Acceptance

Sam Pov

I looked over at Bella as I pulled into the rest stop near the beach, she was staring straight a head seemingly lost in her own thoughts. I moved my hand over to her hand and squeezed, closing my eyes briefly when she jumped.

"We are here Bella" I told her, before turning the engine off and opening the truck door.

Bella still seemed lost in her own thoughts, when I got around to the passenger side of my truck Bella was still sat there with her arms wrapped around her body. I opened the door, and pulled her into my arms.

"What if they don't like me?"

"Bella, do you trust me?" I asked her, ignoring her question. She nodded straight away. "Then trust me when I say they will, ok?"

She smiled at me, and nodded again before pulling back from my arms. I stepped back and watched has she climbed out the truck, she looked down to the beach and the bonfire that was already lit before taking a deep breath.

"I'm ready." Bella said, sounding like she was getting ready for a battle. I laughed at her, before shutting the truck door and taking her hand.

I led her over to the sand and then let her set the pace, I heard her quiet oh and looked to see what she was staring at.

"I didn't know all the Elders would be here."

"Yep, this is your official welcome to the pack." I told her, then stopped walking when I felt a light tug on my arm.

"But I'm not Quileute, a mate or can phase into a wolf. Why am I being welcomed like this?" She asked, pulling her lower lip into her mouth and looking nervous.

I looked at her and smiled, I wanted to tell her everything but I knew it was too soon and it would scare her away from not just me but the pack also. So I went the closest I could go to the truth. "You have close connections to my pack and the Elders, don't forget that you are our medicine man's niece and you are also the Chiefs god-daughter. You grew up with Jake, you have ties to the pack Bella and that is important to all of us." I told her, squeezing her hand and gently tugging her forward.

We stopped at the edge of the circle that were sat around the bonfire, I dropped her hand and stepped away. I didn't want to force Bella into the group, I wanted her to make that decision herself. Of course, I wasn't surprised when she stepped further away from me and walked towards the Elders. I followed behind her and waved my hand to the pack to stay sat down has they all started to rise.

"Bella my sweet, so glad you could join us!" Billy called out and stood up. Bella sped up and stopped in front of Billy. "Are you ok?" he whispered.

I watched has Bella nodded and wrapped her arms around Billy's torso as he pulled her into a hug briefly. Old Quil was next to pull her into a hug and he whispered something to her so low I couldn't hear, that caused her to relax and laugh.

"Hello Bella" Harry then murmured, not standing up to great her. I swallowed the growl that was building in my chest, I would be keeping an eye on him tonight. Bella was far to fragile to deal with any animosity from him.

"Emily, Kim, come meet my God- Daughter Isabella!" Billy called out and I watched has the two girls slowly walked over smiling. I stepped closer to Bella, ready to walk her away from them if it got too much for her.

I was watching Bella and listening to any signs that she had had enough that I missed the introduction, I automatically took a step closer has Bella walked with Emily and Kim either side of her towards the table that held the food.

"Stop Sam, you are acting more like a mothering hen than a wolf, Bella is fine, let her build her own friendships with them, without you hovering." Billy whispered, laughing to himself.

I looked up to see Billy, Old Quil and most of the pack apart from Paul all grinning, Paul just nodded at me. At least he understood why I was doing it, I shrugged my shoulders and sat down on the log next to the Elders has I was then pulled into a conversation about the tribe.

Bella Pov

I felt Emily and Kim each take my hand has they guided me towards the small table that had been put up off to the side, I was never very good at starting conversations and I couldn't stop biting my bottom lip, all the while trying to think of something to say.

Emily dropped my hand and walked closer to the table ducking down underneath it to grab a picnic bag.

"The pack usually just eats the hotdogs heated in the fire on sticks, if you want that then there is enough here for you. But I usually make us two something different, I hope you don't mind but I made something for you also. Sam didn't say anything about you not eating meat, so I made us all chicken pasta salad." Emily said, has she started to twist her hands as if she was nervous.

I stepped closer and took her hands in mine, I couldn't stop smiling. "Thank you, obviously I would have eaten a hot dog, but chicken salad sounds so much better."

"See I told you Em, you over thought it. Emily does sometimes over think things and then worries herself silly that she is over stepping some invisible line." Kim said stepping closer and wrapping her arms around Emily's shoulders.

"I do as well, I didn't think you would like me because of my past." I mumbled, just loud enough for them to hear.

I felt Emily pull me closer and then felt both girls wrap their arms over my shoulders, I bit my lip has I felt my eyes begin to burn with tears.

"Bella, we are not going to judge you on the things you did when we didn't even know you." Kim chuckled. "That sounded better in my head." She said, shaking her head.

"Kim is right though; we will forget that and just get to know you from today." Emily replied, has she pulled away.

Kim let go of me and grabbed the bag the I guess contained our food before Emily picked up a huge tray of hot dogs and called out Paul's name. "The pack will eat every single one of them, and still be hungry." Kim whispered in my ear, has Paul come over and took the tray filled with hot dogs.

"Sam said they need to eat a lot because of phasing." I replied.

"Yes, that and the constant high body temperature burns through their calories really fast. Sometimes I watch them eat and wonder how they haven't burst or something."

I couldn't stop the giggle leave my mouth before I felt myself really laugh, I looked over to see Kim laughing also. "I promise you Bella, watching them eat is sometimes like waiting for a disaster to start."

I looked over towards the bonfire when I felt eyes on me and smiled at a smiling Sam, I watched has he went to stand up but was stopped by Uncle Quil putting his hand on his arm and shaking his head.

I followed the two girls over to the fire and stood there watching them has they sat down together on a blanket, Emily looked up has she picked up another blanket. "Are you sitting with us Bella?" she asked, making space between the two of them. I looked over to Sam, when it was Uncle Quil who spoke up.

"Sit wherever you want to Isabella." He grumbled, before grabbing a hot dog and shoving it into the fire.

I nodded, and before I could make the decision, my legs decided to go to where Emily and Kim were. By the time I got to them, both girls had shuffled over leaving a gap for me in between them.

I sat down and took a deep breath before Emily threw the blanket over all three of us and then grabbed the bag with our food in it. I took a plastic container and fork and passed it to Kim before taking the next one-off Emily. I took the lid off and sniffed and groaned at the smell of the chicken that was smothered in a white sauce.

"Emily is a good cook" Kim said before taking a bite. I looked over to Emily to see her cheeks looking slightly red and looking down. I picked up my fork and took a bite, groaning again has the cheesy garlic chicken and pasta hit my tongue.

Once I had chewed and swallowed, I turned to look at Emily. "You need to share this recipe, Emily this is delicious."

"Do you cook also Bella?" Kim asked.

I nodded "Yes I do, I had to growing up my mom couldn't even boil water, and then I realised how much I enjoyed making food."

"That's good, I can't cook even if my life depended on it."

"Kim almost caught the kitchen on fire by trying to boil pasta. We have banned her from stepping foot in the kitchen, Jared is a good cook also, but likes to put hot spices in every meal." Emily said, chuckling.

We spent the next few minutes silently eating the food, it was nice, but the serving was too much for me and could only eat about half of it. I put the lid back on it and put the container in my lap, I jumped when a hand quickly swiped in and took it.

"Are you full Bella?" Embry asked, with a small grin on his face. I nodded before he stepped away with the container and fork in his hand.

"See even after eating over thirty hotdogs they are never full." Kim said, just has Jared shuffled over to Kim and took her left overs.

"We are never full Bug, you know that. How are you doing Princess?" Jared said just before he took a big fork full of the food. I rolled my eyes, and then felt Kim bump into my shoulder.

"Oh, you are definitely ours now, if Jared has given you a nickname." Kim laughed out loud.

"So, your nickname is Bug?" I asked.

"Yep, Jared came up with it about a day after we met. When we met, I was going through a phase of eating raw carrots. He thought it was great to start calling me bugs bunny, I didn't and would ignore him until he shortened it and then repeatly called me Bug until I answered him."

"Yet I get given Princess." I moaned.

"It suits you, and I will just keep calling you it." Jared shrugged before getting up and walking towards the table.

"He tried to call me sweetie pie once, and every time he did, I would refuse to cook him anything. I hate nicknames for a reason and once Jared understood why he stopped calling me anything but my name. if you really hate it, tell Sam and he will stop Jared and probably the rest of the pack from calling you it." Emily said, leaning in towards my ear.

I nodded silently; I wouldn't say anything to Sam. I don't want him hurting Jared again, and there was a small part of my mind that kind of liked being called a different name, it made me feel welcome or included.

I jumped when I felt a warm hand on my shoulder and looked around to see Sam stood over me from behind. "The stories will begin in a bit; are you ok to sit here? I have to sit with the Elders, but there is space next to me and your Uncle."

I looked over toward the Elders as they were sat in beach chairs and the log next to them where Sam had sat earlier. Sam kneeled down and leant closer to my ear. "One of the story's includes 'them', I don't want you to be surprised."

"Oh" I whispered back, I didn't think I was ready to hear how they became involved with the last pack and tribe.

"We can always go back to the house and wait for the others, if its too soon." Sam suggested.

"Are you not meant to stay?" I asked.

"They won't mind if we go early, Billy and Old Quil love you, they will understand."

If I got up and left, then they would all feel sorry for me or get angry at me for letting 'them' still get to me. I would stick it out and then cry later tonight when Billy was asleep, I looked back over to where Sam had been sitting and knew that the rest of the pack along with Emily and Kim would all be looking in that direction so they would be watching me too.

"I will stay here with the girls, its warmer." I told him.

"They wouldn't be looking at you" Sam replied with a grin on his face.

"How?" I asked.

"Your face is like an open book Bella; your eyes were almost screaming out the answer."

"Still, I think I will sit here, you know less chance of them looking at me, even if they wont really be looking at me." I told him, causing Sam to laugh.

"Ok, I will keep looking over, if it gets too much then just raise your hand a little and I will come over and we can go for a walk or something."

I nodded and then watch Sam stand up and walk towards Paul and Jared, I couldn't stop the sigh leave my mouth.

"Yes, Sam can be a little over protective, he just wants you comfortable." Emily said, has she shuffled even closer and wrapped her arm around my waist before leaning in closer. "He doesn't want to see you upset, or overwhelmed."

"I know, its just different to what I'm used to." I whispered back.

"Best get used to it then, its not just a Sam thing, the whole pack can be over protective sometimes."

"Why me?" I asked her.

"Why not, you are our pack Princess, that is what Jared has named you and that is what you will always be." Kim answered before Emily could.

"Until you don't want me." I thought I whispered low enough but could see the wolves and both girls swiftly look at me.

"Never" both Emily and Kim said at the same time.

I pulled the blankets off and stood up, not looking at any of them. "I just need to um." I mumbled, pointing towards the sea, hoping they would understand I needed a few minutes alone.

I didn't wait for a response and walked toward the sound of the tide ebbing in and out on the sand. I stopped a few feet away from the water and just looked out into the darkness, allowing the tears I stopped earlier sliding down my face.

I'm not sure how long I just stood there when I heard footsteps, they stopped when I felt warmth envelope me and a hand wrap around my waist pulling me in closer to their chest. I smiled slightly when I realised that who ever it was had purposely made noise, so I wouldn't be alarmed.

"Sam is worried." I heard Paul say.

"I just needed a minute Paul, I didn't know what to expect, but they have just accepted me as I am."

I felt him hold me tighter, and I relaxed as if this is what my body needed to keep it together. "We don't have to go back, if you don't want to. Nobody will think bad about you Bella; you can hear the stories another time."

"I don't want to look weak." I mumbled.

"You don't, you have been screwed over and lied to, and we get it that you are dealing with all this shit. If it was me, I would probably be wolfed out in the forest running at trees and growling at everything."

"I want to have friends, if I don't go back, I don't want them to think they have done something bad." I whispered, moving my arms to grip Paul's.

I felt Paul chuckle before saying, "they won't Princess."

"Oh, not you has well." I moaned has he referred to me using Jared's nickname.

"You are our pack Princess though, and we all accept you Bella, your shitty past, your hurt present and the happiness you will have in the future amongst the pack, we accept it all." Paul said, sounding older and wiser suddenly.

I felt my legs give out and couldn't stop the sob from leaving my mouth, I never knew what being truly wanted felt like until now. I felt myself being picked up and Paul holding me even tighter, has he held my legs under my knees. He stood silently allowing me to cry, when a short burst of wind whipped passed us and I shuddered he started to move.

"I can't go back." I told him.

"I know, but how about we go to Billy's and grab your sleep stuff and clean clothes and you stay at ours tonight. Bella you need the pack around you, and the girls love sleepovers with movies." Paul suggested, has he stepped into the forest. I nodded silently at him and then closed my eyes has he sped up. "We are here." Paul said breaking the silence and lacing me down in front of Billy's door.

I watched has he opened the door and sniffed loudly, before nodding and stepping in out of my way. "Grab what you need, and we will back to the house, the girls will be happy if the fire is started when they get back."

I nodded and walked off to the bedroom I had been using, I emptied out my bag and packed my pyjamas and clothes for tomorrow before picking up my toiletry bag. I took a deep breath before leaving the room, I was so fed up with crying for what seemed all the time, but I just couldn't help it, I was hurting everywhere.

Sam Pov

I watched has Bella stood up and walked away towards the water, before I could get up, I saw Paul walk slowly behind her, I couldn't stop the growl leaving my chest. I wanted to be where Bella was, I knew she needed me, this was to soon and too much.

"Is she still crying over the leeches?" Harry asked, sounding annoyed, this caused all of the remaining pack to growl at him.

"She is a young teenage girl that has had her heart broken by them, none of us like it, if I could tear up the damn treaty I would and then send the pack after them I would. She needs to heal, and bond with them Harry. I get that this is hard for you, but it is what our spirits have deemed. She is the Alpha female of the pack; you need to accept it." Old Quil spat out, turning to stare Harry down.

"She is a pale face; she doesn't belong here." Harry sneered back.

Has if we were all one wolf, we all stood and took a step closer to Harry, watching in satisfaction has he looked down and visibly gulped.

"She belongs here, she is part of the pack and the tribe. Deal with it, or my wolf will." I growled at him feeling myself shake.

"Calm down Sam, Harry you need to watch what you say about my God-Daughter. I will only take so much before I lose my temper, Isabella Swan is part of this tribe, she was born in my house. Her birth records state this and in time when she is ready, she will be registered has a Quilutete." Billy said, standing up and stepping beside me.

"The spirits know more than we do, there is a reason Isabella has been chosen to be Sam's mate and in time they will show me why. Leah was not the right person, maybe she would have fit in elsewhere, maybe she would have left the Reservation and had another life a good life. We need to trust in the spirits that they know what they are doing." Old Quil said, before closing his eyes and looking sad.

The pack all froze when we heard Bella's loud sobs further down the beach, I turned swiftly and took a step but was stopped when Old Quil rested his hand on my arm. "No Sam, let Paul help her. You need to let the others bond with her and allow her to let them in, it's important that at times you step aside."

"I can't let Embry or Jake alone with her." I admitted; I had planned to ask him when we next alone.

"Of course, not Sam, they are young unmated males, and your mate does not carry your mark. Once all is done and she carries your scent, that will change, and your wolf will relax." Old Quil said, before letting go of my arm.

I listened has Paul moved off the beach and watched has he walked into the forest and headed further away from us. Bella wasn't coming back to hear the stories, I relaxed knowing that Paul could and would protect her.

"Bella is not coming back" I said out loud.

"When she is ready, we can do this again, sit back and relax and we will begin." Billy said before he let out a small cough and began.

Ironically just has Billy started on the part where the Cullen's were discovered, my phone vibrated. I discreetly pulled it out and grinned, when I read the text from Paul. He had managed to persuade Bella to stay at our house tonight, and they were there getting everything ready for a movie and sleepover.

I looked up to see Old Quil staring at me with a knowing smile, yep he knew. That saved me arguing with her later tonight, I looked over when Harry took over the story. He was on my shit list now, I did feel sorry for him and Sue and with what happened to Leah, but Bella was my mate, she was going to be my future.

Once Quil had finished his part of the story, Harry stood up made an excuse, folded his chair and walked back up the beach to his car. I just shook my head, grateful that Bella didn't have to see his behaviour.

I howled to get the pack attention, "Bella is back at the house getting ready for a movie and sleepover, she will be sleeping in her room tonight. No arguing, no trying to make her sleep anywhere else. No bringing up tonight unless she starts the conversation, and then keep it short and make sure it wasn't a problem that she left early. No repeating the stories to her, when Bella is ready, we will do this again around a fire, no hinting or dropping clues about her place in the pack or that I am her mate." I ordered each of them, then watched has each wolf and mate agreed.

"Good, Embry run a quick patrol around the Res, run both circuits. Jake run up to Forks and do a quick check on the Swan house and surrounding area. Don't try to enter the Swans, I have taken the spare key." I ordered and watched has they both ran into the forest, generally looking excited to be doing patrol.

"Do I want to know where my nephew had left the key?" Old Quil asked, looking annoyed.

"Above the front door eave, here." I answered him, taking the key out of my back pocket and handing it to him.

"Stupid boy, the chief of Police and he hides the key in the most obvious place any thief would look first." Old Quil grumbled out and shaking his head.

Billy started to laugh, "You know Charlie and his thoughts, apparently nobody will look in the most obvious place first."

I helped Jared bank the fire has the girls and Elders cleared up any mess we have left behind, the girls had wrapped the blankets around their shoulders and were talking to the Elders.

I walked over to them and looked at Billy before I could say anything he spoke first "the door will be unlocked if Bella changes her mind, don't force her Sam to stay no matter how much you want her there. She is and always will be my priority, she deserves to be happy."

I nodded in agreement, I wasn't going to force Bella to do anything she didn't want to do, "If Bella wants to, can she stay Sunday night also?" I asked him.

"That is fine, if she wants to, I'm back leaving early again from Monday any way, make sure she gets to school in plenty of time. You may have to be a bit tough with her though, knowing Bella she won't want to go back."

I nodded in agreement, not really looking forward to having to force her on Monday. "Sure" I told him.

"Have you thought about when you will see her when she is back in Forks" Billy asked, turning my mood sour.

"I've tried not to, I guess we can run up there on an evening and then see if Bella can come down here on the weekends to stay." I suggested.

"Give it a few days, give Charlie a chance to be her dad and step up. I will talk to him, maybe see if she can stay down here when he is working nights and, on the weekends, when he has plans."

"Sure, sure." I replied has we all started to walk towards my and Billy's truck.

"It will work out Sam, Bella is an important part of the Reservation, she just doesn't it yet. Charlie's weakness is seeing Bella unhappy, if I must, I will use that to get Bella down here has much as I can.

I nodded silently has we reached the truck, I watched Billy get into his truck with Old Quil and drive away before getting into my truck and driving back to the house.