Bella MacLeod's Twilight Fanfiction

Claws

By BetterInTexas

Chapter 32:

Jasper and Edward ran to the front of the Denali Mansion, finally arriving after running from Wyoming.

Bella and Leah were behind them in their respective animal forms, hidden by trees. Alice, despite her sight still not working in regard to Bella and Leah, knew what was expected and moved towards the trees with two sets of clothing.

While Leah had changed into a simple set of denim shorts and a tank top, something Alice thought she would appreciate considering her warm nature, the small vampire brought Bella a new combat suit she had made, similar to her old one, black, overing her body, guns strapped to her side and her Lycan bone knife on her right shin.

Alice stayed close to Leah at Bella’s suggestion. Despite Leah not having difficulty around the Cullens’ scent, there was concern about her being around vampires who fed from humans. Carlisle suspected Leah had no problem since her change because a third of Bell’s blood contained vampire venom but had nothing to base that on other than a guess.

Bella walked from the tree line, taking her time, and assessing the situation.

On the front porch of the huge mansion was her father and her team, including Mac. The Cullens were surrounding them. Her father was bundled in a large green coat. He had a huge smile on his face when Bella locked eyes with him, assuring her that he was okay.

On the ground with Jasper and Edward were eight new vampires. She knew they were the Denali coven, three beautiful blondes named Kate, Irina and Tanya who was the leader. Two dark haired individuals completed the clan. The man was Carlisle’s old friend Eleazar and his mate Carmen.

Next to Edward were three red eyed vampires, the ones who were friends of Jasper, stood still as statues. Their eyes never left hers and she supposed Leah who was right behind her.

“Are you okay, Sweetie?” Bella asked her girlfriend quietly.

“Please don’t call me Sweetie in front of the red eyed vampires.” Leah responded. “I’m fine. They smell no different than the Cullens. Are you okay, Cupcake? I know red eyes are a trigger for you.”

Despite the seriousness of the situation, Leah’s response lightened the atmosphere, causing everyone who heard to laugh, including the red eyes vehicles.

Jasper made introductions, and identified the three red eyes as Garrett, Peter, and Charlotte.

“You know what you are getting into?” Bella asked them, cutting past the small talk.

“Fucking scientists are hurting kids.” The one named Peter replied. “Good enough for me. Glad to be here. We promise not to feed on anyone we weren’t going to kill already.”

“Then you will not go hungry. You will have more than enough to eat because I plan to leave a trail of blood longer than the Nile. My sisters cannot be injured. Vivian has codes to stun them. They all have mental blocks that bend them to Hildebrand’s will. Guards are yours. The devil dogs are too far gone to live. The rest of the experiments, the victims, we will deal with on a case-by-case basis. Leave no humans alive. I may get hungry during battle, so try not to completely drain a human’s blood. Nobody likes dry steak.”

Leah cleared her throat. “Cupcake, you said you wouldn’t eat anyone else.”

Bella closed her eyes in frustration. She had promised that.

“Fine. I still plan to gut them. Stop calling me Cupcake, Sweetie.”

“But you are so sweet, like a cupcake.”

“You two are going to be so much fun.” The one named Garrett spoke, amusement evident on his face. “When do we start?”

Bella looked at her team on the front porch and joined them. She hugged Ty, hugged Charlie, and gave a knowing look to Connolly. She wanted a target.

“Better come inside. Just don’t break anything.” He told her.

Bella followed him into the beautiful mansion. It was much less modern than the Cullen’s. Where they relied on the latest designs, this was more elegant, like something you would see in the twenties or thirties. The rooms were large, the staircase elegant, the furniture vintage. It screamed elegance and she could see why Connolly told her not to break anything. It took Esme a couple of days to fix the living room the first time she turned into a full Jaguar and broke through the large window after slamming Mac around the room.

She followed him into a dining room, ironic for vampires, but necessary to complete the aesthetic. The room was large enough that all the vampires and humans fit in. Bella sat across from her team lead who set up a laptop in front of her.

Bella cringed.

“The Secretary of State is under her control?” she asked. It could have been worse. At least it wasn’t the vice president.

“We have to take him out.” Connolly told her. “Unfortunately, we have to make it look like a suicide or natural causes. Carlisle has whipped up a drug that mimics a heart attack. He has a history of heart problems in his family. The problem is getting past his security. The Bureau of Diplomatic Security isn’t as good as the Secret Service, but they aren’t bad. They couldn’t stop you from killing him, or stop any of us, but they will notice if something is out of the ordinary blowing the whole natural death idea.”

“I can manage it.” Bella said immediately.

“You aren’t known for subtly.” Ty pointed out.

“And you are?” she retorted.

“I can do it.” Garrett spoke up. “The President appointed the man to protect and uphold the constitution and is covering for illegal experimentation on children. I can be sneaky and am extremely fast. This won’t be a problem. I can inject him in his sleep. I’ll fly tonight.”

Connolly nodded. “Much appreciated. Bella, we have another problem. The French.”

Bella raised an eyebrow. “The French?”

Connolly nodded. “They’ve moved for security issues and Vivian found them. They aren’t far away. Hidden in the Yukon Valley. From what the security footage shows, there are twelve young half breed girls locked away and being studied. The rumors are true. A vampire has been impregnating humans. He is on site. No other women have been taken prisoner so far. We leave first thing in the morning if you are up to it. Hit them as the sun goes down.”

Bella nodded. “I lead the attack. The vampire is mine.”

“I figured you might say that.” Connolly told her. “We have another problem for you to take care of. It looks like the French director is friends with the French West African territory.”

Bella closed her eyes, wishing something could go off without a hitch. So of course, it wasn’t as easy as rushing a compound, killing guards and a vampire, and saving girls.

“A lion shifter.”

Connolly nodded. “Vivian can’t find their stun codes.”

“Then he is wearing a shock collar. Lion’s are supposed to be cognizant. They aren’t far gone, like the Devil Dogs.” Bella sighed. “I’ll… try to talk to him.”

“And if he doesn’t want to listen to reason?” Jack asked, straight to the point, a trait she always appreciated about him. “If he isn’t going along, it’s going to get all over the Organization that not only are you alive, that you are working with vampires to raid and destroy facilities. That’s going to make your sisters in Peru a target and let Hildebrand know you are playing your own cards, outside of her deck.”

“I’ll deal with it. I need to talk to him.” Bella decided. “Right now, I need sleep.”

“I’m going with Garrett.” Kate told the group. “We can use our private jet, slip in and out without notice. We can land a state away to avoid suspicion and run to the target. We will leave tonight.”

The group broke up and Bella immediately walked to her father and hugged him. “I was a bit worried you might cut yourself and be attacked before the Cullens could save you. I am glad to see you well.”

“You aren’t.” Charlie told her. He noticed the way she hugged him. It was stiff, formal, as if she were trying to not show too much affection.

Bella sighed. “I remembered things. Certain repressed memories had to be unlocked and… I’m having a tough time with touch right now. It will be better. Leah is making me feel more comfortable. I just saw things… things I wish I could forget again.”

Charlie shivered. Of all the nightmarish experiences Bella had told him about, what could be so bad that she would repress it? Once again he was overcome with guilt over what his daughter hd been put through. Would they have taken her anyway, even if he hadn’t agreed? He would never know, and it didn’t matter.

If she was having trouble with touch… that monster did something to her, far beyond torture.

“I’m not great to talk to, I know. But if you need me to listen, you know you got me.” He offered weakly, not knowing how to deal but wanting to try something.

Bella smiled. “I know you are I love you for it. I need to find a bed or a soft spot on a floor and sleep. I would go to a tree, but Leah wouldn’t approve.”

“Why would you want to sleep in a tree” I thought you just did that to make Leah feel more comfortable while she slept at home?”

Bella shrugged. “Sometimes its easier to focus on the more animalistic parts of myself. It’s easier to deal. I feel safer sleeping in trees ironically. Goodnight Dad.”

Bella leaned over and kissed his cheek, then walked upstairs. She hadn’t thanked the Denalis for their hospitality but hoped her team did. She would get to know everyone in the morning, and they would have time to talk after this next mission as they figure their next move.

Rose led her to a bedroom where Leah was already waiting, wearing a nightgown she supposed Alice had picked for her.

“Are you okay?” Rose asked before she let Bella close the door.

Bella shook her head. “I’m not even close to okay. I’m not sure I ever will be again. I… I can’t deal right now.”

Rose hugged her gently, not flushing their bodies. “If you need me, you know my story. Talk to me. Jasper isn’t the only one who wants to be there for you.”

“Thanks Rose. Goodnight.”

Bella crawled into the covers and curled into Leah, the only person whose touch she craved right now. She would become used to the others. It would just take time.

Curling into her lover’s warmth, she eventually fell asleep.

Three hours later she awoke with a roar, sitting up in bed so quickly, Leah was tossed over the side.

Leah turned on the lights just as Rose, Esme and Alice rushed in. Bella’s eyes were wide, her claws were out, eyes yellow and rosettes prominent.

Leah jumped back on the bed and grabbed her from behind. “Bella, calm down! You are safe!”

Bella blinked a few times, then looked around. She made eye contact with the three women and shifted back to her human form.

“I’m sorry.” she finally said. “I had a nightmare.”

The three female vampires looked at each other, smiled at her, assured her it was no problem and left the two women alone, knowing this was something only Leah could help her with.

Bella was sweating, shivering for once and Leah pulled her closer, whispering in her ear that it would be okay.

Once she caught her breath, she apologized. “Don’t apologize. Want to talk about it?”

Bella shook her head quickly.

“Do you need to talk about it?”

Bella sighed, frustrated, wondering if this was going to be a part of her life now. Would she have any nights of pure, uninterrupted sleep? Usually, sleeping in Leah’s arms let her worries go away and she slept pleasantly.

Now the doors had been unlocked.

“It was a test. It was just the two of us. Me and Mother. Mother nailed me through my hands to a… cross. I had to use the claws on my feet to hold myself up.”

“Why… why…” Leah couldn’t finish the question. Trying to figure out why was hopeless. To understand, you would need a sick mind like Hildebrand’s.

“I had to escape. She told me to get off the cross. I pulled my hands through the nails. It hurt so badly. Then I was falling. She made me crawl to her and then made me…” Bella closed her eyes and quieted, refusing to talk any longer. Leah understood this and held her tighter until eventually she went back to sleep.

Outside, Peter sat on the front porch with Jasper. It had been a few years since they had caught up. They had just listened to Bella waking up screaming.

“Does that happen a lot?” Peter asked his old friend.

Jasper shrugged. “I’m not sure. If I were her, I would have nightmares every night. While we were in Wyoming, some things happened, and she is trying to deal with it subconsciously.

“She just said she was crucified. Probably raped afterward. This woman makes Maria seem like a damn saint.”

Peter shook his head. “Never thought I would end up fighting next to a traumatized, human, shifter, vampire, with your family ready to kill monsters I had no idea even existed. You got yourself in a crazy situation, Jasper.”

The empath nodded. “Peter, I know nothing scares you but for Charlotte’s sake, you need to consider what you are getting into. Bella can hang with me fighting. She is deadly as hell. Despite that, she has been nearly killed by a wendigo, a ghoul, and a devil dog. These aren’t regular vamps we are fighting. They are killers. One wrong move and Charlotte could be a widow, or worse, torn to pieces.”

Peter shrugged it off. “She knows what she is getting into. You think she is going to stay out of a fight the Denalis are joining. Besides, we are immortal but when have we ever done anything really good with our lives? I suspect that is one of the things that draws you to her. Hell, even Edward is different now. Carlisle isn’t living in his fantasy world where everything can be solved by non-violence. Esme, Rose, and Alice are happier than I have ever seen then. Emmett can’t stop smiling when she is around. Even Edward is like a different person.

“Edward has changed a lot.” Jasper agreed. “His emotions have changed completely. Its like this whole thing has forced a maturity that looks good on him.”

Peter was quiet a moment.

“Those humans are nuts. You are worried about our safety, what about theirs?”

“We are all prepared to give up what is necessary, even our lives. They even approved of a plan to kill the Secretary of State tonight.” Jasper pointed out. “No countries anymore. It’s a war unlike any we have ever seen before. I just don’t want you to think you have to become involved because you think you owe me. You don’t.”

“I know. We got this. Worry about the Denalis and your own family. They are going to be facing humans with bullets that can take hunks out of us, and some lion guy that if he is anything like your girl, could take our heads off. Truthfully, I would feel better if it were just me, you, and the traumatized badass upstairs, raiding this base.”

Jasper shrugged. “Kate is gone, though we could have used her power. Carmen is staying with Esme to continue work on the compound and prepare for the girls. That takes two of the weakest fighters out. As far as the rest, this is a good run through. Things are going to get a lot tougher.”

The two sat in silence, enjoying each other’s company while the rest of the vampires quietly talked inside, aware of the sleeping humans and shifters upstairs. The conversation was light, but Jasper could feel the underlying tension, not helped by Rosalie cleaning Bella’s weapons and her own, breaking them apart, oiling, loading clips and putting them back together again.

“What about this lion guy?”

“Let Bella handle it.” Jasper said immediately.

“If she lets him go, what are we going to do? Those special forces guys don’t think it’s a good idea to let anyone live.”

“Bella will know what to do. She will do what is necessary. It may be another scar on her soul, but she will do what is necessary.”

“If she doesn’t?”

“She will. We worry about the guards and this vampire who is impregnating women, leading to their deaths. Bella will manage the rest. The wolf girl, Leah. She killed the devil dog who beat Bella, but she was behind him and bit off his head before he could react. Before that she had never killed anyone or thing. I don’t think she will freeze but its better she isn’t put in a place where she has to decided if a human needs to be killed. She has never fought a vampire so keep an eye on her. Don’t let her get bit.”

“We will watch her. She got guts, being a new wolf and being around vamps, not letting it bother her. Don’t know how she does it. Most shifters have hair trigger tempers.”

“Love. Bella can’t afford for Leah to go crazy. Leah needs to stay calm if Bella is going to stay calm. Leah is what Bella needs her to be. As far as being around vamps, it has something to do with Bella’s blood. Almost a third of her blood is vampire venom. That helps.”

The next morning, Bella was up early, reluctantly leaving Leah in bed, drawn by the smell of Esme’s cooking. She changed from her nightgown into a pair of shorts and a tank top, not needing to be fashionable since she would soon be in a battle suit.

She found Esme in front of the stove cooking and held the woman from behind, squeezing her in a tight hug and kissing her cheek.

“That smells amazing.” Bella said, stepping beside her.

“A pound of bacon, three pounds of ham, and twenty-two sausage links, six scrambled eggs along with Banana Cream pancakes. Eat your breakfast. Then I will cook more for the rest of our breathing guests. I know Leah has a big appetite since shifting but I am not letting her become a strict meat eater only like you were when we first met.”

Bella waisted no time, fixing her plate and tearing into it. It was so delicious her jaws unhinged.

“Bella?”

“Yes?”

“Slow down and enjoy your food. I can always make more. We won’t run out, I promise.”

Bella looked sheepish, syrup and cream running down her chin, the stack of pancakes in one hand and a stack of sausage patties in the other.

“Sorry.” She mumbled around the food.

The rest of the house gathered in the kitchen, Leah stealing several slices of bacon, while Hawk grumbled about always feeding Bella first.

After Bella finished eating breakfast she stepped outside onto the porch, thinking she would meditate and then go for a quick run to clear her mind and focus on what needed to be done tonight.

The Denali vampires, Peter, and Charlotte were outside, no doubt driven from the house by the smell of human food. Thoughts of meditating left her head. She needed to talk to these vampires, thank them for their help and hospitality. They were getting into a fight that wasn’t theirs and helping people they had no reason to help.

Before she could say a word, she already had their attention.

Despite not wanting to be rude, all the vampires had shocked looks on their faces. Their mouths were open as if they wanted to speak but the words froze in their mouths.

They were staring at Bella’s body in horror.

It was something Bella had not been used to in a while. Charlie had become used to the sight, hiding his emotions well when he saw her in less than jeans and a long-sleeved shirt. Leah had no fear of them and instead, often running her hands over them, kissing her bite marks, and tracing the lingering straight scars. The only one that truly bothered her was the one from her pelvis to her sternum because it was a stark reminder that she could have lost Bella in Siberia before she ever got the chance to tell her she loved her yet she kissed that one often as well.

“Uhm… hello. I guess you know who I am. I’m Bella. You are Charlotte, Tanya, Irena… Peter?”

The man nodded.

“And Eleazar and Carmen, right?”

“Welcome to our home.” Tanya told her, offering her hand which Bella took. The rest still stared at her multitude of scars and one of the blonde’s and the brunette’s eyes were red, no doubt full of venom tears that would not fall.

“Thank you, for everything.” Bella told them, rather than addressing the pity they obviously felt for her. She wished she would have worn jeans and a top, proper for the weather. She didn’t blame them. She was a shock to look at. Jasper had many scars, but he was a vampire. He had bite marks, twice as many as Bella, but he didn’t have the other scars. The smooth scar tissue on her shoulder and clavicle from the ghoul bite was the most out of place scar on her body that didn’t match the others and was on prominent display.

“You are very welcome. We will do everything to help end this… travesty. Anything you need, we will provide. We are proud to go to war by your side.” Tanya told her.

Bella smiled, not sure what to say next.

“You have a really beautiful house. The bed was amazing. Uhm… I’m sorry. I’m not very good at… talking. I become better the more I know about you but when it comes to new people… I’m not great.”

“I am somewhat of an introvert myself. I apologize on behalf of everyone for staring which is quite rude.” Tanya said a bit louder, turning to look back at the vampires behind her.

Bella brushed it off. “I get it. I get stared at by other jaguars. Most of us die long before we reach this level of scar tissue. Its okay to stare. It takes getting used to. I’ll try to dress more appropriately and cover my arms and legs.”

Tanya shook her head. “You wear what you are comfortable in. You have no need to be shamed.”

“You can even be naked if you want.” Peter added.

Everyone turned to him.

“What? Just trying to help.”

Bella smiled widely. “Jasper told me you were funny, Peter. He was right. Thank you. I needed a laugh. I should go prepare for tonight. We leave in a few hours, right?”

Tanya nodded. “We have a seven SUVs we will drive to the nearest road, and we go by foot. Once we arrive, we judge the situation, attack, kill the guards and a vampire and save the children. Then we leave and drive straight back. Once we assure they are okay here, we will begin moving them to the compound when it is perfect for them. Esme is still working on color schemes for the rooms. She wants it as warm as possible. The compound is only ten miles from our house, and we will be with them at all times. We are ready.”

Yukon Territory

Bella and her support team were in the front, despite them being the most vulnerable members of the team.

“Viv, are the alarms cut?” Webb asked her.

“Alarms are cut, both internally and externally. Same with communications. I’ve scrambled the radio waves inside the facility. They are on their own. When you approach for the assault I will kill lights. Cameras are on a loop.”

“Edward?” Connolly whispered.

Edward closed his eyes and listened to the thoughts of those inside the base. He couldn’t drown out the sperate thoughts of individuals around him or inside the base, but he was working on it. The idea that he could turn off his gifts had him wondering what else he could do.

“No way to tell how many humans. At least thirty awake but many dreaming. The vampire is in the… detention area with at least… two scientists. He is complaining. He wants to abduct more women. The guards are on alert, not liking the vampire being so close to them.”

“Vivian said sixty guards are on the roster. The lion shifter?” Ty asked.

Edward shook his head.

“His collar would have the same scrambling ability the chip in my head does. He is immune to vampire gifts. He will make himself known when we enter. He will catch your scent and our heartbeats. I will deal with him.”

The assault began quietly. Guards in towers were taken out simultaneously by shots from Dante and Ty. Mac, Hawk and Connolly reached the gate and opened it. Despite being able to jump over, the vampires agreed to act stealthily as long as possible due to the unknown ammo the guards were carrying. Due to a vampire being on premise, it was no doubt special ammo, and no one wanted chunks blown off themselves.

Bella moved ahead fast then the rest, Leah staying closely behind.

“I’m going to draw out the Lion. Follow the vamp squad and Alpha team into the building. Stay close to Jasper. Your presence will only agitate this guy.”

Leah didn’t like this instruction but agreed reluctantly, seeing the wisdom in Bella’s words. Once the reached inside, Edward held up his hand.

“The vampire can smell us. He hasn’t told anyone. He is curious and coming this way… and the lion just heard my voice. He is staying put. He is in a training yard in the back.”

“Okay team. Have fun, get drunk on the guards and scientists, clean the bodies so the kids don’t see them on the way out and burn that vamp. I’ll take care of the lion.” Bella instructed them.

She had worn a new black suit Alice had made her. She had a gun but knew she wouldn’t use it. If any weapon were used, it would be the Lycan knife on her leg, but she prayed to whoever was listening that it wouldn’t be needed.

The screams started, the Organization’s vampire ran towards them, and Bella dodged him, throwing him behind her into her own vampires waiting arms.

She slashed throats on her way to the back. She had caught the scent trail even among the humans and the vampire.

As more guards poured out of the bunks, half asleep and panicked, the killed them with ease, slicing with her claws as she streaked by. Her black suit made it impossible to see her in the darkened halls.

She reached the very back of the base and entered a gymnasium. There was a basketball court on one side and weights on the other, with various benches and treadmills.

The lion was just outside the door that led to the recreation area outside.

She stopped and listened. Gunfire, screams, bones breaking, blood being drained. Leah was in her wolf form and growling, as rage at the men in this facility grew. She heard her bite someone, crunch his bones and the man screamed.

The door to the outdoor recreation area opened and a tall, slender but muscular man walked inside. He was dark skinned and six feet, two or three inches tall. As Bella suspected, he wore a shock collar, no doubt remote controlled only. He was surprisingly bald, more likely shaved his head.

“10877. The one called Bella. Rumors of your death have been exaggerated. The Russians claimed one of their own slaughtered you, yet here you stand.”

“I am Bella. What is your name?” she asked, keeping her distance.

“197662. At our facility we aren’t given names like your zookeeper gives to you. So, Dr. Hildebrand is the one behind the attacks on the Organization assets. I’m surprised. I didn’t think she would collaborate with vampires. I would have thought you would be leading a team of jaguars to burn this facility to the ground.”

Bella said nothing, maintaining eye contact, trying to read his mind, and hoping to find just a spark of defiance, a frustration at what was going on.

Instead, he read her.

“Hildebrand isn’t leading this war, is she? You are. You are working with vampires, hitting all sides and making factions turn on each other. You, the golden child. Bella, 10877, ruthless killer, sadistic animal. You feed from humans while they live. You walk around with blood on your face as a symbol of pride. You kneel at your Mother’s feet and lick her boots. Whatever made you turn on her and join forces with them?”

Bella’s anger rose, listening to his description of her, mostly because in her mind, it was true. “In league with vampires? You are helping protect a facility where a vampire is raping women, impregnating them, and letting them die when they give birth! You participate in creating vampire human hybrids! How dare you judge me!”

“I do what I am told! We all do! It is not for us to decide the greater good! It is our directors. They are the architects; We are the instruments that shape the course of history! You should know that.”

“I know this is wrong. What is going on here is wrong. You know it too. We aren’t just weapons. We aren’t tools or instruments. You know this is wrong! You aren’t a devil dog. You can think! You are your own person! Nobody owns you.”

He smirked and began circling her. “Nobody owns me? What about you, 10877? We heard stories. You and your girlfriend put on shows for that sick director. Scientists who came from your compound to ours talked about you. We heard what you did for her, what you did just so you could have your blonde. Did you feel like your own person when you performed for her, pleasured her…”?

Bella roared and launched towards him, punching him in the jaw then kicking him into the wall. She jumped back and forced herself to calm down.

“If it makes you feel better, you aren’t the only slave to Director’s sadistic perversions. You think because you are rebelling, against the Organization, against her that she doesn’t own you. She will always own you, for the rest of your life, no matter what you do to her. She owns your nightmares. All the monsters we faced, and our nightmares are about our owners. If that isn’t ownership, what is?”

Bella teared up, but refused to wipe her eyes, refused to show any more signs of weakness before a potential fight.

“They only own us because we let them. Come with me. Help me. Free your brothers as I intend to free my sisters. I have a plan; one you could be a part of.”

The man laughed and rubbed his jaw. “A plan involving the same monsters we were made to hunt doesn’t sound like a very well thought out plan. I am what I am, and nothing will change that. I don’t want it to change. I believe in the Organization’s goal. I believe horrible things must be done for the greater good. You should have kept believing that as well.”

Bella shook her head. “Don’t make me do this. Please. There is another way.”

The man shook his head and took his shirt off, allowing Bella to see the scars covering his body, less than hers but still noticeable. “There is only one way. You know what that way is. I challenge you for this territory, 10877. Do you accept?”

Bella shook her head. “My name is Bella Swan. I don’t live in the jungle anymore and I don’t accept or make challenges. I have come to free these girls being held hostages by the monsters that made them.”

“You will have to kill me before I allow that to happen. They are assets of the Organization.”

Bella did wipe her eyes now. “I will do what I must.”

The man seemed satisfied and shifted. Unlike Bella, his eyes were a lighter gold with black pupils, closer to the Cullens’ eyes than her own.

His fangs dropped and large claws grew out, thicker and longer than Bella’s. It may have been her imagination, but he grew a few inches taller.

Bella did not shift, instead taking the bone knife from her thigh.

The lion rushed her, swinging at her as soon as he was in range. Bella dodged his strike, dodged his kick, and continued dodging, dancing around as he grew more frustrated. He was taller but from her earlier hit he knew he wasn’t as strong, and she was much faster. So far she had not even moved to strike.

The lion took another swipe, and this time Bella did step in, slamming the knife into his heart.

The man looked down at his chest in shock, not believing the knife that had been in her hand was now buried in his chest.

He looked at her and smiled, blood pouring out of his mouth but relief and acceptance in his eyes.

“Thank you, Bella Swan.”

He then collapsed. Bella caught him before he hit the ground and lay him gently on the hardwood floor. She pulled her knife out of his chest and listened for a heartbeat. She had bisected the organ her aim true and ended the fight in one swift stroke.

She cradled his head in her lap and then turned it quickly, snapping his neck to be sure, then laid him back on the floor.

Her tears fell on him as she wept openly above him.

She hadn’t heard a heartbeat, just the light movement of footsteps. The cold hand that grasped her shoulder was Jasper’s. He lifted her up and then turned her, holding her close.

“Let it out.”

Bella did. She cried, something in the past that she would never have done in front of another. In the past she saw crying as weakness. She no longer though that.

He looked so relieved when he realized he was dying. Would she look as relieved when it was her time to go?

Once she calmed herself, she followed Jasper into the base. It was obvious there was a massacre here, blood coated the walls, some bodies drained of blood, some had torn throats and then there was a vampire. She found Leah with a large t shirt on that Alice had brought so she supposed her love had shifted without waiting to undress.

Leah hugged Bella as soon as she saw her.

“I bit the vampires leg off. No problem. Okay, Peter distracted him, but I came in from behind and took his leg off. You were right, venom is bitter. I’m so glad you were okay. Did the lion shifter hurt you?”

“I’m okay. Did you have to kill anyone?”

Leah shook her head. “I think everybody else had that covered. I barely got in on the vampire action. Peter and Jasper were playing with him, but I still got my shot.”

Bella smiled, happy that she hadn’t needed to kill anyone and that she felt a part of the op without being in danger. Jasper and her new friend Peter came through. She gave a knowing look towards Peter, and he winked at her as if reading her mind.

She followed the sound of Rose and Alice’s voice. They were in some sort of prison ward and Bella knew exactly what this was.

She looked over Rose’s shoulder as the blonde spoke gently to the twelve girls inside. They all ranged from a toddler to twelve years old in physical appearance. Even those that appeared the oldest were less than a year old.

The girls were gathering around Rose, Alice, and Tanya, enraptured in their words and Bella knew she wasn’t needed.

Instead, she helped her team, and the other vamps clear a path to the outside that ensured the girls would not see dead bodies. Not much could be done about the blood, but there were enough of them to carry the girls so they wouldn’t get blood on their feet. It was dark enough that it would be difficult to tell blood on the floor from water.

She followed Dante and Connolly after the girls were taken out and began planting explosives all around the base. They would leave nothing left.

The others carried the girls to the SUV, but Connolly and Bella stayed behind.

He handed her a detonator.

“You never forget your first.” He told her.

Bella smiled and pressed the button. In seconds, a string of explosions occurred. They stayed and watched as the building burned, completely engulfed in flames.

“Its time to go. The other SUVs should be on their way back. We got a mile to walk in snowy ground. Want me to carry you?” Bella asked.

“I’m going to pretend you didn’t say that.” He responded. “We have a long drive back.”

“We just destroyed an Organization base and if everything went according to plan, the Secretary of State was assassinated tonight. This war just rose to a new level.” Bella reminded him.

“That was the plan. For now, we can sit a few days, relax, and watch the Organization kill itself. We also got a lot of kids to take care of.”

Bella sighed. “I couldn’t talk one shifter into joining me. He had have rather died than turn on the Organization. What are we going to do? How are we going to convince others to leave everything they have ever known behind and follow us?”

He patted her on the back.

“Hope for the best and prepare for the worst. That’s all we can do, Cupcake.”

“You don’t get to call me that.”

“Its too late. You are stuck with it, Cupcake.”

“I should have killed you such a long time ago.”

“Too late now.”

“It’s really not.” She reminded him as they left.