Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
FRIGHTENING LITTLE MONSTER
THE next day, when Edward and Bella got to the big open field, his family was there, talking casually and relaxed with Caesar and Neferet close by. Edward helped Bella out of the car and they walked hand in hand toward the family.
Bella quickly realized that they were in the baseball clearing. It was the same place where, more than a year ago, that first lighthearted evening with the Cullens had been interrupted by James and his coven. Bella thought it felt strange to be here again — as if this gathering wouldn't be complete until James and Laurent and Victoria joined them. But James and Laurent were never coming back.
"Hey, Edward," Emmett greeted, "Hey, Bella. Is he going to let you practice, too?"
Edward groaned at his brother. "Please, Emmett, don't give her any ideas."
"When will the dogs arrive?" Jasper asked Edward.
Edward concentrated for a moment, and then sighed. "A minute and a half. But I'm going to have to translate. They don't trust us enough to use their human forms."
"And the children?" This question was directed towards Neferet and Caesar.
"Children?" Rosalie murmured, what type of immortal being could have children?
"Yes." Neferet beamed, "We have 6 children. But only 3 will be participating in battle. Our youngest 3."
Just like when the wolves arrived to Bella's graduation party, every Cullen in the circle tensed. Esme and Rosalie exchanged a wide-eyed glance, staring into the forest.
"What is it?" Bella whispered as quietly as she could. "I can't see."
"The pack has grown," Edward murmured into her ear. Bella strained to see the wolves in the gloom. Finally, something glittered in the heavily surrounded forest line — their eyes, higher up than they should be. She'd forgotten how very tall the wolves were. Like horses, only thick with muscle and fur — and teeth like knives, impossible to overlook. There were ten in all, and Bella couldn't take her eyes off of them.
Carlisle took a slow, deliberate step forward. It was a careful movement, designed to reassure.
"Welcome," He greeted the wolves.
"Thank you," Edward responded in a strange, flat tone, and Bella realized at once that the words had came from Sam.
Bella looked to the eyes shining in the center of the line, the highest up, the tallest of them all. It was easy to separate the big black wolf from the rest, and she knew that this was the alpha. Sam turned toward Caesar and Neferet and the pack followed suit, bowing their heads to the couple.
