My Strength Chapter 12

Bella and Charlie had been yelling, well, not so much yelling as aggressively talking, for the last two hours. Athenodora and Zafrina were waiting in her room, waiting for Bella to be able to go upstairs and they would finalize some plans they had tentatively made to have Bella talk with the wolves to let them know the situation and ensure they wouldn’t attack and in the process hurt Bella’s precious Cullen’s.

Zafrina tried her best to understand why her mate was still clinging to the Cullen’s, but for the life of her, she just couldn’t understand why her mate still liked them.  But she did, and so Zafrina was stuck holding her tongue when her mate talked about not wanting the treaty with the wolves and the Cullen’s to be affected by their appearance. Truthfully, Zafrina didn’t care what happened with that treaty; as far as Zafrina was concerned, the Cullen’s deserved to be hunted by the wolves because they did hurt a human. They hurt her human and that was unforgivable as far as Zafrina and her sisters were concerned. But she would do her best to be patient for her mate.

While Zafrina didn’t understand Bella’s odd attachment to the Cullen’s, even after their abandonment, she would try her best to not show her disapproval about how the Cullen’s apparent return to town was only because they had heard Bella was missing; at least, that was what Charlie had assumed.

They had garnered a lot of information from Charlie without even having to ask the man anything. The man was quick to show his displeasure about how all the Cullen’s had come back so quickly after Charlie had published something in the newspaper about Bella’s disappearance. Apparently Charlie had believed that Carlisle and Esme were genuinely concerned, but when Charlie had confronted Edward about how he had left and what he had said to Bella, Charlie didn’t believe Edward was very remorseful.

Charlie was also upset that Bella not only left without saying anything, he had to repeatedly remind himself that she was eighteen and technically didn’t need his permission but he deserved at least a heads up dammit, but she was actually happy to hear the Cullen’s were back. Zafrina had to agree with the human male, the Cullen’s would have been best to not come anywhere near Forks again. But contrary to what Charlie may believe, Zafrina thought they needed to stay away because their reappearance would stand out and that was the last thing they needed if they wanted to blend into the shadows.

Their reappearance also meant that technically, since this was their territory, they should meet with them to make sure their presence was noted. Typically, when a nomad wondered onto an established coven’s territory, the nomad would ask permission to be on their land or get out. In this case Zafrina, her sisters or even Athenodora and her guards, would not be leaving the territory even if the Cullen’s demanded it. While the Cullen’s had the number of gifted vampires on their side to enforce their demand, the not so distant future would see the Cullen’s decimated if they were to actually attempt to force all the red-eyed vampires out of their land. They wouldn’t be so foolish though.

Zafrina rolled her eyes as she heard for the twenty-sixth time that Charlie was completely disappointed in Bella not letting him know what was going on or even telling him about the scholarship she had enrolled in. He was apparently very happy and proud that she got it, but entirely disappointed that she hadn’t mentioned anything to him until after she had fled the country. Zafrina was actually a little impressed that Charlie, while upset about how Bella did what she did, he wasn’t yelling or threatening to take away all her privileges. In fact, from what Zafrina could tell from her mates tone and heartbeat, she seemed more upset with disappointing her father than lying to him. She was lucky to have a mate such as Bella.

Athenodora though, she was about two seconds away from tearing her way downstairs, their secret be damned, and yell at this human for daring to yell her child. She didn’t want to acknowledge the fact that the human male was also her child’s parent. She also technically couldn’t intervene; they were already risking a lot by having Heidi down there hiding around a corner so that she can use her gift to make sure Charlie believed what Bella was telling him. They may not have told Bella that they would be using Heidi this early, Bella having insisted that she would be able to convince her human father, but Athenodora hadn’t managed to stay alive for so long by leaving things up to chance.

She was sure Bella would never know that Heidi was there to helping move things along with Charlie. Athenodora would just chalk this experience up as herself helping from the background like any good parent would and simply not saying anything about it, letting the child believe they had accomplished something on their own. That’s what good parents would do in her book.

On that note though, she really wanted to ring Charlie’s neck when she heard how he was talking about this Jacob boy and his friends that were apparently very worried about Bella. Athenodora couldn’t help but scoff at the idea of this Jacob being so worried about just a friend; clearly he wanted more with her child. Bella had even admitted that the wolf may actually have had feelings for her at one point. Athenodora was impressed that Zafrina didn’t even react to that news; the Amazing remaining as stoic as ever. Athenodora believed that Zafrina either was that confident in their new bond or she complete faith that her mate didn’t have feelings for the wolf as the young human claimed.

If she were in Zafrina’s case, she would have already killed the wolf. But that was just her.

Finally, Bella seemed to be released from Charlie’s not so scary wrath and was released back to her room where she was to think about all she had done. What Charlie wasn’t aware of was that his daughter was about to be taken to a meeting with the wolves that Demetri and Felix had arranged. They likely should have met with the Cullen’s first; but frankly, Athenodora didn’t want to. She also wanted to check with her daughter to see if that would be a meeting she would want to go to or if she wanted her mate to represent her instead. That was a conversation Bella and Zafrina would need to have, and they would before the meeting.

They heard Charlie begrudgingly allow Bella to stay home for the next couple days, getting her to the weekend and then going back to school on Monday. That would be more than enough time for them to get the wolves situation, which they would do tonight, and then to eventually talk with the Cullen’s. Even though Athenodora didn’t think her daughter really needed to finish school, they would be able to teach her everything after she was a vampire and had perfect memory, her daughter wanted to so she would do everything she could to make sure that happened.

Bella made her way upstairs slowly, annoying both vampires that were in the room waiting for her. The entire trip up the stairs included Bella promising she would never just disappear again and that she would always tell Charlie what was going on if she did plan on leaving. Athenodora couldn’t stop her eye roll if she wanted to as she listened to Bella practically beg for the forgiveness Charlie had already given. That child of hers needed to grow a backbone… except against her and her mate of course.

Bella eventually made it into her room, making sure to close the door soundly behind her. No sooner had she turned around to take in her room did she have Zafrina hugging her to her.

“You were gone too long.” Zafrina muttered into her mates hair, happy to have her mate in her arms. And then she realized what she was doing and quickly moved away, well, she moved to just stand next her mate instead of crowding her. Zafrina was better than acting like some love sick fool and that couldn’t stand to be away from her mate for longer than two seconds. No, that definitely wasn’t her.

“Oh, stop acting like you are about to jump her the second I turn my back.” Athenodora said as she stood up and stretched, even though she didn’t need to, it was just a really good dramatic affect to draw some seconds out. “Because that isn’t the kind of woman you are, right Zafrina? Taking advantage of someone you’ve known for less than a week in their parents home?”

The question definitely had a threat to it and it wasn’t lost on Zafrina that when the queen said ‘parents’ home’, she meant their castle back in Italy. It appeared Zafrina was going to have a harder time getting close to her mate outside of her own personal limitations with personal space.

Zafrina only gave a cold look towards the queen. There was nothing she could say that wouldn’t be twisted and nothing she wanted to say. She was sure her mate knew that Zafrina would do anything for her and that was more than enough for her.

“Okay, so, I guess you guys heard that the Cullen’s are back?” Bella asked, not sure where either woman stood with the Cullen’s. Personally, Bella wanted to see the Cullen’s. They had been like family to her; at least they were until they abandoned her. For now, all she really wanted was to know why. Why did Edward string her along when he had to know they weren’t mates and why the rest of the family went along with it?

“We’ll deal with them later.” Athenodora said with a growl. “We do need to make sure they are aware that we are here and not bug you while in our presence. But that can wait for another night.”

“Vampire etiquette.” Zafrina murmured towards her mate, clearing up Bella’s confusion. It didn’t give all the information she wanted, but at least Zafrina had let her know the main reasoning for them going to see the Cullen’s. Zafrina was keeping her in the loop, if at least in a very general way that Zafrina’s little talking tended to do.

“But Demetri and Felix have already made contact with the wolves and have requested a meeting.” Athenodora said and then gave her daughter a studying look. “Would you like to go with us to meet with them?”

Bella was well and truly shocked. She would have thought they would have told her about the meeting after it took place and not even think to invite her. If it had been up to Edward, Bella wouldn’t have known anything until it was all over. She couldn’t help but send a grateful smile to the warrior queen.

“Yeah, I’m sure Jacob will be there and I’m sure if he doesn’t see me with you and with you guys having red eyes, he’ll likely assume the worst.” Bella admitted with a chuckle.

“You do seem to attract people that are very presumptuous little one.” Athenodora hummed as she thought about what little she knew of this Jacob and what all she did know about Edward. It would seem her daughter had a way with attracting petty boys; good thing she was paired with Zafrina and they wouldn’t have to worry about that. “I’m sure the meeting will be fine once we explain that we are worried about the red head Victoria and that we won’t be here for long.”

“I’m not sure, the wolves are very hot tempered.” Bella said with a frown, just thinking about how angry the pack would get about just hearing the word vampire, much less actually coming face to face with one.

“Do not worry little one, they will not be immune to Heidi’s gift. Worst case scenario, she will use it on them as sparingly as possible of course.” Athenodora said, adding the last part when she started to see the hint of worry in her daughter’s eyes. Her child was much too caring for her taste, but she wouldn’t have her daughter any other way.

“I just hope they’ll listen and not jump to conclusions.” Bella said as she worriedly bit her lip, causing Zafrina to shift closer to her and losing wrap an around her waist in silent comfort. Bella didn’t even notice that she had immediately leaned into the touch.

“They likely will.” Athenodora cautioned, “They are very young still and likely don’t have any control over their beast. They will act exactly like newborns and we will treat them as such; which is why Heidi will have to use her gift because no matter what we tell them, they will not see reason and will not agree with us.”

“But you guys won’t hurt them right?” Bella asked, thinking back to how much time she had recently spent on the reservation and how little she wanted them to get hurt. “They helped me a lot when the Cullen’s left, if it wasn’t for them I don’t where I would be right now.” She was sure she would still be alive, but mentally, she had no idea where she would be. Jacob and Leah had really helped her a lot and she wanted to make sure nothing happened to them.

“I swear we won’t.” Zafrina answered for both of them without hesitation. She heard her mates tone loud and clear, the wolves meant a lot to her mate and just like the Cullen’s, while Zafrina didn’t get it, she didn’t have to. All Zafrina needed to know was that they were important to her mate and so therefore, they were important to her.

Athenodora couldn’t help but glare at the Amazon; truthfully, she hadn’t really wanted to make that promise since she wasn’t sure she would be able to keep it. Seems like she didn’t have a choice now.

“The meeting will start whenever we get there.” Athenodora said, getting back to the main topic. “When would you like to go?” Athenodora asked, already knowing when she would like to leave but wanting to see what her daughter answered.

“Probably as soon as you guys say that my dad is really asleep. This way we can sneak out without him knowing and be back without him knowing a thing and without me getting in anymore trouble.”

“Good,” Athenodora said with a smirk, happy about her daughter’s answer, “Until then, why don’t you tell me what you know about this pack’s leadership and who really makes the decisions?” Athenodora was in planning mode and the more information she had the better.