Aleida sat in a tree quietly observing. The wolves resided beneath her. She could feel the tension in them from high up and it put her on edge. The pack was wary of how close they were to the Cullen's, a family meant to be their sworn enemies. Working side by side wasn't in their nature.

"They're here," Edward spoke. 

Sam stepped into sight first, his jet black fur blending into the night around him. Aleida wished she could applaud how dramatic he was being. The rest followed close behind and the Cullen's gasped at the sheer number of them.

Watching as both Bella and Emmett looked around, she figured they were looking for her. 

"Where's Aleida?" Bella asked.

"She's here," Edward reassured. Embry let out a warning growl, he didn't want Aleida here, didn't want her in this kind of danger. 

"Damn," Emmett spoke. "Did you ever see anything like it?" 

Esme and Rosalie exchanged wide eyed glances

"What is it?" Aleida heard Bella ask, a giggle escaped her lips. 

"The pack has grown," Edward answered as Emmett scanned the trees. He had heard the Aleida's soft giggle and he wanted to see more. 

"Welcome," Carlisle called, greeting the visible and invisible wolves. 

"Thank you," Edward responded in a strange flat tone. "Many greetings."

A few of the Cullen's snapped their head towards Edward. He was able to hear Aleida's thoughts and locate her, but he didn't give her away. 

"We will watch and listen, but that is the most we can ask of our self-control. From what I understand, Aleida has already informed you of this." Edward spoke again with the same detached voice. 

"She has, and that is more than enough," Carlisle answered. "My son Jasper"-he gestured towards the blond boy- "has experience in this area. He will teach us how they fight, how they are to be defeated. I'm sure you can apply this to your own hunting styles."

"They are different from you?" Edward asked for Sam. 

Carlises nodded. "They are all very new, only months old to this life. Their blood stills lingers from their human life, making them stronger and faster. They have no skill or strategy, only brute strength. Tonight their numbers stand at twenty- ten for us, ten for you. It shouldn't be difficult, they fight among themselves so their numbers may go down." 

A rumbling went down the line of wolves, low enthusiastic growls passed between them causing Aleida to smile, excitement growing within her. She is excited to see how long it takes a new born to claw it's way out of the earth.  

"We are willing to take more than our share, if necessary," Edward translated, his tone less indifferent now. "Aleida wonders if she can bury them, to give us an advantage until they have freed themselves." 

Aleida perked up at his question, the wolves rumbled in amusement. Emmett laugh boomed at the words, loving the way his mate thought. 

Carlisle smiled. "We'll see how it plays out." 

Frowning, she realized he ignored her question.

 "Do you know when and how they'll arrive?"

"They'll come across the mountain in four days in the late morning. As they approach, Alice will help us intercept their path."

"Thank you for the information, we will watch." 

Jasper took a step into the empty space between the vampires and the wolves.

"Carlisle right." Jasper spoke to the vampires. Aleida narrowed her eyes at him. "They'll fight like children. The two most important things you need to remember are, first, on't let them get their arms around you and, second, don't go for the obvious kill. They'll be expecting that. As long as you come at them from the side and keep moving, they'll be too confused to respon effectively. Emmett?" 

Emmett stepped out of the line with a huge smile. Aleida leaned forward from her spot perched in the tree. 

The pair moved toward an empty space. "Okay, Emmett will go first, he is the best example of a new born." 

The vampire in question and his mate both narrowed their eyes at him. "I'll try not to break anything," he muttered. 

Jasper chuckle. "What I mean is that Emmett relies on his strength. He's very straightforward in his attack. Just go for the easy kill Emmett." 

Aleida could no longer see Jasper anymore. He was a blur as Emmett charged him like a bear. Emmett was impossibly quick, but Jasper always predicted where he was going to be. Emmett made grabs at the blond vampire, but he never quite had him within reach. Aleida took notes of where her soulmate should have been, and of every time she could have caught him. Then Emmett froze.

Jasper had his teeth positioned at his neck from behind.

Emmett and Aleida cussed. 

She heard her wolves muttered in appreciation. Looking down, she made eye contact with Paul. Sending the boy a mischievous wink, she flicked her finger gently.

The ground beneath Jasper's feet jerked to the side, his grip on Emmett loosened significantly on Emmett, giving the chance to pin Jasper.  

The boy cursed as he scanned the tree line for the girl. Paul huffed out the wolf version of a laugh. 

"My turn," Edward spoke.

Aleida watched as Alice fought instead. Already wary of the girl, she wasn't surprised when she won. The fights and pairings were interesting, she took note of the way they move so she could work around it. 

"We're about finished," Edward told Bella. 

Jumping down from her tree, she landed gracefully in the clearing, gaining everyone's attention. She practically glided forward, ignoring the wolves watching her intently. 

"My question has yet to be answered," her voice was light and playful.

Jasper eyed her carefully. "It should work, but it won't work for long." 

"Even if I could keep the earth in place? Why don't I try it with you?" A dangerous glint appeared in her eyes. She wanted to show him that he wasn't the best, and that even if it took more than one person to take him down. 

"Maybe not tonight," Edward cut in.

"Shame. I was looking forward to it." Turning she eyed the other vampires critically. "I have yet to have a turn." 

Emmett tensed. He could feel his longing return. He couldn't understand how she could just stand their and act so indifferent to him. 

"I'll fight you," Emmett rushed out, surprising his family. Aleida looked him in the eye, a knowing smile playing on her face, she knew he would offer. 

Aleida backed away into the empty field. The dirt was torn up from the previous fight, making it easier for her to pull energy to her. "Try to catch me," she teased.

Emmett felt a fire ignite within him. He was off in a blur, approaching her quickly.

Aleida closed her eyes and trusted the trembling of the earth. Counting down in her head, she jerked her hand to the side, sending the dirt up and pushing him to the side. He tumbled and rolled into the ground before he was lunging at her again. She lifted both hands and twisted them abruptly, forcibly changing his direction. 

She felt giddy. She knew this was an even fght, that they couldn't truly beat one another, they were battle partners. They were meant to fight together.

Then it got faster, she was twisting and turning. Using her body to guide her power. She was dancing around, her movements precise and calculated. Her and Emmett were in tune, moving in time with one another. 

"Enough," Jasper called. "Let's call it a tie." 

Aleida stopped, panting lightly as she tried to catch her breath. She looked down to her arms and smiled lightly at the lack of bruises. As long as he was near, she could always draw on his energy. She would never over exert herself. This was why she wasn't overly worried about collapsing during the battle. 

A smile still on her face, she looked at Bella. "I never got to ask if Jake delivered my graduation present."

"He did," Bella told her, yawning slightly. "It's a beautiful plant. What is it?" 

"It's a flower," Aleida scolds her lightly when raching her. "It's a snowdrop, symbolizing hope." 

Bella smiled widely. "Did you chose that on purpose?"

"Yes, every flower or plant I grow has a purpose." Aleida's eyes wandered to where Emmett stood. "You should be grateful, it is hard to grow plants that do not grow here naturally."

"I'm thankful, really," Bella spoek quickly. 

The girl laughed lightly. "I'm just teasing."

A wolf barked from the tree line. Turning, she saw Leah's light grey head poking from the trees. She gave Bella an apologetic look before going to Leah's side, Seth was quick to nuzzle up to her. 

"We're doing this tomorrow. Please feel welcome to join us again," Jasper spoke to the wolves.

"Yes, Edward translated. "We'll be here."

Edward stepped forward and towards his family with a sigh. "The pack thinks it would be best for them to familiarize themselves with our scents. So they don't make mistakes later. If we could hold very still, it would make it much easier for them."

"Whatever you need," Carlisle tells them. 

Aleida leaned against a tree, watching as the pack made their way through the Cullen's. She couldn't hold back her laughs at the uncomfortable looks on Emmett's face, or the way the wolves cringed every time they sniffed one of the vampires.  

Leah returned and licked her face abruptly. Gasping in shock, she playfully tried to wrestle the wolf to the ground until Sam braked for their attention. 

Realizing that she had an audience, she aced the Cullen's with an emotionless mask. "May the Mother, Warrior, and Father bless you."

Climbing onto Leah's back, she looked to both Bella and Emmett with a cheeky grin. "I'll see you tomorrow." 

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they are so cute omg