Chapter Text
Rosalie had been the one to propose the visit.
They were standing in the living room, discussing which allies they should reach out to. It was the entire coven besides Alice and Jasper, the two having disappeared recently without a word to anyone. It seemed a bad omen, but Bella was trying to stay positive.
“I know we are not on the best terms with them at the moment, but I do not see a world in which Tanya would be opposed to helping us,” Rosalie said. “We need to go to the Denali Coven and ask for their aid. If we do it in person, they will not turn us away.”
Edward didn’t even let the idea sit in the air before swatting it down.
“They despise us,” He said, his voice dripping with disdain. “They blame us for Laurant and will use Renesmee as a pawn in their scheme for revenge.”
Rosalie scoffed at that, earning a glare from Edward.
“We can at least ask,” Rosalie said. “With no Alice or Jasper-”
“We can not take the risk,” Edward cut her off. “Without Alice’s guidance, we have no idea how they could react. For all we know, they could kill off whatever party we send and then keep Renessmee to turn over to the Volturi. With allies arriving soon, there is no way we could all travel north.”
Rosalie turned to Carlisle. “Carlisle, please. Tanya has never been illogical-”
“But she has been fearful,” Carlisle said gently. “We cannot ignore the Denali Coven’s past Rosalie. They may jump to conclusions.”
“They could be the one thing to put us over the edge-”
“Enough Rosalie,” Carlisle said, placing his hand out. “I’ve made my decision.”
Rosalie frowned but fell silent.
“We should discuss the Irish coven-” Carlisle said, changing the topic.
Rosalie glanced over and met Bella’s eyes. The two didn’t even have to speak aloud, Bella knew what she wanted to do.
If you had told Bella six months ago she would be closest to Rosalie of all the Cullens, Bella would have laughed in your face. But the pregnancy had changed that. In Bella’s time of need, really only Rosalie and Emmett had stood by her. They were the ones who had really fought for Bella’s decision.
Bella was 25% sure that this was a bad idea.
Actually no. She was 25% sure this was a horrible idea that could put her daughter and herself in grave danger of being ripped apart by the almighty Alaskan coven.
Of course, Bella wasn’t really that sure if that was her voice saying it or Edward’s.
Either way, the voice wasn’t loud enough to stop Bella from getting into the car with Rosalie and Renesmee the next morning to drive to Alaska.
“Edward does not know what he’s talking about,” Rosalie said as she drove. “He talks about Tanya’s judgement being clouded when it’s his opinions of her that clouds his own. He’s being unreasonable.”
“He’s just worried,” Bella said, feeling the need to defend her husband.
“No, he’s being stupid. Our backs are against the wall,” Rosalie said, being blunt as usual. “Alice is… gone. Who knows where. We have lost our ability to see into the future, we have little knowledge of what’s coming down the pipe anymore. What we do know is this: The Volturi are coming, which means we need as many witnesses as we can possibly get. For Edward to insist we not turn to our oldest allies… it’s weird.”
“Weird?”
“The whole situation is weird,” Rosalie huffed. “The fact they did not come to the wedding… it’s concerning to say the least.”
“What do you mean? I thought they were upset with us,” Bella said.
“No, no, it was never that personal. The Denali Coven is an old one, Bella. They still live by a moral code of an eye for an eye. No matter what we believe, in their eyes, blood was spilled, and the price was more blood. The battle… I understood. I wasn’t happy about it, but I understood,” Rosalie motioned with one hand. “ But… a wedding? They wouldn’t miss a wedding. Especially not Edward’s first wedding. The reasons Edward and Alice gave were a little off, but I didn’t think to question them.”
“So why would they miss it?” Bella asked.
“I don’t know,” Rosalie muttered. “I haven’t been able to get them on the phone but that’s not unusual. They tend to dodge calls from our home phone.”
Bella frowned. “Why?”
“Because Edward and Carlisle both get a little preachy once they’re on the phone with them,” Rosalie said drily. “I wouldn’t want to pick up their calls either if I was Tanya."
“They can’t be that bad.”
“You’ve heard the way Edward talks about them Bella,” Rosalie said. “You think that doesn’t spill over into their interactions?”
“How can you know they’ll help? If they don’t like Edward?”
“I told you. They’re an old coven Bella. Alliances and loyalty mean something to them.”
They arrived at the lodge while it was dark outside.
The Denli Coven’s home was as grand as the landscape that surrounded it. It was large, but still only one story. It was built of wood and glass. Warm light cast a glow on the snow outside the windows. Bella was entranced by it. It looked like it could be on the cover of a Christmas card as cozy as it was.
As their car pulled up, Bella noticed the front door opening, vampires beginning to spill out of the lodge. Rosalie parked the car, giving Bella a reassuring smile before getting out of the car. Bella could hear her greeting the coven. Bella turned to the back seat.
Renesmee was asleep in the back seat. One of her curls laying in her face. Bella smiled. Her baby. Her Renesmee. She looked like any other child in the backseat. It was only her odd heartbeat that gave her nature away.
“Renesmee,” she said quietly, reaching towards her daughter.
The young girl rubbed her eyes as she began to wake up.
“We’re here,” Bella said with a smile.
“Where?”
“In Alaska, remember?” Bella said, her voice soft as she unbuckled Ren’s seat. “We’re here to meet some old friends of Auntie Rose.”
Ren frowned, rubbing her eyes.
“Come on,” Bella said. “You can rest more later. Promise.”
Ren nodded, allowing her mother to help her up.
Bella exited the car to hear the tail end of what Rosalie was saying.
“-trust me.”
“Rosalie, of course we trust you, but you’re worrying us,” one of the women said as Bella moved to the back door, her hand on the handle. “And who is she?
Bella paused as she locked eyes with the one talking, a sudden heat blazing in her chest. “Yes,” her heart whispered quietly. “we know that one.”
Golden eyes stared back at her, curious. Cautious. But not cold. The woman’s hair falling in loose strawberry blonde curls, a sharp contrast to the dark fur coat draped around her shoulders. She stood in front of the others by a few feet. The woman looked just as bewildered as Bella felt for a solid second blinking before regaining her confident air. Her eyes drifted back to Rosalie.
“What is going on Rosalie?” She asked again, her eyes darting to Bella again.
“Just promise me you will hear us out before doing anything.”
The woman frowned, but nodded. “We will listen, but that is all we can promise you.”
“Thank you,” Rosalie said, relief coloring her tone.
She motioned to Bella. Bella opened the car door.
Ren looked toward her mother with wide eyes. She was hunched forward a little, unable to stand all the way up in the car. She was getting so tall so quickly.
“Come on,” Bella said quietly. “It’s alright.”
She hoped her voice came off more confident then she felt. She offered her hand.
Renesmee took it, hopping out of the car. She immediately leaned into her mother’s side, almost hiding behind her as Bella shut the car door.
Immediately Bella heard a mixture of gasps and hissing.
“You fools! Are you trying to get us killed?” A blonde with straight hair asked, taking a step back.
“Listen to her heartbeat!” Rosalie said. “She’s not a vampire.”
There was silence for a moment.
“What is she?” the leader asked.
“She’s half-human, half-vampire,” Rosalie said.
“That’s not possible,” One of the women said, looking flabbergasted.
“She can prove it to you,” Bella said. “If you let her.”
The leader took a step forward, brow furrowed. Her gaze darting between Bella to Ren. She knelt down in the snow, motioning for Renesmee to approach with a kind smile. Ren glanced up at Bella. Bella nodded. The two began to approach her.
The clearing was silent beside the crunch of the snow under Bella and Renesmee’s feet.
“Hello,” The leader said, smiling
Bella couldn’t see Ren’s face, but could see her motion with her hand before placing it against the woman’s cheek.
The woman’s eyes widened in shock as Ren removed her hand. She searched Ren’s face with her eyes for a moment.
“They’re telling the truth.”
“Tanya you can’t-”
“I’ve seen it,” the woman in front cut her off, authority in her tone. The woman turned back to Renesmee and gave her a small smile. “What’s your name, little one?”
Renesmee smiled and said quietly “Renesmee.”
“Ra-ness-may?” The woman pronounced carefully.
“Family name,” Bella said. “Ren for short.”
A nickname from her uncle Emmett, one Bella much preferred to Jacob’s suggestion of “Nessie.”
“Ah,” The woman said, turning back to Ren. “Well, it’s nice to meet you Ren.”
She shook Ren’s hand, causing the young girl to giggle.
Bella felt relief wash over her. They believed them. Ren was safe, at least for the time being.
“Tanya,” The woman said, offering her hand. Bella shook it, feeling a shiver go up her spine at the other woman’s touch.
“Bella,” Bella said.
“My sisters, Kate,” Tanya motioned to a blonde with straight hair. “And Irina.” Tanya motioned to the blonde with slightly curly hair.
“Hi,” Bella said with a wave.
The two women nodded.
“Let’s go inside,” Tanya said, motioning. “It seems we have much to discuss.”
Bella took Renesmee’s hand and followed the blonde into the large house.
The group gathered in the living room. The coven was missing two members at the moment. Eleazar and Carmen were out, but were meant to return soon. Despite that, Tanya wanted an explanation as soon as possible. So Bella and Rosalie took turns to tell the tale of how a human fell in love with a vampire and how that brought the Volturi to their doorstep.
“Quite a tale,” Tanya said. “It’s unfortunate that we were not invited to the Wedding… I can think of no reason why.”
“No, that’s not right,” Rosalie said, shaking her head. “An invitation should’ve been sent.”
“It should’ve,” Irina said drily. “Doesn’t mean it was. We never got a phone call either. Last we heard of your coven was Edward coming up here muttering to himself about ‘temptation’ and ‘sinful behavior.’”
“What?” Bella asked, confused.
“It’s true,” Kate said. She sighed, stretching. “I would have loved an invitation, I love weddings.”
“No, you love ruining weddings,” Irina said, rolling her eyes.
“Guilty,” Kate said with a grin. She reached over and helped Renesmee with her puzzle by turning a piece, causing the young girl’s face to light up as she began to make some rapid turns to get her closer to solving the piece.
“Why would they- The confrontation with Victoria-” Rosalie muttered. Bella could see the gears in her head turning.
“Sounds like Carlisle wanted to keep us out of the loop,” Tanya said.
“But why?” Rosalie asked.
“It’s not exactly like we would take the news that Edward had broken our laws well,” Irina said.
“But we would have come to terms with it,” Tanya said. “Especially since at that point they knew they were going to turn her. The Volturi knew of it, had given their blessings, there was no need for us to be upset. Carlisle knows that.”
Bella wasn’t sure what to make of this. These were not the emotion-driven women that Edward spoke of. Why would they leave potential allies on the table?
“Perhaps they were just being cautious, or Alice saw something,” Rosalie said, trying to play damage control.
“Whatever the case, we will tread carefully. It’s not comforting to know your allies feel they can’t rely on you,” Tanya said. “However, we, as the Denali Coven, will back your claim. We will stand with your coven as we have before.”
“Thank you,” Bella said, relieved the trip hadn’t been for nothing. “This means more to me than you could ever imagine.”
“Mom,” Ren whispered.
“Yes?” Bella asked, turning her attention to her child.
Ren basically shoved the puzzle in her face. “Help me.”
“Is there a please in there anywhere?” Rosalie asked, though her tone was slightly teasing.
Ren shot her Aunt a glare before turning back to Bella. “Help me please, Mama?”
Bella smiled, moving a piece as Kate had and handing the toy back to Ren. Ren gleefully continued.
“Have you gathered other allies?” Tanya asked.
“Some,” Bella said, shifting in her chair.
“Far less then we would like,” Rosalie admitted. “We won’t know the total amount until we return.”
“Edward is lucky Carlisle is quite likable,” Kate said. “If it was just the two of you, I doubt there would be any allies to find.”
“Kate,” Tanya said, inconspicuously motioning to Ren who seemed too focused on her toy to care what they were saying. Though Bella also noticed neither Tanya nor Rosalie disagreed.
“We’ll leave in the morning, as long as that is alright with you,” Rosalie said, changing the topic.
“We’ll need to talk to Eleazar and Carmen first, but it’s not an unreasonable request,” Tanya said.
Rosalie nodded. “I need to call Carlisle. Update him on our results. May I use your phone?”
“Of course,” Tanya said, standing up. “Let me show you to our office.”
Rosalie followed Tanya out of the room, leaving Bella and Renesmee alone with the two Denali sisters.
Ren finished with the toy and climbed up on the couch by Bella. She tugged on her mother’s shirt.
“What is it Ren?” Bella asked.
Ren offered her hand. Bella moved forward and allowing Ren to place her hand against her cheek. Images flashed in Bella’s mind of the snow outside.
“Do you want to go play outside?” Bella asked.
Ren nodded eagerly.
“We can go-”
Ren shook her head, motioning to Irina and Kate.
“You want to play with them?” Bella asked, glancing at Kate and Irina who were having a hushed conversation. “You can go ask baby, but don’t expect a yes, alright?”
Ren nodded, and ran towards Kate. Bella watched as she tugged on the blonde vampire’s sleeve eagerly.
Kate turned and smiled at Ren. “What is it kicsim ?”
Renesmee reached up her hand.
“Renesmee,” Bella said. “Use your words please.”
Her daughter frowned in her direction but turned back to Kate and asked in the quietest voice ever. “Will you play with me outside?”
“Of course!” Kate said, her eyes lighting up. “Irina will have to show us how she makes her snowmen, she makes the best ones you know.”
Renesmee eagerly followed the two blonde women outside. They passed Tanya who was returning to the living room. Tanya paused, watching them go before turning to Bella with a raised eyebrow.
“Ren wanted to play in the snow,” Bella said.
“Ah, are you sure that’s a good idea?”
Bella tensed up. What did she mean? Was Ren not safe? Bella was already halfway out of her seat when Tanya held up a hand.
“Sorry, Sorry,” Tanya said, giving her a reassuring smile. “I only meant to make a joke about my sisters’ immaturity. I promise, Kate is very good with children and both of my sisters are excellent combatants. You have nothing to fear with Ren in their care.”
Bella immediately relaxed. “Sorry.”
“There’s no need to apologize for your protectiveness. I find it admirable,” Tanya said, moving to sit beside her. “Vampires are inherently selfish creatures you know. It’s baked into our essence. We take to survive. A selfless vampire is a dead vampire. But you…” Tanya tilted her head, studying Bella. “You are willing to sacrifice your pride, your freedom, your second life for her. It’s more then admirable.”
“Well, she’s my daughter,” Bella said.
Tanya simply smiled sadly. “You’ll find the longer you live that Blood is rarely so thick.”
Before Bella could respond, Rosalie blew back into the room like an icy storm. “He’s completely impossible.”
Bella turned towards her.
“When is he not?” Tanya quipped, her voice dry.
“Who?” Bella asked.
“Who do you think? Your husband,” Rosalie sneered, sitting down. “I hung up on him.”
Bella sighed. “Rose-”
“Impossible, I’m telling you he was lucky Carlisle was in the room,” Rosalie said. “Barely let me talk to Carlisle for three minutes before I got an earful.”
“What did Carlisle have to say?” Tanya said, redirecting the blonde.
“He was a bit upset about us going against his wishes, but glad the Denalis will join our cause,” Rosalie said. “We’ll be forgiven by tomorrow morning I have no doubt.”
“Carlisle? I’d give it an hour,” Tanya said.
“And what did Edward say?” Bella asked.
“Oh that I had no right to risk your life and fill your head with stupid ideas,” Rosalie said. “Because as always it’s my fault.”
“He’s just worried,” Bella said, defending her husband.
“He’s hiding something,” Rosalie said. “This trip proves it.”
Bella couldn’t argue with that… even if she wanted to. The things they had learned here had been a bit… troubling. Their lives had been on the line and yet the Denalis hadn’t even been contacted?
“Things we can concern ourselves with when we arrive in Forks,” Tanya said standing. She flashed Bella a smile. Wow… that was… woah. Bella blinked to regain her thoughts. It had been a long time since she had been “dazzled” by a vampire like that. “For this evening, you both should relax. You are safe amongst friends here. Let’s join the others and see what mischief my sisters have pulled your daughter into.”
Bella found herself nodding.
The three stepped outside to find Irina and Kate building large snow walls. Ren was rolling snow balls, her tongue out of her mouth in concentration.
“Well what do we have here?” Tanya asked, amusement obvious in her voice. “I thought we had banned snowball fights since ‘96.”
“Just because Irina is a sore loser-”
“Me? You were the one who set my VCR on fire!”
“I don’t remember that.”
“Are you serious? Tanya cut up all your credit cards for three months because of it!”
Kate shrugged.
“Enough,” Tanya said, rubbing her forehead.
“Aunt Rose, you’re on my team with Kate!” Ren said, running up to the blonde.
“Wow, I see how it is,” Bella teased.
“We’re more then happy to have you on our team,” Tanya said.
Bella opened her mouth to respond when she was hit by a snowball. She whipped round to see Rosalie pretending to be innocent while Ren giggled.
“Oh it’s on!” Bella said grabbing one of the snowballs.
Soon the vampires were enveloped in a snowball fight, giggles from everyone echoing around the clearing. Once the pile was cleared, the vampires retreated into the warmth of the house, where Rosalie wrapped Ren up in a blanket and stuck her on the couch to get warm. Kate insisted they watch a disney movie, and so the group was littered around the living room, watching Hercules. Somehow Bella had ended up besides Tanya. Bella couldn’t focus on the movie, her gaze kept being drawn to the blonde. Bella still couldn’t put her finger on what it was about the woman that was so enchanting. Even hours out of their meeting Bella couldn’t look away.
Tanya combed her hair back with her hand to expose her neck. Bella couldn’t help but stare. She had a sudden thought of her mouth upon the woman’s neck, one of her hands twisted up in Tanya’s hair to keep it in place. Bella turned away, panicking. What the hell was that? Some sort of newborn intrusive thought? About another vampire? That didn’t make any sense.
Thankfully Bella was distracted from her thoughts by the front door opening.
Bella turned her head to see two olive-toned vampires enter the home. A man and a woman, both in their early thirties. Or at least… they appeared that way. Their borderline unnatural beauty and golden eyes gave away their vampiric nature.
“-absurdo. Buen intento, no estoy de acuerdo con eso.” The woman said, rolling her eyes as she searched through her purse for something. Her companion’s full attention was on her, his eyes so obviously full of adoration. She didn’t even glance up. “Tanya! Is that a new car? It’s not exactly practical for the weather-”
“When has Rosalie ever been practical?” Kate quipped.
The woman and man glanced towards the group.
Bella caught the exact moment the man beside her noticed Ren. He stepped in front of his mate, blocking her from view. His smile gone and his shoulders tense.
“Is that-”
“No! No,” Tanya said standing. “It is not what you believe.”
“How can that be?” the man asked.
“Eleazar move,” the woman said, placing a hand on his shoulder to move him to the side.
“She’s a hybrid,” Tanya said. “Half human, half vampire.”
“That’s not possible,” The woman said.
“Listen to her heartbeat,” Tanya said.
“How?” Eleazar asked.
“Edward is how,” Kate said. “Knocked up a human.”
“Kate,” Rosalie and Bella hissed.
Eleazar rubbed his forehead. “But- I-” The man looked so perplexed Bella almost felt bad. “That shouldn’t be possible. The- but-”
“Deep breaths,” the woman said from beside him.
“You know that doesn’t help Carmen,” Eleazar snapped, causing Carmen to grin.
“So sorry mi corazón,” Carmen said. “Did the human live?”
“The human is sitting right there,” Rosalie said drily, motioning to Bella.
“Ah, hello,” Carmen said, giving a small wave.
“And the mother is alive?” Eleazar slumped into a seat, looking distraught. Bella tried not to be offended by that. “How did you survive?”
“Obviously she didn’t,” Carmen said. “Considering she’s one of us now.”
“But how? How did this all occur?” Eleazar asked.
“That is a long story,” Bella said, standing up. “One I’m sure Rosalie is more then willing to tell while I go put Ren to bed.”
“Noooo,” Ren groaned from where she was buried underneath the blankets.
“Ren, you need to get some sleep.”
“But-”
“Renesmee Carlie Cullen,” Bella said, her voice sharp.
Ren groaned.
“We will play with you in the morning kicsim,” Kate promised.
“Yes, you can ride in the car with us,” Irina said from her spot next to Ren on the couch.
“Oh, can I Mom?” Ren asked, turning towards Bella.
“If you get some good sleep,” Bella said as she pulled Ren out of the blankets and onto her feet.
“Here, let me show you to one of our guest rooms,” Tanya said, jumping to her feet.
“Night Ren!” Rosalie called after them, which caused a chorus of goodnights from the other as well.
Tanya showed them to a nice guest room. A large queen size bed sat, properly made sat in the center. A lamp was on the nightstand, casting a soft yellow light. Ren looked so small against all the pillows, her blanket pulled up to her chin.
“I like it here,” Ren said.
“Yeah?” Bella asked. She was sitting on the edge of the bed while Tanya stood in the doorway.
“Yeah,” Ren yawned. “I like snow.”
“Yeah?” Bella asked with a smile. “We have snow in Forks too you know.”
“Yeah… but it’s not the same.”
“No?”
Ren shrugged. “No.”
Bella just chuckled.
“Stay with me?”
“Of course,” Bella said softly. “Get some good sleep Ren.”
Soon, the girl drifted off to sleep with a kiss on the forehead from her mother.
Unaware of just how much danger she was truly in.