Chapter 7

Several things happened seemingly at the same time, or at least that's how it appeared to my normal human mind. The passenger side door of Quil's truck (which was also my door) was ripped open, I saw a white hand reaching for me and before I could even look up to see who the hand belonged to, it was being torn away from me. Embry was still in human form, eyes wild as he tore the vampire away from the car. He had been sitting in the back, closest to me. On instinct, my head whipped to the left to find Quil. Only to realize he was already out the car. He must've thrown it in park and jumped out the instant Embry jumped out, because by the time my eyes caught up with him, he was mid jump and phase. I didn't see him make contact with the vampire, but I did see them land. Whoever the vampire was, was kicking up dirt and grass with its stone like limbs as Quil pushed it relentlessly into the hard earth. I rushed to jump out of the truck during all the commotion. By the time I had cleared the truck and could see exactly what was going on I could see who the vampire was clearly, Edward Cullen. Of course.

Quil was growling ferally in his face, spittle flying from his mouth and sticking to Edward's face and dripping down his K-9's as he exposed them menacingly just inches from his face. As he pinned his mutely struggling arms into the ground, the earth disrupted angrily around him from the sheer force. Embry, was holding his legs, still in human form. Not that it looked like he would be able to last that way much longer, if the way he's shaking is anything to go by.

"What the hell is going on ?!" A familiar husky voice yelled. My head whipped to where it had come from, my front porch. My dad stood staring wide eyed at Quil in wild form on top of Edward, his gun drawn in shaking hands. I had never seen my dad with anything other than a steady hand when he drew his weapon, all of the times I'd saw him do so. Even when we were at a gas station in Port Angeles when I was 13 and accidentally stumbled upon an active armed robbery. I had never saw my dad panic, and as I looked at him clutch his 9 millimeter as tightly as he could with trembling hands, and a half crazed look in his wide eyes, I felt faint.

"Dad…" I whispered dumbfounded. And then I seemed to register the gun in his hands. "Dad don't! It's Quil! The wolf is Quil!" I screamed desperately.

"I know that Isabella I just watched him turn into that thing!" He bellowed back. Another shout this time from the treeline, drew my attention.

"No! Don't! Please, I tried to stop him! He thought Bella was in danger!" Alice rushed out almost like she was out of breath, but I knew better.

"She is in danger! She was in the car with them! Alice grab her now! Get her away from here!" Edward hissed. And just like that, Embry phased too. Digging his claws into Edward's legs, a quick jerk of his massive head sent both Edward's legs and the bottom portion of his torso flying toward the forest's edge. They must've communicated in the pack mind because as soon as his legs were detached, Embry was seemingly instantly taking Quil's place pinning what was left of Edward to the ground. Before I had time to register anything else, Quil was suddenly in front of me, half wrapped around me as he growled viciously at Alice.

"RUN BELLA!" Charlie screamed petrified, just as Alice began screaming again.

"Please don't kill him! Please ! We came here because Bella's future disappeared from my visions two days ago. We were afraid she had died, we only came to confirm or deny. On the way here, we caught Bella's scent entwined with yours, Edward thought you must be trying to kill her and that is why I can't see her. He took off before I could stop him, he's the fastest of us. I'm sorry for whatever happened before I arrived, but I can assure you we have not broken the treaty!" She rushed out panickedly. My dad interrupted her twice yelling for me to run, but she didn't let that deter her.

"Please just put the gun down." I pleaded back at my dad. Two more wolves emerged from the trees, moving towards Alice growling menacingly. Only then did Embry release Edward, falling back with the two wolves I now recognized as Sam and Jacob. When Edward's hands were free, he immediately grabbed at his head pulling his hair while shaking his head back and forth madly.

"That's not true, and she is not his!" He hissed. I knew he was responding to one of their thoughts, but i had no idea who's. It was a very morbid sight, when the lower half of his body was still missing. Alice had dashed over to him the moment Embry backed away.

I grabbed at Quil's fur, trying to get his attention. I knew I had no chance at him taking his eyes off the threat to look at me but I hoped he'd pay attention to my feelings.

"My dad." I whispered worriedly to him. He looked at the two vampires calculatively for a moment and then my body was being pushed backward toward my dad. Quil ensured he was plastered against me the whole time we moved, his large wolf frame serving as a barrier between myself and the Cullens. My dad was still holding his gun in a death grip.

"I can't risk it with you so close Isabella, you need to MOVE!" He bellowed again. He never used my full name, I could tell just by the use of it alone he was terrified, followed up by the look in his eyes. He was frantically trying to think of a way to save me, while teetering on the line of shock. I needed to calm him down before he had a heart attack like Uncle Harry.

I tuned out the commotion behind me and focused on my dad as much as possible now that Quil had backed us up to the front porch steps.

"Dad I need you to listen to me. I don't have a lot of time, so I can't go into detail I need you to just trust me right now. The Quileute legends are true, some members of the tribe have the ability to shape shift into wolves, they are protectors, from cold ones. I will explain what those are later, all you need to know now is this wolf I'm standing in front of is Quil, the other ones are Embry, Jacob and Sam. Do NOT shoot them. They are here to protect us."

"What the fuck are cold ones Bella, and what the hell are those things?! He hollered pointing his gun at Edward's managed body.

"Dad put the gun down! I told you I don't have time to explain!" I screamed exacerbated. He looked down at the gun, like he'd forgotten he still held it, before holstering it shakily.

"Get up here and get behind me Bella." He said more assuredly but still shaky. I looked at Quil who didn't look back, still not taking his eyes off the vampires, but nodded his large head curtly. I ran up the stairs and my dad grabbed me tightly in a short hug before shoving me behind him. I resisted the urge to roll my eyes and just let him do it, knowing it'd make him feel a bit better. I knew I had no chance of convincing him to go inside so I just stayed put and peered around him as best I could, trying to see what was going on now that I knew my dad wasn't gonna kill anyone, including himself.

I caught what had to be the end of the conversation between Alice and Sam. Sam was telling her how lucky they both were that Quil only ordered Em to immobilize Edward, as they very well could have killed him.

I nodded by head in agreement. I don't know what the hell Edward was thinking. What if I hadn't known about the wolves? What if Quil had phased in the car, his mate was almost attacked by a vampire and he was a brand new wolf. It was honestly a miracle he hadn't. When Edward insisted he cared only of my well being, I lost it. I couldn't hold my tongue anymore, I moved to the side, still behind my dad but to where I could see them and I knew the asshole could see me.

"You care only of my well being my ass. There has to be more to it. I disappeared from Alice's visions and you show up here planning to what exactly? Kidnap me because I wasn't sulking around without you? Even after all this time, you're still only interested in controlling me! You don't own me Edward Cullen and you never will! I don't care what you or anyone else thinks about the people I chose to love because believe it or not I actually chose to love them. I am not forced into submission by any supernatural force. Unlike when I was with you. You used to basically hypnotize me with your vampire lure anytime I disagreed with you or spoke my mind. I loved you, I loved you despite the most domineering part of you. I loved you, but all you were interested in was controlling and shaping me into what you wanted me to be instead of loving me for who I was. Isnt it ironic, that I could accept you for who and what you were, but you never could accept and love me for me? You had to use supernatural manipulation to make me docile and agreeable! It took MONTHS after you left for my brain to unhaze and for me to realize what you had been doing. Months where my body was in physical withdrawal from the lure. I couldn't eat, sleep, I barely talked and everyone thought I was crazy including myself! But I did work it out Edward Mason Cullen. I remembered every time I'd be about to disagree with you, or question something that didnt make sense to me how you used to subtly blow your breath across my face when you spoke, always touching me and never breaking eye contact. In just a few seconds I'd agree with whatever you were suggesting. Thank God you were born in such a chivilary mandated time period, or who knows how far you could've taken that had you been the slightest bit more malignant. One thing that is absolutely certain though, I'd NEVER willingly go anywhere with you again. I'd never give you the opportunity to use me the way you have before. Furthermore I'm no longer interested in continuing a platonic relationship with any of you based soley off the way you all chose to enter l, reak havoc and exit my life. I am Quil's mate, and no one else's. My life does not concern you or any of your family." I sneered the word. "If you only came here for me, you're wasting your time." I said definitively. Alice looked hurt, but half way through my rant she'd looked down and had refused to meet my eyes again. It was all the answer I'd needed, she knew.

"You're confused lo-" Edward begin to try to manipulate his way out of admitting anything but was interrupted by my dad

"You heard her. Get the fuck off my property and don't let me see you on it again boy." My dad told him venomously. I had almost forgotten all about him in my rant. He was watching the two Cullens, mostly what was left of Edward with narrowed eyes and a grim expression. I knew he must have so many questions and he probably didn't understand half of what I'd just said, but he understood enough to know Edward had taken advantage of me. I was lucky he hadn't pulled his gun back out honestly. My heart swelled, even in the middle of a supernatural show down with little idea what was happening, my dad made sure he had my back, like always every time it mattered. Edward began to protest, but Alice rushed to gather his bottom torso slinging his top half over her shoulder by the arm.

"I'm so sorry Bella." She said softly, only casting me a brief mournful glance before disappearing into the forest with her brother in venom in tow. Jacob and Embry flew into the forest on their heels, I assumed to ensure they really left. Quil paced back and forth in front of the steps relentlessly growling. This was the first time he'd moved from his crouched position only now that the threat was truly gone. Sam walked over to him, and dragged the side of his giant black form against Quil's side in a lupine show of comfort. I could tell Sam was trying and failing to calm Quil down enough to phase back. I moved completely from behind my dad now, going to step down the first step, but my dad grabbed my arm a bit roughly in his haste to thwart my attempt at getting closer to the giant wolves in front of us.

"You can't be serious Bella." My dad protested. Quil had turned his head growling as soon as the pain registered in my brain from being grabbed too roughly. He was already completely on edge, I couldn't help but feel like everything that was happening was my fault. Feel like I was cause of all of this drama in Quil's life. Would he even be a wolf, would any of them be a wolf if I had stayed away from Edward? Quil had just phased yesterday and because of me he had to deal with imprinting, marking, and nearly fighting a vampire all in the first 48 hours of his change. Before I could think to answer my dad, Quil was changing suddenly. He grabbed the shorts Sam had detatched from around his massive leg and slipped them on mich quicker than i really had time to register it. Which was surely his intent before gathering me into his arms, embracing me tightly. He pulled away to look at my arm. Once he was sure I wasn't hurt he moved on to rest of my body before scenting me. After convincing himself and his wolf that I was completely unharmed, he held my face in his large warm hands gently moving it upward to make my eyes meet his eyes. His pupils were ice blue rimmed but he wasnt in the skinwalk state.

"None of this is your fault honey. Stop thinking that every bad thing that happens around you is because of you, it's not. You've been the best part of all of this hands down. You make accepting this fate easy, because it means I get to protect you. You make my wolf calm, stopped me from phasing out of emotion plenty of times already. I don't know where I would be mentally right now without you. Stop beating yourself up baby, none of this is your fault. I promise." He told me sternly. I launched myself into his arms, crying. Of course he would know what I was thinking just from what my emotions told him. He always seemed to know exactly what to say to me, It made me love him all the more. Quil scooped me up while I cried, and carried me up the stairs, past my half frozen in place father, into the house. He sat on the couch and adjusted my body so my butt was sat comfortably on the sofa, while my body was still practically wrapped around him as he kneeled in front of me. He dropped his head into my neck and just began to sniff and touch me. I sat still minutely as I allowed him and his wolf to assure my safety and wellbeing once again. I knew it would take a while to settle his wolf completely after what had just happened, and i didnt mind. I was being cuddled tenderly by my handsome boyfriend while he ran his nose over my neck and chest, hardly work. We sat that way locked in a little bubble of Bella and Quil for who knows how long. I was beginning to forget the evening's events as I lost myself in my mate.

That is until a pointed throat clearing managed to burst our little bubble. My dad was standing in the entry way to the living room with a red face.

"I don't care who, but somebody start fucking talking." My dad demanded quietly. I had never heard my dad say fuck before today, and now I'd heard him say it twice. Charlie Swan's patience had officially expired.

XxX

It's been just over a month since Edward and Alice showed up. My dad was still digesting all the information he had received that day. It was a tough day for me as well especially emotionally but I knew it was even tougher for him. He'd been exposed to the supernatural world in an offensively climatic fashion. No one would have wished that on him. Billy had come down to talk to him and answer most of his unanswered questions the next day, and that helped him accept the whole Quil imprinting / mate thing. That, and the fact I'd dated a vampire in the first place were the two things he seemed to be caught up on other than the fact I didn't tell him anything of course. Overall, I could see where I got the whole good with weird thing from. My dad's main concerns were my safety and wellbeing, not the supernatural factors like most people would be stuck on. The only details he wanted all the specifics we had on was how to kill a vampire. I think he was convinced he could find a way to kill one if need be. He has also been spending quite a bit of time down at the Clearwater's as of lately. He said it was to talk to Sue about everything, which was probably true but I knew there had to be more to it. He could've always just went to Unlcle Billy's. I had my suspicions, which were basically confirmed by little Seth Clearwater the day I ran into him at the Atera's store. He told me he'd spotted my dad around the house a lot more recently and when I noisily inquired about what 'more' meant, he innocently divulged to me how my dad would normally come to his for dinner whenever I spent the night at a friends house aka Quil or Embrys. I wasn't going to pressure him into telling me he was dating Sue though, not after he'd just found out just how many secrets I'd kept from him since moving back. He'll tell me when he's ready, and I just have to be okay with that. It took a few days just for him to be able to come to me about how hurt he actually was that I didn't trust him enough to confide in him at any point. I had to explain to him from my perspective it wasn't confiding in him, it was putting his life in danger and that's not something I could handle. He'd been very direct in his answer to that. 'You're MY kid , it's my job to protect YOU, not the other way around Isabella. I love you for trying to look out for your old man, but don't ever do that again.' He'd told me earnestly. I felt like a little girl being gathered into his arms, like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders having no secrets from him, it left me feeling that much closer to him. Of course he took some things better than others. When he found out about the mark, and that it means Quil and I are technically married; that was a bit harder for him to accept. Although, that was much more to do with his inability to see his daughter as a grown woman capable of a monumental decision like marriage.

Quil had also moved into his new house a few weeks ago, only a day late because of all the drama. My dad had pleaded with me to at least stay with him until my graduation, and I'd put his worries to rest by telling him we'd already planned to do that. I knew that he'd finally just come around to the idea of me being married, I didn't want to push too much on him at once. Much to Quil's hidden dismay. He tried to hide is discomfort and disappointment at not having me live with him due to his great efforts to respect my wishes, but fortunately or unfortunately there was no hiding his emotions from me anymore. He was struggling, badly. Not with phasing or training, that part actually came very naturally to Quil. He was struggling with the pull when we were separated, especially at night. He barely slept when I was at my dad's, so most nights I was, he'd end up outside my window or in the woods behind the house in wolf form. He said the journals said the overwhelming urge to protect your mate from every little thing would stop once the relationship had been consummated, but that clearly wasn't the case with Quill and I. If anything, it was worse today than ever before. He was very skittish whenever I was around men outside of the pack and my father, even Uncle Billy and Gramps had caught a few stray growls. All of the pack knew the constant struggle Quil was in due to the mind link they shared, so everybody kept their distance from me in hopes at putting Quil's wolf as ease. Embry and Jacob still talked to me the same, but I could tell they were very careful not too get on close to me or Gid forbid touch me. Quil had also confided in me that it took great effort on his part to allow me to be alone. Not that he was upset I wasnt with him every time I wanted to be alone, just the fact that he is unable to protect me in the event of an emergency drove his wolf mad. At first I'd put it off as his wolf being on edge from almost having his mate injured by a vampire, but if that had truly been the case he'd be getting better with time, not worst. Gramps was at the Archives every time I asked about him it seemed, trying to locate any information on why Quil and his wolf were so completely on edge. It seemed the only bit of peace he got lately is when I was in his arms, like I am now.

It was late afternoon almost evening and we were relaxing at Quil's house, in the living room watching some movie Quil had picked. Quil was laid across the couch, with me comfortably wrapped up in his warm arms. The movie was just a few mins away from being over when I my stomach growled loudly. I think being with Quil all the time had really aided to my barely existent appetite. Normally it, I'd eat very small portions and sometimes I didn't finish that. The last couple of weeks had changed that drastically. Quil would quietly observe my tiny plate, and silently disapprove. I only ever knew because of his emotions, he never said anything. He'd just wait until the portions were low enough, and excuse himself to add more to it before quietly coming back and setting it in front of me. He'd also taken to feeding me at home, I mean his house; it felt like home. When he fed me; he always filled the dish with a much bigger portion than I'd have gotten for myself. For some reason, every time he fed me I always ended up eating the whole portion. It seems like it's finally paid off, and lately I'd been eating a lot more on my own without being encouraged or fed like a child.

"I better get started on dinner, I'm obviously hungry and you always are so…" I trailed off, hopping up. I headed in the kitchen and started pulling out ingredients for spaghetti, as well as the pots I'd need. I quickly lost myself in the cooking, it was one of my favorite things to do after all. Cooking wasn't a chore to me, it relaxed me. I worked quietly, humming to myself.

I had just got done draining the spaghetti noodles in the sink when I felt it become too much for him.

"It's okay baby, come help me chop the vegetables." I called out to him, and almost immediately he was in the kitchen rushing to my side. He rubbed my lower back and kissed my head in thanks.

I sat the drained noodles aside and brought two bell peppers and two onions over to the other side of the counter. I grabbed two knives and two chopping boards, handing him one of each before tossing him a bell pepper and grabbing one to chop too. We chopped the vegetables silently while wrapped in our iridescent bubble we were always caught in when together, it was more than peaceful. After I was done chopping up the pepper, I grabbed an onion and began chopping that too. Halfway through, I stopped bringing my hand up to my nose.

"What's wrong kitten, the onion making you cry?" Quil asked. I shook my head slowly as I tried to shake the sudden nausea that washed through me. I'll just spit to get that nasty taste out of my mouth. I walked over to the sink and just before I was in front of it, it hit me full force. I lurched the rest of the way to the sink and vomited violently. Quil was there instantly of course, grabbing my hair and checking my forehead for a fever. Once I was done I rinsed my mouth out and was immediately scooped up and carried back into the living room. Quil sat me on the couch, and disappeared back in the kitchen silently. I heard the microwave open, and then just a few minutes or seconds later as it beeped. He returned to the living room with a steaming mug of what I could smell to be Tea. He handed it to me before kneeling in front of me. He urged me to sip before he said anything, which I did.

"What's wrong baby? Have you been feeling sick?" He asked calmly. But he couldn't fool me, I could feel his gnawing worry and concern pulsing through the bond. I shook my head and took another sip from the mug.

"I've been fine up until now. I actually feel a lot better than I did even a second ago. It must just be something I ate yesterday or this morning." I assured him. He didn't look convinced, but nodded.

"Stay here and drink your tea, I'll finish dinner." He said with no room to argue. I sighed. I wanted to tell him I was fine now and I could do it, but I knew he wouldn't let me. He smirked softly at me, making my panties dampen. He was just naturally damn sexy, even a small smirk could illicit such a response from me. I heard his hiss as he retreated, he knew exactly how he'd affected me.

The movie we were watching earlier was long over so I grabbed the remote off the coffee table and flicked around until I found a show I was interested in. I decided on one of those sci-fi dystopian future shows and began to watch while I sipping my tea.

Before long, Quil was finishing up and yelling for me to come eat. Instead of leaving the TV on as background noise like earlier, I turned it off. Jumping up, I yawned widely, stretched my arms above my head and walked in the kitchen. Quil had two bowls in his hands as he turned around.

"The garlic bread is just about done, I'll leave it in unt-" He started and then just abruptly froze mid sentence. I was immediately worried by the onslaught of emotions that hit him and by default, me as he stared at me dumbfounded.

"Quil? What's wrong?" I asked frantically. His emotions were flickering from one to the other so fast I was having a hard time focusing on one before another was replacing it. The one emotion that stuck around long enough for me to register was shock. He didn't answer me just stared at me with large eyes and his mouth slightly agape. I rushed over to him gathering him in my arms worriedly.

"Quil please, tell me what's wrong!" I pled. I was genuinely worried now at the onslaught of emotions he was feeling. He seemed unable to gather his thoughts properly, as he experienced the emotions in real time. He stumbled over a few I's and ugh before grabbing me tightly into his arms and he began to cry. Now I was the shocked one. I'd only seen Quil twice, one tear because I was hurting and crying in his arms and many on his parents death anniversary. Aside from then, he was always so carefree and joyful for the most part that it felt alien to think of him sad enough to cry. I was really worried now. He held me tightly but tenderly, crying into my shoulder.

"Baby please…" I pled again bewildered and worried out of my mind. He moved back and grabbed my face lovingly with his large warm hands on either side. He was definitely still lost in his emotion, as he looked at me. I could feel the pride, fear, awe, excitement, worry, trepidation, protectiveness, shock and overwhelming love flickering through him now and I watched in half bewilderment as he tried to gather the necessary composure needed to communicate with me. He took a deep deliberate breath, closing his eyes briefly before opening them to reveal ice blue rimed pupils.

"I know why my wolf has been acting the way it has." He explained quietly, shakily. I nodded encouragingly, happy he was beginning to speak. I hurriedly asked a follow up question.

"Okay, why?" I asked. Quil was staring at me like a small child watching Superman fly past them or something, I didn't understand what was happening and I was trying to desperately.

"Because he knows. He must've known this whole time… that you're pregnant."He basically whispered.