She hid in the trees from the boys. She had no idea what the actual time was, or when she needed to run patrol, but this was the simplest solution. They were family to her, but that was more than likely the worst conversation she had ever had.

Picking her way across the land half-heartedly, she thought over everything that had occurred since she arrived on the tiny reserve. The place her own tiny piece of heaven, cut away from the land of the gods and presented to her as a gift. She loved the ancient land, and its people. Much like the village of her birth, it felt like home, raised families in unity.

In her short time with the wolf pack, she had learned immense control of her on own abilities, not quite yet an expert but better than she could have ever thought possible. She had fought an army of newborn vampires and survived. She had found her other have and two new families that excepted her fully. She thanked every possible power for leading her to where she was now.

Aleida realized that she had reached the border near the Cullen home and changed direction to accommodate for it. She followed the familiar worn out trail at a relatively quick pace; not rivalling the speed at which the wolves run patrol but fast enough that it won't take her forever to complete and meet with the others.

She had walked this path many times since the Black boy had run off. She had argued with Sam until her throat was hoarse and a good part of the trees near his home had cracked for the chance to help; she refused to take no for an answer. The Clearwater siblings had tried to be with her as often as possible, but the soon grew too tired with their own shifts. Paul had tried to join her but she had used his newly found mate against him, having the Black girl force him to stay. Aleida often of times hid from Embry to prevent the oy from tagging long.

In her mind, she didn't want them joining simply to keep an eye on her. Aleida thought they were babying her, acting as if she couldn't defend herself.

It was incredibly degrading, in her mind, to assume that she need to be watched simply because she was a woman. Younger, newly turned wolves often ran patrols alone. She didn't need them tramping around, kicking up dirt and ripping out roots. The pack ad no regard of the nature around them, no matter how hard she berated them.

"Aleida!" A voice called from the other side of the treaty line.

She napped her head to the side, her eyes wide at the sudden appearance of Isabella and Edward. The vampire held his human fiancé away from the Quileute side, causing anger to bubble in Aleida stomach.

"Bella, dear, what are you doing here?" the earth naturals greeting was strained.

The brunette shuffled on her feet uncomfortably. "Alice saw you walking patrol alone, so I thought that I could join you."

Aleida sighed at how timid the girl was before waving her over. She watched as Bella tried to find a way over the way chasm that stood between them.

"I could walk back and cross where the stream flows over to this side," bella spoke slowly. Aleida couldn't help but think that it sounded more like a question. "Or I could walk along here until it cuts off."

Aleida shook her head at the offer. Rolling her shoulders, she lifted her hands. As expected, the earth bent to her will, roots and soil forming over the space like a bridge. She allowed herself a sma smirk at the way Bella gaped in awe.

"Are you coming?" Aleida called to her.

Bella nodded quickly before taking of across the bridge. Her smile growing at how intricate the details were.

The roots had worked themselves into an arc form, leaves and the occasional flower poking out at on the outside. Wood formed a soft sturdy steps with soil packed firmly into the spaces. As if showing off, the soft shape of wolf heads had formed at the ends of each railing. Aleida was more than proud of her work.

"That was so cool, are you going to keep it there?" Bella rushed out. Her eyes still held a tint of awe in them. Aleida looped her arm through Bella's, smiling softly at the girls rambling. It wasn't often that the girl spoke this freely and ALeida wasn't going to stop her.

The forest grew darker the further the went. According to Bella's phone, it wasn't anywhere near time for the day to set into night Aleida held the human closer.

"Why don't you like me?" Bella blurted.

Aleida gaped at her, a frown slowly forming on her face. "What do you mean?"

Bella was silent for a moment. "You didn't like me in the beginning, I understand that, but I thought we became friends after a while. You were so nice to me after the bonfire."

"It is not what you think, Isabella. It is not that I do not like you, I simply dislike all of the damage that you have caused." Aleida paused and stared forward thoughtfully. The dark was growing thicker; she held Bella closer, an arm wrapped around her back. "You were the reason for the war, for Jacob getting hurt. You were the reason he left. You caused the pack immense trouble without meaning to."

Bella opened her mouth to speak but Aleida quickly shushed her. "It is not your fault, this I know. I have told you before that you must be aware of the consequences of your actions, yet one's actions are not always apparent. I simply must put the pack, my people first."

The girls remained silent, both walking quietly in thought.

The trees loomed tall, but they were missing their usual wonder. The area was quiet, not single sound was heard throughout the entire space.

The woods were peaceful, a home to her that she wanted to share with the others. Her family, old and new, were people that needed to experience the freedom that came with the hard soil and soft breeze, yet they never found the time.

She remembered hearing the stories from her family when she was only a child, yet they still played vividly in her mind. It was easy to put the pieces together, to realize that the dark that crept forward wasn't the dark.

Aleida always firmly believed that one should never fear the dark, but the monsters that lurker within.

"Bella, run."

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