A big chapter here for all my loyal readers :)

As always I don't own Twilight or the characters :( unfortunately otherwise I would have great plans for the characters especially Jasper and Carlisle... but I suppose I will have to make do with using them in my stories instead. :D

Everything in bold toward the end of the chapter is taken from Eclipse pages 216-230!

Previously...

The movement of the wolf out of the corner of my eye drew my attention just in time to see the pitch black fur retreat; leaving a very tall, very tanned and naked man in its place.

This was the last thing I saw before everything went black as my eyes rolled into the back of my head.

And now...

I was surrounded by darkness, in the distance I could make out a dull drone of voices that sounded vaguely familiar.

"Bella...Bella?" One voice called, sounding particularly close to me, but I could not see anything in order to place the owner.

A gentle hand tentatively touched my check, feeling oddly cold but not uncomfortable, the hand began to brush stray hairs away from my face; I found the action comforting and this allowed me to begin to come around. Taking in my surroundings the first thing I noticed was Jasper's face hovering above my own, his eyes displaying concern that was a directed solely toward me, in the background I could hear a group of voices talking and footsteps approaching causing the blonde vampire to currently wrap me up in his arms; upon hearing the steps continue to draw closer his arms drew tighter, holding me protectively. The approach ceased but Jasper continued to hold me protectively, a low growl beginning to emanate from deep in his throat.

A tall, darkly tanned man stepped into our line of vision without coming any closer, careful not to provoke Jasper and ensuring not to appear threatening by holding his hands up in a universal pose that signalled surrender. Recognition seemed to dawn on Jasper upon seeing this stranger, his growl stopped and he loosened his hold on me. Tipping his head in acknowledgement to the man he returned his gaze to me, where concern was again the prominent emotion taking over his features.

"Bella..." Jasper whispered to me carefully, meeting my eyes to check that I was feeling myself.

"Jas...sper" I replied tentatively, still a little confused over what had happened "What happened?" I questioned the blonde vampire who was still holding me closely.

Jasper threw a concerned look towards the stranger before worriedly answering me "you... Uhh... Fainted Bella..." Jasper seemed reluctant to give me any other information. "This is Sam from the La Push Reservation." Jasper tried to divert the conversation by introducing the handsome stranger, no Sam to me. He succeeded for a moment before I caught on to his plan, and changed the subject back to the matter at hand.

"I fainted?" I questioned warily, trying to wrack my mind to find what could have made me faint. Looking towards the tanned stranger again triggered a memory that seemed impossible. "But... But...I think I need to go to the hospital, I must have hit my head?" I told the two men standing in front of me.

"What makes you think that?" Jasper asked me cautiously, keeping his eyes locked on mine, as I felt him pushing calmness towards me.

"Stop that..." I snapped angrily, not liking him influencing my emotions unnecessarily.

"Sorry Bella, I thought it may help if you had a hand to help control your emotions, we don't want you fainting there again little Darlin'." Jasper drawled heavily.

"You think I need YOU to help me control MY emotions?" I huffed exasperated. He looked like a deer in the headlights; not knowing how to reply, instead seeking help from Sam.

"Don't look to him for help with this Jasper Whitlock... You're doing a good enough job of fucking me off on your own!" I exclaimed angrily, my voice reaching an octave that I'm sure could only be heard by local dogs; causing both Sam and Jasper to wince.

"Calm down Bella." Jasper crooned to me, feeling him push calmness towards me; I decided to let the emotion wash over me pushing away my irritation for the time being. Taking a deep cleansing breath I gathered myself before apologizing to the two slightly scared men, before continuing to tell them why I had though I had hit my head when I fainted.

"B...but I could swear there was a giant black dog here..." I explained, Jasper smirked at this comment whilst off in the forest I could hear a sniggering sound. Sam looked slightly offended by this assuring me that there was no giant dog... But there was infant a giant wolf. Upon trying to clarify where the wolf had disappeared to Jasper assured me he was right in front of my eyes... I felt like hey were trying to tell me something huge without actually coming out and saying it.

"You mean..." I started confused as to why I was even contemplating this idea and pausing before I finally finished "you?" moving my hand slowly to point in Sam's direction.

Both men looked toward each other, having some sort of silent conversation, before turning toward me and nodding in sync. Turning my back on them and walking to the other side of the clearing, I bent over resting my hands on my knees and lowering my head whilst trying to gather my thoughts. The concept of Sam being able to transform into a wolf was not that far fetched, considering that I had already dated and been hunted by the vampire race.

I was given a few minutes of silence to collect my train of thoughts and gather myself, turning back to them I nodded in acceptance; both released breaths they were unaware e they were holding, even though Jasper's was completely unnecessary.

Now that I had accepted the idea of a wider supernatural world and not just vampires, my thoughts began to wonder through other types of mythical creatures that stories were told about and deciphering the truth of the legends.

"Bella," Sam's voice jolted bells from her internal musings "we are having a bonfire on the rest tonight to welcome a few of our newest members of the pack, and tell the legends regarding the tribal protectors and our ability to shift..." Sam continued explaining and I was unsure as to where this was going. "What I'm trying to say is... Would you like to come to the Bonfire to hear the stories, officially?" He led awkwardly.

"That sounds like a great idea; I would love to hear those legends." I looked to Jasper asking if he would come with me.

"Sorry Bella, I'm not allowed onto the reservation." Jasper explained to me before continuing "The Cullen's made a treaty that we would not harm any humans or step onto tribal land in return for them allowing us to live in the area peacefully."

Sam chipped in "I'm sure if I talk to Billy and the other elders about it, we could allow you onto the Rez for one night because you aren't a part of the signed treaty, Jasper." Jasper looked hopeful and Sam continued "besides you would be escorted by the entire pack..." Sam continued to explain "I could talk to Billy about it and let you know if the council reaches a decision?"

Jasper smiled thankfully toward the man, appreciating the effort he was making to allow jasper to spend some time with me. Even if that meant changing the rules.

A rustling of trees behind us had Jasper tense and tighten his arms again, pushing aside branches there emerged three more tall, tanned men who then entered the clearing. I instantly recognized Jacob, although he looked slightly different to when I had last seen him earlier, accompanied by two other men I had never met before. The two men flanking Jacob were slightly ahead of him, offering a tense smile in mine and Jaspers direction.

"Jacob?..." His head snapped in my direction, eyes meeting my own "You're a wolf?" I asked already knowing the answer, but waiting until I saw him nod to confirm my suspicions. Receiving my answer only served to annoy me, didn't he trust me; I though I was his best friend. Feeling the betrayal I was experiencing Jasper resumed drawing patterns on my back, once I began to calm I finally asked "Why didn't you tell me?" my voice breaking toward the end of my question, as my emotions began to better me and tears began to form.

Jacob took a step forwards, toward me, but was stopped as his 'body guards' held up their hands to prevent him moving. "Jacob, you know you can't go near her; it's too dangerous yet. We can't afford another incident." Sam's comment piqued my curiosity, but I remained silent as this seemed like a conversation for the wolves.

"But..." Jacob began but was interrupted by Sam.

"Do I have to order you? Because damn it Jacob I will." Jacob quickly backed down, looking properly reprimanded; his face displaying an apology, although it was unclear who it was aimed toward as he had his eyes focused on the ground.

Sam ordered for the others to leave, to get back on patrol and show Jacob the ropes. He made sure I was okay, and that Jasper was happy to ensure I made it home safely, hearing that Jasper was happy to do this Sam bid us farewell, reminding us that he would be in touch about the councils decision.

Shortly after Sam and the pack left, Jasper shifted my weight and stood up; carefully placing me on his back and making sure I had a tight grip on him before taking off into the forest and back towards my truck. A loud scream escaped my lips as we suddenly flew through the forest, leaving me only to decipher blurs of green rushing past.

Reaching my truck Jasper placed my feet to the floor near the driver's side, I went to argue and he just held his finger up to silence me and walked around to the other side of the truck and climbed into the driver's seat. Growing impatient with my not moving to get in the car, he reached over and opened the passenger door, motioning with his hand for me to hurry up and get in; Jasper began to project his impatience to me when I still refused to move.

Eventually I shook myself out of my trance like state and clambered into my truck, Jasper fired up the engine; flinching momentarily when my truck sputtered to life, before we set off toward my house. The ride passed quickly, Jasper and I making small talk about the weather, school and things that had been happening in town; both of us avoiding the topic that I wanted to discuss, the Cullen's.

As we reached my driveway the chorus of 'Who let the dogs out' by Baha men began emanating from what I assumed was Jaspers phone in his pocket. He hurriedly answered it and begun the conversation without so much of a glance in my direction, finishing with "Thank you Sam" Jasper hung up the phone and told me that Sam had convinced Billy Black, Jacobs Father and the Chief of the La Push tribe, to allow Jasper to visit the reservation with me for the bonfire.

"The bonfire is down on first beach, and begins at 5pm" Jasper informed me quickly "it's 4pm now, so we have some time if you want to have a shower and change Darlin'." He drawled in his sexy southern accent. Wait... What? Did I just describe Jaspers accent as sexy... No it must be some sort of side effect from fainting earlier...Yes that sounded plausible.

Then what he said dawned on me "Are you saying I need to shower? Do I smell?" outraged that he had the nerve to imply such a thing I turned a glare toward my tall blonde companion.

He had the decency to look shocked before he fumbled to answer "What? No, that's not what I was implying... I merely suggested that we have the time if you wanted to have one after being out in the woods hiking."Now that he had explained I quickly calmed down and saw the logic in his suggestion, I did feel kind of sweaty and horrible.

I left Jasper down in the lounge with the TV whilst I went for a quick shower and a change of clothes. Emerging from the shower 10 minutes later I quickly ran down the hall to my bedroom with a big white fluffy towel wrapped tightly around me. I put on some underwear and searched through my closet for something suitable to wear to the bonfire, never being one to worry too much about my appearance I quickly decided on a pair of black and pink flowery shorts teamed with a dark pink tank top and my flip flops. I ran the brush through my hair and roughly towel dried leaving my long brown curls loose to dry.

Heading back downstairs I found Jasper engrossed in some programme on the History Channel, startling him by clearing my throat, he jumped to his feet and spun around to face me with a wild look of panic in his eyes. Upon seeing me he quickly relaxed and hurried to shut off the TV and shoo me out the door, back into my truck and on the way down to the beach.

Jasper and I were the last to arrive at the beach, approaching the lit bonfire I could make out the familiar faces of Jake and Sam as well as some other unfamiliar faces. I was surprised to find that it wasn't only kids in attendance; the council elders were also here gathered together at a bonfire a little further down the beach.

Jake advanced toward me, opening his arms wide and drawing me in for a tight hug and picking me up off the floor so I was the same height as him, Jasper began to growl deeply at him.

"J...Jake" I managed to sputter because his tight hug was cutting off a much needed supply of air "Need to breathe... Human remember." I reminded him laughing lightly.

"Sorry Bells." He chuckled as he loosened his grip on me and set my feet back on the ground. I stumbled backwards slightly but just as I started to fall a pair of cold arms wrap around my waist and pull me back against a solid chest.

"Whoa there, easy Darlin'" came Jasper's husky southern drawl in my ear, his growling began to calm now that he had ensured I was safe and unharmed. Jacob gave us a strange, calculating look

Once I had managed to gather myself and stand on my own feet, Sam approached our little huddle leading the other pack members towards me.

Reaching me he pulled a small, slender dark haired woman under his arm and placed a gentle kiss upon her temple.

"Bella, this is Emily my imprint and fiancée." Sam introduced the women to me, upon closer inspection I could see that behind a veil of dark hair her face had four large scars covering the left side of her face.

Realising I was starring at her scars Emily offered a small, sad smile toward me before turning and talking to another small and slender women. Everyone else present fell silent when I asked what had happened to Emily, upon looking towards Sam for an answer he refused to meet my questioning stare. Catching a glimpse of his pained expression I decided to leave the question alone, and assumed that it must have been a wolf that had hurt Emily; now understanding why Sam hadn't wanted me near Jacob earlier in the day. Thankfully the topic was changed when Jasper asked Paul and Jared about the packs construction company.

Sam continued to introduce the pack member to us, only have to warn once that Jasper had been invited to the bonfire by Sam and Billy; and was not to be attacked, provoked or insulted by the members of the pack. Other than a few teasing comments about being a 'vamp girl' and keeping the bloodsucker stench downwind, Jasper and I were treated like we belonged here.

Everyone continued talking and joking for some time until Sue, Old Quil and Billy approached the bonfire and took their seats at the 'head', everyone quietened down and seemed to understand this non-verbal cue from the elders that the proceedings were about to begin.

"This is technically a council meeting" Jacob explained at my confused and intrigued look "This is mine and Quil's first time to ..."

"And, don't forget, it'll be Bella's first time too" Piped up Quil appearing from behind Jacob.

"And your first time" Sighed Jacob sighed rolling his eyes dramatically at Quil's interruption before continuing "to hear the stories, well to hear them and know that they're true, being the son of the Chief and Shaman we have both heard the stories growing up. This really is your first time hearing the stories though bells."

"The stories?" I questioned as Jacob pulled me to join everyone else sitting around the bonfire; I threw a pleading look back to Jasper and patted the space next to me, silently asking him to stay with me. He looked worried at being so close to a fire, although he quickly came and sat on the log behind me with a leg on each of my sides and resting a hand on my shoulder whilst projecting some calm toward me.

"The legends, well history, of the tribe and how we came to be" Jacob continued to explain to me "The first story is about the spirit warriors". It was almost as if Jake's whisper was the queue for old Quil and Billy to begin telling the legends, the atmosphere quickly changed around the low burning bonfire; and everyone stopped their conversations to turn and listen to the elders begin.

Everyone gathered around the fire turned to pay attention to Billy as he began; the surrounding forest and ocean seemed to quieten down as his deep, trembling voice commanded attention. "The Quileute's have been a small people from the beginning," he started"And we are a small people still, but we have never disappeared. This is because there has always been magic in our blood. It wasn't always the magic of shape-shifting – that came later. First, we were spirit warriors."Billy finished looking to Quil to continue the story.

"In the beginning, the tribe settled in this harbour and became skilled ship builders and fisherman."Quil began his story of the spirit warriors with his voice trembling but never lost the commanding and controlling edge, "But the tribe was small, and the harbour was rich in fish. There were others who coveted our land, and we were too small to hold it. A larger tribe moved against us, and we took to our ships to escape them. Kaheleha was not the first spirit warrior, but we do not remember the stories that came before his."

"We do not remember who was the first to discover this power, or how it had been used before crisis."Billy interrupted Old Quil's story, earning him a glare from the elder sat to his right before he returned to telling the story.

"Kaheleha was the first great Sprit Chief in our history. In this emergency, Kaheleha used the magic to defend our land."Old Quil's harsh and wistful tale continued. "He and all his warriors left the ship- not their bodies, but their spirits. Their women watched over the bodies and the waves, and the men took their spirits back to our harbour. They could not physically touch the enemy tribe, but they had other ways..."

Billy again interrupted"The stories tell us that they could blow fierce winds into their enemy's camps; they could make a great screaming in the wind that terrified their foes. The stories also tell us that the animals could see the spirit warriors and understand them; the animals would do their bidding."Another harsh glare from Old Quil was met with a remorseful look from the Chief at interrupting yet again, before Quil once again continued.

"Kaheleha took his spirit army and wreaked havoc on the intruders. This invading tribe had packs of big, thick-furred dogs that they used to pull their sleds in the frozen north. The spirit warriors turned the dogs against their masters and then brought a mighty infestation of bats up from the cliff caverns. They used the screaming wind to aid the dogs in confusing the men. The dogs and bats won, the survivors scattered, calling our harbour a cursed place. The dogs ran wild when the spirit warriors released them. The Quileute's returned to their bodies and their wives, victorious. The other nearby tribes, the Hohs and the Makahs, made treaties with the Quileute's. They wanted nothing to do with our magic. We lived in peace with them. When an enemy came against us, the spirit warriors would drive them off."Quil ended his tale of the first know spirit warriors and a silence descended among those crowded around the small bonfire as they waited for more.

Billy broke the silence as he began again "Generations passed. Then came the last Great Spirit Chief, Taha Aki. He was known for his wisdom, and for being a man of peace. The people lived well and content in his care. But there was one man, Utlapa, who was not content." Billy finished and in an almost rehearsed manner Harry continued the tale.

"Utlapa was one of Chief Taha Aki's strongest Spirit Warriors- a powerful man, but a grasping man, too. He thought the people should use their magic to expand their lands, to enslave the Hohs and Makahs and build an empire."Sue's voice was soft as she spoke each word carefully. "Now, when the warriors were their spirit selves, they knew each other's thoughts. Taha Aki saw what Utlapa dreamed, and was angry with Utlapa. Utlapa was commanded to leave the people, and never use his spirit self again. Utlapa was a strong man, but the chief's warriors outnumbered him. He had no choice but to leave. The furious outcast hid in the forest nearby, waiting for a chance to get revenge against the chief..."

Old Quil's deep tremble then informed "Even in times of peace, the Spirit Chief was vigilant in protecting his people. Often, he would go to a scared, secret place in the mountains. He would leave his body behind and sweep down through the forests and along the coast, making sure no threat approached."Once Quil had finished his explanation Sue continued on.

"One day when Taha Aki left to perform this duty, Utlapa followed. At first, Utlapa simply planned to kill the chief, but this plan had its drawbacks. Surely the spirit warriors would seek to destroy him, and they could follow faster than he could escape. As he hid in the rocks and watched the chief prepare to leave his body, another plan occurred to him. Taha Aki left his body in the secret place and flew with the winds to keep watch over his people. Utlapa waited until he was sure the chief had travelled some distance with his spirit self. Taha Aki knew it the instant that Utlapa had joined him in the spirit world, and he also knew Utlapa's murderous plan. He raced back to his secret place, but even the winds weren't fast enough to save him. When he returned, his body was already gone. Utlapa's body lay abandoned, but Utlapa had not left Taha Aki with an escape- he had cut his own throat with Taha Aki's hands."

"Taha Aki watched with despair as Utlapa took his place as chief of the Quileute's. For a few weeks, Utlapa did nothing but make sure that everyone believed he was Taha Aki. Then the changes began- Utlapa's first edict was to forbid any warrior to enter the spirit world. He claimed that he'd had a vision of danger, but really he was afraid. He knew that Taha Aki would be waiting for the chance to tell his story. Utlapa was also afraid to enter the spirit world himself, knowing Taha Aki would quickly claim his body. So his dreams of conquest with a spirit warrior army were impossible, and he sought to content himself with ruling over the tribe. He became a burden- seeking privileges that Taha Aki had never requested, refusing to work alongside his warriors, taking a young second wife and then a third, though Taha Aki's wife lived on – something unheard of in the tribe, Taha Aki watched in helpless fury."

"Eventually, Taha Aki tried to kill his body to save the tribe from Utlapa's excesses. He brought a fierce wolf down from the mountains, but Utlapa hid behind his warriors. When the wolf killed a young man who was protecting the false chief, Taha Aki felt horrible grief. He ordered the wolf away. "

Billy added "All the stories tell us that it was no easy thing to be a spirit warrior. It was more frightening than exhilarating to be freed from one's body. This is why they only used their magic in times of need. The chief's solitary journeys to keep watch were a burden and a sacrifice. Being bodiless was disorientating, uncomfortable, horrifying. Taha Aki had been away from his body for so long at this point that he was in agony. He felt he was doomed- never to cross over to the final land where his ancestors waited, stuck in this torturous nothingness forever."

"The great wolf followed Taha Aki's spirit as he twisted and writhed in agony through the woods. The wolf was very large for it's kind, and beautiful. Taha Aki was suddenly jealous of the dumb animal. At least it had a body. At least it had a life. Even life as an animal would be better than this horrible empty consciousness. And then Taha Aki had the idea that changes us all. He asked the great wolf to make room for him, to share. The wolf complied. Taha Aki entered the wolf's body with relief and gratitude. It was not his human body, but it was better than the void of the spirit world. As one, the man and the wolf returned to the village on the harbour. The people ran in fear, shouting for the warriors to come. The warriors ran to meet the wolf with their spears. Utlapa, of course, stayed safely hidden."

"Taha Aki did not attack his warriors. He retreated slowly from them speaking with his eyes and trying to yelp the songs of his people. The warriors began to realise that the wolf was no ordinary animal, that there was a spirit influencing it. One older warrior, a man named Yut, decided to disobey the false chief's order and try to communicate with the wolf. As soon as Yut crossed to the spirit world, Taha Aki left the wolf – the animal waited tamely for his return- to speak to him. Yut gathered the truth in an instant and welcomed his true chief home."

"At this time, Utlapa came to see if the wolf had been defeated. When he saw Yut lying lifeless on the ground, surrounded by protective warriors, he realised what was happening. He drew his knife and raced forward to kill young Yut before he could return to his body. 'Traitor,' he screamed, and the warriors did not know what to do. The chief had forbidden spirit journeys, and it was the chief's decision how to punish those who disobeyed. Yut jumped back into his body, but Utlapa had his knife at his throat and a hand covering his mouth. Taha Aki's body was strong, and Yut was weak with age. Yut could not say one word to warn the others before Utlapa silenced him forever. Taha Aki watched as Yut's spirit slipped away to the final lands that were barred to Taha Aki for all eternity. He felt a great rage, more powerful than anything he'd felt before. He entered the big wolf again, meaning to rip Utlapa's throat out. But, as he joined the wolf, the greatest magic happened..."Sue paused looking around the gathered tribe members with a sense of pride, before continuing; her voice full of emotion"Taha Aki's anger was the anger of a man. The love he had for his people and the hatred he had for their oppressor were too vast for the wolf's body, too human. The wolf shuddered, and – before the eyes of the shocked warriors and Utlapa- transformed back into a man."

Each of the elders looked around the fire at the gathered wolf pack gaining a connection to the story, as this ability had now been passed through the generations of the tribe from Taha Aki and to each pack member.

Sue became chocked up with emotion, upon meeting her son and daughters' eyes, who had also gained this ability, she cleared her throat with a stubble cough before continuing "The man did not look like Taha Aki's body. He was far more glorious. He was the flesh interpretation of Taha Aki's spirit. The warriors recognised him at once though, for they had flown with Taha Aki's spirit. Utlapa tried to run, but Taha Aki had the strength of the wolf in his new body. He caught the thief and crushed the spirit from him before he could jump out of the stolen body...The people rejoiced when they understood what had happened. Taha Aki quickly set everything right."Sue finished the story of the spirit warriors, concluding that "Taha Aki knew it was too dangerous now that the idea of stealing a life was there. And so the spirit warriors were no more."

Sam then informed everyone that Taha Aki went onto father many sons, as he did not age, many of whom found that they could transform into wolves. He told everyone that the wolves were all different in appearance, because they were spirit wolves; and so their appearance reflected the man they were inside.

"So that's why you're all black," Quil asked, grinning "Black heart represented by black fur."

Sam quickly retorted "And your brown fur, represents that you are full of shit!" at this the pack and everyone else gathered burst into laughter and Quil surrendered to his 'brothers' relentless teasing.

(They also tell the legend of the Thrid wife but I was to lazy to carry on typing from the book. L sorry. I may change this some time in the future though!)

As ever thanks for reading, let me know if there are any mistakes.

Until next time...

Beth x