A loud thump startled me awake. It took me a moment to remember where I was. "I'm so sorry!" Bella had blanched after tripping on the rug leading into the family room and had just scrambled to her feet. My mates were giving her irritated looks of varying degrees - unsurprisingly, Caius' was the most venomous.

"You woke her up," he said, nearly snarling. He wasn't normally this touchy, which was saying something. His protective instinct must be working overdrive now that I was injured and basically incapable of caring for myself. Especially considering what had caused said injuries.

"It's fine," I said, touching Caius' arm. "How long was I asleep?"

"Just over an hour," Aro supplied, as Caius was still glaring furiously at Bella, who was edging towards the kitchen door with an expression which plainly read that she'd rather disappear.

"Caius. It was an accident," I emphasized, pulling his attention towards me instead. His features softened so drastically as he looked at me that it could have been a different man.

"You need rest, amore."

"I need to see my best friend. How's your mom, Bells?" I asked. I had always been curious about Bella's mother; it seemed so odd that someone so level-headed could come from someone so scatter-brained.

"She's doing good. She wanted to come meet you after she heard about your, um, accident, but I told her it may be best to wait a few days," Bella explained.

"I appreciate it. Please tell her thank you for her concern, it's very kind of her," I said.

Bella smiled. "I will. How are you feeling?"

"Like I'm tired of that question. But I'm doing alright, the pain medication really helps," I said, grinning.

"I'm glad. Look, Rowan, I'm really s-"

"Please don't apologize, Bells, none of this was your fault. He probably would have taken me anyway, and if you were there you would have just been in the way. It's really better off that it was just me," I assured her.

All three kings let out low growls, and I shot them reassuring smiles before turning back to Bella, who had lost what color she had regained from earlier. "Don't mind them. Sorry I won't be able to really participate in the wedding like we hoped."

"It's okay! Really! Alice is acting in your place now. Just focus on getting better," Bella assured me.

"Actually, I may have some good news for you on that front," Carlisle said, walking into the room. "Bella's wedding isn't for another five days, and as long as you are careful and take things slow, you may still be able to act as her maid of honor."

I lit up. "Really? You're serious?"

"Yes. But you have to be careful and not overexert yourself. These next few days are critical in your healing process. But yes, you should be well enough to participate in Bella's wedding on Sunday," Carlisle said with a smile.

"That's great news!" Bella said happily, shooting me a smile.

"You're sure it won't be too much for her?" Marcus asked, his worried eyes darting towards where I lay.

"It shouldn't be, but only time will tell. Hopefully this will act as a good incentive for you to stay in bed for at least another thirty-six hours, Rowan," Carlisle said sternly.

I saluted him with my good arm. "It certainly does, Carlisle."

"Good. I'll leave you to chat with Bella," Carlisle said, giving me another smile before leaving the room.

"Caius, could you help me sit up?" I asked. Talking to everyone while laying down felt awkward.

"Of course, amore. Careful with your ribs, let me know if anything hurts," he said, gently guiding me up into a sitting position. Aro and Marcus darted forward to fix the pillows so I could lean on them more comfortably.

"Thank you," I said, shooting them smiles. "Do you mind leaving the room for a few minutes so Bella and I can talk?"

Caius opened his mouth to object, but Marcus spoke before his brother could get a word in. "Not at all, tesoro. Brothers?"

"Call if you need anything," Aro said, squeezing my hand and giving Caius a pointed look. "Brother?"

"I am coming. As Aro said, we'll be close if you need anything," Caius said before begrudgingly standing and following his brothers out of the room.

I patted the space that Caius vacated, and Bella sat beside me. "I saw you were a little uncomfortable."

"Thanks. They were making me a little nervous," she said with an awkward laugh. "You really are feeling okay, then?"

"I'm alright. Everything hurts a little, but I'm on the mend. You heard Carlisle, I'll be fine and back to bugging you before you know it," I said, shooting her a grin. "Like I said earlier, none of what happened was your fault. Please don't blame yourself, Bells."

Bella smiled faintly. "I can't help it. I feel responsible for what happened."

"Well, don't. As long as my father was alive, he was a threat. This was a long time coming. I just didn't have the strength to do what had to be done before," I said firmly.

"What had to be done..." Bella said slowly.

"Edward didn't tell you?"

"He told me your father had been killed. He didn't say how. I assumed one of your mates had killed him."

I seriously needed to have a chat with my brother about sharing important information with Bella. "That's not exactly how it happened, Bella."

"Then what did happen, Rowan?"

I briefly shut my eyes, my father's dead eyes burning in my memory. "I killed him, Bella."

"W-What? I don't understand," Bella stammered.

"We do what has to be done to survive, Bella, and we always have. You did with James. I did with my father. It doesn't make us lesser, or evil. It makes us human. And let's be honest. He deserved it."

I could tell by her voice that she had many questions, but she only asked one. One that I had been asking myself since I woke in the hospital. "Do you regret it?"

I let out a slow breath and opened my eyes. "I thought I did. But I don't."

"And you shouldn't." I jerked slightly in surprise at the new voice, and looked over to see Demetri leaning against the doorframe. "In fact, I'd be more concerned if you did."

I smiled slightly. "Anything, wrong, Demetri?"

"Not at all, but I wanted to stop in and say goodbye before I leave for Volterra," he explained.

"You're leaving?"

"Yes, Master Aro wants me to take Renata's place in the stand-in ruling body at Volterra. She and Afton will be coming here in my stead," he said.

"I'm sorry to see you go, but I'm sure you'll do great. And I'll see you soon enough, I'm sure," I said.

He grinned at me. "You can count on it, my queen. I'll leave you to your conversation, as I have a private jet to catch."

I blinked. "Doesn't your jet wait until you're there to take off?"

"You know what I mean," he said. "Feel better soon, my queen."

"Of course. Be careful out there," I said.

He winked and gave me a half-bow. "Always am."

"The guard doesn't intimidate you at all?" Bella asked after he left.

"Nah. They act scary, but they're all very chill."

"I'll, uh, take your word for it then."

I laughed. "Anyway, since I'm your maid of honor again, it's my job to inform you that you will be having a bachelorette party."

"I'll what?"

"We can't do strippers for obvious reasons, but I figured watching Colin Firth during the lake scene of Pride and Prejudice is practically the same thing, so that's what we'll be doing."

Bella giggled. "You know me so well."

"With my maid of honor powers back, I can put a halt to any party Alice may have planned, too. You're welcome."

"Oh, thank God."

The Denalis arrived the following afternoon. It was decided that, since the kings needed to go hunting anyway, they would travel to Seattle for the afternoon and evening, giving me ample time to explain the situation to my extended family as I saw fit.

"Ah, Rowan, mi sombrita, you look terrible," Auntie Carmen said when she saw me. The other Denalis followed shortly after.

"I look worse than I feel, tía. Regardless, I will live," I said with a smile.

"We were so worried about you, but Carlisle said not to come until now," Tanya told me, her eyebrows drawn together as she surveyed me. "I shouldn't have listened to him, we should have come sooner to give you company and cheer you up!"

"Don't worry, she's had plenty of company," Emmett drawled with a smirk. I shot him a glare.

"Well I should hope so, considering what she's been through," Kate responded, mirroring my expression towards him. I grinned at her. Kate had always been my favorite of them all.

"You have grown into such a strong young woman, sombrita. We considered coming to your graduation, but Tanya felt it would attract too much attention, and I agree," Uncle Eleazar said. "But Esme was kind enough to send us some pictures and a recording of your speech."

"It was excellent," Kate said. "Have you decided on where you are going to college yet? No one has mentioned."

"I've decided to take a gap year and figure things out. With everything that's happened, I feel like it's best. Plus, I'll have to do a lot of physical therapy with my shoulder in order to ensure that I regain full movement. Carlisle said it will always give me at least some amount of pain for as long as I'm still human."

"And the Volturi took no action against you, having learned about you from when Edward traveled there?" Uncle Eleazar asked, curious.

"Actually, I went with them," I said.

Tanya stared at me in surprise. "And you're still human?"

"There were some... extenuating circumstances," I said.

Kate raised her eyebrows. She knew me well enough to know I was hiding something from them. "And those circumstances are..."

I cleared my throat. "I'm their mate."

"What?" They exclaimed in varying degrees of unison, before all beginning to talk at once.

"Settle down!" Emmett boomed when he realized I was becoming overwhelmed. "One at a time."

"Thanks," I said, relieved. It was hard enough having to explain the scenario to my family, so the Denali's reactions weren't at all surprising.

"Perhaps it would be best if you started from the beginning, Rowan," Kate said calmly.

"Alright. But only if you promise not to interrupt," I said.

Tanya nodded. "We won't."

I launched into the story, starting with how I had persuaded Alice to take me to Volterra with her and Bella and concluding with the events of the past few days. "They're supposed to be back from Seattle late tonight or early tomorrow, so they'll meet you properly then."

"I'm surprised they agreed to leave with us arriving," Uncle Eleazar remarked, almost thoughtlessly.

"We're happy that you found your mates, Rowan, of course," Tanya said. "It's just... unexpected."

"I understand. It was a lot for me to take in, too," I admitted with a grin. "So long as you don't see me any differently."

"Of course not, sombrita," Auntie Carmen soothed, patting my knee. "You'll always be family to us."

"Now that everything's all out in the open, you should leave Rowan to rest. It's best if the kings meet you while she's awake," Emmett said. I opened my mouth to object against being tired but he shot me a stern look. "That's an order, young lady."

I let out a groan that was perhaps more dramatic than necessary. "I'll help you get comfortable," Kate said as the family dispersed. "Irina really wanted to come, you know."

"She still could," I said, frowning. "I'd like to see her."

"I know. But I don't think she's ready to face Edward and Bella yet. Especially considering she holds a certain amount of bitterness towards them still. But she wanted me to tell you to give her a call, and that she misses you," Kate said as she helped me recline.

"I wish things could have been different," I said with a sigh, staring at the ceiling.

"We all must make our own choices. Follow our own paths. Laurent chose to side with Victoria. I say, and Tanya agrees, that he was gone before we ever met him."

"It's a pity, though. I think we could have been friends."

"A pity, indeed. But there's no use dwelling on the past. We can't go back and we can't change it. We must trek on. Get some rest now, one of us will wake you when the kings arrive," Kate said, giving me a soft smile and straightening up.

"Thanks, Kate." I said, returning her smile. She moved towards the door. "Oh, Kate?"

She paused. "Hmm?"

"I'm glad you're here. I missed you guys."

"We missed you too, Rowan."

Edited 6/26/2021