{"id":773,"date":"2024-08-20T00:14:05","date_gmt":"2024-08-20T00:14:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/meekobuggy.com\/?page_id=773"},"modified":"2024-08-20T00:55:50","modified_gmt":"2024-08-20T00:55:50","slug":"chapter-06","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/meekobuggy.com\/?page_id=773","title":{"rendered":"Chapter 06"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Chapter 06<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

They found the mayor tending to a child with scratches on their knee near the gazebo after her assistant told them that she\u2019d gone out for the day. Catching a good whiff of the mayor\u2019s scent, Bella and Isaac didn\u2019t have a hard time finding her. And the mayor didn\u2019t look like a mayor at all. She was dressed in scrubs. Was she a doctor?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMayor Fell?\u201d Bella asked cautiously, not wanting to disturb the mayor and the child, but she finished up on the scratches, said goodbye to the child and got to her feet, looking at the two people in front of her. \u201cHi,\u201d she smiled at the mayor. \u201cMy name is Bella Swan, and this is Isaac Argent,\u201d she said as she shook the mayor\u2019s hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMeredith Fell,\u201d the mayor replied, still looking a bit cautious. \u201cAnd I\u2019m out of the Mayor\u2019s office so you might as well call me Meredith. What can I help you two with?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYeah\u2026\u201d Bella said thoughtfully. \u201cI was under the impression we had an appointment half an hour ago?\u201d She scratched her head as she looked at Isaac. \u201cDidn\u2019t our boss tell us we had an appointment?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNot in those exact words,\u201d Isaac pointed out. \u201cHe told us to go and see the mayor.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOkay, forgive me,\u201d Bella replied, looking at the mayor. \u201cOur boss should have made an appointment with you, but he\u2019s smitten with this town, his mind is likely elsewhere.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meredith blinked at that, she couldn\u2019t imagine someone being smitten with Mystic Falls the way that it looked now. \u201cExcuse me?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSure, Mystic Falls looks like it\u2019s gone to war, came back, went to hell and back to war, but you can\u2019t deny that a small town like this still has its charms,\u201d Bella smiled as she waved her hand around them. \u201cI can\u2019t even begin to imagine what this place looked like in its glory days.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt was wonderful, we were bustling,\u201d Meredith replied as she put her hands inside her pocket. \u201cWe had parades, bake sales, charity runs, the works. These days it\u2019s hoping that nothing will crumble and that we can fix what we can.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYes, the sheriff told us that there\u2019s practically no money coming in,\u201d Bella replied thoughtfully. \u201cBut still, our boss really loves this town, and he\u2019d like to make a generous donation to you so you can hire the people necessary to start rebuilding. Properly. Get life back into Mystic Falls and stimulate the economy and all. Make Mystic Falls the way it used to be.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meredith huffed then. \u201cNo thanks,\u201d she replied, shaking her head. \u201cYes, we had a lovely town. It\u2019s still lovely. But we\u2019ve had so much shit in the last two decades that if we\u2019d revert back to what it was that it\u2019ll likely come back again. No, it\u2019s best to let this town become a real ghost town and eventually forgotten.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAre you serious? Places like these should be protected! I come from a small town up in Washington, and I don\u2019t know what I would do if it was in a state like this one. I\u2019d welcome a generous donation to help rebuild.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cLook,\u201d Meredith said as she took a step closer to Bella, anger written all over her face. \u201cI don\u2019t know who you are, or what your exact motives are, but this town stays the way that it is. This way? We don\u2019t get vampires or werewolves or witches fucking shit up, and I quite like it this way. It\u2019s a sense of peace in an otherwise chaotic environment. Safety. So back off. I said no.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAnd here the sheriff said you didn\u2019t know about supernaturals,\u201d Isaac quipped, taking a step closer to Bella in case the woman would attack her. \u201cI thought the community policed themselves?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThey do. They\u2019re in a small enough number to do so,\u201d Meredith reluctantly replied, realizing what she had said and that these two people weren\u2019t going anywhere. \u201cBut all this crap in this town is because of that same community. I don\u2019t want to have my citizens live in fear anymore, waiting for the next \u2018gas leak\u2019 or explosion. Or animal attack. I don\u2019t know how, or why, you know about the supernaturals, but you\u2019re in way over your head. Tell your boss to find another small town he can rebuild and reform. We\u2019ve had enough.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat if the donation comes with a guarantee that the citizens of Mystic Falls will be safe and not exposed to any of that?\u201d Isaac suggested a smile on his face. \u201cBella and I will remain here and make sure of that ourselves. Personally. I\u2019ve seen pictures of Mystic Falls before all the destruction, and it could be that beautiful here again. Peaceful with your bake sales and parades. Smiles. Laughter. Music. Good food. Mystic Falls needs to be preserved, saved. Not just for its historical value, but also because of the community. Allow it to fall apart like you suggest, and have it be forgotten, will only open it up for more difficulties for the surrounding area. You know this. Mystic Falls is a supernatural hotspot, and it needs to be protected. And not have a ghost town sitting on top of it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAnd what about the hunters? They shoot first and ask questions later.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIf the town gets rebuild in a normal pace, slowly, then it won\u2019t draw the attention of the hunters much. They know what Mystic Falls have gone through and they also know that most of the supernatural community fled or died. But we will protect you. We work for someone who has the means to protect this entire town.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She seemed to think about it for a second and sighed, giving in, agreeing with everything Isaac had said. \u201cAnd what would you want in return for your generous donation?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe\u2019d like your approval to buy the strip of land that currently houses the remains of your Mystic Grill and the building next to it, with the promise we\u2019ll replace it with something fitting to the town, both inside and on the outside. Of course, we\u2019ll pay good money for that too.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAnd you\u2019re really going to keep this town safe? Keep the humans safe? And deal with the hunters?\u201d Meredith asked again, hopeful all of a sudden or maybe resigning anyway because she wasn\u2019t cut out to be the mayor of a small town. She was obviously a doctor on her way to work, and they sprung this thing on her. \u201cHow?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cLeave that to us, for now, but my boss gives his word that everyone who lives in Mystic Falls will be safe. He loves small towns, and he wants to make sure that they all stay afloat and conserve history. He\u2019s not interested in the magic that lies here, he wants Bella and I to run a Bed and Breakfast that also doubles as a restaurant, and I have all the qualifications to run something like that. If you want, I could send you over my qualifications, of course.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWell, any good small town has a diner or something at the center of their community\u2026\u201d Meredith let out a breath and nodded. \u201cVery well. You have yourselves a deal.\u201d When Isaac handed Meredith the cheque for 60 million dollars, the woman paled. \u201cThis is far too much.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo, this is how serious our boss is,\u201d Bella replied kindly. Feeling a little out of depth because she had fucked up a little with the mayor. \u201cMystic Falls is worth this kind of money. Your infrastructure needs the injection, and you need to hire people to come and fix things up. And when you need more, just ask.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The mayor let out another breath as she looked at the cheque again, blinking. \u201cStop by tomorrow at 9 am so you can sign the papers for that plot of land. My only request is that something comes into place that won\u2019t hurt the town\u2019s atmosphere, nothing big city like.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe only have the best interest at heart for Mystic Falls, mayor Fell.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGod, I can\u2019t believe I\u2019m that easy to convince\u2026 what are you? You\u2019re not hunters, are you? Vampires? Witches?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Isaac let out a snort. \u201cWe\u2019re merely workers for a man with a lot of money. You don\u2019t need to worry about us.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGood,\u201d she looked at the cheque again. \u201cThis is still too much. But I\u2019ll see you tomorrow at 9 am sharp. I have a surgery at 10 so\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll be there,\u201d Bella said as she looped her arm through Isaac\u2019s. \u201cHave a great day, mayor Fell, we\u2019ll see you tomorrow.\u201d She then started to pull Isaac away, it was time for some more strolling through Mystic Falls. As soon as they were out of earshot of the woman, Bella let out a slight giggle. \u201cI can\u2019t believe we\u2019re actually doing some good here. I mean, not just for us but for them as well.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a means to an end,\u201d Isaac shrugged. \u201cI mean, yeah, we can keep an eye out for the safety of Mystic Falls and stuff, but our cause will be the most important thing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAnd we\u2019re helping people, on both sides of the spectrum, which is a good thing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe nearly wouldn\u2019t be helping people,\u201d he reminded her with a playful smile on his face. \u201cBut a job well done. What do you want to do for the rest of the day? Go into the woods and practise some more?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMagic school?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cEh, not yet,\u201d Isaac replied, running a hand through his hair. \u201cWe don\u2019t need their help at this point, we\u2019ll wait for Peter to say that we have to go. And maybe we should talk a bit more about that school with the sheriff, he seems to know who\u2019s running it. Things take time, patience. All we can do is wait. Maybe scout out some suppliers in the area for our future B&B. There\u2019s no doubt that Peter will arrange everything concerning the building. The people, the supplies, the other shit that\u2019s required. Cold Ones are good at building.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBut at least he allows his architect to talk to us so we can get our say in.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWell yeah, because we\u2019re human. We need beds. Food. Comfort. And I think you\u2019re just going to love ordering things for when the B&B is ready for us.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bella huffed as she let go of him and crossed her arms over her chest as she stomped after him. \u201cWhat makes you think that I like interior decorating? Is it because I\u2019m a girl?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cN-No,\u201d Isaac stammered, blinking as he squeezed his hands into fists and immediately released them, a slight unsure bounce in his step before he fully stopped. \u201cI thought you said you liked… I don\u2019t know. I\u2019m sorry. I didn\u2019t mean to\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a joke, Isaac,\u201d she started to laugh then. \u201cYes, let\u2019s drive out to the city and find suppliers and their magazines, I love browsing through those things and see what we can make of things. But we\u2019re avoiding IKEA! It needs to be warm and cozy on the inside, a real Southern feel, you know. Maybe even find people local to make things on commission!\u201d She then paused for a moment before realizing something. \u201cPeter is going to pay for the inside of the building too, isn\u2019t he? Of course, he is, he spent 60 million on a plot of land and buying the mayor\u2019s favoritism! Let\u2019s go and drive around some and get inspired!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They found a woodworking company in Richmond more than willing to help them with getting them furniture and whatnot as soon as the plans were ready for said building. Bella loved the way they worked with wood, it was a mixture of romantic olden days with a dash of modernism, and they were confident that they could deliver everything on time. All Bella needed to do was to look into their catalogue and order the amount of the objects. She was pleased about that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The same went for the carpentry and drapes. They had found some excellent candidates online and checked them out. Isaac didn\u2019t have to go and visit some restaurant equipment store, he had found the perfect website that had everything he wanted, or needed, and then some. But, as enthusiastic the both of them were, they had to wait until the plans were ready for the B&B and the supernatural safe house. Only then they\u2019d know how much space they\u2019d have and stuff like that. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They had dinner at a small restaurant which had been advertised as the home of Southern Cooking. That the place had a soul and the food was terrific. And it was. It didn\u2019t disappoint, and their hostess and the cook were so welcoming and warm. The way that the restaurant was decorated was perhaps a little too much in Bella\u2019s taste, but the food was good indeed, and she could tell that Isaac was just itching to talk to the chef about food-related things. Likely about where they were getting their supplies from.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Food got Isaac really excited, so when the hostess suggested he\u2019d take a look in the kitchen and fire some questions at the chef, he didn\u2019t hesitate and went, only to return an hour later with a big smile on his face and a long list of suppliers and other stuff, god knows what.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHappy?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cTotally,\u201d Isaac grinned. \u201cThe way that they run their kitchen? It\u2019s the way I want to run mine. They all work so well together, and everything\u2019s done in harmony. No pressure. In my experience, it\u2019s rare to find something like that, but that\u2019s what I want. And you know what? They don\u2019t use measuring jugs or stuff like that. They all eyeball it, and that\u2019s\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cCooking.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDaring. Insane. But, nevertheless, the results are so good,\u201d he said as he folded the sheet of paper and put it in his pocket. \u201cMaybe I should try it, see if it works for me, too.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cReally? I thought you were so meticulous in your food! Precise measurements!\u201d Bella said mockingly after leaving the restaurant and heading back to the truck. Oh, this was great! Was Isaac going to let go? Hell yeah! \u201cEven your teachers didn\u2019t like you doing that! You\u2019re really going to let go and see where it takes you? Oh my God, I so need to see this! And taste the good food!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAre you mocking me?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNope,\u201d she smiled at him. \u201cI think it\u2019s adorable how excited you are and I think you should definitely try it. And not stop when you fuck up because I said it before, your food is great. It\u2019s perfect. But I think it would taste better if you had fun with it and cook from your heart and not from that brain of yours and I think that that chef inspired you. That\u2019s amazing.\u201d Bella then put her arms around him and hugged him. \u201cBaby steps. You\u2019ll find your happiness.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Isaac huffed as he looked at her, she was looking up at him, and he swallowed, hard. She looked so damn fuckable. \u201cI\u2019m not unhappy.\u201d No. He wasn\u2019t going to pursue this feeling. She was going to leave anyway, and he\u2019d be left on his own again. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNobody likes being miserable,\u201d Bella pointed out, ignoring what he had said. She let go of him and took his hand instead as they continued to walk towards the truck. \u201cIt\u2019s your self-defense mechanism while you don\u2019t even need one because you\u2019re a fucking werewolf and can snap people in half if he wants to.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou\u2019re not listening.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNope. We\u2019re both two very miserable people for different reasons. I mean, I can see it, why can\u2019t you? Do you think I don\u2019t hold a lot of anger towards Edfart and his family for what they did? I shouldn\u2019t even be because I was warned and went ahead anyway, so it was my own fault. But it happened, and that\u2019s in the past\u2026 recent past, but who the fuck cares? What matters is the future, and I think it\u2019s going to be sunny and bright.\u201d She then took a deep breath. \u201cOkay, that sounded like a Hallmark greeting, but trust me, everything\u2019s going to be alright. And I will<\/em> hurt Edward the moment he comes close to me again.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSeems to me you\u2019ve got a whole lot of rage inside of you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She huffed. \u201cLook who\u2019s talking. What you need is a good lay.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat!\u201d Isaac exclaimed as the color red crept up on his cheeks. \u201cMe? What about you! It\u2019s not like you were getting any from your marble and manipulative boyfriend!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She started to squeeze his hand so tightly that some small bones in his hand broke. \u201cNot for a fucking lack of trying and it wasn\u2019t as if I could sneak off, you know! And that was totally not fair!\u201d Bella tightened her grip on Isaac\u2019s hand even more. \u201cHe fucking changed me into someone I wasn\u2019t, and I didn\u2019t even have control over it. So don\u2019t use that shit on me! My sex life is mine!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYeah, alright,\u201d Isaac let out a breath before trying to get Bella to release him. \u201cBut so is mine and you started it. Now let go of my hand, you\u2019re actually hurting me now.\u201d Oh, he would have thrown anyone away from him who\u2019d hurt him physically, but he didn\u2019t want to do that with Bella. This was still adjustment issues, and Alpha\u2019s did have an extra layer of temper to begin with. Oh, and of course she was a Hale. Jesus fuck, had Derek hurt him during fight training. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cPromise me you won\u2019t mention my sex life again!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYes, yes, I promise,\u201d Isaac said quickly. \u201cFor fuck\u2019s sake, we\u2019ll find you a gigolo or something!\u201d It was out before he knew it and he was flying through the air before hitting a wall before he knew it, too. \u201cAre you done?!\u201d He scrambled to his feet, shaking the pain out of his body as he stared at her for a moment, feeling the bones slowly starting to heal. This was a disaster.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYes!\u201d Bella yelled at him, stomping back into the general direction of the truck. \u201cI\u2019m fucking driving!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe hell you are!\u201d He was surprised by how aroused he was during this encounter. It was bad, very bad. Pain wasn\u2019t pleasure, but fuck, Bella was so arousing. So exciting. So\u2026 sexy. No. No. He wasn\u2019t going to allow his dick make his head follow down that route again. Bella was going to leave eventually and would leave him by himself. No. He wasn\u2019t going to give in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Adjusting his pants a bit, he took a few deep breaths to calm himself down and followed her to the truck. There was no way that he was going to allow her to drive right now. He prefered his vehicle in one piece. The seething Alpha could be in the back if she wanted to be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bella had calmed down somewhat by the time they returned to Mystic Falls. She had felt this kind of rage before, of course, she had, but she had no reason to rage like this because yes, she had started it – playfully, and Isaac threw it right back in her face – also playfully. And she had flown into a fit of rage and actually hurt him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry,\u201d she said as she followed him out of the truck into the hotel\u2019s parking lot. \u201cI\u2019m sorry for breaking your hand and then throwing you against that wall\u2026 I-… I think I lost control.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDon\u2019t worry about it,\u201d he smiled at her, holding up his hand and moving his fingers. \u201cSee? Nothing wrong, already fixed.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did werewolves really heal that fast? \u201cAre you sure?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d he nodded as he got into the back of the truck to pull the beds out in case they were going to need them during the night. \u201cIt was kinda hot, to be honest.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bella blinked at that admission but didn\u2019t say anything as she grabbed the bag with magazines out of the truck. For some reason it made her feel even worse. She had hurt him, physically, and that should never be hot when it\u2019s not consensual, and her rage had not been consensual with either of them. By losing control like that, she had been just as bad as the Beacon Hills demons in Isaac\u2019s head, hadn\u2019t she? She needed to be better, and it was likely a good thing to try to keep her distance from him for a while until she\u2019d figured this out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She focused on finding the right kind of feel for the bed and breakfast in the magazines, going as far as cutting it all out and paste it onto a clean sheet of paper for every principal room. When it was 3 am she forced herself to take some rest and sleep, but all she could think about was how bad she\u2019d been to Isaac, and how wrong it was for her to stay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They had breakfast in the truck the next morning, and Isaac went to the mayor\u2019s office to sign the papers for the land, and all the permits that came with the property. Destruction. Construction. Permittance to dig into the caves and all that kind of shit. Alcohol permits and hotel permits would follow later after the building was completed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When Isaac returned, he informed her that the architect would be coming in a couple of hours, but that he wanted to go for a run with her in the woods to get rid of some excess energy. He put all the permits safely away in a safe in the truck and wondered out loud if Bella would be faster than him. She huffed, saying that she was never athletic whatsoever as she kept tripping over her own feet. And while they had gone for a run around in Beacon Hills, that didn\u2019t mean that she suddenly earned more speed in her legs or something. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But oh boy, did running clear and calm her mind! She still felt terrible about having hurt Isaac and him being okay with it, but maybe she was making a bigger deal out of it than it was. Of course, she\u2019d have some teething problems in the beginning, and sure, she could have stayed back and learned from her new family, but she had chosen for Isaac. Peter Whitlock had chosen for Isaac. If Isaac hadn\u2019t been the right fit, Peter would have never sent him in, would he?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bella hated it when her insecurities surfaced, but it was a good reality check. It usually meant that she\u2019d been spending too much time inside her mind and she was definitely going to take up running as a hobby to relax. Hell, Bella was even going to buy some sportswear to fit in. She no longer had restrictions. Nobody was telling her how to live, she was free, completely free and herself. She was what she had always been, and nobody was holding her back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She was allowed to go through a variety of emotions, she was still adjusting to everything. The lack of influencing coming from the Cold Ones, and Jasper in particular, being a werewolf\u2026 it was alright to let go.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But still, she was surprised when Isaac was teaching her to fight as she felt her body change after a couple of rounds. Her face, but her hands were the most noticeable. Hairier. Long fingernails and she couldn\u2019t help but stare at her claws in awe. And yes, it had hurt just a little, but she was in awe of the transformation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Something inside of her cheered. She wasn\u2019t a faulty werewolf after all!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Her heart swelled when Isaac took a picture of her with, and without, flash to show her what she looked like and she couldn\u2019t help but squeal in joy and tackle him to the ground as she threw her arms around him. \u201cI\u2019m a werewolf!\u201d she laughed as they lay on the forest floor, no doubt with twigs poking in Isaac\u2019s back but she felt good! \u201cI\u2019m free!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYes,\u201d he smiled at her, gently patting her back as he looked at her. \u201cYou\u2019ll feel a lot better if you remember that. You\u2019re free. Nobody is stopping you from doing what you want but yourself. You\u2019re a fucking werewolf Alpha, nobody messes with you!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYes! How do I roar? You know, how Derek showed me?\u201d There was a slight hesitation on his face then, and Bella wasn\u2019t sure why. \u201cWhat?\u201d She moved so she was now sitting on top of him, her head cocked much like that of a cute little puppy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She wasn\u2019t his Alpha, but one wrong howl and he would likely roll over and submit. Because he was starting to feel far too comfortable with Bella around. He had to remind himself that she was going to leave eventually. \u201cNothing,\u201d he smiled at her. \u201cHowling just happens. Just try, and see what comes out of you.\u201d According to Stiles, Scott had sounded like a cat being choked to death when he tried calling for the Alpha for the first time. \u201cIt\u2019s more of an\u2026 instinctual thing. Wolves howl to signal to their pack where they are. I guess you could imagine you\u2019re lost and trying to get help.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBut I don\u2019t have a pack.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That dimwitted look on her face was endearing. \u201cOther wolves will pick up on it too,\u201d he nodded. \u201cWhich is why it\u2019s safe for you to practise here because there are no werewolves left here, only the cute animal ones.\u201d Isaac hoped that whatever she was feeling now, she\u2019d hold on to for the rest of her life. He didn\u2019t like to see her miserable. \u201cImagine you want to howl for your dad.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A pang of homesickness hurt her heart. \u201cThat\u2019s not fair.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBut it might work.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cCan I use your phone later to call him without telling him where I am?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOf course.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bella nodded and rolled her head and shoulders as she closed her eyes and let out a deep breath. She then tried her best to let out a howl. It sounded okay in her head, but when she looked at Isaac, she could tell that he was doing his best not to laugh. \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou sounded like a cute little puppy,\u201d he snickered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bella huffed. \u201cI\u2019ll just need more practise. Let me hear yours.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNope,\u201d Isaac shook his head as he lifted her off of him and got to his feet before helping her back up. \u201cBecause I don\u2019t actually want to alert others to where I am.\u201d He gave her his phone. \u201cYou\u2019re always free to call your dad, this phone can\u2019t be traced and all, but please don\u2019t tell him where you are.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI know,\u201d she said as she gratefully started to dial Charlie\u2019s number. \u201cYou didn\u2019t kidnap me and I choose to stay with you and with that comes rules. And I won\u2019t ask him for a favor for the sheriff\u2019s office here. Especially after Peter\u2019s generous amount of money for the town and the land.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFor safety.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFor safety,\u201d she nodded as she started to walk back, following Isaac. The phone still rang, and she wondered when Charlie was going to pick up. When she wanted to dial again, he finally picked up. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWho is this?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHi dad,\u201d Bella smiled as she took a few steps closer to Isaac as they continued to walk back to the truck. They had an architect to meet, after all. \u201cHow are you doing?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cA little bit stunned, I would have thought you would have disowned me by now for lying to you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYeah\u2026\u201d she let out a breath. \u201cMaybe just a little, but I wanted to know if you were okay.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYeah, Sue and I are currently planning a barbeque on the rez. The Cullens moved away a couple of days ago, it\u2019s nice and quiet here again.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThey moved? Where to?\u201d Oh, they really needed to stay away from her. There was no doubt that she\u2019d now be resistant to their charms, but she was still far too angry with them for having manipulated her for so long. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know. Alaska or something? Your friend Peter did a lot of work to make sure that they left. Basically, he and the Quileute ran them out of town. It was quite a sight.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo doubt,\u201d Bella replied, knowing that the Cullens had \u2018family\u2019 in Alaska. She just hoped that they wouldn\u2019t come and find her, but Peter said he\u2019d make sure of that. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAnd how are you doing, Bella? How was Beacon Hills?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat was an adventure, one I don\u2019t really like to revisit,\u201d she replied truthfully. \u201cUncle is an opportunist and brother is\u2026 I don\u2019t know. Rudderless? I decided to stick with Isaac, he\u2019s helping me come to grips with what I am, and help out with his and Peter\u2019s cause.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBe careful, sweetheart,\u201d Charlie said warmly. \u201cThat world is completely different from what you\u2019re used to.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDon\u2019t worry, we\u2019re fine. Safe. You taught me well, dad.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGood. Despite what I did, I hope you can forgive me one day. I\u2019d never go against your mother\u2019s wishes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSeems like nobody ever would,\u201d she muttered as she had learned that in Beacon Hills. \u201cLove you, dad.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cLove you too.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bella handed the phone back to Isaac after disconnecting the call. \u201cThanks, I needed that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou\u2019re welcome to call him whenever, you know.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNah. He\u2019s right. I should have disowned him for lying to me for all of my life and not taking my best interests at heart. So much shit would have been avoided if I had known,\u201d she ran a hand through her hair and smiled. \u201cOn the other hand, parents are these magical beings, no doubt they want their children to be safe and will do whatever it takes. I mean, I can\u2019t stay mad at him, but he should have told me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Isaac nodded as he pushed his hands in his pockets. \u201cI am glad you\u2019re feeling better though.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOh, totally! I should take up running as a hobby if we\u2019re going to stay here for a while! It\u2019s a great way to go exploring and shit!\u201d Bella said excitedly, a big smile on her face. \u201cI am so ready for a new life, Isaac.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAre you sticking with it now?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOh, totally,\u201d she nodded as she refastened her hair into a ponytail. \u201cI\u2019m hungry.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When they got back to the truck, they had some lunch, and they didn\u2019t have to wait long for the architect to arrive. Bella wasn\u2019t surprised to find out that this architect was a vampire. Not a Cold One as his complexion was normal and looked normal. His name was John Hammond, born and raised in Alabama and had been designing homes for over a hundred years much to the satisfaction of his customers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He had a beautiful sketch done for the Bed and Breakfast and for the accompanying building where they could host parties and whatnot. He had made them in two separate buildings, the B&B had a deep porch all around it, there were French doors, several columns to hold the structure up, big windows and the drawing looked just fantastic. The \u2018party shack\u2019 looked like a barn, but also with big windows, and both would fit in perfectly with the other buildings in Mystic Falls – especially since John let it drop that he was going to help rebuild the town. All the glass of both buildings would be special glass of course. Bullet and sparkle proof.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He then showed them the blueprint for the inside. There was room for a large kitchen, a dining room, a reception area and a library to sit in. There\u2019d be a spiral staircase – and an elevator for those who couldn\u2019t use the stairs – leading to the first floor where there would be room for eight spacious rooms with ensuites, and another staircase going to the top level which was separated by another wall through the middle. There were two large suites on one half, and the other half could be accessed through a door, where Bella and Isaac would be living. Separate bedrooms, a small kitchen, two bathrooms and a living room. Like a mini apartment. Unless they had other plans, then John would have to amend those plans, but seeing as he\u2019d only been told about Bella after the drawings were made, he didn\u2019t have time to adjust the floor plan. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The only way to the basement was either through a security door at the back of the house that was well hidden from sight or a security door from the kitchen. The basement held the linen room with room for two washing machines and a tumble dryer or two and a trash collecting area. But John had also taken into account that it was going to be a place to give supernatural beings being hunted a place to hide out. There was a massive dormitory with room for twenty bunk beds, a few showers and a kitchen. Two small family rooms in case it was needed. And, there would be a security door leading to the cave systems below that Peter had plans to dig out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The basement would be well isolated, of course. No sound coming out of there, and no heat getting lost either. Fresh air would come from the air conditioning system. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

All in all, Isaac was pretty happy with the plans but suggested to move the restaurant to the side of the house so that patrons could see the street they were at, the road next to it and the backyard. It had to be customer friendly, that even if they didn\u2019t have any guests staying over, people would still come for the food and ambiance. Maybe even a patio outside in the back garden for those long hot summers. He also wanted a dormitory in the building next to theirs, in cases of school trips or backpackers. And maybe a smaller sitting area to have a small gift shop as well. Tourists loved their gift shops.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

John knew that Bella was going to busy herself with the interior – or at least anything that wasn\u2019t the kitchen, and offered the help of one of his experienced associates to help her with that. And, if Bella felt more comfortable with it, it could even be a human. Shellie was one of his hardest working interior designers, and he was sure that the girls would hit it off. Bella wanted to say \u2018no\u2019, a bit of pride, perhaps, but while she was great at picking out things, she didn\u2019t know a thing about interior design. There was more to interior designing than picking out furniture. So she welcomed the help. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

After John left, they explored Mystic Falls some more, and it was back to waiting to see what Peter had planned for them. Isaac woke her up in the middle of the night a few days later waving his phone around. \u201cI\u2019m heading out, I won\u2019t be long, but I might not be back for breakfast.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bella yawned as she leaned against the doorpost of her hotel room. \u201cWhere are you going?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThere are some nomadic wolves close by causing some ruckus, I\u2019m going to ask them politely to fuck off. Don\u2019t want them to attract the attention of hunters. Not when Peter\u2019s demolition crew comes in a few days.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Isaac had told her that it was likely that Peter had hired a crew of vampires to get shit down faster, which was, of course, the easy way out. Of course, they couldn\u2019t use hunters in Mystic Falls when the human population would be outnumbered because of the vampires in town. \u201cGive me a minute, I\u2019ll come with.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Isaac almost looked disappointed as he tried to find the words. \u201cI\u2019ve encountered them before. Likely. I\u2019m merely telling you so you won\u2019t get worried or something when you wake up and see that the truck is gone.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019m coming with,\u201d she said again as she turned around to get into her clothes and pulled on her shoes. \u201cI\u2019m learning about this side of your life, remember? Let me learn. Teach me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFine,\u201d he said as he walked to the truck. \u201cBut you\u2019re staying in the truck. There\u2019s not knowing what they\u2019ll do, and I don\u2019t want you to get hurt.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHello, werewolf! I heal fast now!\u201d She reminded him, although she hadn\u2019t actually tested that theory yet, and the look on Isaac\u2019s face said enough. \u201cYeah, you\u2019re right, need to actually test that first,\u201d Bella sighed as she got into the passenger seat. \u201cI\u2019ll stay behind. For now. We\u2019re going to test that healing thing soon though, yeah?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat was the plan for tomorrow\u2026 uh, today,\u201d he replied as he started the truck. \u201cSo, let us get through this, get back, have some breakfast and then we\u2019ll play a little with knives. But not now.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNot now,\u201d Bella nodded. She didn\u2019t like blood much, and she had only just woken up; it could result into her vomiting all over the place, and she didn\u2019t want to clean out the truck because the smell alone could set it off all over again. \u201cI\u2019ll stay in the truck, with a gun. I have your back when you need it, but they won\u2019t cause too much trouble, will they?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNah,\u201d he smirked as he drove off the parking lot to the coordinates he received from one of Peter\u2019s little spies. \u201cDon\u2019t worry about it.\u201d He hoped that the other Omega\u2019s would be trouble. It had been a while since he\u2019d been in a good fight and therefore had wanted Bella to stay at the hotel so she wouldn\u2019t see him lose his cool, but fuck, whatever. She had seen him in Beacon Hills, and that was him being in control, maybe seeing how bad things could get without the hunters even being involved would make her run for the hills even faster.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It would still be easy right now to continue living his life the way he had been living it. The longer she stayed, the harder it was going to get to hold on to that and to revert back to it entirely. She was going to leave, eventually, why not speed up the process?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Oh, he so hoped those wolves were trouble! He liked to win.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Chapter 06 They found the mayor tending to a child with scratches on their knee near the gazebo after her assistant told them that she\u2019d gone out for the day. Catching a good whiff of the mayor\u2019s scent, Bella and Isaac didn\u2019t have a hard time finding her. And the…<\/p>\n

Continue reading<\/i><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":748,"parent":750,"menu_order":5,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-773","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"yoast_head":"\nChapter 06 - MeekoBuggy<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"noindex, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Chapter 06 - MeekoBuggy\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Chapter 06 They found the mayor tending to a child with scratches on their knee near the gazebo after her assistant told them that she\u2019d gone out for the day. Catching a good whiff of the mayor\u2019s scent, Bella and Isaac didn\u2019t have a hard time finding her. And the... 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Catching a good whiff of the mayor\u2019s scent, Bella and Isaac didn\u2019t have a hard time finding her. And the... 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