A few more weeks had passed and we were so excited cause Alice saw another thunderstorm coming. Edward was going to bring Bella with him to the game. I was happy she was going but kinda upset cause that meant I wouldn't be able to phase with her around. That left me only able to play catcher, which sucked cause I loved running around in the field but it's fine I guess.

"Would you stop whining!" Edward groaned.

"Only if you stay out of my head! I didn't say anything out loud so you can't get mad at me!" I retorted banging my head against the Volvo window. After Edward heard about the liking that Charlie took to me he asked me to come with him to formally introduce himself to his girlfriend's father, "I'm just so glad that he's basically gonna like me more than you!" I squealed with glee.

He sent me an annoyed look but I just found it more funny because he knew it was gonna be true. When we parked the car I could hear them talking inside.

"Bring him in," I heard Charlie prompt as he fixed his gun. I held in more laughter.

"Could you be nice?" Bella asked him softly, "He's important," I gagged as she game to open the door I quickly smiled at her.

"I'm the backup," I greeted and she sent me a grateful look. I walked in first, "I heard you missed me already Charlie!" I strutted forward.

He sent a booming laugh my way, "Yes ma'am!" He gave me a one-armed hug before looking behind me to my brother, his smile disappearing to one of the overprotective father.

"Chief Swan. I wanted to formally introduce myself, I'm Edward Cullen," my brother extended his hand his face neutral.

Charlie shook his hand respectfully, "Hi Edward."

"Bella won't be out too late, she's just gonna play some baseball with me and my family."

I saw the look on Charlie's face. Bella doesn't do sports, "Bella's gonna play baseball?" He looked at me and I shrugged, scratching the back of his neck he chuckled, "Good luck with that."

Edward nodded, "I'll take good care of her, I promise."

Bella dragged my brother out without even a see-you-later to her father, I turned back to him and gave him a calm look, "Everything's gonna be fine Charlie," I assured him.

He nodded, "I'll hold you to that kid."

~

When we made it to the field Esme grabbed Bella lightly, "Glad you're here we need an umpire."

"She thinks we cheat!" Emmett smirked.

"I know you cheat!" She responded.

I went and grabbed the extra glove we got for me and went to stand behind Rosalie who would be up to bat first. The thunder boomed in the distance and I could feel the adrenaline kicking in.

"It's time!" Alice told us and prepared to pitch the ball.

It sucked that I couldn't really play. My position was merely a formality, no one ever really missed the ball. When the bat made contact with the ball, in that same instance there was a loud boom of thunder.

"Now I see why you need the storm," Bella noted and I laughed softly. I could see through the trees that Edward had the ball and he threw it right to me. I caught it just as Rosalie slid on home base. The two of us looked at Bella to call the play, "You're out," she told Rose reluctantly.

Emmet cheered, "Out! Woo!" Then when he saw his girl's face he backtracked, "Babe, c'mon it's just a game!"

Carlisle was safe on second base due to Edward and Emmett both launching themselves in the air and barreling into each other instead of catching the ball. It was a funny sight.

The game continued for a little while, Rosalie was back at bat when I smelled them. Of course I caught the scent first. It was only in my nature.

"Hold!" I yelled and everyone stopped when they'd heard the tone I was speaking with.

Everyone started running toward home plate were Esme, Bella and I stood, Alice knew what was happening, "They were leaving then they heard us."

Edward went directly to Bella, "Let's go," he turned and took a step toward the car.

"It's too late," Carlisle told him.

Edward ordered her to put her hair down and to stay behind him, "Like that'll help I can smell her from across the field," Rosalie scowled.

I looked round at them, "Guys, I'm not gonna be able to control myself-" I was a bit worried, I knew being around non-vegetarian vampires was enough to make me want to phase but I couldn't do it with Bella around.

Jasper came up to me, "I'll keep you in check," he promised, easing my anxiety somewhat.

The rest of us stood in a line as the strangers approached us. I was right in my original assessment, there were two men and one woman. The man in the middle was a brown-skinned man with dreadlocks, the other was as pale as Carlisle, with gold hair in a man pony-tail. The woman was pale with fire-red hair that was in tight curls. All three has scarlet red eyes. It reminded me of the eyes I'd seen of the vampires who killed my tribe, they were just missing the black robes. Jasper caught my momentary anger flare and calmed me down. My instinct to get mad and phase never faltered, but I held myself back for Bella's sake. If I had to fight in human form I was more than capable, but it felt unnatural for me to do so.

The vampire in the middle had a sinister smile as he held up one of our baseballs, "I believe this belongs to you," he stated as he tossed it to Carlisle.

"Thank you," He gave him a kind smile but I could tell he was on edge.

"I am Laurent," he introduced, "And this is Victoria and James," The look on Jame's face when he saw me, I knew they could smell me, as if my eyes weren't enough evidence. They knew the moment they approached us that I wasn't one of them.

"I'm Carlisle, and this is my family. I'm afraid your hunting activities have caused somewhat of a mess for us."

Laurent looked a bit shaken, "Our apologies, we did not realize this territory had been claimed."

Carlisle nodded, I was grateful he was taking on the role of spokesperson, "Yes, well, we maintain a permanent residence nearby."

At the word permanent the three nomads looked disbelieving, like it wasn't possible for someone of their kind to have a permanent home.

"Well we won't be a problem any more. We were just passing through," he promised.

Victoria smirked, "The humans were tracking us but we led them east. You should be safe..." her eyes also locked with mine, but she was more confused. As she didn't know what I was.

Laurent looked at Carlisle as if they were old buddies, "So- could you use three more players?" I looked at him harshly as were the rest of us. We were in no way comfortable being this close to these people and now they wanted to play with us? "Come on," he smiled, "Just one game."

Carlisle sighed, "Fine. A few of us were leaving, you can take their spots. We'll bat first," he tossed the ball back to Laurent.

Victoria intercepted it just as quick, "I'm the one with the wicked curveball," she taunted.

"Well I think we can handle that," Jasper and Emmett laughed clearly not threatened by her.

Victoria and Laurent turned to prepare for the game while James was locked on Bella curiously. Just as the both of them turned the wind blew at exactly the wrong time. It pulled Bella's scent in his direction and I saw him practically moan when he caught a whiff.

"You brought a snack," He turned back to Edward who quickly shielded Bella behind him.

I lunched in front of Edward protectively a loud growl ripping through my throat while the rest of my family hissed at him. I felt Jasper grab me roughly, I felt the shivers run down my spine, he was trying so hard to help keep me in control.

Carlisle spoke again, his voice not as friendly, "The girl is with us. I think it best if you leave."

There was a moment of intense silence before Laurent finally put his hands up, "We'll go now," he took some cautious steps back before noticing his comrades weren't following his example, "James," he snapped.

James was eyeing Bella with a frenzied hunger, he finally stood up and Victoria followed swiftly. He put his arm around her shoulders and hers went immediately around his waist as they walked away.

Once they were far enough away Carlisle ordered Edward to get Bella out of there. Then he turned to me, I was shaking it was getting harder to contain myself, Edward had already left with Bella so Carlisle gave me the okay. I took some steps away from then, not wanting to hurt anyone and let the shift happen. It felt like I was releasing my anger but I could smell their scents. They were prominent and my instincts were screaming at me to go after them.

"No Cate. We have to go home. Now," Carlisle told me.

I whined but I didn't fight it. Bolted toward the house letting the cold wind nick my fur. I was snarling like a rabid animal trying to get all my frustrations out. When I'd made it home the garage was open I walked in huffing. Esme was waiting for me, normally she didn't like me in wolf form in the house but I couldn't shift back. The fury was blinding.

"Bella and Edward are on their way here once they lead the tracker away from Charlie. Please phase back sweetie," she showed me the clothes she had ready for me.

Seeing her worried eyes looking at me, I felt myself phasing back, I sat there shaking. I slowly got dressed with her giving me some physical space incase I can't control myself.

"I'm fine Esme," I assured when I stood up, she took a relieved breath.

We started trying to figure out a plan when I smelled one of the nomads again. I growled and sped into the foyer where I saw Laurent. I felt anger ripple through again but Jasper held me back, he pulled me away and helped me calm down.

"Let me go!" I growled as I tried to get out of his grip which was useless since I was in human form.

He kept shushing me, "Cate, listen! He's talking to Carlisle, he's trying to help us!" He urged.

I stopped trying to rip myself away, my breathing was rapid and deep as I listened in on the calm and almost professional conversation the two vampires were having. He was giving us a heads up about James. James was going to track and hunt for Bella; knowing we would protect her has made it his most exciting and challenging hunt yet.

I'd calmed down enough to meet up with Edward and Bella when I'd heard them pull up. Needless to say, when he'd seen Laurent inside he reacted defensively; pulling Bella behind him.

"He came to warn us," I muttered looking at the ground annoyed.

Laurent watched Edward, "This isn't my fight, and I've grown tired of his games, but he's got unparalleled senses, absolutely lethal. I've never seen anything like him in my three hundred years. And the woman, Victoria, don't underestimate her," without another word he left. Hopefully it would be the last time I'd ever see him.

I looked over at Carlisle, "He's going to go spend some time with our friends up in Alaska."

I sighed, praying that Kate and her sisters would be able to turn him vegetarian. Then Emmett and Jasper grabbed me and brought me to the garage where everyone else was prepping.

"I've had to fight our kind before, they're not easy to kill."

"-But not impossible," Emmett agreed.

I couldn't help but think this was going to be a great bonding experience, "Fun! Family murder spree! Let's rip apart some vampires!" I joked keeping a serious look on my face as Edward followed in with Bella.

I knew that with Bella around it would limit the amount I would be able to contribute but even in human form I was a force to be reckoned with.

Carlisle looked at us solemnly, he didn't like that we were enjoying this, "I don't relish the thought of killing another creature, even a sadistic one like James."

I stood next to Rosalie who sat herself on the counter against the wall, "What if he kills one of us first?"

I cracked a knuckle, "He won't get the chance to."

"I'm gonna run Bella south. Can you lead the tracker away from here?" Edward asked.

Carlisle shook his head, "No, Edward. James knows you would never leave Bella. He'll follow you."

Alice stepped forward, "I'll go with Bella. Jasper and I can drive her south," it was clear to see the unease on his face, "I'll keep her safe," she promised.

"Can you keep your thoughts to yourself?" He asked her to which she hissed a yes and I furrowed my brows wondering what the hell she was thinking, "Rosalie, Esme, can you put these on so the tracker will pick up Bella's scent," He tossed the two of them articles of clothing that smelled exactly like her.

I knew I wasn't on the smell team, since Bella won't be around I was on the attack team. But besides the point, Rosalie looked back at Edward annoyed, "Why? What is she to me?" She questioned.

I huffed, "Sister you better open your eyes cause looks like the girl isn't going anywhere."

Carlisle put his hand on me, a sign to let him play peacemaker, "Rosalie, Bella is with Edward. She is part of this family now," he picked up the discarded jacket and extended it to her, "And we protect our family."

A moment passed before she begrudgingly took the jacket into her arms. We finished packing up the cars and let Bella get her "see you later" moment with Edward. Once Alice and Jasper left with Bella we got started on our little herding mission. While the others were leaving a false trail I was running round in my wolf form trying to find him. But it's a lot harder to track someone who's special skill is finding someone else.

By the time I'd finally caught a scent I realized I'd also caught the false Bella trail. What surprised me was he turned away from it. I started screaming in my head and Edward found me quickly.

"He's figured it out," He said aloud when the others met up with us.

I quickly ran off following James's scent. I stopped when I'd made it to the outer boarder of town, I shifted back and put on a tank top and shorts that I'd tied around my ankle, then I called Edward.

"He left town, Victoria wasn't with him," I reported.

"Alice had a vision, we think he's going to Phoenix. Rosalie and Esme are going back to protect Charlie. You should go catch up with them," he told me.

I scoffed, "Are you dumb? Or just stupid? No way in hell am I staying when I should be helping rip this guy apart! Don't forget I'm one of the strongest members of the family, you are not putting me on the bench!"

"Cate-" I heard Carlisle with his "reasoning" voice.

"No! I don't want to hear it!" I interrupted, "You're either coming to get me and we're going together OR I'll run to Phoenix by myself! I'm sure a giant white wolf running through a few states won't catch any attention at all!"

I heard Emmett laugh, "Calm down Cate, we're right here," I turned and saw the car pull over on the side of the road.

I climbed in next to Emmett in the backseat while Edward called Bella to give her an update, "I can't believe you guys were about to leave me behind," I hissed.

"It would only be for your protection," Carlisle whispered to minimize Edward's irritation.

Emmett put his arm around me comfortingly, "Yeah little sis, we don't want James taking a bite outta you now do we? You just joined the family we don't want you in any more danger than you already are."

I rolled my eyes, "You don't have to worry about me. This is my family too and I want to help protect it. Nothing bad will ever happen to me. I'm not gonna die anytime soon," I knew.

Emmett nodded and the four of us stayed quiet as we continued to Phoenix.