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Chapter Text

It started with an argument 

That’s how most things seemed to start these days in the Cullen household post-Victoria, with an argument. 

“What do you mean you invited them ?” Edward hissed. 

Bella glanced up from her position on the couch.

“They are our cousins!” Rosalie said, frowning in his direction. “Why are you so upset?”

“We agreed it would be best if they did not come so as to not incite an incident with the Quileute tribe.”

“Tanya has promised Irina will be on her best behavior,” Rosalie said. “Am I supposed to uninvite them?”

“Yes,” Edward said, completely serious.

“Well you will have to talk to Carlisle about that. I will not be responsible for worsening our coven’s relationship with them.”

“When are they coming?”

“Tomorrow,” Rosalie said, plopping down on the couch next to Bella. 

“We don’t have much time, where is Carlisle?” Edward asked.

“Out hunting with Esme, you may be ab-”

But he was already gone. 

Silence fell over the house as only Rosalie and Bella were now present. 

“He is so odd sometimes,” Rosalie scoffed.

“He’s just worried, Alice had some sort of vision that shook him up,” Bella explained, parroting what Edward had told her back at Rosalie.

Rosalie glanced over at Bella as if to say “you’re really defending him right now?”

Bella shrugged, turning her head back to the show. “I’m just saying. I was confused too when he told me about it.”

Told was… a way of saying it. It had come up during an argument. 

They seemed to be doing a lot of that recently. Bella had chalked it up to the stress of wedding planning. Every engaged couple went through that, right?

“Bella?”

“Hmm?” Bella glanced up to see Rosalie looking a bit concerned. Rosalie studied her quietly for a second. 

“I’m only going to say this once, when he’s not here,” Rosalie said, lowering her voice. Her face was soft, her usual icy exterior having melted away. “You don’t have to go through with it if you don’t want to.”

“What do you mean?” Bella asked.

“If you get cold feet,” Rosalie said. “I know Alice and Esme are making a big fuss, but I promise, we’d all understand if you want to wait.”

“Rosalie come on-”

“We just want you to be happy,” Rosalie said.

Bella shook her head. Sure Edward and her were struggling a bit, but she still cared about him. “We’re fine, but thank you for reassuring me.”

Rosalie didn’t seem too convinced, but also didn’t argue, which Bella counted as a win.

The Cullen’s doorbell rang, causing both Rosalie and Bella to glance over in that direction. Rosalie frowned slightly. “Oh they’re here slightly earlier then expected.” 

Bella stood up, brushing off the crumbs from her shirt. Great she had planned to at least look semi-decent when the Denalis appeared. 

Rosalie made her way to the front door as Bella tried (and somewhat failed) to fix her hair in the reflection of the TV. 

“Tanya!” Bella heard Rosalie said, obvious excitement in her voice. “It’s so good to see you.”

“Rosalie.”

Bella’s heart sped up at the sound of that voice. It was as smooth as maple syrup and made Bella feel as warm as a hot bubble bath. 

“It’s so good to see all of you,” Rosalie said, closing the front door. Bella could hear them approaching, standing up straight. “This is Edward’s fiance, Bella.”

And as they came into view, Bella knew she had made a horrible error. 

For the past two years, Bella had sworn up and down, left and right, that Edward Cullen was the love of her life. And despite their recent issues and troubles, Bella had still believed that until this very moment. 

Bella felt shell-shocked as she locked eyes with the blonde Rosalie was standing next to. She had lightly curled strawberry-blonde hair. She was dressed in clothes suitable for Forks, a rain jacket over a t-shirt and jeans. Yet she somehow made it look like it had come off a runway in Milan.

Even for a vampire, she was absolutely gorgeous. It was almost odd, most vampire’s beauty was so perfect it seemed unnatural… but on this vampire, it seemed so natural. She was stunning like a full moon on an otherwise cloudy night. Gorgeous like the view from the top of a mountain on a clear day. She was beautiful in the way the sight of shoreline was beautiful to a sailor who had not seen land in several months.

And that’s how Bella knew she was screwed, because there was no way any other person could ever compare to this woman.

There was no one else. 

It was only her, and it could only ever be her. 

“Bella, this is Tanya,” Rosalie said, motioning to the blonde as if she wasn’t introducing Bella to the woman who was literally melting her brain. 

Tanya blinked once and then offered her hand. She seemed slightly frazzled. “It’s nice to meet you Bella.”

The way that voice said her name… for a moment Bella was worried her legs were going to give out under her. She managed to coordinate her movements enough to shake Tanya’s hand.

“Nice to meet you too,” Bella somehow managed to get out past the lump in her throat.

“My sisters Irina and Katrina,” Tanya motioned to the other two blondes. Bella blinked, she hadn’t even noticed the other coven members in the room. 

“Hello,” Bella said nodding to the two of them. Irina did not seemed pleased to be present, but nodded in response none the less. 

Katrina gave her a mischievous grin. “So you’re the poor soul who’s marrying Edward.”

“Be nice,” the only other woman said. She smiled at Bella. “I’m Carmen, and this is my husband, Eleazar.”

“Hello,” the man next to her said. 

The two of them had dark hair in sharp contrast to the sisters. 

“It’s nice to meet you as well,” Bella said.

“You guys can put your stuff up in my room I guess,” Rosalie rolled her eyes. “Lord knows Alice isn’t going to share her room.”

“Perfect, come on Eleazer you heard the woman,” Carmen said, motioning to her husband to follow her. 

“I should probably be getting home,” Bella admitted. “Um, Rosalie can I get a ride?”

“Do you not have your own car?” Irina asked.

“Yeah, well, Edward picked me up,” Bella said sheepishly. “So I need to wait-“

“Nonsense, I can give you a ride home,” Tanya said. She flashed Bella a smile causing Bella’s face to heat up. Christ could her body at least try and work with her? 

Irina spoke up. “Are you sure that’s a good-”

The glare Tanya sent Irina’s way made Bella smile. Irina threw up her hands. “Ignore me.”

“It’s probably better I take her,” Rosalie sighed. “As amusing as it would be to send Edward in a tizzy over you driving her home, he’s already mad at me for simply breathing, and Carlisle insists I try to get along with him.”

Bella paused for a moment. Oh God, Edward . She had completely forgotten he existed in the past fifteen minutes.

“Yeah, we should uh- we should get going,” Bella said, feeling a bit of disappointment at not being able to speak with Tanya. “It was nice to meet you all.”

“Sweet dreams,” Tanya said.

Bella followed Rosalie out to the car.

“Are you alright? You are acting weird. More weird then normal,” Rosalie asked in concern once the doors were closed.

“Thanks Rosalie,” Bella said, her voice dry.

“Listen,” Rosalie shifted. “I know Tanya can be a bit… intimidating. But you have nothing to worry about. She has no interest in Edward and none of the Denali coven have any ill will towards you.”

“I think I’m just nervous,” Bella said, trying to give the other woman a smile.

“You’ll be alright, just… think about what I said, alright?” Rosalie asked. 

“I will,” Bella promised. 

They drove of the rest of the way in silence, leaving Bella to her thoughts. 

Wedding preparations were a whirlwind, with Edward refusing to leave her side, and Bella seeing not as much of Tanya as perhaps she would like. The Denalis were (hesitantly) allowed to stay. Edward had told Bella when no one else could hear them that it would be an insult to send them away. So they were going to be attending the wedding, whether Edward liked it or not.

Edward was acting weird, weirder then normal. 

Bella had thought with Victoria gone he might grow a little less protective. No, instead he seemed to be even more antsy, as if some random vampire was going to jump out of the shadows and feast on her blood. 

And it wasn’t just his behavior, it was Alice’s too. 

Her weirdness wasn’t as outright as Edward’s, but she seemed a little tense. Her smile seemed a bit too strained. She still was chatty as ever, but Bella couldn’t help but feel that something was off. 

The night before her wedding, Bella sat on her bed, book in hand. Edward had left her for the evening off on his ‘bachelor’s party’ (Emmett had to basically drag him away). Despite having her first night of peace in months… Bella couldn’t focus on the book in front of her. She felt antsy, like she should be doing something. Maybe… maybe it was just cold feet. She was supposed to be getting married tomorrow after all… right? 

She heard a tap at her window. She glanced up, confused to see Tanya of all people waiting outside. 

“Hello,” the other woman said. “...may I come in?”

How was it that whenever Bella laid eyes on this woman, it felt like the earth was unsteady underneath her feet? 

“Oh, um, sure,” Bella said, closing the book. 

She glanced around the room, her eyes landing on Bella’s photo board. “You like photography?”

“Yeah,” Bella said. Yeah ? She wanted to jump off a cliff again, why couldn’t she come up with cooler answers.

Tanya just smiled as she continued examining the pictures. “My sister, Kate, she loves photography. She’s been into it since you were able to purchase your own,” she began what Bella assumed was an impersonation of Kate. “Tanya, were you aware that they make it so you can capture paintings without a paintbrush?” Tanya chuckled, before turning back to Bella.

“I’m sorry,” Bella said. “Not trying to be rude… but what exactly are you doing here?”

“Well,” Tanya paused. “I was planning on trying to talk you out of what possibly could be the worst decision of your life.”

Bella’s anger flared up at that, erasing any shyness she had. “I’ll have you know that I have thought long and hard over becoming a vampire and I-”

“Oh no, not that,” Tanya said, holding up a hand. “No, I have no issue with you becoming a vampire. In fact… I encourage it.”

Bella was shocked by that. “I’m sorry?”

“If it is what you desire, you should have it,” Tanya said, a smile on her face. Tanya moved a chair so she could sit closer to Bella without getting on the bed. 

“So if you’re not here about the turning…”

Tanya clasped her hands together, her face growing soft. “I’m here to talk you out of getting married to Edward.”

Bella blinked at that. “Why?”

Tanya tilted her head, her voice soft. “I think you know why.”

She knew. 

Bella didn’t know how this vampire knew. But she did. She knew how Bella couldn’t seem to see anyone else when Tanya came into the room. She knew. 

Bella swallowed. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“You don’t?” Tanya asked. “Then why is your heart beating so fast?”

Bella cursed her human nature for what felt like the 1000th time. She glanced away from Tanya. She felt a lump in her throat. “I barely know you.”

Tanya hummed. “True,” she leaned forward in her chair. “But don’t you want to know me?”

God did Bella want to know Tanya.

She wanted to find out everything about this woman. She wanted to find out what made her smile, what made her laugh, what made her cry. 

She wanted it so bad it hurt. 

It hurt because she knew this wasn’t was not going away. It hadn’t gone away. 

She should care about Edward. She knew that. 

But with Tanya so close, to the point where Bella felt slightly light-headed from the smell of her perfume… christ.

All Bella could think about was Tanya.

“What are you suggesting I do?” Bella asked, her voice quiet.

“Come to Alaska with me,” Tanya said. “Tonight. Leave a note for your father saying the wedding pressure was too much. You can become a vampire there.”

Bella wanted to laugh. “This is crazy,” she said. 

“I know,” Tanya said, a hint of a smile occurring. “So?”

Tanya offered her hand to Bella, and Bella stared at it for a moment. 

She could stay. She should stay. Everyone was expecting her to be at the wedding tomorrow… Some might even say it was her duty to stay. 

But it wouldn’t be fair to Edward. Not when she was drooling over this woman with her golden hair and golden eyes.

No, it wouldn’t be fair at all. 

She couldn’t promise Edward a future when the only future she could currently picture was one with Tanya by her side.

“Alright,” Bella said quietly, taking her hand. 

“Alright,” Tanya agreed, pulling Bella up to stand. 

“You know what’s funny?” Bella asked. 

Tanya tilted her head.

“I absolutely can’t stand snow.”

Tanya laughed, causing Bella to smile. And it was then that Bella knew she had made the right decision.

She had been Tanya’s since the moment they met, and she would be Tanya’s for the rest of eternity.

Chapter Text

To be fair to Tanya, she hadn’t gone to Forks with the intention to kidnap Edward’s fiance.

Tanya wasn’t really sure what she expected when she showed up in Forks.

The minute Tanya had lain her eyes on Bella, she had felt a weird sensation kickstart in her chest. She had to focus to keep her composure as she met the girl’s eyes. She was pretty for a human, in a soft subtle way. She wasn’t bold or flashy, but then again, Tanya had never really admired those traits. 

Tanya hadn’t expected to be so enraptured by Bella Swan.

And yet there they were, two women wrapped up in their own world. They were on the brink of something that neither of them could really name quite yet, but Tanya was all for jumping over the edge. Kate had fake coughed, reminding Tanya of her sister’s presence.

If they had been alone, Tanya would have asked her then and there to leave.

But they weren’t. 

So she hadn’t.

Showing up at Bella’s house had been a rash decision. One that Tanya wasn’t super proud of. But Tanya had grown desperate. For some reason, the Cullens seemed to be keeping Tanya as far away from Bella as possible. There was something inside Tanya that told her she needed to speak to the other woman just once. Tanya needed to know if Bella felt the same as her. 

So Tanya had tapped on the window, and Bella had let her in.

Tanya hadn’t thought about the consequences. Tanya hadn’t thought about anyone’s feelings. Tanya hadn’t thought about anyone’s reactions. All Tanya had thought about was how Bella Swan smiled and shyly took Tanya’s hand, willing to go wherever Tanya led her. 

Which is how the two of them had wound up here.

Tanya sat by Bella’s side as the woman’s body fought against the venom. They were in Tanya’s room, with Bella laying on Tanya’s bed. Tanya had wanted her to be as comfortable as possible. The snow fell gently outside her window as Tanya listened to Bella’s uneven breathing. 

“Tanya?”

Tanya glanced over to see Kate standing in the doorway. “Can we talk?”

Tanya motioned for her younger sister to enter the room. “I assume this is going to be a continuation of our conversation from the other day?”

The night they had taken Bella from Forks, Kate drove. Bella and Tanya sat in the backseat while Irina sat in the front. Bella was asleep, her head in Tanya’s lap as Tanya moved a hand slowly through her hair.

Bella was her mate.

Her mate.

Tanya had found her mate. 

“Tanya, we need to talk,” Kate said. She spoke at a level only the vampires would be able to hear, not wanting to wake Bella.

Tanya glanced up, meeting her younger sister’s eyes in the mirror. “About what?”

“About what ?” Irina repeated seething. “About the idiotic-”

“Irina-” Kate said quietly.

“No,” Irina turned in her seat. She locked eyes with Tanya. Tanya was shocked by the pure rage in her sister’s eyes. “I refuse to tiptoe around the the issues at hand and I refuse to push my feelings aside. I agreed to come to the wedding only because you ordered me to. You ordered me to play nice with the puppies, and so I did. And now you have ordered us all to pack up in the middle of the night and steal away like thieves with Edward’s fiance in tow. You have ignored my feelings and Katrina’s to some degree about this entire affair. On top of that, now you would like to make her a part of our coven. You want me to live with someone who will always serve as a reminder of Laurent’s death. 

“What happened to Laurent was not Bella’s fault,” Tanya said, trying to remain calm and not get defensive. “Obviously what has occurred was not planned.”

“Laurent drama aside,” Kate said. “Have you even considered the further ramifications of what you have done?”

Tanya was silent. 

Her sisters were right. 

Tanya was supposed to be the responsible one. She was supposed to be the one who thought ahead. She was supposed to make decisions that best benefited the coven as a whole, not her as an individual.

Sasha hadn’t been the best example in that regard. Her mother and former coven head was notorious for being impulsive and following her instincts. In fact, Sasha had been the first one to tell Tanya about the mating instinct.

It was years ago, when Tanya was first turned, Sasha had mentioned the mating instinct. Sasha was teaching Tanya wood carving while also about the laws of the world Tanya had recently entered.

“There is another instinct, once just as powerful as the calling of blood ,” Sasha said in their native tongue. Her red eyes caught the light of the fire, making them almost glow. 

Tanya struggled with her knife. She was still getting used to her strength. “What type of instinct? ” 

“My maker called it ‘The Call,’” Sasha said. “But I have never felt such a thing .”

“What does it do? ” Tanya asked. 

“It is believed to tie you to your other half, the other piece of your soul. When you see them , you will know it, here,” she motioned to her heart. “My maker said it was their soul calling out for yours. ”

“Do you believe that Anya?” Tanya asked, frowning as her little wood utensil broke. 

“Perhaps there is such a thing, or perhaps the call is just love by a different name. Whatever the case, daughter of mine, know that our instincts are what guide us in this life, ” Sasha said. She paused “You hesitated today .”

Tanya knew exactly what her maker spoke of. She had paused before killing her prey, some remnant of her humanity fighting against her new vampiric nature. Sasha had killed him before he got away, but still…

“I’m sorry ,” Tanya said, feeling slightly ashamed. 

“Tanya look at me ,” Tanya met her maker’s eyes. She smiled at Tanya warmly. “It's alright, you are learning. Do not be concerned, after all, I have great faith in you Tanya. ”

“Even if I cannot carve a simple spoon? ” Tanya asked. 

Sasha just laughed. “Even if you cannot carve a simple spoon, ” 

Sasha walked over to her and handed her the beautiful wolf she had spent hours carving. “You may have been a sheep once, Tanya, but you are not anymore. You are the hunter, and a hunter must trust its instincts to survive. Do you understand? ” 

Tanya had nodded furiously, holding the statue carefully.

Tanya missed her mother, every single day, and she tried to take her advice to heart.

But the world was not the same as it once was. 

Tanya was not the same as she once was. 

Instinct is what drove her mother to an early grave. Tanya had learned to balance her instinct with reason. And yet, here she was, letting instinct drive her into what could be the downfall of her entire coven. 

“What happens when Edward finds out what we have done?” Kate asked, voicing Tanya’s thoughts. “What happens if the Cullens take this as an act of war? Even if they do not, I doubt they will wish to be our allies any longer. And what happens when the Volturi finds out we have not only gained another gifted member, but stolen her out from under Carlisle’s nose? Don’t you think their eyes will turn on us?”

“Do you want us to turn around then?” Tanya asked, her voice calm.

“The crime has already been committed,” Irina huffed. “No doubt Alice has already seen what occurred. We cannot undo what has been done.”

“I agree,” Kate said. She sighed. “I just don’t understand Tanya. Why her? Why now?”

Tanya didn’t respond, unsure of what to say. She didn’t know what to say. Tanya didn’t know why this had happened the way it had. It just… did. She looked down at the girl laying in her lap. Bella slept peacefully, unaware of the tension around her.

“I don’t know how to explain it,” Tanya said, her voice quiet. “And I am sorry for putting you two and Carmen and Eleazar in a difficult position. You know I would never want to put you all in any sort of danger. My actions were reckless, I understand that. But whatever resentment or anger you have towards me, do not turn it on Bella.”

“So we’re just supposed to act like she’s blameless?” Irina asked.

“You’re supposed to act like she’s your sister’s mate,” Tanya said, finally snapping a little. “Just as Katrina and I put up with Laurent’s bullshit, I am asking you to make an effort with Bella, that’s all.”

Irina huffed, but didn’t respond, turning towards the window. 

Tanya met Kate’s eyes in the rear view mirror. 

It was obvious that though the talking had ceased, the conversation was far from over.

And now here Kate was, ready to resume it.

“You’re worried about the Volturi,” Tanya said, her tone soft. Kate pulled up a chair beside her elder sister. The two were speaking low enough so that Bella would not be able to hear them through her haze.

“Well… yes, but that’s not my main concern,” Kate admitted with a frown. “I’m worried about Irina.

Tanya sighed. Irina had been withdrawn since they had gotten home. She had been interacting with Bella as little as possible. Tanya knew it would take her littlest sister a bit of time to get used to Bella. Still, Tanya was worried. Ever since Laurent’s death, Irina had been acting weird. Tanya and Kate both weren’t really sure how to help her. 

“I know,” Tanya said, quietly.

“Do you?” Kate asked, searching her older sister’s eyes. “You have to understand how this looks Tanya. This girl comes into the picture and all of a sudden it’s as if nothing else matters.”

“You know that’s not true,” Tanya said. 

“Is it?” Kate asked. “Every decision you’ve made since we arrived to Forks has been about her.”

Tanya didn’t have a good rebuttal for that. “I can admit my decisions recently have been a little selfish. I care for Bella, I won’t deny that, but Kate you and Irina are my sisters. You will always be important to me. This doesn’t change that.”

“Doesn’t it?” Kate asked. She frowned. “None of us have had mates before.”

“It will be different, for sure,” Tanya said. She took her sister’s hand in hers and squeezed it once. “But we will figure it out.”

Bella let out a groan of pain. Tanya turned her attention back on Bella. Bella’s change had been going better than most. After all, she was doing it out of choice, so her body was not exactly knitting itself back together from the verge of the death. Yet every time any noise of pain came from her, Tanya winced. She wished she could take the pain away, but knew she couldn’t. 

There was a pause of silence. 

“You love her don’t you?” Kate asked. 

“We just met a few days ago,” Tanya said.

 “That doesn’t answer my question.”

Tanya glanced back at Bella. She reached out, moving a small piece of hair that had somehow fallen onto her face. “It is silly, is it not? I sound like an idiot.”

“I think you sound like someone who found their mate,” Kate said, amused. Her voice softened. “You have seemed brighter since you met her.”

“I just wish it hadn’t caused so many issues… that we met in a more normal way,” Tanya sighed. 

“Like you said, we will figure it out,” Kate said, patting her sister on the back. “I’m going to go find Irina. You will be alright here, right?”

“Yeah,” Tanya said. 

Kate made her way towards the door. 

“Hey Kate?”

“Hmm?” Kate said, turning to face Tanya.

“I love you.”

Kate smiled. “Love you too.”

Chapter Text

Rosalie Hale had been hoping for a quiet evening.

The house had been a bit too busy recently for her tastes. The wedding and it’s planning had put the Cullens’ home in a perpetual state of pure chaos. Between Alice bouncing off the walls with excitement, Esme trying to make sure Alice didn’t steamroll Bella, and Bella being indecisive on everything, Rosalie was surprised they had managed to pull a ceremony together.

Now, however, they could have a small break. The wedding was tomorrow morning which was when the real chaos would begin.

But for now, Rosalie was trying (key word trying) to relax. It was helpful that all the boys were out of the house for Edward’s bachelor party. Rosalie was praying Jasper could keep her husband out of too much trouble. However, the boys weren’t the only ones missing. 

Esme and Carlisle were out for the evening to hunt. It had been a while since the two of them had gone on a date night and they were happy to get some alone time. The Denali coven had said they were heading to Seattle for the evening, hoping to find some fun outside of dreary Forks. 

That, however, left Rosalie and Alice alone in the living room of the manor. Rosalie didn’t mind though. She could tolerate her sister well enough. She really didn’t have many issues with Alice unless she was playing Edward’s sidekick. It just happened to be that Alice had been playing that role a lot recently since Bella Swan had come on the scene. Rosalie paged through her car magazine. She wondered if now that Bella was going to be part of the family if the girl would let her properly fix up her truck. Bella didn’t want Rosalie near the car, claiming the vampire would probably take it apart for car parts. Rosalie didn't know why Bella would think that. She wanted to take the hunk of metal off the road, yes. But Bella cared deeply about her car, and that was something Rosalie could respect. So the truck remained untouched... for now.

She glanced over at her sister to see Alice sketching. 

Alice was planning to go to fashion school soon, which Rosalie had no doubt Alice would greatly enjoy. The vampire already had notebooks full of designs based on fashion from the past and fashions that were yet to come. 

It was peaceful, or it was until Alice gasped and dropped her pencil. 

“What is it? Saw how awful the next Met Gala is going to be?” Rosalie teased.

“No,” Alice whispered, totally ignoring Rosalie. “No that can’t-”

“Alice?” Rosalie said, beginning to grow concerned. “What are you talking about?”

“I need to get ahold of Edward,” Alice said, standing up.

“Well, Emmett took his phone and I know for a fact he shut off his for the evening. You’re not gonna be able to get ahold of any of the boys until they get back.”

“No, no, no, no,” Alice muttered, beginning to pace. She was fidgeting with her hands, seeming frantic.

“Alice, please, you’re beginning to scare me a bit,” Rosalie admitted, putting her magazine down. “Just tell me what’s wrong. I’m sure we can figure this out.”

That caused Alice to pause her pacing. She turned towards her sister. “I-” she averted her eyes from Rosalie. “You have to understand… I didn’t see it until recently. And by then… I mean, what was I supposed to do, you know?”

“See what?”

“I mean… they were together in every vision since the battle with Victoria, their future has been set in stone, you know?”

“Who?”

“Edward and Bella,” Alice said, sitting back down. “But ever since the possibility of the Denalis showing up came into play, ever since the fact that Tanya and Bella would meet was set into stone… my visions have changed.”

“Changed… how?”

Alice glanced away.

“Changed how Alice?” Rosalie asked.

“It’s Tanya and Bella… I, I think they’re mates.”

“You think?” Rosalie asked, now getting agitated. “How do you not know for sure? Doesn’t your future vision tell you?”

Alice still didn’t meet her sister’s eyes, beginning to rub her arms in a self-soothing motion.

“Unless…” Rosalie frowned. “Unless you can’t see her.”

“I can see it!” Alice said “It’s just… fuzzy after she gets turned. I just know that if Tanya and Bella had little interaction then we wouldn’t have any issues”

“What do you mean?”

“If Bella and Edward got married, then…well, there was a large possibility something could occur. And if that occurred, Bella’s connection to her family would make her ignore the connection she has with Tanya.”

“What thing?”

Alice was silent, her heart  

“Alice, what thing ?”

“A baby,” Alice blurted out. “They could have had a vampire-human hybrid.”

“ What ?” Rosalie asked, trying to make sure she was hearing correctly.

“I didn’t know it was a thing either!” Alice said, throwing up her hands. “But the baby would have made Bella stay and try with Edward.

“So let me get this straight,” Rosalie said, trying to keep her cool. “You were planning to baby-trap Bella?”

Alice pursed her lips at that. “It sounds bad when you say it like that!”

“That’s because it is! It is Alice!” Rosalie snapped. She paused taking a deep breath. She needed to stay calm. “What exactly did you see that made you gasp?”

“Tanya and Bella heading to Alaska.”

“I’ll just call Tanya and see what’s going on,” Rosalie said. Rosalie picked up her phone as Alice anxiously began to pace again.

The phone rang once.

The phone rang again. 

And again.

And again.

And Rosalie was sent to voicemail.

“You’re not gonna get ahold of her,” Alice said, still pacing.

“We need to call Carlisle,” Rosalie said. “But we’ll just have to wait until the boys get back to talk to them.”

Carlisle picked up on the first ring (Thank God).

“Rosalie?” Carlisle asked, confused.

“We need you and Esme back at the house, Bella is gone,” Rosalie said, getting straight to the point.

“What do you mean gone?” Carlisle asked. 

“She’s run off to Alaska. Edward is going to freak out when he finds out, so we need you back here.”

“We’re on our way,” Carlisle said, hanging up. 

“What are we supposed to say to Edward?” Alice asked. “What do we say?”

“We tell him the truth.”

The two heard the front door open, and the sound of the boys' voices came streaming towards the living room. 

“Hey!” Emmett called as they entered the room. “What have you girls been up to?”

There was an awkward pause.

“What do you mean Bella’s gone?” Edward asked.

Alice’s face converted into one of guilt. Edward’s eyes seemed to pierce through Alice’s skull as he read whatever her thoughts were.

“You have got to be kidding me,” Edward said. 

“Edward please-”

Edward whipped around towards Emmett. “This is obviously your fault!” Edward hissed. He got up in Emmett’s face, causing the larger man to take a step back. “You just had to insist on me being away from Bella, didn’t you? If I had been here, this never would have happened!”

Now, Rosalie could tolerate many things. She could tolerate being insulted and yelled at. In fact, it was so common coming from Edward, that Rosalie wouldn’t have been surprised if he blamed her for this whole thing.

But Emmett?

Emmett was off-limits.

Emmett could be clumsy and yes he could be infuriating to Rosalie sometimes. But he was never malicious. He was never mean. He would do anything for his coven. 

He definitely didn’t deserve to be yelled at by Edward for Edward’s scheme going awry.

Rosalie sped in front of her husband. She began poking Edward in the chest to emphasize her words. “Don’t you dare talk that way to Emmett again! Emmett was just trying to do something nice for you and get the stick out of your ass!”

“He’s the reason-”

“He didn’t do jack shit!” Rosalie said, crossing her arms. “Your girlfriend is the one who left with a woman she met a few days ago. Willingly I may add.”

Christ this was not what Rosalie wanted to happen when she had that conversation with Bella.

Edward’s head snapped up at that thought, whipping his head towards her. “What conversation?”

Rosalie gritted her teeth. “Stay out of my head Edward.”

Edward stepped forward to get in Rosalie’s space, only for Emmett to also step forward and push him back. “Back off dude,” Emmett said, his voice more stern than usual.

““It was a private conversation.”

“What did you tell her?”

Rosalie knew he wasn’t going to stop til he told her. She sighed. “Bella and I had a conversation a few days ago, and all I said was that if she was having doubts, to not go through with the wedding.”

So it’s your fault,” Edward said. “You put the idea in her he-”

“I just told her that we would be understanding if she didn’t want to get married!” Rosalie insisted. “I said nothing about Tanya! I never said anything about running away!”

“This was your scheme. You and Tanya’s. You invited her-”

They fell silent as they heard the front door opening, signaling Carlisle and Esme were entering the house.

Carlisle frowned at his children. None of them could meet his eyes, suddenly embarrassed by their behavior.

“What’s going on here?” Carlisle asked.

There was silence as none of them answered him. Jasper and Emmett were still slightly confused by the situation. Emmett placed his hand on Rosalie’s shoulder to reassure her. Jasper had also moved towards Alice, not particularly liking the level of anger Edward was showing. Edward was still glaring at his sister, but Rosalie’s eyes were on Carlisle. She was trying to gain an idea of her creator’s thoughts, but he was letting nothing slip.

Carlisle was patient, his eyes scanning his children as he waited for an answer.

Finally, Edward spoke up. “Tanya has convinced Bella she is her mate and taken her up to Alaska,” Edward growled out. “She’s planning to turn her.”

Carlisle frowned. “Is she in danger?”

“She’s going to turn her!” Edward barked out. “Of course-”

“We think she went willingly,” Alice said, interrupting her brother. “I saw this as a vague possibility before. Tanya won’t harm her except for the obvious pain that comes with turning.”

“What do we do?” Emmett asked.

Esme spoke up. “I think our main priority for the moment is figuring out if Bella is alright.”

“And if she is?” Rosalie asked her mother.

“Then we leave her be.”

“Absolutely not,” Edward argued. “She’s confused she doesn’t-”

“To be fair Edward,” Jasper had been silent throughout the conversation but spoke up now. “You and Bella’s emotions have not been… typical of a couple about to get married.”

Edward whipped his head around towards his brother, looking betrayed.

“Perhaps it’s for the best,” Jasper said. “I would have said something earlier, but… well, Alice said she saw the two of you being happy together. I just assumed y’all would work it out. But if we’re putting opinions on the table, my personal choice is we don’t interfere. It’s very possible that Tanya is right and they are mates.”

The room turned all towards Carlisle, waiting for his verdict.

“They are family, our allies,” Carlisle mused, deep in thought. “Why would they put that on the line? If they aren’t mates, why would they convince Bella otherwise and coax her up north?”

“Vengeance,” Edward said his voice certain as Rosalie rolled her eyes. “Irina wants revenge for Laurent, it’s all she thinks about all the time. This must be their plot for revenge. Tanya doesn’t care ”

“That has to be one of the most idiotic statements to come out of your mouth!” Rosalie retorted. “That makes no logical sense! Wouldn’t it be Irina who seduced Bella? Furthermore, if they really wanted revenge for Laurent, then don’t you think they would have done something to the wolves? Or something to us worse than simply stealing your girlfriend?”

“They want to inflict heartbreak, a mate for a mate,” Edward insisted. “It’s the same thing Victoria did.”

“Laurent wasn’t even Irina’s mate I’m pretty sure,” Rosalie countered. “Besides wouldn’t they have killed Bella?”

“Enough,” Carlisle said, holding up a hand. He turned to the pixie who had been unusually quiet in the conversation. “Alice.”

The pixie glanced up at the coven leader.

“What do you see if we go up north?”

Alice shifted. “It’s not- with Bella being a vampire soon it’s all fuzzy. There’s no reality in which they don’t turn her.”

Edward growled at that but didn’t say anything after a sharp glare from Carlisle. 

“Well, what do you see?”

“I don’t know, it’s just so fuzzy,” Alice said, frustration leaking into her voice.

“Have we tried contacting the Denalis?” Carlisle asked.

“We can’t get in contact,” Rosalie said. “I doubt they will pick up our calls.”

Carlisle tapped the table as the coven waited silently. “For now, we have to stay put-”

Edward was not happy with that decision. “But-”

“Charlie Swan is not an idiot,” Carlisle said. “It will look suspicious if we leave so soon after Bella had disappeared. People may begin saying we had something to do with it. For appearance’s sake, we must stay and act just as surprised as everyone else that this has occurred. Then in a few weeks, we can leave, we spin it as a family trip to get Edward’s mind off what has happened. We will go up north, and try and figure out this whole mess. No one is to leave Forks until then. Am I understood?”

Rosalie nodded. Perhaps it was not the most ideal option but it made sense. From what Alice said, they wouldn’t be able to stop Bella from being turned anyways. A few weeks wouldn’t change much. If it really was just cold feet or something, it would give Bella time to rethink her decision. 

“Edward?” Carlisle asked.

Edward frowned. “Fine,” he turned and glared at Rosalie.

“This isn’t Rosalie’s fault,” Emmett said, ever her defender. “Leave her alone.”

Edward stormed away to his room, leaving the remainder of the family in the living room. 

“I need to call Sam and let him know what happened,” Carlisle sighed. “Before the pack jumps to any conclusions.” 

“I’ll come with you,” Esme said, linking her hand with her husband’s. 

Carlisle smiled at her, but sighed. “This is quite a mess, isn’t it?”

“We’ll figure it out,” Esme said quietly as they left the room. “We always do.”

“I need to get out of the house,” Jasper said, he flashed Rosalie an apologetic look. “His anger…”

Rosalie nodded. “You two go, we’ll be fine here.”

Alice and Jasper zipped off, leaving Rosalie and Emmett alone in the living room.

“You alright?” Emmett asked quietly.

“I don’t like it,” Rosalie muttered, she glanced up at Emmett. “I’m… I’m troubled by some of the behavior that’s taken place. Alice was using her ability to manipulate Bella’s future for Edward’s sake. She didn’t seem to care what she was doing was morally wrong. Who’s to say she hasn’t been doing the same to us?”

Emmett frowned at that. “I don’t know the answer to that Rosie.”

Rosalie sighed at that, crossing her arms. “This whole situation… it’s making me question things.”

“Including the two of us?” Emmett asked.

Rosalie met Emmett’s eyes and couldn’t help but smile up at him. “Never.”

“Good, because you’re stuck with me forever,” Emmett said with a big grin. 

“Forever,” Rosalie promised, wrapping her arms around Emmett’s neck as he placed his hands on her hips.

“We’ll figure it out,” Emmett said, repeating what Esme said.

“We will,” Rosalie agreed. She sighed. “I hope Bella’s okay.”

“I’m sure she’s fine,” Emmett said. “It’s Bella after all.”

Chapter Text

Being a vampire was… weird.

Yes, weird was definitely the right word.

Bella knew being a vampire would be different (hello, they didn’t sleep and they drank the blood of animals) but still. Everything was…more. She could see better, hear better, smell better. She was much stronger now as well. Annoyingly so, actually. She kept breaking things left and right by accident. 

It was as if she wasn’t 100% in control of her body. She felt like she had been removed and was now just trying to settle herself back in.

“It’ll get better soon,” Tanya promised. “All of us struggle with the strength at first.”

That was the other thing… Tanya. 

Tanya was different than Bella thought she’d be.

Not in a bad way of course. Edward had just painted this rather unappealing picture of Tanya as a blonde mean girl who slept with anything that so much as breathed and was desperate to get with him. 

But that wasn’t Tanya at all. 

Tanya was much softer than Bella might have thought, gentler. Everything that Tanya did seemed to come from a place of caring, whether that was caring about Bella or her sisters or the coven as a whole. Tanya was funny too. She had a dry sense of humor that bounced off Bella’s own very well. Bella had thought that she would feel self-conscious in Tanya’s presence, but it was never like that. Bella was never worried about saying the wrong thing or doing the wrong thing. Bella was so used to Edward rolling his eyes at her behavior or mocking her that she didn’t even realize how much it bothered her until she realized Tanya never did either of those things.

It was abnormally easy the way the two women managed to gel together, but Bella would not have it any other way. 

Then there were the rest of the Denalis.

Bella had assumed that Eleazar and Carmen operated as the parental figures in the coven due to their physical age, but that wasn’t right at all.

Carmen was a professor at a nearby university for Spanish, specifically Spanish literature. Unlike Esme, she had little interest in cooking or homemaking. She simply didn’t have the time. Carmen was constantly either reading or researching in her study. Yet, despite her academic nature, Bella would never call Carmen uptight. In fact, Carmen reminded Bella of Jessica Stanley’s aunt of all people.

Samantha Stanley was a rarity in Forks. Someone who had gotten out of Forks and stayed out as much as possible. 

She was already a few too many drinks in by the time Bella had arrived at Jessica’s Fourth of July Barbeque. She told Bella how much she adored not having children. Aunt Sam, as Jessica called her, loved Jessica to pieces of course, but that was enough for her. She enjoyed traveling too much for kids of her own. She told Bella and her friends if they could, they should do what she did. Marry rich, get as far away from Forks as possible, and never, ever, have kids.

Carmen (obviously) did not have a drinking problem, but she had a similar air to Aunt Sam. She had that kind of carefree “I really don’t give a fuck what others think” attitude that came from living her life as she pleased. Unlike Rosalie and Esme, she didn’t seem to have that ache for children that they did. She was content to live her life with Eleazar and dote on the Denali sisters. 

Eleazar, on the other hand, absolutely adored cooking. Tanya had informed Bella that whenever they had to bring in anything for work or any other event, Eleazar insisted on cooking it for them. The rest of his coven had tried to convince him to open a restaurant for years, but Eleazar was hesitant about the idea. Instead, he was also a professor at the nearby university teaching history. 

 It was obvious from the first time Bella had met the couple how deeply in love the two were. Eleazar seemed to worship the ground Carmen walked. When he wasn’t cooking or pursuing his own academic interests, he could be found in Carmen’s study helping her with research or grading. 

Both had immediately been welcoming to Bella upon learning of the situation. 

Bella couldn’t say the same of Tanya’s sisters… which was fair.

Bella had to give kudos to Kate. Kate seemed to actually be making somewhat of an effort for her sister. She was as cheerful as ever, but Bella could tell she was still nervous. Mostly because of how often she went out to smoke. When Bella awoke, she noticed Kate go outside frequently. So she asked Tanya about it.

“She smokes cigarettes.”

Bella blinked, confused. “Why?”

“She says it calms her, it’s a psychological thing,” Tanya shrugged. “Doesn’t actually harm her so… as long as she doesn’t smoke it inside, I don’t care.”

Besides smoking, Kate occupied her time by working in the florist shop in the nearby town. She apparently enjoyed plants and loved her work. She liked plants so much, in fact, that the one time Bella saw Kate’s room, she swore it looked like a miniature forest. Plants were scattered everywhere.

“I would like a pet… but Tanya doesn’t think it’s a good idea,” Kate sighed. “She’s probably right. So… plants are the closest I can get.”

And treat them like pets she did. According to Tanya Kate was meticulous with her plants, watering them on a strict schedule. Bella wondered if they had considered building a greenhouse on the property and considered bringing it up to Tanya as a gift to Kate.

Irina was well… Irina.

Bella knew very little of Irina compared to the other covenmembers. The woman reminded Bella of a prickly cat. She made no effort to conceal the fact that she didn’t want Bella in Alaska nor did she want Bella in her coven. 

But Bella had put up with Rosalie Hale for two years, she could deal with Irina. 

She just wished it didn’t hurt Tanya so much to see Irina’s obvious dismissal of Bella.

Bella groaned as she tore another page in her book.

“Having fun?” Tanya teased.

“No,” Bella sighed, closing the book. 

It was frustrating that something she used to find relaxing now caused her to be stressed. They were sitting on the Denali’s porch. Tanya was also reading, though she was having much more success then Bella.

“You’re doing better then most you know, with the strength,”

“You don’t have to lie to make me feel better.”

“I’m not,” Tanya insisted.

“I just want to be able to read without worrying about the pages,” Bella said, moving closer to Tanya so their shoulders touched “What are you reading?”

“A book on the cult Kate briefly joined in the sixties,” Tanya said, closing her book. “Thankfully it was just a money drain and nothing too serious, well… for us at least.”

“Kate?” Bella asked, surprised.

“She was bored,” Tanya said. “And he was very charismatic. It fell apart pretty quick after Kate left, actually. We made sure everyone got back their money.”

“Hmm, are you sure Kate wasn’t the leader?” Bella asked as Tanya, looped their hands together.

“My sister is charismatic, but not that charismatic.”

“I don’t think she’d agree with you.”

“Well then she would be wrong,” Tanya said, mischief in her eyes. “She has a tendency to do that you know, being wrong.”

Bella smiled at that. She loved Tanya’s relationship with her sisters. With Edward it felt like half the time the only sibling of his he could vaguely tolerate was Alice. For sure, Bella was pretty sure if it wasn’t for Carlisle and Esme, Edward would never stand in the same room as Rosalie. Tanya and her sisters teased one another (mostly Kate) but there was obvious deep respect and love between the three.

“You should stop before she threatens to bring home more baby’s breath,” Bella squeezed her mate’s hand. Kate had told her of a recent April’s fool prank in which the middle sister had filled her eldest sister’s room with the flowers.

Tanya wrinkled her nose at that. For some odd reason, Bella’s mate couldn’t stand the smell of the flower. “Don’t even joke about that, my room smelled like that for weeks.”

Laughed at that, causing Tanya to smile. 

Tanya opened her mouth to say something else, but froze, her gaze snapping towards the treeline. She stood up, causing Bella to follow as she scanned the edge of the property.

And that’s when Bella heard it, something was approaching. 

No, somethings .

Both she and Tanya tensed up before seeing two large wolves burst through the treeline, slowing down as they approached the two of them. Bella’s shoulders’ relaxed as she recognized them. She placed a hand on Tanya’s shoulder to stop the woman from moving forward.

The wolves shifted, revealing Jacob Black and Leah Clearwater.

Jacob had a prominent frown on his face. Leah was as difficult to read as always. 

For a moment, Bella felt a stab of guilt. She hadn’t even considered the pack when she was making her decision to leave. She heard Jacob had ran off as soon as he had gotten the invitation to the wedding, so she was surprised to see him in Alaska.

“Jacob? What are you doing here?” Bella asked. “Your dad said you ran off.”

“Yeah… well,” Jacob shrugged. “I came to find you.”

Bella felt another pang of guilt. She wondered what he thought had happened, what he assumed.

“Sam wasn’t really sharing any details,” Leah said, speaking up. “he just said the Cullens said you were supposedly safe for now.”

“I am safe,” Bella said. “It’s a long story, but I’ve chosen a coven up here.”

“I don’t know if I would call being a vampire staying safe,” Jacob said, not bothering to hide the bitterness in his voice.

Seems he had held hope out til the last second that Bella wouldn’t make the choice

“Jacob, please,” Bella said, seeing Tanya tense up slightly. “This is the leader of my coven, Tanya. Tanya this is Jacob and Leah, they’re from the pack in La Push.”

“An honor to meet you two,” Tanya said with a nod. “Bella speaks highly of your pack.”

It was at this moment that the front door opened, and both Bella and Tanya turned to see Irina emerge form the inside.

“What’s going on?” Irina asked, obviously annoyed.

“Wolves, from Washington,” Tanya said. “They’re here to check on Bella.”

 Irina glanced back over at the two shifters, frowning.

“Leah?” Jacob asked.

Bella glanced over to the two to see Leah staring at Irina, her eyes vacant.

“Irina,” Tanya said, ignoring whatever was happening with the wolves. “They are Bella’s friends. No violence, alright?”

Irina didn’t look happy at that. “Fine.”

“Good,” Tanya said.

“Leah,” Jacob said again, shaking her shoulder. 

Leah turned to look at him

Jacob paused, studying her face for a moment before glancing back at the group of vampires. He looked back at Leah. “Which one?”

That seemed to catch Tanya’s attention She turned back to the two shifters. “Is there something wrong, Mr Black?”

“Oh no, no issue. Well I wouldn’t exactly consider it an issue, you see-”

“I imprinted,” Leah said, interrupting her friend. She crossed her arms, looking slightly uncomfortable. 

Bella’s eyebrows shot up in suprise at that as the Denali sisters looked at one another in confusion.

“What does that mean?” Tanya asked. 

“It means Leah’s found her mate,” Bella said, unable to help the smile that reached her face. 

Irina took a second to do the math before her eyes widened in shock. “You can’t be talking about me.”

Leah didn’t respond, just staring at her, looking a bit sheepish. 

“No,” Irina said her voice stern, as if she could untie the strings of fate with a simple command.

The two women engaged in some weird sort of staring contest that made Bella feel like she was instructing on something she shouldn’t. 

“We should probably give them privacy,” She turned to Bella. “And we should talk.”

“Yeah… we probably should,” Jacob agreed.

Bella moved to take a step forward, but felt a hand on her arm.

She turned to see Tanya looking concerned. She didn’t know much of Bella’s story with Jacob, but Bella knew it was more the wolves’ sudden appearance that frightened Tanya. They hadn’t factored the pack in their equations. Bella gave her a reassuring look, which seemed to calm the other vampire. She let go, allowing Bella to walk towards the treeline beside Jacob.

They didn’t talk as they walked. Both considering what they should say. 

Jacob was the first to speak up. “So… you’re a vampire now.”

“Yeah,” Bella said. “I am.”

“And you ran away from Edward.”

“I did.”

There was a pause. 

“Why?”

Such a simple question and yet…

Why did Bella leave the way she did?

“Because…” Bella sighed. “You remember when you described imprinting to me?

“Yeah, it’s supposed to be that person becomes the center of your whole universe.”

“Well, this was kind of similar to that,” Bella explained. “I saw her and it was like… I knew there could never be anybody else. It was either her or nobody.”

Jacob frowned at that. “Who?”

“Tanya,” Bella said. “The leader of the coven.”

“Oh,” Jacob said.

They were silent for a moment, neither knowing what to say.

There was so much that Bella needed to say, but she didn’t know how. 

Bella had been unfair to Jacob. No matter how she tried to justify it to herself, that was the truth of the matter. She cared for him as a little brother… but that was it. She had used his loyalty and affection to her advantage even if it was by accident. To be fair, part of it was just who Jacob was. When he cared about someone, he cared about them deeply. He was her rock, steadfast in his friendship. But Bella couldn’t cling to him any longer, she had chosen instead to brave the storm by Tanya’s side.

Which meant she had to cut Jacob loose.

“I’m sorry,” Bella said. “For everything.”

Because she was, that was the truth. Bella felt bad she couldn’t be what Jacob wanted. 

But these were the cards they had been dealt, and they had to use what they had.

“I guess- well,” Jacob paused, collecting his thoughts. His voice was heavy with emotion. “I guessed I just thought if you were to leave that bloodsucker for anyone… it would be me.”

“Jake,” Bella said, a small smile making it’s way onto her face. “You’re one of my best friends in the whole world. And so, as your best friend, I’ll tell you. You deserve better.”

Jacob frowned at that. “Bella-”

“I want you to be happy,” Bella continued. “And, I think deep down, you know as well as I do that your happiness is not with me. My place is here, with Tanya.”

There was silence for a moment as Jacob took in her words. Bella found her eyes tracing his face momentarily. How far they had come from the two little kids playing with mudpies on the shores of La Push.

 “So… where does that leave us?” Jacob finally asked.

That was a good question.

“I don’t really know,” Bella admitted. “I do care about you Jacob, even if it isn’t in that way. You’re important to me. So, despite everything, I would hope as friends. At least… one day.”

Jacob smiled, though Bella could still see some traces of pain in his eyes. “Yeah, Bells… we can still be friends.”

Bella returned his smile, feeling lighter after their conversation. “Will you go back to Washington?”

“No, no, I think I want to travel a bit still before returning,” Jacob said, putting his hands in his pockets. “Um, let me contact you first. I just need some time.”

“Of course,” Bella said, her voice soft. “Will you say goodbye to Leah?” 

Jacob turned back towards the lodge, in thought for a moment. “No.”

“No?”

“She’ll insist on coming with me, and she needs to be with her imprint,” Jacob said. He glanced back at Bella. “You’ll look after her for me though, right?”

“Of course,” Bella promised.

“Thanks,” he looked down at his feet. “Well, I guess this is it for now, huh.”

“For now,” Bella agreed. “Goodbye Jacob.”

“Bye Bells.”

And with that Jacob set off through the forest. Bella watched as he turned back into his wolf form before turning back towards the lodge. 

Chapter Text

If there was one fact that Leah Clearwater was certain of, it was that men were idiots. 

Leah was certain of this because she had the unparalleled privilege of sharing her mind with men.

Constantly. 

Out of all the gifts given to the shifters, Leah would have to say the hive-mind was her least favorite. In wolf form, she heard her packmates' constant stream of thoughts, which just continued to cement Leah’s earlier statement. 

Men could be utterly stupid and unobservant.

And no one was a more prime example of this statement than Jacob Black. 

No one had seen Jacob for several weeks. He had run off after he got Bella and Edward’s wedding attention. Shocked, for some reason, that Bella Swan had once again chosen Edward.

And yet, here he was now, standing soaking wet on Leah’s porch. Looking like a rom-com male love interest reject. He looked absolutely pitiable. He was shirtless and barefoot as if he had come straight from the beach. 

 “Hey,” he said, rubbing the back of his neck.

Leah leaned in her doorway, in no way amused. “You disappear, worrying your father and pissing off Sam, and all you can think to say is hey ?”

“Can I come in?”

Jacob sat on the couch in the living room, stuffing his face with Sue Clearwater’s homemade cookies as Leah regaled him with the story of how Bella had disappeared a week ago, on the night before her wedding. Bella hadn’t told anyone where she was going. She had simply left a note claiming cold feet. According to Sam, Carlisle had assured him that Bella was safe. It was, as Bella had said, simply a case of extremely cold feet. She had needed to get away from Forks and the Cullens to get some time to think. 

“Do you think she went looking for me?” Jacob asked, eager.

Leah sighed.

Leah wished she could say, sharing a mind with Jacob Black made her understand his obsession with Bella Swan. 

It did not. 

Instead, Leah had been astonished by the amount of pure delusion that was required to live in Jacob’s mind. He truly believed he had a shot with Bella, and Leah didn’t know why . Well… she knew why, she had seen the moment Jacob had analyzed over and over and over again. She just didn’t understand how he could interpret things the way he did. It was quite obvious to Leah (and the rest of the pack) that Jacob was never going to be Bella’s first choice.

It would save Jacob a lot of heartbreak if he could just realize that too.

No,” Leah said, being honest. She snatched the container from him despite his protests. “I think she just realized that she didn’t want to be tied to someone like that asshole for the rest of time.”

“So… where’d she go?”

“We don’t know.”

Jacob frowned at that. “What do you mean, you don’t know?”

“Obviously what I just said,” Leah said. “Sam hasn’t told us where the Cullens said she could be.”

“Well, we should go find her!” Jacob said, standing up.

“Woah there Casanova,” Leah said. “We can’t just run off.”

“Why not?”

“I know this is a foreign concept to you, but there are people here who are worried about us,” Leah snapped, causing Jacob to shrink a little. “We can’t do anything tonight anyways. Go to your dad’s house. Talk to him. In the morning we need to talk to Sam before we leave.”

“We?”

“What, you think I’m letting you go alone? Fat chance,” Leah huffed. “Besides, I’m bored.”

Jacob smiled a little at that. “Thanks, Leah.”

“I’ll see you in the morning?”

He nodded and headed off into the night.

Sue had agreed to the plan expressing her own concerns for Charlie’s sake. Leah promised to call her mom as soon as they found her. Seth had begged her to let him come with her. Thankfully Leah’s mother had reminded Seth he had schoolwork to still make up from his pack activities during the school year, and he was not stepping a single toe outside of La Push until he did so.

So off Leah left, to Sam’s house to speak to the Alpha. 

Only, it wasn’t Sam that opened the doors, but Emily. 

“Leah,” the woman smiled. “What a surprise!”

Leah’s fury towards Emily had waned slightly with time. She didn’t want to punch something when seeing her. Still, she wasn’t exactly thrilled to see the woman. She tried to interact with Emily as little as possible. Which was quite difficult, considering her and Sam’s house was considered the unofficial hangout spot for the pack. “Is Jacob here?”

“He and Sam are out back, I’ll bring you to them,” Emily said, opening the door wider. 

They made their way through the house, neither woman saying anything until they reached the backdoor.

“Before you go outside,” Emily said, turning to Leah. “I, um, I had some news I wanted to share.”

Leah raised an eyebrow at that but remained silent. 

“I’m pregnant.”

Leah paused. “Ah.”

“Yeah.”

Leah wasn’t really sure exactly what she was supposed to say. “Congratulations.”

“Thank you, I thought it’d be better to hear it from me or Sam instead of you being blindsided.”

Leah nodded, not really hearing anything that was coming out of her cousin’s mouth. 

A baby. Emily was going to have a baby. 

With Sam.

Jesus Christ, Leah wanted to be anywhere besides inside this house.

“They should be expecting you,” Emily said as if she hadn’t just dropped a bomb on Leah. She opened the back door, allowing Leah to step outside. 

Jacob and Sam were arguing, which Leah should have expected. Neither seemed to notice her approaching them.

“I told you, Carlisle has assured me she’s safe.”

“And you’re just going to believe him?”

“In this regard, yes!” Sam said. “Jacob this obsession with Bella Swan has to stop!”

“It’s not an obsession,” Jacob argued back. 

“Sam, we just want to make sure that she’s alright,” Leah said.

It was then that both Sam and Jacob noticed her.

“Don’t tell me you’re encouraging this,” Sam said, seeming offended that Leah was taking Jacob’s side. 

“You have plenty of others to patrol,” Leah said. “You don’t need us here.”

Sam eyed Leah warily. 

When they were younger, there was a point where Leah and Sam knew each other so well, they often didn’t even need to speak out loud. Leah sometimes knew how Sam felt about a situation before even Sam knew how he felt. That had fallen apart with their relationship.

These days, Leah could never predict what Sam would do.

“They said she’s in Alaska,” Sam said, breaking his eye contact with Leah. “Staying with their family near Denali Park, Alaska.”

“Why?” Leah pressed.

“Can’t tell you that.”

“Why not?” Jacob asked.

“It’s their business,” Sam said. “It seems they’re in a mess currently. But Bella is safe.”

Jacob, of course, didn’t seem to like that answer but turned to leave. “Well I guess we’ll see if they’re telling the truth. Come on Leah, we need to get going.”

“Uh, give me a second,” Leah said motioning with her head. “I’ll meet you out front.”

Jacob nodded. He turned and walked back towards the house. 

Leah waited until the backdoor shut to turn to Sam.

“You’re letting us go.”

“I wouldn’t be able to stop either of you. We both know he would have tried to find her on his own without my help,” Sam scoffed.

There was a beat of silence.

“Emily told me the news.”

“Oh… yeah.”

“I didn’t know you wanted kids.”

He didn’t. Leah remembered for a fact Sam swearing up and down he never wanted kids. And Leah had been okay with that. 

Sam shrugged. “The battle kind of changed things…you know?” He glanced back towards the house where Leah could see Emily in the window, chatting with Jacob. “Life is too short.”

Leah felt a pang of pain in her heart. It was always like a fresh cut, seeing Sam look at Emily. He got that stupid goofy smile that used to be reserved for only Leah. He was in love with Emily, and always would be. 

And Leah couldn’t escape that fact. 

Literally.

She was trapped in Sam’s mind when they were both shifted and Emily consumed his thoughts. Leah had to sit on the sideline of her own mind and listen to Sam think of how much he loved her. And she couldn’t avoid it, or him. As long as she was a wolf, and he was an alpha, it would remain this way. 

Leah had planned to spend the rest of her life with Sam.

And now she was just a footnote in the story of his life.

“I should go before Jacob leaves without me,” Leah said with a nod. “I’ll see you when you get back.”

“Of course.”

Leah began walking towards the backdoor.

“Hey Leah?”

Leah glanced back towards Sam. 

“Stay safe.”

And that was the worst part of this whole thing, wasn’t it? Sam still cared about her at the end of the day.

He just never would care about her the way he once did.

Leah didn’t trust herself to speak, and so just nodded.

Jacob and Leah made their way up north in their wolf forms, staying as far from highways and big towns as possible. They picked up on the smell of vampires rather quickly near the state park and followed it to a large lodge. 

And there, standing on the porch, was Bella Swan as a vampire. 

She looked good, Leah had to admit. Considering she was now dead. She looked shocked as Jacob and Leah shifted out of their wolves. Leah was so shocked by Bella’s appearance, she almost didn’t notice the blonde next to her. The vampire was slightly tense, scanning both shifters as if she was expecting an attack. 

Leah glanced over at Jacob and was not surprised to see her old friend looking very unhappy with the situation. 

Bella was the one to break the silence. “Jacob? What are you doing here? Your dad said you ran off.”

“Yeah… well,” Jacob shrugged. “I came to find you.”

“Sam wasn’t really sharing any details,” Leah said, speaking up. he just said the Cullens said you were supposedly safe for now.”

“I am safe,” Bella said. “It’s a long story, but I’ve chosen a coven up here.”

“I don’t know if I would call being a vampire staying safe,” Jacob said, sounding extremely bitter to Leah.

“Jacob, please,” Bella said, beginning to look tired. “This is the leader of my coven, Tanya. Tanya this is Jacob and Leah, they’re from the pack in La Push.”

“An honor to meet you two,” Tanya said with a nod. “Bella speaks highly of your pack.”

It was at that moment Leah’s world stopped as a second blonde woman emerged from the house, looking slightly annoyed. 

“What’s going on?”

Her sister responded something but Leah couldn’t hear as her vision tunneled on the woman. 

The mysterious woman looked curious for a moment, her eyes glancing Leah up and down. 

She was gorgeous, and she smelled nice? Leah didn’t even know that was possible and yet this woman did. She smelled comforting, like home. Like the spices, Harry Clearwater sprinkled on his famous fish fry or the embers of a dying bonfire after the pack hung out together. 

Leah’s mind was going way faster than she could keep up with. 

This one , this one, this one. Her. Everything. She is everything and she will be everything and if you screw this one up Leah I swear to god-

“Leah?” Jacob asked, his voice concerned.

Leah didn’t acknowledge her friend, her eyes still firmly trained on the blonde vampire. The vampire didn’t break her gaze, tilting her head and frowning at the shifter.

Tanya spoke up. “Irina-”

The woman’s gaze turned towards her sister, though Leah didn’t hear the rest of what Tanya said.

Irina . What a beautiful name. An uncommon name. Irina, Irina Irina, Irina .

“Irina,” Leah whispered.

The blonde woman’s gaze snapped towards Leah. Did she feel it too? Did vampires have imprints? No, they didn’t, Leah knew that. What was it they called it? She couldn’t remember. 

“Leah,” Jacob said again, shaking her shoulder. That broke Leah out of her thoughts. She turned to look at Jacob.

He frowned, his eyes searching her face. He was obviously confused by her behavior. 

Leah didn’t know what to say. How could she possibly explain what just happened? 

Yet it seemed Jacob had managed to catch on.

A miracle as far as Leah was concerned, considering just how oblivious he could be. 

He glanced towards the sisters and back to Leah. “Which one?”

Guess it was too much to hope he could be both aware and subtle. 

Leah just shook her head.

“Is something wrong Mr Black?” Tanya asked. The coven leader had a commanding voice as she stared down Jacob. 

It was so weird to have Jacob referred to by his last name. It made him sound so much older then he actually was. Jacob glanced at Leah, unsure of what to do. 

“Oh no, there’s no issue. Well,” Jacob said, beginning to ramble. “I wouldn’t exactly consider it an issue, you see-”

Leah just sighed, it would be no good to lie. They would find out sooner or later. “I imprinted.”

Bella gasped, while the Denali sisters just seemed confused. 

“What does that mean?” Tanya asked.

“It means Leah’s found her mate,” Bella said, a stupid smile on her face. God, Leah couldn’t stand her sometimes.

“You can’t be talking about me,” Irina blurted out, shocked. 

Leah just looked at the vampire.

Leah now wasn’t sure she could imagine imprinting on anyone else. 

She did have a bad habit of crushing on people out of her league.

“No,” Irina said, her voice stern. As if Leah could flip a switch and undo it.

There was a moment of silence as Leah locked gazes with Irina, neither daring to look away. 

“We should probably give them privacy,” Leah heard Bella say. “And we should talk.”

“Yeah… we probably should,” Jacob agreed, the two disappeared towards the trees. 

“I guess I will be going inside,” Tanya paused on the doorstep. “remember what I said Irina, no killing shifters.”

“I heard you the first time,” Irina snapped, her eyes still on Leah. 

Was it bad Leah thought she was pretty when she was mad? Probably. 

“I can’t believe this,” Irina muttered, crossing her arms.

“I know it’s a bit of a shock but-”

“Of course, you just had to imprint on me, didn’t you,” Irina scoffed, not listening to a word Leah said. “As if you shifters hadn’t ruined my life enough as it is.”

Leah would regret it, looking back. But to be fair, Leah was beyond frustrated and emotionally exhausted. First, Emily was pregnant, second, she had to trek with Jacob Black all the way up north, just to find out Bella Swan had already become a vampire, third, she had imprinted on a vampire, and now, said vampire was treating her like absolute shit because she seemed to have personal beef with shifters. 

So Leah Clearwater did what any woman does when they’ve been pushed to the brink. 

“Oh, and you think I’m just thrilled with this? Oh here’s your imprint, by the way, not only is she a woman, but she’s also a fucking cold one, one of the sworn enemies of your pack and acting like a complete bitch over something I can’t control. Gee wiz when I put it like that you really sound like Bachelorette of the Year, huh?”

Irina was taken aback but didn’t skip a beat.

“You have a lot of nerve-“

“You know what, yeah, I do,” Leah said. “Because guess what buttercup? I imprinted on you . So now you’re stuck with me until you send me away.”

“Fine! Go,” Irina scoffed. “I have no need for you.”

“Perfect.”

“Great.”

“Wonderful,” Leah turned to leave the clearing, shoving her hands in her pockets and stalking off towards the woods. She needed to be alone.

Bella was the one who found Leah. 

Bella had changed in the few weeks she had been gone. And Leah didn’t just mean the fact that all the blood was drained from Bella’s body. She walked with a confidence she didn’t have before. She seemed… brighter. 

“Jacob sent you?” Leah asked. 

The new vampire plopped down next to the wolf. 

“No, he left.”

“Of course he did,” Leah muttered. 

“He needed some time,” Bella said with a shrug. “I think losing me to a female bloodsucker was an even bigger blow than losing me to Edward.”

“A female bloodsucker?” Leah raised an eyebrow at that. 

“Yeah, the coven leader, Tanya? We’re mates.”

“I could see how he needed some time,” Leah said. God, what was it with these weird mythical bonds ruining engagements? “That’s the vampire version of imprinting, right?”

“Kind of, it’s a little different. But yeah.”

They sat in silence for a moment.

“Irina, huh?” 

“We don’t have to talk about this.”

“Hmm, seems like you need to talk about it with someone,” Bella shrugged. “And we’re in similar boats.”

“Maybe, but I didn’t leave someone I cared about deeply for some weird mythical bond thing. That sounds more like Sam’s boat to me.”

“Yeah, I guess it is kind of like Sam’s situation,” Bella said a small smile on her face.

“You think this is funny?”

“No,” Bella said, sighing. “I know it’s fucked up.”

There was a pause.

“I’m not mad at him anymore,” Leah said, knowing her tone came off bitter. She didn’t meet Bella’s gaze. “I want to be. But…”

“But now you’ve imprinted,” Bella said, her voice soft. “Now Irina is the center of your whole world.”

“And she hates me,” Leah said, her voice bitter.

“She hates me too if that’s any consolation.”

“It’s not.”

Another pause.

“Give her a chance to cool off,” Bella said. “Let her absorb the situation. It’s a lot to throw at someone.”

“This is so stupid,” Leah muttered. “She shouldn’t be so important to me.”

“But she is.”

“But she is,” Leah agreed. 

“Would it be so bad?” Bella asked. “You and her?”

Leah was silent for a moment. “I don’t know.”

Bella smiled at that. “Well… wouldn’t you like to find out?”

“She doesn’t even want me to breathe the same air as her,” Leah said, her voice dry. 

“I told you, give her a second,” Bella stood up. “Eventually, she’ll calm down enough that you two can talk. She just needs to be dramatic for a second. It’s something in vampire venom, they just have to choose the most dramatic ways to do things.”

“No wonder you fit in so well,” Leah said as Bella helped her up.

“Exactly,” Bella said with a smile. “Come on. Eleazar tried to cook something for you. I swear he could get a Michelin star if he opened a restaurant, but he’s nervous about people noticing he doesn’t sample his own food…”

Leah walked beside Bella towards the house.

Maybe Leah didn’t show it, but she was relieved she would have Bella by her side while they sorted this out. They had never been the closest, but to have something familiar among all of this change was comforting. 

Perhaps Bella was right. Maybe Irina would come around.

Leah was perfectly willing to wait until she did.

Chapter Text

The wolf stayed.

Tanya had insisted.

“She is a friend of Bella’s, therefore she is a friend of the coven,” Tanya had said, her tone making it quite clear. “Therefore she is welcome to stay here.”

Irina wanted to huff at that. 

The wolf was not welcome, she was annoying. 

When Irina snapped at her, Leah snapped right back, not willing to back down. That wasn’t something Irina was used to. Usually, her partners bowed to her whims. Instead, Leah would just smirk and retort with a witty comeback that ruffled Irina’s feathers.

The only person that was more annoying than the wolf was Bella Swan.

It was annoying that Bella Swan acted like she had lived in their home their entire lives. It was annoying that she acted unbothered as if she wasn’t aware of the potential consequences of her and Tanya’s actions. And perhaps what was most annoying was that Irina was finding it harder and harder to stay mad at her. 

And it was all Tanya’s fault. 

When Irina met Bella, she had seen her as “Edward’s human.” Edward’s human was involved in Laurent’s murder. Irina had expected Edward’s human to be whiny and annoying. The perfect match for Edward Cullen; just as self-loathing and egotistical as he was.

And then somewhere along the line, Bella had gone from “Edward’s Human” to “Tanya’s mate.” Tanya’s mate bantered with Kate while helping her with chores. She helped Carmen grade papers. Tanya’s mate helped Eleazar out in the kitchen when she could. Most importantly, Tanya’s mate made her sister happy, truly happy.

Tanya had an air of contentment around her with Bella by her side.

It had been a long time since Irina had felt content.

And then the wolf showed up. 

With her idiotic muscles and that cocky smirk and her stupidly pretty dark eyes…

Obviously, Irina had absolutely no positive feelings towards Leah Clearwater in any respect, and to insist otherwise was ludicrous. 

She had no idea why her sisters didn’t believe her.

Now that Tanya had a mate, she seemed to have decided she was an expert on such matters. She kept giving Irina knowing looks that made Irina want to rip her sisters’ head off and toss it into a bonfire. Kate wasn’t much better. She just smirked anytime that Irina and Leah interacted. She also kept making cheesy wolf puns that Leah seemed to find amusing. Irina didn’t totally understand her sisters’ easy friendship with the wolf, just that they had one. 

Seems the wolf had managed to win everyone over but her.

Two days after Leah arrived, Irina found her out in the woods, chopping firewood. 

Irina paused, watching as the female shifter lifted the large ax above her head and swung down, cutting the log in two neat pieces.  If Irina’s eyes were trained on the shifter’s muscles, she didn’t see how that was anyone’s business. She was allowed to admire another woman’s athleticism, that wasn’t a crime. 

Leah wiped the sweat off her brow, turning towards Irina, as if she sensed her presence. “Hello.”

“Eleazar asked me to fetch you,” Irina said, crossing her arms. “You’ve been out here for hours and he says you need to eat.”

“Oh, thanks,” Leah said, beginning to walk towards Irina.

It was nearly freezing outside, and yet here the shifter stood in a sleeveless shirt. She wasn’t even shivering. 

“Are you not cold?” Irina blurted out. 

Leah glanced down at her outfit. “Oh… no. Shifter’s blood runs warm, see?”

She reached out her hand, taking Irina’s in hers. Irina did have to admit she was surprised by just how warm the shifter’s skin was. 

“Why?”

“Why is it so warm?”

Irina nodded.

Leah shrugged. “Magic.”

Irina scoffed at that, taking her hand back. Leah hoisted the ax on her shoulder.

“Glad to see you’re concerned though,” Leah said. 

Irina sputtered at that. “I am not concerned.”

“If you say so.”

“I am not! Bella would be very upset if you got frostbite, and then Tanya would blame me somehow,” Irina said.

“She do that a lot, blame you?”

Irina frowned at the wolf. She was trying to get Irina to open up. “I know what you are doing.”

Leah blinked at that. “What am I doing?”

“Come on,” Irina started walking. “Let us get you back home.”

Leah jogged to catch up with Irina. “You don’t have to do this, you know.”

“Do what?”

“The whole brooding thing.”

“I do not brood.”

“Hmm, I’ve spent the last few days here and I can confidently say you do.”

Irina whipped around towards the shifter who seemed amused. “I thought you hated this situation as much as I did.”

“Bella convinced me to give you a chance,” Leah shrugged. “Don’t know why I’m listening to her though, she tends to be a poor judge of character.”

“That we can agree on,” Irina huffed.

“God forbid we agree on anything,” Leah said, smiling. 

Irina felt the corners of her lips tug up, but she forced them back down. No, absolutely not. She did not think the wolf was charming, or cute. Absolutely not. She refused. They continued walking side by side.

“Why are you chopping firewood anyways?” Irina asked. 

“It’s calming,” Leah said. “And we always need wood on hand for bonfires on the reservation.”

“And you think we have a need for bonfires here?”

“Well, I have a feeling if Edward Cullen shows up saying the wrong thing, we might.”

“So you think there will be war?”

“I think, from the little I know of Edward Cullen, which is far too much in my opinion, he doesn’t seem like one who lets things go easily.”

Irina sighed. “No, he is not.”

To say Irina was frustrated with Tanya would be the understatement of the century. Her sister had acted recklessly and impulsively, with little regard for her fellow coven members.

But if anything happened to her, Irina would be devastated.

Leah seemed to sense her mood. She bumped her shoulder into Irina’s. “Cheer up. We don’t know for sure what will happen.”

Irina hummed noncommittally. She decided to change the subject so something that had been bothering her since the wolf had arrived.

“You have not shifted.”

“Hmm?”

“Since you got here, you have not shifted into your wolf form.”

“I’m flattered you’ve been observing me so much.”

Irina ignored that comment. “Why have you not?”

“Besides the obvious fact that I haven’t had a reason to do so? My pack can communicate with one another when in wolf form. I’m sure Sam is now well aware of my imprinting, and I don’t really want to deal with him right now.”

“Sam?”

“The Alpha of my pack… and my ex-fiancé.”

Irina was startled by that. “Ex-fiancé?”

“Yeah,” Leah sighed. “Obviously it didn’t… end well. Which is complicated by the fact he’s now my alpha. That means not only do I have to see him all the time in La Push, it also means when we’re both wolves I can hear his thoughts… all the time.”

“Ah,” Irina said. That did sound rather unpleasant.

“Yeah, so, I don’t really want to hear his opinion on this whole situation right now.”

“He would disapprove of your imprinting?”

“Well, he might not be thrilled I imprinted on a vampire,” Leah frowned. “But I’m sure his joy over the fact I imprinted at all would override anything else.”

Irina also frowned, now confused.

Leah sighed again. “We broke up because he imprinted on my cousin and began cheating with her behind my back.”

“Mmm,” Irina said, unsure of the proper response to that statement.

“Yeah,” Leah said, dryly.

“So he would be happy because…”

“Because now I obviously should understand! And be over it! And now I can forgive him! And we can move on!” Leah said with fake cheerfulness.

Irina wrinkled her nose at that. “Seems a bit too optimistic, does it not?”

Leah snorted at that. “Yeah… yeah it is.”

They emerged from the woods towards the house. 

Leah paused, causing Irina to pause as well.

“You know… imprinting doesn’t have to be romantic,” Leah said, turning towards Irina.

“It doesn’t?” Irina blinked, surprised.

Leah shook her head. “I’m supposed to be whatever you need me to be.”

“So we could just be friends?”

“If you wanted,” Leah said. “I mean, it’d be easier than this fighting, don’t you think?”

“Your imprint bond does not like when we argue, does it?” Irina asked, speaking to something she had begun to observe. 

Leah reluctantly shook her head. “No, it feels… wrong. The wolf doesn’t like seeing you upset.”

“You and the wolf are different?”

“Yes? And no?” Leah motioned with her hands. “We want similar things at times, but the human side of me understands what’s rational more often compared to the wolf.”

“So it is instinct vs. logic?” Irina asked. 

Leah nodded. “Something like that.”

Irina studied the woman. She couldn’t help but wonder what Leah’s wolf actually looked like. Tanya had mentioned in passing that the wolves were much larger than the normal ones. But what color was her fur? Were her eyes the same, or did they change into the yellow of the animals? “You said you are whatever I need you to be.”

Leah shrugged. “That’s part of the imprinting bond, I’ll try to be whatever you need whether that be platonic or romantic.”

“And if I need you gone?”

“Then I’ll leave,” Leah said. Her gaze was steady as she met Irina’s eyes. “If you tell me to go back to La Push, I’ll go.”

Irina was taken aback by that statement. 

She could be done with the wolf here and now. Send her back home. Get rid of at least one of her current issues. Irina watched as a couple of snowflakes managed to land on Leah’s eyelashes. Something twisted in Irina’s gut at the idea of sending Leah away. She couldn’t… not yet at least. Part of Irina wouldn’t allow her to do so.

Irina just turned towards the house, keeping these thoughts to herself. Instead, she simply said. “Come on, we do not need you passing out in the snow from hunger.”

Irina tried to ignore the bright grin on Leah’s face at the lack of dismissal, but a small smile managed to make its way onto Irina’s face. 

Okay, maybe the wolf wasn’t so bad. 

Not that Irina would ever admit that to anyone, especially not the wolf herself.

Irina was sitting on the porch of the lodge, working on some designs for a client. Her most recent career had been an interior designer… not that she was enjoying it much. She’d probably give it a few more months and then change her career again. Her thoughts were interrupted by the front door opening. 

Irina glanced up to see Bella Swan exiting the lodge.

Irina immediately began to gather her stuff up. She might have softened slightly towards the other woman, but she didn’t want to spend one on one time with her.

“Irina!”

Crap, she’d been spotted. 

Irina glanced up to see Bella approaching her, book in hand. Seemed the other woman had been planning on reading outside.

“Bella,” Irina said with a nod, hoping that would suffice.

It did not. 

“Can we talk?” Bella asked.  

No.

“Sure,” Irina said with a plastered-on smile, placing her stuff down on the table. Tanya asked her to play nice, so she would do so. Bella sat down across from her. Irina caught sight of the title along the spine. “ Carmilla .” How ironic. 

“Your sister’s recommendation,” Bella said, noticing her gaze on the book. “She thought it was quite fitting.”

“Hopefully your story ends more happily than theirs,” Irina said. 

“I didn’t realize it was a tragedy.”

“Depends on what lens you look at it through,” Irina said. 

“And what lens do you look at it through?” Bella asked, leaning forward. 

“That Carmilla and Laura are both victims of the society and time they lived in,” Irina said. She loved literature. Ever since she had managed to charm a man several hundred years into teaching her how to read and write, she had consumed everything she could get her hands on. “Their story reflected an unhappy truth of that time period. Stories about people like us didn’t end happily.”

A silence fell between them. 

Irina watched as Bella gazed out at the front lawn of the Denalis’ lodge. If you could really call it a lawn. It was just the large clearing in front of the house that included the gravel path that led back to civilization. The lodge was their retreat from the rest of the world, just as their coven liked it.

Yes, they all enjoyed playing human from time to time, but they didn’t cling to their humanity. Irina always saw that as the difference between them and the Cullens. 

They may pretend for the humans’ sake, for the law’s sake, but her sisters and she knew exactly what they were. 

Vampires. Upiórs. Beings of strength and beauty. Creatures of the tales that kept children awake at night. Her two sisters and she had walked this planet for a millennium with a kill count that was insurmountable.

No amount of acting or pretending could change that fact. 

Irina didn’t necessarily see that as a bad thing though. The three sisters didn’t waste their time pondering the morality of their existence, they simply existed . They had accepted what they were, who they were. And in doing so, had freed themselves to live their lives to the best of their ability. 

Perhaps that was the benefit of aging. Irina had seen vast amounts of change. Laws changed, rules changed, and even common morals changed. But the essence of who Irina was, who Tanya was, who Kate was, that didn’t change. That was why covens truly existed. To have someone else remain by you as everyone and everything else faded with time.

Irina frowned. Would Leah age? They hadn’t gotten that far in their conversations. 

Irina was so used to having time, that she hadn’t even considered that Leah may not have that. 

“I thought we could clear the air regarding Laurent,” Bella said, breaking the silence.

Irina turned to Bella, her full attention once again on the other woman. Her eyes were still frozen on the treeline, but her gaze was vacant. As if Bella was no longer sitting on the porch, but elsewhere.

“He tried to kill me, you know. Laurent did, I mean,” Bella continued. “Nearly would have too, if not for the wolves. They saved my life,” she turned to meet Irina’s eyes. There was a cold steel there, that Irina had never seen before. “I could say I’m sorry he’s dead, but that would be a lie. I’m not,” she leaned back in her chair. “But what I can say, and what I will say, is I can see that you are hurting because of his death… because of me, and I’m sorry.”

“And that’s supposed to fix it?”

“No,” Bella said. “I know it doesn’t.”

“Then why say it?”

“Because,” Bella shrugged. “You deserve an apology.”

There was a pause.

“He was my friend,” Irina said. “I am glad you lived for Tanya’s sake. But… I still miss him.”

“I can respect that,” Bella said. “If you can respect the fact that I have an issue with him because he nearly killed me.”

That was more than fair. “I can agree with that,” Irina said. She stood up. “I’m glad we could come to an understanding.”

“So, friends?”

Irina paused. “Not just yet… but maybe one day.”

Bella smiled at that. “I’ll take it.”

“I’m gonna go find another place to work. Enjoy your book,” Irina said, walking off.

Irina had thought that venturing out into the woods would perhaps get her some solitude, but it seemed even that didn’t work. 

Irina didn’t glance up from her work as she heard Leah approach her spot. Irina had found a large flat boulder to sit on and work. The snow had stopped, and after quickly clearing the rock off, it made a wonderful workspace. She was sitting cross legged, paging through a binder. “You know, this may come as a shock, but I didn’t come to the middle of nowhere to be disturbed.”

“Your sister said I should check on you.”

“And why would she say that?” Irina asked, jotting something down.

“You have been gone for three hours.”

“Kind of you to keep track of when I’m not around.”

“Kind of hard not to.”

Irina glanced up to watch the woman walk towards her. Some part of her was pleased to see the wolf (not that she’d ever admit that). The same part that was happy Leah noticed her absence. The same part that didn’t want Leah to leave. 

The part of herself that Irina wasn’t really sure whether or not she could address yet.

Leah was dressed casually as she usually was. Her hands were in her pocket as she met Irina’s gaze.

“Can I sit?” Leah asked.

Irina motioned to the empty space on the rock. “There is room.”

Leah sat down. Irina could feel her eyes watching as Irina worked. There was silence except for the noise of the nearby birds, and Irina’s pencil on paper.

“I was thinking,” Leah said, breaking the silence. “Since you’re not ordering me back to La Push, I would try and take some courses at the nearby college. Carmen said she could help me enroll.”

Irina chose not to react to that. “Oh? And what would you study?”

“I don’t know,” Leah paused. “Maybe I’d be a park ranger.”

Irina could see that. It would be good for Leah. She could work with nature, and work outdoors. It also meant she could stay close.

“What about your family?” Irina asked. 

“I called my mom and Seth yesterday. I think it took all of my mother’s influence over Seth to keep him from coming up here,” though Irina wasn’t looking at her, she could hear the smile in Leah’s voice. “He’s very excited to meet you.”

Some small part of Irina felt the same. It was obvious from the way Leah discussed her brother she adored him. 

“And your mother?”

“She said she was happy for me,” Leah said. 

Irina could tell that wasn’t all Leah’s mother had said, but decided not to push. 

They were silent again. 

“Are you alright?” Leah asked, her voice soft.

“Why wouldn’t I be?”

“You just seem… off.”

Irina sighed, debating for a moment whether or not she wanted to explain things to the wolf. “I talked with Bella earlier.”

“Oh? How did that go?”

“We were discussing Laurent.”

“Did the conversation not go well?”

“No, no, it went alright, I think we both understood one another. But… if we’re being honest, Bella’s not really who I’m upset with anymore,” Irina paused. “You remember what you said earlier, about your ex?”

“I said a lot about Sam.”

“About how he’d be happy about your imprinting, and would just expect you to forget everything.”

Leah nodded, confused about where this was going.

“I sometimes feel like Tanya feels the same way,” Irina said with a frown. “Like… because you imprinted on me, I’m just supposed to forget about Laurent and move on. Now that I have you, I’m supposed to understand what she and Bella did. It’s like she expected me to stop being mad overnight.”

Leah was silent, letting Irina collect her thoughts. 

“He was my friend,” Irina said quietly. “A member of our coven. And he made a mistake out of fear. And now he’s dead, and it feels like no one here cares except me.”

“That’s why you can’t stand shifters, right?” Leah asked, her voice soft.

Irina didn’t respond for a moment, turning back to her papers. “Maybe… maybe not all shifters, but yes.”

Leah didn’t respond to that, falling silent again.

“I guess, I feel like…” Irina paused, debating whether or not she wanted to explain this to Leah. “Once I let go of my anger… it is letting go of him. And I do not know if I am ready to let him go just yet.”

“Then don’t.”

That caused Irina to look up at Leah, meeting her dark eyes.

“You can be angry he’s gone, but be angry at him, or Victoria, or I don’t know… the universe,” Leah said. “Don’t let his death allow you to push others away. If he cared about you like you said, he wouldn’t want that.”

Irina was quiet for a moment. “Perhaps you are right,” she studied Leah’s face. “What a pair we make, hmm?” 

Leah just gave a small smile at that.

Irina turned back to her paperwork. “What is it like? Imprinting?”

Leah let out a shaky breath at that question, and Irina could hear the wolf’s heartbeat increasing. “It’s odd.”

Irina waited for more, and when none came, she burst into laughter, glancing back toward the wolf. “Really?”

“It’s hard to explain!” Leah said defensively.

“‘It’s odd,’ I believe I could have figured that part out myself.”

“Oh shut up,” Leah said as Irina continued laughing. “I’m trying to figure out how to explain it without it sounding weird and mushy.”

Irina smiled at that, waiting for the wolf to continue. 

“It was like, I saw you, and just… everything made sense,” Leah said, shifting in her seat. “I-I don’t know. It just is. Like my brain saw you and decided that I was yours, I guess,” the wolf glanced away. She played with a nearby twig.“Sounds kind of corny, huh?”

“Not at all,” Irina said, her voice quiet. 

Leah looked up at her, meeting her eyes once again. Gosh, those eyes. 

If Irina wasn’t careful, she might never be able to look away from them again.

“Can I ask you a question?” Leah asked, her voice soft. As if she was afraid Irina was going to snap at her. Irina felt herself become slightly guarded. What was Leah about to say that she didn’t think Irina would like?

“You can ask… until I hear it, I cannot say whether or not I will answer it.”

“Have you thought any more about what I said? About how the imprint bond works?”

All the time. 

It seemed these days that Leah Clearwater consumed Irina’s thoughts from the inside out. And as much as Irina hated to admit it, most of them weren’t negative anymore. 

Irina knew what Leah wanted, what Irina   wanted. But Irina wasn’t there yet. It was still too soon, and she still needed to organize her thoughts and feelings before she gave Leah a specific answer. And so she said as much. 

“You said you would give me what I need,” Irina said. “And what I need right now, is time.”

“Time,” Leah repeated, slowly nodding. “I can give you that.”

“Good,” Irina said. She paused. "That's not a no, you know that, right?"

"I know," Leah said. She glanced up at the sky. “It is getting dark, we should be heading back.”

Irina nodded. "You're right."

“Do you want help carrying anything?”

“No, I have got them,” Irina said, placing her papers and books into one arm. She hesitated for a moment before offering her hand. “Shall we?”

Leah beamed at that, and took her hand. “We shall.” 

And with that, the two walked back towards the lodge.

Chapter Text

Tanya wasn’t sure how exactly to describe the way she felt. 

She guessed the best word would be… peace. Tanya felt at peace. Tranquility was not an emotion Tanya experienced often. Being a coven leader was quite chaotic. Especially when Katrina was involved. But being around Bella seemed to slow everything down. She was a fresh breath of air, a calming force by Tanya’s side. 

Irina had snidely said Tanya was going soft.

And perhaps Tanya had, in her own way. 

Time had taught Tanya that attachment only led to pain. Humans died, quite often suddenly and unexpectedly. Not that Tanya got that attached to vampires outside her coven either. Even Carlisle, an old friend and ally received little warmth from her. Tanya was the leader of her coven. Feelings had their place, of course. Tanya wasn’t an idiot. Vampires had their instincts for a reason. But logic usually came first. Tanya could not falter. Could not break. The fate of the Denali Coven depended on it. 

Tanya had surrounded her heart in a barrier of ice. 

A barrier that Bella had smashed through quite easily. 

A lot of things came easily when it came to Bella. 

And yet, despite this ease and this peace, one question plagued Tanya’s mind constantly.

“Do you regret it?”

The words came tumbling out Tanya’s mouth like an avalanche before she could even register she was speaking. It was a question that had haunted Tanya since the wolves showed up.

Tanya was not an idiot. She saw the way Jacob had looked at Bella. It was the first time Tanya had considered Bella may have broken more than just Edward’s heart by leaving with Tanya. But on top of that Bella had a family and a life in Forks. 

Yet… she had left it for Tanya in an instant.

Bella and Tanya were sitting in the living room when Tanya asked. Bella was sitting on the floor in front of Tanya. She was patiently paging through a book as Tanya played with her hair. 

Tanya loved playing with Bella’s hair and as long as Bella was doing something else, she allowed Tanya to do so. 

Bella had been turning a page, but her hand paused at Tanya’s question. “What?”

Tanya divided the brown hair into smaller strands before beginning to make a small braid. “Do you regret leaving Forks?”

“Do you regret choosing me?” Was the silent question that went unasked.

Bella was silent for a moment, before asking a question of her own. “Why are you asking?”

Silence fell over the two as Tanya continued to braid Bella’s hair. She was trying to focus and not panic over Bella’s non-answer. “I just- I do not know, I wish to make sure you are not having second thoughts. I worry that perhaps we acted too rashly and you have regrets over being here.”

Bella sighed, placing her book down, and turning towards Tanya. Tanya removed her hands from Bella’s hair, clasping them in her lap. Bella moved to sit on the couch, sitting with her legs crisscrossed.

“I don’t regret coming here, with you,” Bella said, moving to take Tanya’s hands in hers. “If I did want to leave, I could, right?”

“Of course,” Tanya said instantly. It was not a question. She would do whatever was in her power to make sure that Bella was happy, within reason of course.

Bella smiled at that. “Tanya, I wouldn’t have left the way I did if I didn’t have a good reason,” she squeezed Tanya’s hands. “And this? One of the best reasons I can think of.”

“I just… do you not ever wish we could have done it a different way?”

“I mean, of course,” Bella gave Tanya that crooked smile of hers that made Tanya’s undead heart skip a beat. “I’d of preferred to, you know, not be engaged,” she laughed.

Tanya laughed too. “I’m serious though.”

“Well what way would you have wanted us to meet? Coffee shop? College course?”

Tanya shrugged. “I don’t know, I just imagined there being more of a fight to win you over.”

“You were planning to romance me?” Bella teased.

“Maybe,” Tanya said, feeling slightly embarrassed now. “I don’t know, I figured if you were human I would try to impress you.”

“Well you don’t have to try and impress me,” Bella admitted. “You already do.”

“I do?” Tanya asked, surprised.

Bella looked at her like she was stupid. “Tanya you’re the leader of a large coven, you have good control over your bloodlust, you’re smart, and you’re you know…”

Tanya raised an eyebrow as Bella fell silent. She tried to help her mate along. “I’m-”

“You’re really gonna make me say it?”

“I don’t know where you’re going with this,” Tanya said, honestly.

“You’re pretty… or whatever,” Bella said. Tanya was pretty sure if the brunette could still blush she would. 

“Or whatever?” Tanya asked, not being able to pass over the opportunity to tease her mate.

Bella threw a pillow at her. “Stop it.”

“Never,” Tanya smiled. “And for the record, Bella? I have thought you were pretty or whatever from the moment I met you.”

Bella glanced away at that, but Tanya could still see the smile on her face. “Thank you,” she muttered.

“Anytime,” Tanya said. 

Bella glanced back up at Tanya, and the two sat in silence for a moment.

Before Kate ruined it. 

“Guys! Guys,” Kate ran into the room. She paused. “Am I interrupting?”

“No,” Bella said, at the same time as Tanya said. “Yes.”

“Great,” Kate grinned. “Okay, so, hear me out, right? What if we tricked Leah and Irina into going to Vegas? We say it’s a coven trip, but then we just book it as a couple’s trip and-”

“I’m going to stop you right there,” Tanya said, interrupting her sister. Tanya knew Kate was excited that Irina had found her mate. Perhaps even more so than Tanya was. Irina had always been the most romantic out of the three of them. Despite Irina not speaking of her mate much, Tanya and Katrina knew that their sister had been longing for her mate for a long time. And now that Irina had found her, both of her sisters couldn’t help be happy for her. However, Katrina was a bit too invested in Irina and Leah’s relationship in Tanya’s opinion. She was concerned her younger sister’s interference could do more harm then good. 

“It won’t work, and then Irina will be embarrassed and then she will kill us all,” Tanya said. 

“Starting with me,” Bella cut in, turning back to her book. 

Tanya turned towards Bella. “I thought you said you two were in a better place.”

“Better doesn’t mean good,” Bella said. She patted Tanya’s shoulder. “We’re getting there.”

Tanya frowned but turned back to Kate. “No meddling.”

“But that’s my favorite thing to do!” Kate said, plopping down by Bella. “Bella please.”

“No, Leah would hate Vegas,” Bella said, turning a page.

Tanya didn’t fully understand the odd relationship between Bella and Leah.

At first, Tanya had been sure the two didn’t like one another. Or, at least, that Leah didn’t like Bella. It was only after getting to know Leah a bit better than Tanya realized it was just the other woman’s personality. She was like Irina in that way, spikey on the outside. Bella didn’t seem to mind, quick with comebacks that occasionally caused Leah to smile. Bella was protective over Leah, especially when it came to Kate’s teasing. It seemed Bella felt a responsibility to Leah, though… once again… Tanya didn’t really understand it. All Tanya knew for certain was Leah was important to Bella, so therefore she was important to Tanya. 

End of story.

“What about Atlantic City?” Kate asked. 

Tanya sighed. “Don’t you have anything else to do? Like… water your plants?”

“Already did.”

“Well go see if Carmen has something for you to do.”

“Carmen and Eleazar are on campus,” Kate said. 

“And Irina and Leah?”

“Leah’s supposed to be meeting with a professor, Carmen set it up. Irina offered to drive her.”

“Well then go reorganized your bookcase or something,” Tanya said. “But stop trying to meddle.”

“Fine,” Kate huffed. “You guys are such killjoys.”

“It’s part of my job description,” Tanya said, flashing her younger sister a smile. 

Kate rolled her eyes before stalking off.

“She means well,” Bella said.

Tanya sighed. “I know. I just worry about her.”

Part of Tanya couldn’t help but wonder if Kate was perhaps feeling a bit lonelier now that Tanya had her mate and Irina hers. She remembered their conversation from when Bella turned. Kate was afraid of losing her sisters, and Tanya wasn’t completely sure how to reassure her that would never happen.

Bella leaned forward and grabbed the book she had been reading, offering it to Tanya. “Read to me?”

“Of course,” Tanya said, taking the book from Bella’s hands. As Tanya opened it to read, Tanya felt Bella’s head on her shoulder. Tanya smiled a little. She cleared her throat and began to read from the top of the page Bella had marked. 

If Tanya could, she would stay in this moment as long as she could.

So, of course, it was cut short as an unfamiliar presence made its way into Denali Coven territory.

Upon hearing the unfamiliar footsteps of an incoming vampire, both Bella and Tanya made their way outside.

Demetri of the Volturi guard was strolling up the driveway at human speed as if he was simply strolling down some sidewalk. He was dressed in his traditional Volturi cloak, his hair slicked back. His Volturi pendant hung around his neck and bounced as he walked. He opened his arms wide, grinning as he approached the two women. 

“Tanya!” He called. “My favorite coven leader!”

“Demetri,” Tanya said with a nod. “You are quite far from Italy.”

“Part of the job,” Demetri shrugged. His eyes darted to Bella. “Ah, Miss Swan, vampirism looks good on you,”  he flashed Bella what Tanya believed he thought was a charming smile. “I was sent here on Aro’s orders. He was concerned you perhaps had gone back on our agreement.”

“As you can see, no laws have been broken,” Tanya said, cutting in.

“But an engagement has been,” Demetri said. He seemed quite amused as he clasped his hands together. “Aro was quite distressed to hear the wedding of the century had been canceled you know. He gets such little entertainment these days,” he tilted his head. “So tragic to see a love story have an unhappy ending,” He smiled at Bella in a way that made Tanya want to punch his lights out. “Though, I could give you a happy ending if you want?”

A growl escaped Tanya’s throat at the insinuation.

“Temper, temper,” Demtri tutted, crossing his arms. The smile was still on his face. “You’ve become quite boring. Is monogamy weighing you down?”

Tanya grit her teeth at the jab, keeping her temper in check.

“Oh come now Tanya, don’t be too mad at me. I deserved some entertainment since you two just lost me a wager,” Demetri sighed dramatically. “And I was going to get a new car out of it too.” 

“New car?” Bella asked.

“We had different theories of why you left Edward at the alter,” Demetri said. “Lucky Felix had said you had found your actual mate.”

Tanya was shocked at the statement, and Bella said what Tanya was thinking aloud. “You knew I wasn’t mates with Edward?”

Demetri laughed at that. “Anyone with eyes could tell you that. And after everything Aro saw in Edward’s head-“ Demetri paused. 

“What did Aro see?” Bella asked. 

Demetri just smiled. 

Tanya could sense her mate getting agitated. 

“What did Aro see Demetri?” 

“Oh but I wouldn’t want to spoil it,” Demetri smirked. 

“Demetri please,” Tanya said.

Demetri paused at that. He glanced over at Tanya, his eyes scanning her face for a moment. The Denali coven was known for being proud. Demetri knew as well as Tanya did that it was not often she stooped herself low enough to beg for something. 

 “She really has you wrapped around her pretty little fingers doesn’t she?”

“Demetri.”

“Fine, fine,” Demetri smiled. “He knew.”

“What?” Bella asked. 

“Edward? He knew you weren’t his mate. Aro saw it in his mind. He’ll never admit to it of course. But he knew.”

Tanya turned to Bella, concerned. Her mate’s face was unreadable. 

“Aro found the whole thing amusing, of course. The Cullens are known for their moral high horse. Yet here they were playing puppet masters to keep you with them,” Demetri smiled. “When you do see them, give them Aro’s regards, won’t you?”

Demetri turned to leave but paused. “Oh, I almost forgot,” he reached into his pocket and pulled out a jewelry box, tossing it to Bella. “On behalf of the Volturi, I congratulate you on joining our brotherhood,” he did a mocking bow and then sped off, leaving Bella and Tanya in the driveway. 

Tanya turned to see Bella just staring at the box.

“He knew,” Bella whispered, her eyes vacant. “All the hell he put me through… and he knew ?”

“Bella,” Tanya said, reaching towards her but Bella wrenched away from her.

“How could he do that? How could Alice-” Bella’s hands were trembling. “He lied to me for months. Months Tanya. He was going to marry me. Marry me . And he knew that we weren’t going to last. Why? Why would he do that ?”

“I don’t know,” Tanya said, her voice quiet. 

Tanya couldn’t explain Edward’s actions because she didn’t know what was going through his head.

Perhaps Edward truly believed that the mate bond could grow with time. Tanya wouldn’t be surprised if he had begun to get desperate after so long. A century without any romance was a long time. 

Edward had always been kind of a prude. He had never been able to overcome the things he had been raised with the way the Denali sisters had. Though his coven leader could have been part of that. Tanya respected Carlisle but he had never really left his “son of the preacher” persona behind him. Tanya considered his patients very, very lucky that man valued the Hippocratic oath above all, or his old-fashioned values definitely would come into play more often. 

Tanya could definitely see a version of events where Edward had always been taught to date for marriage and therefore had felt he could only date someone he thought was his mate. He had begun dating Bella under this assumption, only to soon realize all he was feeling was just bloodlust. Then the idea of breaking up with Bella was terrifying. He wouldn’t feel like he could date again until he felt the mate bond, and who knew when the hell that would be? Perhaps in his subconscious, it was easier to just pretend he didn’t know. That the blood lust was the mate bond. 

There was, of course, the darker option as well. That Edward was just manipulating Bella. That he greatly enjoyed the power that he had over Bella. That he was so desperate for companionship he was willing to do anything to keep Bella around, even telling her they were mates when he sensed her waning. Tanya wouldn’t be surprised if Alice was involved somehow as well. The two had always been quite close. Perhaps he had used Alice’s visions as a way to keep Bella in line. 

Tanya couldn’t say for certain what had led Edward do the things he did.

All she did know is Edward was never Bella’s mate and Tanya was.

“Bella,” Tanya said, her voice soft.

Bella glanced up at Tanya. 

“It’s going to be alright,” Tanya said, once again carefully reaching out. Bella didn’t move away this time as Tanya took the box from her grasp. “Let’s head inside, hmm?”

“Alright,” Bella said, her voice quiet. Tanya took one of her hands in hers, and began leading her towards the house.

Kate came down from her room as they entered.

Tanya could immediately tell from her sister’s expression she had heard everything. 

“Everything is fine,” Tanya reassured her sister as Bella made her way to the couch. “I doubt we will hear from the Volturi for quite a while.”

“And that?” Kate asked, motioning to the box.

“A gift,” Tanya said, placing it on their kitchen counter. She opened it to see a delicate golden chain with a large diamond. 

Kate whistled at it. “A bit showy, isn’t it?”

“I would not expect any less from Aro.”

Kate glanced towards the living room before turning back to Tanya, she lowered her voice, even though they both knew Bella could hear them. “Will she be alright?”

“Eventually.”

Kate nodded. “I’ll be upstairs. Call me if you need anything?”

“Of course,” Tanya said. She enveloped her sister in a hug before Kate made her way back upstairs. 

Irina and Leah arrived back home, several hours later.

“How did it go?” Tanya asked as Leah entered the living room.

“Good,” Leah smiled. “We got it all figured out. I’m going to start in the Fall.”

“What is this?” Irina called.

“What is what?” Tanya asked.

“This?” Irina said, entering the room with the Volturi box in hand.

“The Volturi discovered Bella is no longer human,” Tanya said.

“Good taste,” Irina said opening it. 

“Um, speaking of discoveries, there’s something I wanted to talk to you about, Bella,” Leah said, shifting nervously in her seat.

“Talk about what?” Bell asked, confused. 

“Um, so, you know how my mom and Charlie have a thing .”

Bella wrinkled her nose. “Unfortunately.”

“Listen I’m not exactly happy about it either, it feels weird.”

“Extremely,” Bella agreed.

“But because of that, and because of his closeness to the tribe… Sue got the elders to agree to let Charlie in on the tribe's secret.”

Tanya could see the gears turning in Bella’s head for a moment before her eyes went wide. “My dad knows about the shifters?”

Leah winced. “Yes, and sort of… vaguely about the vampires.”

Bella stood up at that. “What do you mean?!?”

“She didn’t tell him everything,” Leah said, getting defensive. “Not enough to put him in danger. Just enough for him to not ask too many questions when he sees you again.”

Bella blinked at that. “I-I can see him again?”

Tanya glanced over at Irina. 

Irina shrugged. “Technically they should be fine. He doesn’t know about her, just about the shifters. And the rules don’t cover that.”

“But is it enough of a technicality to work?” Tanya muttered.

Irina shrugged.

“You’re very nonchalant about this.”

“Tanya… if Aro wants to find a way to break up our coven, he will. No matter how closely we follow the law. If he wanted Bella he’d already have her. That’s a fact,” Irina said. “We will all die eventually… at least Bella can have a little more time with her father before he goes.”

Tanya nodded her head. “That’s true.”

“Um, my mom says he wants you to call him as soon as possible,” Leah said. 

Bella didn’t respond seeming lost in thought.

“We’ll let you two talk it over,” Irina said, grabbing Leah’s hand to drag her away. 

Tanya sat down beside her mate on the couch.

Bella didn’t look at Tanya as she said. “You don’t think I should do it.”

It wasn’t a question. 

Tanya sighed. It was a complicated matter. On one hand, Irina was right, technically the law wasn’t being broken. On the other, wasn’t there still a bit of risk? Tanya thought of Sasha. Of how she would give anything to have just one more day with her mother. To hear her laugh, to hear her advice. 

Her mother would find their situation amusing, Tanya was sure of it. 

"You just had to steal a bride from her wedding, hmm? ” Sasha would have said. “ You never could go after the normal ones, could you? ”

So if Tanya was in Bella’s shoes what would she do?

“I think you should,” Tanya said.

Bella glanced up at that. “What?”

“He is your father,” Tanya said. “And he is important to you. But I will support you in whatever your decision may be.”

Bella nodded.

They were silent for a moment. 

“I want to call him,” Bella said.

Fifteen minutes later, they were standing in Tanya’s study. Bella stared down at the phone. Her father’s number was typed in, but she had yet to press call. Tanya was sure that if she was still human, she would be shaking like a leaf.

“You don’t have to do this just yet,” Tanya said softly, concerned for her mate. 

“No, no, I want to do this,” Bella swallowed. 

“Do you need me to stay?”

Her mate shook her head. “No…no, I’ll be fine.”

“Alright, I’ll be in the other room,” Tanya kissed Bella on the cheek. 

Bella let out a breath and nodded, pressing the call button. 

As Tanya left, she heard Charlie pick up. 

“Um, hey Dad, it’s me,” Bella said.

And that was the last Tanya heard of the conversation before she shut the door behind her, leaving the father and daughter to talk in peace.

Chapter Text

It was a Tuesday when the Cullens arrived at the Denali Coven’s doorstep. 

It was a quiet night. The entire Denali Coven was home for the evening, gathered in the living room to watch a movie. Carmen and Eleazar were next to each other on the small loveseat, Carmen’s head on his shoulder. Carmen had chosen the movie for the evening, something one of her students had recommended. It was pretty decent in Bella’s opinion and Eleazar had complimented her on her choice. Irina and Leah were sitting on the floor inches apart. Every now and then, Leah would lean in and whisper a snide comment or joke in her ear about what was going on screen which caused Irina to smile. Kate was curled up in an armchair, looking at her phone occasionally. She had been getting antsy recently, and Tanya had told Bella she was getting a hookup lined up to relieve some of her tension. 

Bella was currently curled into Tanya’s side, the coven leader’s arm around her. They had spent the day apart as Tanya had some business in town. While Bella didn’t need to be around Tanya 24/7, she was very glad to see her mate return and was even happier to have her by her side.

The peaceful evening, however, was ruined by the sound of approaching footsteps. It felt as if there was no doubt who could be approaching. 

“It took them much longer than I thought,” Tanya mused as Irina paused the movie. Bella felt dread knot itself in her stomach. She didn’t want to do this. She didn’t want to deal with this. She just wanted to stay in this bubble with Tanya for as long as possible and never leave.

“What’s our game plan?” Kate asked, standing up and stretching.

“We talk,” Tanya said simply, removing herself from Bella’s grip. 

“And if they refuse to listen?” Carmen asked.

Tanya grimaced. “Well… let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.”

The two covens stood feet apart in the snow. 

It was silent, the only sounds being that of the nature that surrounded them. No one was quite sure what to say or what to do. 

Carlisle stood in front, contemplative as always as he studied the Denali Coven. Rosalie stood to his left, her arms crossed. Her expression was hard to read, but Bella could at least tell she wasn’t pleased to be there. Emmett was the tensest Bella had ever seen, standing slightly behind Rosalie. He clenched and unclenched his fists. Did he seem… nervous? Perhaps. Esme stood by Carlisle’s side as always, her hand in his. Bella sometimes wondered how long it would take for the coven to fall apart if Esme wasn’t there. Edward had once described her as the heart of the coven and Bella thought that was an accurate description. The short woman seemed concerned, her eyes focused on Bella, scanning her body for any injury or distress.

And then there was Edward.

Edward’s usually golden eyes were quite dark. Bella wondered if the Cullens had struggled to get him to feed, if he had locked himself in his room. A few days ago, Bella might have felt more guilty. 

But it was hard knowing what she knew now. 

Tanya was the one to break the heavy silence.

“Carlisle, we welcome you to Alaska. How can we help you?”

“ How can we help you ?” Edward asked. “Are you serious right now?”

“Edward, please,” Carlisle said. The coven leader sounded exhausted. 

Bella couldn’t imagine what the past few weeks could have been like for the coven leader. She had no doubt that Edward had taken out his anger on his family members since he didn’t have access to her. 

“Your exit was quite…” Carlisle paused, searching for the right word. “Unorthodox.”

“That’s one way to put it,” Irina muttered, earning her an elbow from Kate.

“We wanted to make sure Bella was alright,” Carlisle continued. “And hoped we could talk this out. Perhaps understand your motives for leaving so suddenly.”

“I think you already know the motives,” Tanya said, tilting her head. Her voice was authoritative, leaving no room for question. “Bella is my mate and we wanted no trouble regarding her leaving Forks.”

“So you decided to run like cowards?” Edward asked.

“Edward, can you honestly say you would have just let me go?” Bella asked. “When I wanted to visit Jacob on the reservation you disconnected my engine from my truck. And that was just to visit .”

“That was for your own good,” Edward protested as all of the Denali coven glared at him. “Jacob was unreasonable, dangerous.”

A growl sounded from Leah at that.

“Perhaps we leave Jacob Black out of this,” Tanya said. “What is important is no laws have been broken.”

“That doesn’t mean you haven’t done anything wrong,” Edward said. 

“Perhaps not,” Tanya said. “Does not mean I regret it.”

Silence fell over the clearing as Tanya and Edward glared each other down.

“If I may interject?”

The group turned their attention towards Esme. She smiled, seeming to try and cool the tension in the group. “Perhaps Edward and Bella should talk on their own.”

Tanya glanced over at Bella, trying to assess her feelings on the matter. Bella smiled at her mate, before turning towards Edward who also seemed to be studying her closely. 

“Sure, let’s talk,” Bella said. She motioned to the tree line. “After you?”

Edward stalked off towards the treeline, Bella in tow.

Once they were out of earshot, Edward turned around towards Bella.

“So?” He asked.

“So…”

“So what happened?”

“Tanya happened.”

“That’s all you have to say? ‘Tanya happened?’” Edward asked. 

“Edward, what do you want me to say?” Bella asked, becoming slightly agitated. “I know it’s hard to hear, but I love her.”

“So what, you saw each other and that was it?”

“You’ve seen into her mind, you know we’re mates, you know how she feels about me,” Bella said. “That’s not fake. I feel the same way about her. And yes, it’s ridiculous, and unrealistic, and seems like it can’t possibly be true. But I do.”

“But what about me?” Edward asked, his voice pained. “I love you Bella.”

“Do you?” Bella asked, her voice quiet. “Or just the idea of me?”

“Bella-”

“How long?”

“I’m sorry?”

“How long did you know we weren’t mates?”

There was silence for a moment as Edward took in her words. “What are you talking about?”

“You knew I wasn’t your mate. How long were you lying to me about that?”

“Bella, honestly-”

“Bullshit, Demetri told me himself that you knew.”

“I’m sorry are you going to believe the Volturi over me?” Edward asked.

“Edward, how could you not have known?” Bella asked. “It makes sense. You lied to me for months!”

“The mate bond isn’t everything!” Edward said, seeming to honestly believe what he was saying. His eyes were pleading as he continued. “Bella, she doesn’t know you. I do.”

“No, you don’t,” Bella said. “Edward, when was the last time we genuinely had a conversation about something I liked,” he opened his mouth. “ Don’t say music.”

He closed it.

“Edward… we haven’t been the same since Volterra. You know it, I know it. We argued all the time. You don’t respect me… I don’t know if you ever did. We aren’t good for one another,” Bella said, almost pleading with him to listen to her. 

“And you think Tanya will be good for you?” Edward scoffed. “Do you know who she is? What she is?”

“I know she’s not what you’ve tried to make her out to be,” Bella said, frowning. “And I don’t care about people’s past. You know that.”

They were silent for a moment. 

“So this is really it then… you’re choosing her.”

Bella sighed. “It’s not really a choice, but… yeah, I’m staying with Tanya.”

“So all of this was for nothing,” Edward said bitterly. 

Bella didn’t have a proper response. 

“I dug up my mother’s engagement ring for you,” he said, shaking his head. “I did everything for you Bella. I killed Laurent for you. My family fought against Victoria for you. We were your family when no one else was. And this is how you treat us? Like garbage?”

Bella grit her teeth. “Edward, I know I made a mistake leaving the way I did. But Tanya was right. Can you honestly say you would have just let me go? That I could have ended things properly? Everyone was expecting us to get married. How was I supposed to disappoint them all?”

“So you ran.”

“I did,” Bella said, beginning to lose her patience. “And now I’m happy. Is that what you want to hear?”

Edward shook his head. “One day, you are going to wake up, and she will have moved on, as she always does. You will be just another notch on that slut’s bedpost and-”

“Don’t call her that,” Bella said, her voice sharp. “You don’t get to be upset with her because she made different decisions than you. You can be mad at me. Mad that I left. Mad that I’m dumping you. But besides being my getaway driver, Tanya is mostly blameless in this whole affair.”

“So I’m just supposed to just excuse her seducing you?”

“She didn’t seduce me! I mean- well-” Bella paused. “She didn’t seduce me in Forks, at least.”

“That’s disgusting,” Edward wrinkled his nose, looking genuinely nauseous.

“Alright, I think we’re done here,” Bella said, turning towards the lodge.

“Don’t come crawling back to me when she leaves you!”

Bella turned at that. “Believe me, Edward, after everything, I wouldn’t come crawling back to you if we were the last two people on Earth,” 

And with that, Bella walked away from Edward Cullen for the last time.

Bella found herself beside a frozen lake. She couldn’t bear to return to the lodge right now. Her conversation with Edward went about as well as could be expected. The fact there had been no physical altercation yet relieved Bella greatly. Still, she dreaded going back to the lodge. Dealing with Edward was bad enough… she didn’t know if she could also deal with the other Cullens. In particular, she didn’t know how she could face Esme. Despite her issues with Edward, she deeply cared about the rest of the Cullens. 

“You know, when I said we would be fine with you not marrying Edward, this is not the direction I thought you’d go,” Bella heard a familiar voice call. She turned to see Rosalie approaching. 

Bella couldn’t help but smile a bit. “Hello Rose.”

Rosalie sat down next to her on the dead tree trump. 

It was silent for a moment as they gazed out at the view in front of them.

“This never gets old, the beauty of nature,” she sighed. “I’ve always preferred snow over rain.” 

“Because it’s pretty?”

“The memories,” Rosalie said, her eyes vacant. “In Rochester, there was one day when I was younger that my little brothers dragged me out into the snow to play,” a small smile appeared on her face. “My mother was furious of course, I was soaking wet. It was a miracle I didn’t catch a cold. It was one of the last moments I was still allowed to be a child,”

They were silent for a moment. 

“I love her,” Bella said, her voice soft. “I know that we may have went about it the wrong way, but… I couldn’t marry him after meeting her.”

“I know,” Rosalie said, simply. 

“Are you mad at me?”

“I was never mad. Worried, yes. But not mad.”

“What about everyone else?”

“Well besides Edward, no one else was really mad, they were more upset.”

“What about Jasper and Alice? Why didn’t they come?”

“Well Jasper… do you want the real answer or the cover story?”

“Real answer.”

“He felt that he had no place in this conflict, and didn’t want to be involved. He was also worried about Alice’s safety,” Rosalie stretched. “Of course, he told Carlisle tensions would no doubt be running high, and he was worried about how it could affect him.”

“And… Alice?’

Rosalie sighed. “I don’t really know. She can’t see your future anymore and that’s freaking her out a bit.”

“Ah,” Bella said. Because what else could she say?

“Bella… there’s something else you need to know, about Alice,” Rosalie paused. “Alice… knew you and Edward weren’t mates.”

“Oh,” Bella said, she paused for a moment. Perhaps if she hadn’t already found out about Edward’s betrayal, this would be more upsetting. 

“I didn’t know until recently, obviously,” Rosalie motioned with her hand. “However it seems Alice meddles more in our lives then I thought she did. It seems she played an active role in keeping you away from Tanya.”

“But… why?”

“To make Edward happy.”

Bella frowned. It made sense. She didn’t like that it made sense, but it did. The two sat in silence again for a bit before Rosalie broke the silence.

“Emmett and I are planning to take a break from the coven, planning to go to college for a bit.”

“Really?” Bella asked.

“Yes.”

“But… why?” Bella asked.

“This whole business with Alice and Edward has left me a bit… unnerved. I had never considered what Alice’s changes to the future may have done to the people around us before. What prices have others paid for our sake? Alice was willing to make it so you and Tanya never met for Edward’s sake. She tried to drastically alter the lives of two people she knows and cares about. Who is to say what she is doing to strangers? I love Alice and I don’t think she means any harm. But I can’t be around her right now. All I can think about is what she might have done to keep us happy.”

“But leaving the coven?”

“It’s not forever, just a little bit,” Rosalie said. 

“When are you planning to go?”

“Soon, I have to tell Carlisle and Esme first of course, but Emmett is on board,” Rosalie turned towards Bella. “Don’t think that means you’re getting rid of me though. I expect semi-regular phone calls once you all unblock our numbers on your phones.”

Bella laughed at that. “I’ll make sure Tanya does that.”

“Good,” Rosalie stood up. “Are you coming back to the lodge?”

“Is Edward there?”

“I think he already went back to Forks,” Rosalie said. “I take it your conversation didn’t go well?”

“It could have gone… better,” Bella winced.

Rosalie laughed at that. “I’m sure. I’ll see you back at the house, Swan.”

Bella smiled and turned back to the water. 

Esme and Emmett were on the couch talking with Kate and Rosalie when Bella arrived back at the lodge fifteen minutes later. Bella made her way into the kitchen to see Tanya standing in the kitchen, on her phone. Bella raised an eyebrow at Tanya in a silent question. 

“Irina and Leah went out. Leah needed to work off some aggression. Carmen and Eleazar are upstairs. And Carlisle went after Edward,” Tanya said quietly. “He had quite a few choice words for me before he left.”

“I’m sorry,” Bella responded, almost automatically.

“His behavior is not your fault,” Tanya said, and then smiled a little. “And I could hardly blame him. If I lost you, I would probably be even more furious then he was.”

Bella returned the smile, her chest warming at her mate’s words. “Not as furious as I would be if it was you.”

“Then let us be glad neither of us have to worry about that, yes?” Tanya asked. She leaned forward, placing her forehead against Bella’s. Bella closed her eyes and let out a little sigh. Yes, this was where she was meant to be. She could feel it in her bones. “You are mine and I am yours.”

Bella smiled at that, opening her eyes so she could kiss her mate. She felt warmth grow in her chest as she felt Tanya cling onto her waist tightly, as if she never wanted to let Bella go.

“Enough being cute!” They heard Kate call from the living room. “Come tell Emmett I have better taste then him in movies Bella!”

“You think High School Musical is the peak of cinema!”

“And I stand by that!”

Bella and Tanya both chuckled at that. 

“Shall we?” Tanya asked.

And with that Bella followed her mate into the other room.