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Chapter One
The sun was out today. A rare sight on this side of Washington, that she usually took advantage of before. Back when she was more energetic, more… youthful. She stood by the shoreline watching the new generation near the cliff edge. Smiling at the display. Five young men, boys really, shoving and pushing each other while trying to intimidate their recruit. Their new pack mate. Standing soon got too much for her weakened leg before she found a large piece of driftwood to rest on, resting her cane beside her. Even though the sun was out, it did nothing for the cold wind that rushed through the shore. Dressed in black cargo pants and worn dark brown jacket, Bella took in her surroundings. Her graying hair hung loosely in a braid, wrinkles becoming more pronounced enhancing the contrast of her linear scar that went from the top of her hairline, passing through her right eyebrow and down to her chin. A scar she jokingly used to tell the younger children that it was from a fight she won against a bear. A story she’s told repeatedly without adjustments.
She hardly comes out nowadays. Growing old seems to make you an introvert, without you noticing. Going out with family and friends becomes scarce when it’s their funerals you go to. Finally finding yourself reminiscing more than living. But she lives on in the work and responsibilities she’s taken in the community.
“They’re showing off again.” Comes from behind her. She already knows that voice. She heard him before he even spoke, making him out by the crunch of his converse sneakers meeting sand. Jacob approaches her and sits beside her, staring at the boys on the cliff edge with contempt. Bella looks at him and notice that he’s growing way too fast. Muscles growing way too fast for human comprehension. What used to be a lanky 15-year-old, now sat a grown, muscular and matured 16-year-old.
“It’s almost time, huh.” She thought to herself. He looks so much like her brother at this age that she finds herself staring at him more often than she cares to admit. Oh, how she misses him so.
“Don’t mind them, nephew. They’re living their lives as best and fulfilling as they know. Soon you may join them.” She said, winking at him.
He scoffed. “Please, that’ll never happen.” Narrowing his eyes at the cliff before he returns his gaze to me. “Dad says that your having dinner with us. No excuses.”
It was her turn to scoff. “Tell your father to stop bossing me around. But luckily for him, I’m not in the mood to cook tonight.”
He only grins in response. Nothing is said between them as they watch the boys laughing before each of them dove off the cliff edge. One watched in angsty jealous and the other in forgotten memories.
“Come on and help me up. I have things to do before dinner.” She says as she grabs her cane. Her right leg was giving her more trouble recently than she cared to admit. Now that she thinks about it, it’s been hurting more since they returned. The pain in her leg seemed to transfer to her heart, grasping at her heart and squeezing. She gasped softly.
Jacob, hearing her gasp of pain, stands quickly and helps her up. “Are you okay?”
A grimace flashes on her face before she covers it with a smile. “Yes, don’t worry. Just the pains of growing old.”
As Jacob helps her towards her truck, a voice interrupts them, forcing them to look back towards the source.
“Bella!” Sam Uley shouts. The new pack leader, the Alpha. She had no qualms about Sam, she actually liked him. A little too uptight but he’s got a good head on his shoulders. He looks out for the pack and is there for them at their moment of change. While she likes him in that aspect, it does not mean she like him wholly. Bella still haven’t forgiven him for how he treated the situation with Leah Clearwater. But karma found a way to get him back, now that Leah has shifted and making the dynamic in the pack extremely awkward.
She looks back to Jacob and says, “You go ahead, I’ll make him help me.” She nods him along. Jacob looks between the both of them with a frown. He nods and leaves. Sam jogs the rest of the way toward her from the beach, still wet from the dive, and takes her hand as they slowly walk towards her truck.
“I’m sorry for interrupting but I was hoping you would come to council meeting tomorrow. I know you don’t attend and try to stay out of pack affairs, but I want you there.” He speaks softly.
She sighs, “I suppose this is why Billy has invited me for dinner tonight?”
Hesitantly he responds, “Yeah, I’m sure you know that Jake is about to change.” She nods along. “But there seems to be a… situation that risen amongst the cold ones and we need your wisdom.”
“Situation?” She raises her eyebrows skeptically.
He sighs in defeat, “A cold one named Edward, has become close with a human. Angela Swan, the police chief’s daughter. It was said that she had run away, after she supposedly broke up with Edward. She was on her way to her mother in Phoenix when she broke her leg. They returned back to Forks a few days ago.”
“Okay?” She says, prompting him to continue.
“I went with Billy to visit Charlie, on Council’s orders. And when I was there, I caught a glimpse of her and I could smell venom in her veins, not a lot, but small traces of it. The council meeting is being held to see if this is a violation of the treaty.” He finally says.
She exhales sharply. “I’ll see you tomorrow.” Said with finality. Sam nods and opens the door to her truck. Climbing in, she drives off with her mind reeling of old memories and feelings long forgotten. Or at least trying to forget.
She arrives at her cabin on the outskirts of the reservation, far enough away from everyone but close enough to come to aid, if in need. She limps to her couch, beer in hand and turns on tv. She settles into her solitude, the day’s quiet broken only by the distant murmur of the television and the cool touch of condensation tracing the bottle in her hand. In that stillness, memories stir to life—faces from a time long past, laughter now only echoes, and the weight of choices made, lingering with every breath.
Bella Black had ceased shifting in 1979, at the age of twenty-one. Born in 1915, she was the younger sibling of Ephraim Black, Alpha of the pack and her steadfast anchor the first time she transformed. Though much of her life became but a footnote in the broader tapestry of their history, she recognized the profound privilege it was to bear witness to the people and stories that crossed their ancestral lands, to watch the world itself evolve.
When Bella joined the ranks of the shifters, female wolves were virtually unheard of. Her emergence as one became a point of pride, both for herself and her family—a rare honor, a gift, and a duty: to protect.
She sighed as she finished her bottle, now warm and looked at the time. She hadn’t noticed how much time had passed since she had returned home that morning, and now it was almost time for dinner for Billy and Jacob. Much of her days are spent doing just this if there wasn’t much help needed on the reservation. Though now carrying the body of a 51-year-old, her joints aching and her knees reminding her daily of years gone by, Bella’s appearance still betrays her true age; many outside the reservation often mistake her for someone in their forties. She spends her days quietly, moving through the community with a steady resolve. Visiting elders and assisting them with everyday chores has become her way of giving back, ensuring that those who once carried the tribe are not left burdened in their later years. Through these small acts, she finds a measure of purpose and connection, maintaining her place among her people as the world continues to shift around her.
After all, it was her duty. As the previous Alpha, chosen after her brother passed to a pack of one. Herself. Ephraim was the last to leave this plane, leaving Bella as the last remaining pack member, and reluctantly chosen Alpha. She had taken to caring for those on the outskirts of the reservation, those not forgotten but simply, “just not today.” Today’s issues are meant to be dealt with today’s.
Yesterday’s issues will be dealt with yesterday’s pack, Ergo Bella.
A migraine is forming as she thinks of the upcoming meeting, she now knows she’ll attend. To keep the council in line. To keep the peace. To avoid unnecessary violence. To protect the tribe and the pack. And to protect her imprint. An imprint who had rejected their bond. Rejected her.
Imprinting is a form of bond the Quileute wolves develop as a way to recognize their soulmate. The elders used to say it was the spirits way to thank those chosen for the duty bestowed upon them. So the burden of duty would not be held up alone. An imprint can manifest in anyone with anyone, a truly beautiful gift. The moment your eyes meet the world turn on its axis and you become bound to them. You become whatever they need you to be.
But they become everything to you.
“You are nothing to me.”
And so, that’s what she became to them.
Nothing.
~~
Bella heard the harsh tones and angry grumblings of the council before she saw them. Reaching the doors to the hall, where the meeting was held, she paused. It had been decade since she participated in a meeting. The last meeting held was done in reference to Bella’s existence herself, while those that knew of the old ways knew of her, it was the younger generation that seemed to notice her lack of aging. She remained youthful while those around her continued to age. To protect the pack, the tribe, she decided to stop shifting. She chose the safety of others than her need to -… It didn’t matter. She chose, and she would not regret it.
A sharp bang of a hand slamming down on the table brought her out of her musings. Looks like the meeting was getting slightly out of hand. With a deep breath, she pushed through the doors. Everyone paused to look at the intrusion. Mixed reactions throughout the council members. Harry and Sue Clearwater, sitting together, frowns present and brows furrowed. Not sure if it was due to her presence or due to the direction of the conversation in the meeting. Billy, sitting at the head of the table, elbow on the table rubbing his temples to ease what is most likely a stress headache. Quil Ateara IV, sat there just staring at her. He wasn’t much of a talker.
Seated further down the table were the current, active members of the pack. Sam Uley, Leah Clearwater, Quil Ateara V, Embry Call, Paul Lahote and Jared Cameron. Children, all of them with the lives of the people around them on their shoulders. It shouldn’t have been like this. When the previous pack started shifting, everyone was well in their twenties, or early thirties. They had lived out the teenage years, acted out in rebellion, allowed to make mistakes, but this generation were mere children. Barely in their teens, lives barely beginning, to serve and protect. A gift, and a curse at the same time.
They looked uncomfortable, except Sam, trying to fill the shoes of a role that I know weighs heavily on him. Sam is trying to look composed but obviously on edge.
Bella pushes forward and takes up an empty seat that is, purposefully, in the middle of everyone. “Continue,” she says.
“Bella, thank you for joining us.” Says Billy with a relieved sigh.
“I’m sure you’ve been informed,” Harry intrudes then pauses, waiting for my confirmation, which I give with a nod, “we are determining if Angela Swan’s condition is a violation to the treaty. While she was not on our land when she was harmed, she is still apart of our community and she has returned back to her father. If she had not, then this would’ve been another type of discussion, but we are here now.”
“It’s a violation! Plain and simple, she was harmed, and the treaty clearly states that no harm shall come to the humans on our land!” Sam says, raising his voice. Fists clenched and shaking as he tries to control his anger.
“I agree. We cannot pick on the technicalities of the treaty when an innocent has been harmed.” Quil pipes up, nodding his agreement. Bella forgot that when he does talk, she doesn’t like it.
“I understand, but we must consider all the information we have. According to Carlisle, Edward had saved Angela, by sucking out the venom of that rouge vampire.” Billy interjects.
“We cannot trust those leeches!” Paul shouts standing from his seat, causing his chair to fall back. “Those blood sucking leeches have every reason to lie and save their sorry selves, we need to show them we mean business. That we will not be messed with.”
“Take a seat, Paul, and calm down.” Sam says, invoking his Alpha tone, once he notices Paul’s vibrating body. He is literally shaking with anger. Paul visibly frustrated, takes a seat, but not before saying, “You all know I’m right. They are the reason for the shift, it is because of them that problems are rising.”
Billy sighs before asking, “Bella? Anything to say?” Bella, who was staring at Paul, briefly shifted her eyes towards Sam before settling on Billy.
“Why, yes, Billy. Treaty is still intact, unless I see reason. Until that time comes. The treaty remains unbroken.” Bella says confidently. No hesitation. There is silence throughout the room, disbelief written on everyone’s face, except Billy’s. He looks at Bella with a face of understanding and nods.
“Very well.” He says, clapping his hands with finality. “Treaty remains intact. Unless appropriate reasoning or evidence arises, we will not interfere.” Sam stands in protest. Billy raises his hand to silence whatever was going to be spoken before he continues, “But…we can advise and redirect this relationship. We have no concrete evidence, and no way to prove what Carlisle has said is false, or true. Besides the same rules that silence the cold ones of their secret, rules us as well. Meeting adjourned.” Billy looks to everyone at the table before he wheels himself out the door. Harry and Sue soon follow him.
Quil staying back to give one last comment before he leaves, “You’re softness will be our undoing.”
“Softness is what prevents bloodshed. It gives way to understanding and truth.” She says in a firm tone. Sam prickles as he heard the tone.
“I thought you would agree with me.”
“I’m afraid you thought wrong, Sam.”
“Why?”
“Because you’re not thinking straight. You’ve barely been shifted for a year and the rest of you much less than that. You would be outnumbered and severely over-powered. One vampire can read minds, another can see the future, and not to mention the experience they have accumulated in their combined half a millennia. I have been around long enough to know what they are capable of and I will not have you put your lives at risk to ease your anger and ego.” Sam growls at what she said. Not because it was untrue, but because it was true and he knew it. He just refuses to be wrong.
“Shut that down now, Sam Uley” Bella sharply looks towards Sam. The Alpha tone in her voice making a presence. No wonder Sam reacted to it during her exchange with Quil. His wolf was acknowledging her presence, though not happy about being ‘out-alpha’-ed. But speaking with her now, Sam and his wolf are now submissive. Fully realizing the large dominant presence Bella has that is often forgotten by her playful and soft demeanor. Sam bows his head, same goes with the rest of the pack.
“I will say this only once. You may do what you must, but the treaty remains unbroken. If anything is done to jeopardize that, you will answer to me.”
And with that, Bella leaves the hall, leaving a pack of young wolves with their tail between their legs.
~~
“Your loyalty is unwavering” Billy says when she walks into his home. She pauses and she’s taking off her shoes.
“Jacob?” Bella asks.
“Sleeping. He’s about to –. ”
“I know.” She interrupts.
“How long?”
“A week at most. I can smell the shift in him. Sam will take care of him, but he needs to learn the truth before then.” She says firmly.
Billy looks sad but nods in agreement. He looks at her now walking across his living room to the kitchen to fetch a bottle of beer. Watching her grunt as she settles on his worn couch and resting her cane but the side table.
“Why are you doing this? Protecting them.”
“Not only them. I’m protecting everyone.” She sips from the bottle.
“Maybe if you tell them the truth too, that..” Billy trails off.
“That the treaty isn’t the only thing preventing a war, but the law of imprinting?” Law of imprinting sounded official, but that is exactly what it is. No harm shall fall on a shifter’s imprint. It becomes almost certain death to the shifter. At least that is what she was taught and told. It is a sacred law that the council families know and abide by because it is their way to payback the shifters for their service, you could say. “You protect us, and we protect what you hold dear” kind of situation.
She chuckled somewhat in pain at the reminder. “It wouldn’t matter. Nothing can be done anyway.”
“It’s been about 70 years.”
“70 years, 4 months, 8 days.” She paused and look at the clock in Billy’s living room. “Do you want the hours, minute and seconds too?” She smirked, but there was no amusement in her eyes. Only pain.
“No, I get the gist.” Billy said back with a little chuckle himself. “How are you? Since they’ve been back.”
“Honestly? Happy.” Billy is shocked at her response. “Pathetic, huh? 70 years of not knowing about the well-being of my imprint. 70 years since being rejected by them. Told that our bond is nothing and I feel happy.”
Billy paused. Unsure what to say. He didn’t need to, before Bella spoke again.
“I’m happy because I know they’re alive. Back within reach and I know that I can never reach out, touch…hold them. I’m still happy because they’re here and that’s all I’ve ever hoped for.
“Like I said, your loyalty will always and forever be unwavering.”
~~
In solitary once again did Bella fully let go. Slightly tipsy from almost drinking all of Billy’s beer stash, she found herself at her cabin, in bed, still fully clothed from the day sans her boots. And it is in the confines of her cabin that tears ran freely down her cheeks. That sorrow, longing, heartbreak, and exhaustion finally made their way out. As she closes her eyes, her mind takes her back in time.
“I know you feel it too.” Bella says desperately. After months of sneaking away from the pack to meet her imprint at the border. What started as a tense exchange during their patrols that just happened to coincide, soon broke way to something softer, something curious, once they found each other’s eyes.
“Bella, stop” They said.
“Please, we can run away and be together. Just us.”
“Bella, I can’t do this anymore. I made a commitment. This is wrong. Whatever we’re -,” they cut themselves off, “you’re feeling is wrong.”
“No, it isn’t. It’s fate. How amazing that despite the odds that we find ourselves here and now. Together.” Says Bella softly as reached for her imprint’s hand. They step back, realizing their actions dawns on their face before disgust and anguish makes way to the forefront.
“NO!” They exclaimed, creating distance between them. “I will never choose you! I will not have my choices taken away again by FATE. I will have control. This is nothing. We are nothing. You are nothing!”
Bella jolted awake. Her mind obviously refused to leave the past where it should be. She’s had a great life. Wishes for a different outcome would never change anything, and it won’t ease the hurt. She’s erased all things pertaining to her imprint from her mind. At least she tried. She knows that in the midst of her dreams, she dreams of better outcomes. Of wishful thinking, of longing. And it is in those dreams that she finds herself drifting into, as she slowly falls back to sleep. The name of her imprint leaving her lips as she dream walks into her imprints arms.
She whispers.
“Rosalie.”