though we, wolves are supernatural, we still are human. We still get tired and still need to eat. Esme making sure everyone leaves with big plates of food. Mentioning that she has to clear out the fridge before things go bad. I bid them good night and head back inside to join Alice and the family for a night of movies. After the second movie, I pull Alice upstairs. Needing some us time before tomorrow.
*POV ALICE*
Once Bella is knocked out and snoring, I slip away and head downstairs to talk to the others about tomorrow.
Rose: ok Alice, what's the plan?
I sigh, knowing they're all relaying heavily on my gift.
Alice: there hasn't been a change from either of them. It's still the same. They're coming for Bella. I, I must do everything I can to protect her. I'm sorry to ask of this, I need to hide her away. And because she won't let me out of her sight, hiding her would include hiding me. Leaving you two fighters short.
Edward: they're coming for you too Alice. He must think if he can get rid of Bella, he'll get you back. So hiding her is hiding you. We'll do it to protect both of you. You can't lose her and we can't lose both of you.
Emmett: there's no fucking way I'll allow either to happen!
Tanya: no way, that any of us will allow it to happen.
I smile at everyone. More than thankful for their understanding.
Rose: Bella is not going to like the idea. She'll want to fight with us. And I don't blame her. This is her pack. Her family.
Esme: Alice, whatever you two need. If it is to hide you both, we will. Where do you plan?
Alice: well, the plan is to cut them off by the Spruce Mountain. Making sure there's a great distance between the battle and Forks. If any newborns were to stray, we can cut them off before they get here. There's a clearing east of the mountain. We'll wait for them there. Bella and I… well, we can hold back 3 or 400 yards? Still in the woods. Bella will be able to keep a look on the battle through her wolf, me through my visions. If there is a need for us to join the battle, we can be there in no time.
Carlisle: so be it, I think it will work perfectly fine.
I hear Bella stir upstairs.
Alice: I have to get back. Thank you all. Truly, thank you.
~
Alice: come on guys! We're going to be late!
Bella: we won't…
Alice: it's my first big family event, I want to be on time!
Esme: OUR first dear.
Alice: ok mom, our first…
Bella shifts into her wolf, and I smile knowing she's going to let me ride her. Jake sighs before he shifts and nudges Edward's shoulder.
Edward: I'm not riding you.
Emmett: you ride him any other time.
Though he mumbles under his breath, we all hear it. Earning him a whack from Rose before she takes off towards La Push. Bella tosses Edward on top of Jake, who takes off the second he lands. She smiles at me with her wolfy smirk, nodding her head for me to hop up. I laugh as she takes off, catching up to Jake with a fuming Edward, and soon passing Rose. It seems like Bella has gotten faster and stronger, since she started working on her shield. Something that would be best used in the battle. The guilt slithers in, but the thought of losing her, is more than my heart can bear. I lay over her back, something I know she loves. She said feeling my heartbeat, smoothes her. I get it, I too feel the same way. She slows down as we get closer to the beach. When we make it to Billy's house, I kiss the back of her neck before jumping off. I head over to where Emily and Leah are setting up the table. Though everyone on the Rez knows me, I feel as if it's my first time here. Trying to make a good first impression on her family. As promised, Emily and Sam have a large supply of blood for us. Keeping them warm with some heating pad. The boys run off to gather firewood, while Paul and Billy start the fire. Once the fire is up and going, we all gather around a large table.
Billy: I want to say thank you for coming tonight. Sharing a meal together before a battle is a tradition, we honor but I'm honestly hoping we don't have to happen again. After tomorrow, with our Alpha's approval, I would like to start a monthly dinner as such.
Bella: maybe biweekly? If it's ok with everyone else.
Tanya: I'm sure, we can make a biweekly trip. For family.
Bella: it's settled, biweekly non-battle dinners.
Everyone claps and I can't help to stare at her with pride. We all share stories about growing up, most of ours are about our travels. Once everyone is done, we head over to the fire. The boys made some seats out of logs for us. After we're all situated, Billy begins talking. His deep voice demands respect, to be listened to. He begins to tell us the story of how the wolves came to be:
The tribe had been a great tribe of spirit warriors. Giving them the power to leave their bodies, to look over the land. Searching for any possible threats. A warrior by the name of Utlapa, had been banished from the tribe because he wanted to use the power to enslave neighboring tribes. One day, Utlapa sneaked back onto the land, waiting for the chief Taha Aki to leave his body. When Taha Aki left his body to patrol, Utlapa's spirit went into his body. Utkapa killed his own body so Taha Aki couldn't take it over. Taha Aki unable to do anything, had to watch Utlapa do horrible things to the tribe. Wandering the woods, Taha Aki found a beautiful large wolf. He asked the wolf if he could share his body, after hearing the story of everything that happen. The wolf agreed. Upon returning to the tribe, Taha Aki tried to tell them, he was the wolf. Of course, being unable to actually speak, he tried singing the Quileute songs. An elderly warrior, Yut, realized that the wolf was under a spirit's control. Disregarding Utlapa's orders to not enter the spirit world, Yut was able to talk to Taha Aki. But before Yut could tell the tribe, Utlapa killed the elder. Taha Aki attacked Utlapa, the emotions being too much for the wolf transformed Taha Aki to a human form. A human form that was stronger, could quickly heal, had super hearing… Taha Aki fathered many children, realizing that when each son became of age, they were able to transform into wolves. However, they also became immortal. It was later realized that if they stopped shifting, they would be able to age again. When Taha Aki imprinted on his third wife, he stopped shifting. Wanting to age with her, he gives the protection of the tribe over to his sons.
One day, a neighboring tribe came blaming the Quileutes about some of their missing women. Stating it was the wolves. To prove to them it wasn't the wolves, Taha Aki sent his oldest son, Taha Wi and the wolves, to find the true culprit. They came across a sweet sickly smell, believing it to be the culprit. They followed it up a mountain, when they discovered the scent of human blood. Taha Wi sent the younger wolves back to report to his father. When his sons didn't return, the younger wolves went to look for them. Unable to find them, Taha Aki mourned the death of his older sons. Convinced of Taha Aki's heartbreak, the other tribes accepted it wasn't the wolves. Causing the tension between the tribes to end.
Two years later, the girls started to disappear again. The other tribe called the Quileutes to help. The wolves went out searching again, coming across the scent again. They found a creature who looked like a man but had red eyes, skin hard as stone and cold as ice. Next to him a woman from the neighboring tribe laid on the ground dead, while the "cold one" was drinking from another. The wolves started to attack him, but realized he was as strong and fast as them. Unfortunately, he killed one of the wolves, but the others continued fighting. Discovering their strong teeth could tear the creature apart. After killing the creature, he took the parts back to the tribe. While they were inspecting the creature, it tried to reassemble itself. To stop it, they burned the pieces. One day the cold one's mate came to avenge him. She attacked the tribe and killed Taha Aki's sons. Though old age, Taha Aki phased. Not the same warrior he used to be, the cold one had an upper hand. Taha Aki was close to losing the battle, when his wife plunged a dragger into her heart to distract the cold one. Unable to control her blood lust, she went to drink from the third wife, giving Taha Aki the chance to kill her.
Bella: hey, don't get any ideas ok.
Though she whispered it in my ear, I'm sure all the others heard. Rose gave me a sadden look, knowing I would do anything to protect Bella. Including dying for her.
Billy stated that before this day, the tribe had had a big dinner. Causing them to believe it helped in the tribe killing the cold ones that day. He continued with the story of Bella's great-great-great grandfather meeting Carlisle and the others. How they made the treaty because our coven had gold eyes unlike the red eye ones the tribe met before.
He moved on to other stories about the tribes. As we all talked and laughed, I got pulled into a vision.
Alice: Jasper changed his mind, they're on their way here tonight. They'll be here in 30 minutes.