Bella MacLeod's Twilight Fanfiction

Claws

By BetterInTexas

Chapter 28:

“She’s alone.” Dante told Bella over the phone. “She landed an hour ago, private jet and took a Mercedes. She has three bags with her. She was driving towards Forks but stopped at an isolated house twenty miles outside of Seattle and moved her bags inside. Ty is watching other flights and Vivian has all the girls’ GPS trackers online. Doesn’t look like any other Jaguars are with her.”

Bella let out a sigh of relief, grateful that she would not have to evacuate vampires and try to talk Sam into staying low. All their scents were all over this land. Any Jaguar fresh from training would be able to pick up various supernatural scents this strong.

“Thank you. ETA?” she asked.

“Two and a half hours. Any idea why she has a house outside Seattle?”

Yes, Bella had a good idea.

“She will want to run tests on me, do things to me she doesn’t want others around to see. I’m sure she has used her recent Italian windfall to purchase many houses for her operations all over the world. Don’t bother going inside. It may tip her off and I doubt anything inside is of importance yet.” Bella told the man.

Dante wasn’t buying it. “Her luggage?”

Bella winced thinking about that. “I know what she has in the luggage. Nothing for you to worry about. We all have parts to play. You and Ty return to Forks on the off chance she wants to see all of you.”

Bella ended the call. It was 9:00 AM. Hildebrand would be here before lunch. She had three hours or less to prepare herself.

Slipping into a deep meditative state as she had learned years ago, she cleared her mind and focused on her body, steadying her heartrate, controlling her breathing, untensing her muscles.

As much as she knew about the woman since their last encounter, it was vital that Bella not make a mistake now. She couldn’t let Hildebrand know that she knew. It was too soon. Chris’s words came back to her. Make it about more than revenge, make it count.

So Bella had a part to play. She had no other choice. She would remain the faithful daughter, the slave to this woman’s every wish. Bella had no choice.

Unfortunately while everyone had agreed to stay away from the house, to not watch her under any conditions, Charlie and most likely Connolly would have to be here. Hildebrand would no doubt want to play with them. It was who and what she was.

So Bella would calm herself, return to the state she had been in during her last visit to the compound.

Or she would kill Hildebrand, jeopardizing complicated plans that the doctor had a role to play in.

Bella focused on her past behavior, willing herself into becoming that person again. It was scary to her that the idea was not that scary. Bella would just forget all she had learned, make herself believe it had never happened.

Would she be able to pull herself out? How much would it hurt to do as the woman wanted. How much pain would she hold in to not kill her.

Then there was the fear, the sinking possibility that Bella would be unable to kill her.

No, the woman killed Julie. She killed a lot of people. Bella would be able to kill her.

Her biggest concern at the moment was the humiliation she would face. Mac may have told Connolly’s team about her previous behavior, all the girls’ behavior towards Hildebrand but Charlie had never seen it. She had no doubt the woman would make Bella degrade herself in front of her father and possibly her support team leader just to prove who Bella belonged to.

“You okay?” a familiar voice asked her after she emerged from her trance.

“Hello Jasper.” Bella whispered, standing up and stretching but not turning towards the man.

“Dumb question, huh?” the blonde vampire asked. “We don’t have to do this. You can kill her when she walks into the house. Vivian said everyone at the base thinks she is in Rio at her house. No one knows she is here. If you can’t kill her I can.”

Bella shook her head. “We need her to take over. We need her to call her council in. We need a war inside the Organization. None of that will happen if she dies now. This is the only way.”

Jasper stepped around Bella so she would have to face him. And yet Bella refused to meet his eyes.

“There is something I need to know. We haven’t talked about yet. I knew you weren’t ready but we are running out of time. You told me in your earliest memory that a blonde nude girl was in Hildebrand’s room. She had a bite on her, meaning she had been out in the field and yet wore a collar. All girls in the field should have implants in their brains, right? Why was she wearing a collar, Bella?”

Bella closed her eyes and turned her back to Jasper once more, crossing her arms as if hugging herself tightly.

“You are right. I’m not ready to talk about it. Some things shouldn’t be talked about, ever.” the girl said quietly.

“Mac said she liked to watch you and Julie over the camera in your room. He said she… got off on watching you girls. Bella…”

“She was making sure we were meeting our needs. That’s all it was. She never touched us… like that. It doesn’t need to be talked about. All of us understood, there were things better left unspoken of.”

Jasper dropped his head. He had been thinking about this since he had been first told that Hildebrand was taking Bella to Seattle for the night. Her words about the blonde girl, Mac saying Hildebrand liked to watch… Bella just confirming his worst fears.

“You don’t have to do that. There are some lines that cannot be crossed Bella. You want to play the faithful servant to keep her in line, make her feel comfortable that’s fine. I’m not crazy about it, we can find another way, but…”

“She never touched us!” Bella told he man sharply, still not turning around.

“Whether she touches you or not, its still abuse. I won’t allow that to happen.” Jasper told her.

Bella laughed. “You won’t allow it? Its been going on since puberty probably earlier. We are always watched, all of us. We have no privacy so what does it matter? What do we care? She tells us to do something, we do it! Its that damn simple. It always has been. Why do you think they have cameras everywhere, Jasper? You think Julie and I didn’t know we were being watched? You think none of the girls knew we were being watched? We all knew. Its either do it, accept it or don’t do it. If you don’t, Mother will call you to her, make sure you are taking care of your needs and watch until you do. That’s all it is. You become immune to it. It’s a part of life there. Its no big deal. She doesn’t touch us when we are… doing that. Just drop it. Don’t follow me tonight. Promise me, no one will follow me. I don’t want anyone seeing me… not the way I will have to be today.”

Jasper stood unmoving for a moment.

“Why the collar if she is just making sure you are meeting your own needs?” he finally asked.

“Drop it!”

Jasper said nothing for a moment, then turned to walk out of her room, using the door and not the window.

“Damn it. As if I didn’t have enough to worry about.” Bella mumbled. She was irritated, at the point of being angry. She hadn’t been ready to talk about that, and likely never would. Why the collar? Wasn’t it obvious? Erin got off on it, seeing her pets collared to remind them they may be wild animals but they belonged to her.

Hildebrand may still own her body for the moment but she did not own her heart and soul, Bella swore.

Two hours later she heard the car pull into the drive. Bella hurried down and saw Charlie standing by the door, fists balled up.

“Relax.” she whispered to him. “Don’t lose your cool, no matter what happens. I’m sorry you are going to have to see this. I hoped you never would. Back up and stand behind me when she walks in.”

Charlie did so, trying to figure out how to school his face and then giving up. Jasper had offered to stay outside, to keep him calm but the man assured him he wouldn’t need it. He was a cop and had seen the worst the world had to offer.

Now he knew he was wrong. Still he didn’t want to be calm. Being too calm would possibly tip the woman off that something was very wrong. So he would take it. If his daughter could, he would as well.

Bella forced a smile on her face and opened the door.

She was here. Within striking distance. Erin Hildebrand was standing in front of Bella alone and completely at her mercy.

Yet the woman was smiling. Why shouldn’t she? Bella was her property, right?

It would be so easy, Bella thought.

“Mother.” Bella greeted her. “It is so good to see you.”

The girl stepped aside for her to walk into the house. She kissed Bella’s cheek as soon as she was in the doorway and looked at Charlie.

“Chief Swan, I presume?” Erin greeted him. Charlie gave her a curt nod, unable to hide the anger on his face. Hildebrand found it amusing.

She walked inside as if she owned the place, took a look around and shook her head.

“You have a nice house for someone with your income. I hope my Bella has been furnished with a suitable living area. She has a fondness for sleeping in trees but the weather is a bit cooler here than at her home.”

Hildebrand walked to Charlie’s recliner and had a seat.

“Please have a seat, Chief Swan. Do you mind if I call you Charlie?”

Charlie didn’t answer, moving instead to the couch, as far away as he could get to the woman.

“My Bella, take your place.” the woman ordered.

Bella walked over to her quickly and dropped to her knees then leaned back on her legs in a semi comfortable kneeling position.

“Relax.” Hildebrand told her softly. Bella lay her head on the woman’s thigh.

Charlie felt he was on the verge of vomiting. The woman was surprisingly pretty and he could feel the coldness and evil behind that pretty smile. She had hair slightly lighter than Bella’s, that hung to her shoulders freely. She wore a red dress that looked as if it belonged in a boardroom, a professional looking type of lady.

And his daughter was lying her head on the woman’s thigh.

“So, Charlie, have you enjoyed this time with Bella?”

Charlie did not respond immediately, taking a couple deep breaths.

“We haven’t had a chance to get to know one another. Bella keeps to herself.”

Hildebrand laughed as if he had told a joke.

“So I suppose you don’t know much about her. What a shame. Not the bonding experience you had hoped for. Perhaps I can fill in some gaps. For instance did you know Bella likes to be rubbed behind her right ear. It makes her purr and will put her to sleep in seconds. It has since she was ten years old. I am sure you have seen her scars. Our girls aren’t quite used to the modesty humans are naturally endowed with. Would you like me to tell you where everyone of those scars came from?”

Charlie clenched his jaw, watching Bella to his irritation, close her eyes and begin to purr as the woman took her thumb and rubbed a spot behind Bella’s ears.

“I’m good.”

Hildebrand shrugged her shoulders slightly. “Humans are a bit squeamish about injuries. Where we live, scars are something to be proud of, a testament to the bravery and skill of our warriors. Every scar is a battle won, a human life saved, perhaps hundreds of lives saved. I find you fascinating Charlie. Do you know why I had to meet you in person?”

The man shook his head slightly.

“I wanted to understand how half of the DNA of the greatest warrior to ever walk my halls came from someone like you. Your wife had been a teacher, hadn’t she? And you, a small town police chief, probably never seen anything more dangerous than a barfight or perhaps a marital spat. Yet the two of you by some genetic miracle produced the perfect child, the one who could be made into something so much greater than any others. Have you ever killed anyone Chief Swan? Bella is a natural killer, and I suspect she did not get that from her mother.”

Charlie shook his head slightly. “No, I have never had to kill anyone in the line of duty or elsewhere… yet.”

Hildebrand chuckled. “I doubt you ever will. Perhaps Bella got her instinct by the same miracle that she got her DNA. Luck or fate. I prefer fate. Has Bella ever told you about her first kill?”

Charlie shook his head. “Bella doesn’t speak to me about her life.”

Erin nodded, not surprised. “She only truly opens up to me. It is understandable. I am her mother after all. She was glorious. She shot a man in the chest, twice. How old were you, Bella?”

“12, Mother.”

Hildebrand smiled. “You should have seen her, Charlie. Standing over the man’s body while he died, spitting up blood. She showed no emotion. He just didn’t matter. A sack of meat that I ordered her to put down and she did it without hesitation. She didn’t even need encouragement like most of my girls. A natural. She would kill you now if I ordered her to. After this long living in the same general area as you, she may feel a bit of joy. Bella, has Charlie been conducive towards your needs?”

Bella nodded. “He has influence over the simple minded residents in this town and has been sufficient in covering my frequent absences.”

Hildebrand sat back, grinning while running her hands through Bella’s short hair.

“Your hair is growing back quickly my child. I am happy. I think you are lovely with long hair. Don’t you think so Charlie?”

“Yes.” the man nearly growled.

“Charlie, you seem upset. Why? The child you helped create has been sent back to you. She has saved countless lives, is greater than human, smart, strong, loyal. Did they not tell you when you gave her up that she would be well taken care of? I’ve made her a masterpiece, more than she would have ever been in this depressing town.”

Bella opened her eyes and looked hard at the man, praying he wouldn’t say anything to offend the woman.

“Judging by the scars on her body, I don’t think she has been treated very well.” he settled for.

Hildebrand shook her head sadly. “Of course you don’t. People like you will never understand what it takes to become something greater. Life to you is simple because of the work my daughters and I do. You live in one of the most supernaturally infected areas of the world. Yet this is not known by the general public. Look at what Bella has accomplished since she has been here, the threats you cannot face or stop. Do you think that kind of protection comes without a cost? The Organization pays that cost.”

“Yet I don’t see any scars on you.” Charlie pointed out. “What cost do you pay?”

Bella looked sharply at Charlie, silently begging him to not start an argument. Of course she needn’t have worried. Erin Hildebrand was not someone who could be baited into an argument.

“I have scars on the inside. It is difficult to have so many daughters, love them so much and have to put them through the pain that is necessary for them to survive. I suffer with each of their deaths, I bear their hate when I have to do what is necessary for their own good. I do the things people like you cannot. I wouldn’t expect you to understand. We live in a world that is completely different than yours. Warriors must. We must always be ready to do the things people like you cannot, make the sacrifices people like you cannot make. You lost your daughter before you knew her. Can you imagine the pain I have dealt with, raising so many daughters, knowing that most of them, if not all will die a violent death one day? But it is a pain I accept for the sake of the world. Have you heard from Jason Connolly, Bella? I ordered him to be here when I arrived.”

Bella shook her head. “Shall I find him, Mother?” she asked, knowing he was pulling up outside.

“I think I hear his car in the driveway.” Hildebrand told her. “Can you determine if it is him?”

“Of course.” Bella assured her. She pretended to listen carefully. “Yes, it is him.”

Hildebrand removed her hand from Bella’s hair. “Please greet him outside. I would like a few minutes to get to know Charlie a bit better. I have a feeing the two of us could be good friends once we find a common ground.”

Bella rose and moved towards the door, hesitant about going outside and leaving Charlie alone with the woman. But she had smelt no gunpowder and her dress did not have any place to hide a weapon.

Once she was out the door, Charlie spoke.

“Why are you here?”

“To conduct a medical exam on Bella and talk about Organization business away from prying eyes and ears. I also wished to meet with Mr. Connolly and discuss important topics in regard to my daughter.”

“Why here?” he asked again. “You could have had her meet you anywhere else.”

Hildebrand sat back in the recliner and relaxed.

“I want Bella’s mind clear. I want to make sure you and I are on the same page. I hope by this point you have realized you are nothing to her. She is mine. I could tell her to kill you right now and you would be dead in less than a second. If you are lucky. Sometimes she likes to eat people while they still live. Soon Bella will be a part of something very special. I had planned on bringing her home as soon as classes were let out but something has changed. She will need to be here longer, perhaps the entire summer. It is more important than ever that you do not anger her. If she kills you due to some stupid comment or attempt at a relationship with her, it will blow her cover. You will be dead but you do have friends, correct? Someone named William Black in nearby La Push. Your deputies, all who have families, are no doubt very dear to you. I’m sure I can find others easily enough. If she kills you, I kill your friends, feed them to my girls and it will be a slow and painful process. Do not anger her and do not get any ideas of forming some fatherly bond with her. It won’t work and will place those you love in jeopardy. Bella belongs to me, heart, body and soul. It is important that you understand that.”

Charlie shook his head. “You really are a piece of work, aren’t you? You came all this way, had her kneel at your feet and petted like an animal, just to show me who she belongs to. Unbelievable. If she is so dedicated to you, then why this? You think after months of her living here I haven’t figured out exactly who you are to her? What is your real reason?”

Erin smiled. “Not as stupid as I thought. Honestly, I needed to talk to Bella and thought I would drive the dagger a bit deeper into your heart. You gave her up. She will never forget or forgive that. I don’t often get the chance to meet one of the biological parents of my girls. I suppose you could say I needed entertainment and was curious. It has been amusing. It truly astounds me that something like Bella could come partly from someone like you. The mysteries of science I suppose. I will speak with Connolly now. Go to whatever hole you call a bedroom and stay there until we leave.”

Charlie shook his head. “All this, just to say fuck you to me. Like I said, you are a piece of work.”

“Go, now. Before I have Bella knock you out and carry you there.”

Charlie stared at the woman for a moment, jaw clenched and fists balled. Instead of attacking the woman like every instinct told him to do he moved slowly upstairs.

“Bella, bring him in.” Erin said quietly, knowing her daughter would hear.

Seconds later Hildebrand was faced with Jason Connolly for the first time.

“Take your position, Bella. Alert, just in case. No offense Mr. Connolly. My friend Mac is running errands for me and a woman in my position can never be too careful.”

Bella walked quickly to Hildebrand’s side, standing to her right rather than kneeling.

“You have her well trained. She tends to be a bit bossy with us.” Conolly told her.

The doctor laughed quietly. “You must listen to her since you are alive. So, Bella tells me she is satisfied with your work and Mac found you competent. How do you enjoy your assignment? Quite a bit different than being the President’s assassins, isn’t it?”

Connolly frowned before he could stop himself. “Excuse me?”

“That is what you and your men were, right? Until you joined the Organization you took missions directly from the US President, killed those he wanted killed, rescued those he wanted saved. I was hesitant to take you on board. I worried your loyalty to Rodriguez could give you cause to break the confidentiality agreement but you have said nothing to him. We have eyes and ears everywhere, even in the Oval Office. Judging by Bella’s success with your team’s assistance no doubt, I would say you are enjoying this posting.”

Connolly nodded. “It has its moments.”

“I am glad to hear that. Unfortunately things are about to get very boring for you and your little group. Bella will not be engaging enemies unless absolutely necessary. Any and all targets that are found shall be passed to Mac who will let me know. I will determine if the mission is necessary. I prefer her not to fight at all. Do we understand each other?”

Connolly cleared his throat. “You are reassigning us then?”

“No.” Hildebrand told the man. “Your mission parameters have changed. We give our field agents leeway. They find a target, seek it out and destroy it. This has changed in regard to Bella. Maintain your cover and look out for anything unusual, anyone unusual nearby. There has been a recent move made against the Organization. I won’t go into detail but it appears we could have a disgruntled faction on the inside. Bella is one of, if not the most prized possessions of the Organization. I cannot discount the possibility of someone attempting to kill her to undermine me. Until I know more, I trust no one in the Organization. Bella will be accompanying Mac on trips this summer. While she is gone, keep close watch over this area. Anything unusual, any humans not known are to be reported to Mac immediately. Do we understand each other?”

Connolly kept a straight face despite wanting to smile. It appeared their little raid on the server had already caught everyone’s attention.

“I understand. Protecting Bella is our only priority now.”

Erin smiled and motioned with her hands towards her Jaguar. “Bella, relax, take your position.”

Connolly watched in disgust, seeing one of the strongest persons he had ever had the privilege of knowing, kneeling at this bitch’s feet.

“I have no doubt that you and your men have risked your lives to help Bella. You obviously find her worthy of devotion. That means you are devoted to me. There is no going back. You have a chance to make a difference in this world, a real difference, not as some political operative at a politician’s beck and call. I hope you realize what an opportunity this is.”

Connolly grinned. “This is the greatest opportunity I have ever had. I am so glad I became involved. I feel like I have a chance to truly rid the world of evil.”

Hildebrand nodded, satisfied by the sincerity in his voice. “Keep that in mind, always. You are under the Organizations umbrella but you work for me. Do not send mission reports on the Organizations laptop again. You wish to follow Bella, and as you can see my precious daughter knows her place. I have no doubt you will know yours. You may go, Mr. Connolly. I will have Mac give you further instructions if needed. He is your only point of contact now, not the Organization. Watch her back. She dies, you die.”

“Always.” Connolly assured her. He took a quick look at Bella on the hardwood floor. She wouldn’t meet his eyes and he didn’t blame her.

“Bella, change into a tank top and jeans. No other clothes or shoes are needed. You will accompany me to Seattle. I have recently purchased a house there. We are going to conduct a medical check up and I want to try a new training technique so there is no point in destroying a new outfit. Mr. Connolly, Mac will call you this afternoon. I want you and another team member to pick up Bella at the address he will provide at 9 AM sharp. I must be back in Peru tomorrow night. Understand?”

“9 AM sharp.” Connolly assured her and with a last look at a kneeling Bella, walked out of the house.

Bella went to her room to change. The two were on the road in ten minutes. They rode an hour in silence, Hildebrand lost in her thoughts and Bella fighting to control the subtle tremors that ran through her body.

What she had just done sickened her. What she would most likely have to do before she was allowed to sleep sickened her even more.

An hour away from the house Hildebrand finally spoke.

“There has been an incident. The main server that collects all information sent in by doctors from around the world on possible leads for newborns who meet our criteria has been destroyed by a virus along with anyway to contact these doctors except face to face. We don’t have the manpower to do this so as of this time new recruitment and weapon development has ceased. We believe it was an inside job.”

Bella stilled; glad this had worked but wondering who she suspected had done it.

“Who would do such a thing?” Bella asked.

“The High Council suspects a Chinese hacker. The Chinese branch of the Organization is being watched carefully. I have pulled our field operative from the area until it is cleared up.”

“You believe the Chinese are making a move to take over the Organization?”

Erin nodded slightly. “We can’t discount the possibility. China is a large part of the Organization’s funding and resources. They may feel they should have more control. One of the High Council members is from China and is being watched closely. I want you to watch out for any strangers who may appear to be a threat to you. If this is a civil war, no doubt our best assets will be targeted. That means you. You live in a small town. If someone seems like they could be a danger, kill immediately. Do not investigate, just kill.”

“I understand.”

Hildebrand sighed. “This is an important time. Because of this development I am going to adjust our plan. I plan to tell the Council in a few weeks that you are dead. I won’t assign another field operative to your area. I will ask that we keep this quiet to not affect the morale of your sisters. You won’t be coming back home until it is time to make our move. When you do come home… it will be your job to lead your sisters, my daughters into revolt. Some of them will be confused, not sure who to follow, the Organization or me. That is where you come in. They will follow you. They will follow us. I have no doubt after the Siberia operation there is no force in the Organization that can stand up to us. They already speak of you in reverence. When the time comes, it will be you who will inspire them. All facility employees including Hanover have to die. Are you up for it?”

Bella kept her face passive but nodded. “I will do whatever you require of me to make sure you are the head of the Organization. I believe the girls will follow you and they will follow me. We all love you Mother.”

The two engaged in small talk, Hildebrand asking about her civilian life and Bella telling her how horrible and petty it was. Erin was loosening up as the drive went on, relaxing and showing a playful side Bella had seen from her often.

Bella was also relieved that the pressure in her chest was tightening. She had made Leah swear to stay away from her today and judging by the pain, Leah was safely in La Push, or perhaps the Cullen Mansion being sedated.

The drive was over too soon for Bella’s taste. They had arrived at a glorious mansion that rivaled the Cullens in size, isolated twenty miles from Seattle.

“It’s beautiful.” Bella whispered to herself.

“Its mine, ours. This is your fall back spot. Should you ever need to leave Forks for whatever reason, this is where you will come to receive further instructions. Follow me.”

Less than a ten minutes later, Bella was in what used to be a large ballroom on the second floor. A lone seat was in the middle of the floor with two large boxes next to it.

“Have a seat while I draw blood.”

Bella sat passively, not even flinching when the incredibly sharp needle was ejected from the gun like device into her arm, pulling blood from her vein.

Hildebrand watched as the injection site healed in seconds.

“Your skin is getting too tough for a syringe. I had this device made. Even with the special needles I’m not strong enough to punch it through, this device is much better.” the doctor told Bella.

She took a swab and placed it in Bella’s mouth for a DNA sample.

“Stand up and step away from the chair. I realize you are not comfortable with the idea of shifting to a full Jaguar, however I know you can handle it. I will talk you through shifting back.”

“What if I lose myself to primal instincts and attack you?” Bella asked.

Hildebrand kissed her on the cheek. “Bella, after all these years haven’t you realized it yet? No matter how angry or distressed you have become, you can never harm me. It isn’t in your nature. None of you girls can harm me. I made sure of it when you were too young to remember. We have a bond that is greater than any human blood bond. You know this. You can’t kill me. I will never be afraid of you, daughter. You are mine.”

Bella stood, tensed, wondering what the woman had planned.

“Why is important that I shift, Mother?”

Erin smiled gently at her. A smile that at one time Bella would have given anything to see. Now she wanted to tear the woman’s face from her head, literally.

“If any of our girls have any doubt about following you, this will show them the truth. When they see you, when they realize what you have become, what they could become, they will truly follow you through hell. Take off your clothes. No reason for them to be ripped if this works.”

Bella undressed with trepidation, wondering what the woman planned to do to make her shift.

When she saw Erin reach into one of the bags, she knew.

The kill switch.

“The adrenalin, the pain of Siberia, caused you to develop rosettes over your body. I think using your shock chip could induce enough pain to make you shift. I realize how painful this can be, but I think it is worth attempting. Besides, pain is nothing to you, is it?”

“No Mother.”

“This time I want you to feel it, let it in, go with it. Fight it. Let your true nature take over.”

Bella took several deep breaths. Once she readied herself, she nodded to the doctor. Hildebrand typed in the four number code and Bella’s world lit up in fire.

The girl hit the floor, trying to dig into her skull to remove the damn device sending electric shocks across her brain and into her body, paralyzing her with pain.

“Let yourself feel it Bella! Shift! Fight the pain with everything you have while letting yourself go!”

Bella refused, fighting the pain but not letting herself go. She wouldn’t shift in front of this woman, not at her command.

Until she felt a burning sensation on her ribs. Hildebrand was using an electrically heated branding rod on her, burning her skin.

Bella exploded, causing the woman to fall back and land on her ass.

Bella stood on four legs, looking at the woman through her predatory eyes.

Every instinct in her wanted to tear the muscles from this woman’s limbs.

It would be so easy. Hildebrand should be afraid.

Instead she was smiling as if she had been given a present. Her wide eyed joy made Bella want to kill her even more. Stepping towards her Mother, she opened her mouth, ready to bite.

But she couldn’t. Why couldn’t she?

Clearing her thoughts, the girl inside the beast did her best to focus. She had been humiliated today in front of her father, in front of a guy she had been in battle with, one of the bravest and stupidest men she had ever met. She put up with this all to get Hildebrand to the top so she could take her out along with everyone else in charge.

She wouldn’t give in. She couldn’t.

Bella closed her jaws and backed away from the woman.

Hildebrand tempted fate by crawling up to her and touching the top of her head, feeling her fur.

“Beautiful. Your name is so appropriate. Can you hear me Bella? Do you know where you are? Do you know what you are? Do you know me?”

Bella nodded her head to the doctor’s delight.

“Do you remember the lessons you learned as a child? Do you remember when you finally were able to retract your claws? It took months of mediation but the technique was simple. I want you to do that now. Think about how much you desire to be human. Think about your lost love, Julie.”

Bella roared, causing Erin to jump back once again. Instead of fear the woman laughed.

“Sorry, wrong thing to say. You are so beautiful. Think about me holding you. Think about me kissing you on the head, tucking you under my covers. Think about being smaller…”

Bella could have shifted back anytime. She had already perfected this and was becoming tired of listening to the woman’s voice, looking at her gleeful face. She placed her large feline head on the floor and let go of the feeling.

When she heard Hildebrand gasp, she supposed she was human again.

“Oh, Bella. That was so beautiful! You gained mass, muscle, your head grew, your entire body grew. There was a bright light. Your whole body seemed to shimmer. When everything is settled, when we control the Organization the two of us will conduct many experiments, we will learn how you did this. This is so exciting! The girls, they will follow you through Hell now. You will be like me. You will be a god to them.”

Bella shook her head and tried to calm herself, taking several deep breaths.

“Downstairs in the kitchen, the refrigerator is stocked with raw steak. Eat, then follow my heartbeat to the bedroom. We have accomplished so much today. You must learn to shift without needing pain but you have all summer to work on it. Go, eat then come back to me. I have a treat for you tonight.”

Hildebrand practically sipped out of the large room, while Bella tried to regain her composure. After a few minutes she dressed and moved downstairs, tearing into the meat. She had not eaten all day and after shifting was famished.

Deciding she could hold it off no longer since the sun had already set, she easily found the bedroom Erin was sitting in. The woman had a large comfortable chair next to the giant bed.

“Welcome to your new room. A bit nicer than the cramped quarters at the Compound or that hovel you are forced to sleep in Forks. Do you like it?”

“Yes Mother.”

“I am happy. This is what life will be like for both of us once we take control. You will have the world at your fingertips, Bella. Now we need to discuss a serious issue. You must be completely honest with me, just like you always have been, understand?”

“Of course Mother.”

“I offered you two girls at the Compound, two girls who would do whatever you wished. You turned them down. Bella, have you had an orgasm since Julie died?”

Bella felt cold water running through her body.

“No Mother.”

Hildebrand nodded. “I expected as much. That isn’t healthy. A large part of you is a wild animal. It is a part that makes you very special. Wild animals have needs Bella. Why are you denying yourself this need?”

Bella did not answer, instead shrugging her shoulders, knowing what was coming.

“You told me you would take care of this yourself. I don’t think you have been, have you?”

“No Mother. I have focused my energy…”

“Hush Bella.” Hildebrand told her softly but sternly. “I have to make sure you are meeting this need. There is a collar and some of your favorite toys in the dresser. Undress, place the collar on for me, take whatever you need and give into your desires. I will watch to make sure you take what you need. Don’t stop until I tell you it is alright to, understand?”

“Yes Mother.”

“It’s for your own good Bella and for my peace of mind. You need this. Now do as you are told.”

Bella moved towards the dresser, pulling up her shirt. She stopped when she heard the snoring.

The girl turned slowly back around, pulling her shirt down.

Hildebrand was asleep.

Bella sniffed and stepped out into the hallway to find Jasper waiting for her.

“Poor thing got so tired all of a sudden I guess she couldn’t stay up a minute longer.” he told her and walked past Bella into the bedroom. He looked down onto the slumped form of the doctor in the large chair.

“We could turn her.” he whispered.

“What?”

“I could turn her. Three to four days of the greatest pain she has ever felt, worse than anything you have probably ever felt… maybe. When she wakes, I can keep her in a constant state of fear. You could tear her to pieces, burn her body one tiny part at a time. Leave her torso intact, but slice her, bite chunks off. She will feel it all. We could starve her of blood, make her beg to die. You could blind her, feed her eyeballs to her. She can starve until she almost loses her mind but not quite. She would understand what was happening at the end. She would know that it is you that is causing her this pain, feeding her own body to her, feel herself lighting up. We could do that now, Bella.”

Bella looked at Jasper, seeing a look of quiet fury on his face, his eyes completely black.

Yes, they could do it now. He could do it.

“No one knows about this place. No one would look for her here. We can find another way to take the Organization down. We could keep her here as a human for weeks, months, torturing her then turn her. We could make it last as long as possible. We could bury her head in the back so she never dies, just lives on surrounded by darkness, dirt.”

“Jasper, stop.”

“She deserves it. There was a time I thought I was the evilest creature that would ever walk the Earth. I was so wrong.” the vampire whispered.

“It will happen, but not yet. She has to see it all come down around her. I know what I plan to do with her. For now, keep her asleep. I’ll put her in bed and blame it on jetlag in the morning. Can you keep her asleep until nine?”

Jasper nodded his head, his eyes never leaving the woman.

“Thank you.” Bella whispered. “I didn’t want you to know about this.”

“I know.”

“Please don’t tell anyone.” Bella begged quietly.

“Not a word. What you say to me stay with me, always.”

“You weren’t supposed to follow me.”

“I know.”

“Thank you for doing it anyway.”

Jasper backed away, his fists balled, not even attempting to breathe. He then relaxed and hugged Bella.

“You’re my friend. You never have to thank me. We do need to talk about this one day. When you are ready. I will be in the hall all night. If she does wake, I will make sure she is feeling too lethargic to get out of bed. If you decide to kill her, let me know. I want to watch.”

“I will.”

“Jasper?”

“Yeah?”

“How long have you been here?”

“Since you arrived.”

Bella suspected as much. “Did you hear her tell me that I can’t kill her? That something when I was too young… do you think she or they hypnotized us as children? Placed some sort of block in my head that won’t allow me to kill her. Is that possible?”

“Anything is possible. It would explain a lot. If she did you wouldn’t remember it. None of you would. I’ll look into it. I’ll find a way to free you if that’s the case. It is very possible she used brainwashing techniques backed up by hypnotic suggestions in your subconscious. For now, try and rest. She won’t be waking up the rest of the night.”

Jasper walked out, while Bella lifted the woman from the chair and laid her on the bed. Bella knelt next to the bed and laid a claw against the woman’s jugular, fantasizing about killing her, watching her blood spill. She stayed this way until sunrise.

At eight fifty five AM Erin Hildebrand woke.

“Bella?” she asked, seeing the girl who was now curled in the chair watching her.

“Yes, Mother. You fell asleep. I put you in bed.”

“Oh… that’s strange. I didn’t realize I was so tired. I had been looking forward to watching… I mean making sure you did what was necessary. Did you?”

“Of course Mother. I knew it would be what you wanted. I did not wish to wake you. It was obvious you were tired.”

Hildebrand shook her head and looked at the clock.

“Damn it! Your ride will be here soon and I have to get ready to go to the airport. My flight leaves in two hours… you should have slept next to me.”

Bella shook her head. “Not without your permission, Mother.”

Erin nodded, not surprised.

“I understand. In the future you always will have my permission to sleep by my feet. I want you to keep working on shifting. There are many isolated places where you can practice in Washington. I suppose we don’t have time to verify that you…”

“I believe I hear my ride coming up the drive. I promise Mother, I can take care of everything I need. With your permission I will leave you to ready yourself.”

Hildebrand looked disappointed but nodded, having no argument.

“Of course daughter.”

“Thank you, Mother. Until next time.”