Liberty for Wolves

Part One: The Cold

Chapter Two: The Thaw

'Liberty for wolves is death to the lambs.' – Isaiah Berlin

LFW

Life is difficult when you're always running; no matter how hard you fight to keep a secret silent, it always escapes into the ears of strangers. And those strangers don't love you; for your secret, those strangers will hunt you, beat you… kill you. Or, at least they'll try.

LFW

bella:

he was strange, this man. he was so cold, and hard, and fast, and strong… he wasn't normal. almost like how i'm not normal, but different, too. he promised me warmth, and in this endless cold, how could i deny myself this chance? when even my family – the family i loved still, despite their betrayal – would deny me entrance into the warmth, how could he possibly give it to me?

what made him so special to me?

LFW

Edward

The minds of my family were confused; I could see flashes of a conversation, and I realized that Alice had seen this and told them what was coming. I don't think she fully understood what had occurred, though; she just thought I had found a wolf in the woods and decided to play nice instead of eating it. I smirked briefly, feeling vaguely triumphant at how I had finally gotten something past her sight without her fully comprehending what I was doing. But I was more focused on the beauty in my arms.

I didn't look at them as I ran into the house; I headed straight for the couch, grabbing the blanket off the back of it and wrapping my mate up in it. I settled her down into the soft, warm cushions, and then turned on the heater on the wall beside it.

I continued ignoring them as I settled down beside her, watching desperately as her cold body reacted to the new found warmth. She was shivering violently as the major difference in temperature registered. I could only watch her in silence as she warmed up, longing to touch her but knowing my cold skin would not help.

It was only when her shivers began to die down, the ice from her fur melting onto the sofa – though, to Esme's credit, she wasn't worried about it at all – that my family began talking.

"So…" Emmett began; it figured he would be the first to break to silence. "You brought home a snack. Nice."

I couldn't help but growl lightly. "We will not be eating her."

He held his hands up in front of him in a placating gesture. "Okay, okay; whatever you say, bro."

They stood still for a moment longer, and I could hear them deliberating what to say. Carlisle, of course, was the next to step forward after giving some thought to the confusing – to them – matter.

"What is the meaning of this, Edward?" he asked, motioning towards my beauty, who was now no longer shaking, but instead seemed to be trying to make her way closer to me. The sight warmed my heart.

I paused before answering, realizing that there was no 'easy' way to say this. I had to go with the straight truth. "She's my mate, Carlisle; my imprint. I had to bring her home."

They were frozen, just as they were frozen in time. The shock seemed to clear their minds, leaving them unable to process the news I had just delivered to them until it wore off. I had to admit, if I was in their places, I would be shocked, too.

Oh, Edward, Esme's mind called out to me in this endless moment. He's been alone too long…

"I'm not making it up," I half-snarled. "She's my mate."

"But how can she be, son; she is... well…"

"Nothing but a dog," Rosalie growled, glaring at my perfect creature. As I had seen them all do for their mates before, the instinct to protect and defend my mate kicked in.

I stood up in my blonde sister's face, getting as close to her as I dared. I could see from her thoughts that my eyes were black with anger. "She is not a dog, Rose," I said calmly, darkly. "She is my mate, and you'd do well to respect that."

She didn't say anything, just continued to glare. I would have stood there all night until she backed down, but Alice's quiet question managed to catch my attention.

"You're being real about this, aren't you?"

I turned towards her, searching her eyes and mind for anything negative. I couldn't find any, just curiosity and wonder. I sighed, relaxing. "Yes, I am." I turned back towards the couch, smiling slightly as I realized that my wolf beauty had sat up a bit, and was now laying down with her head up, looking at me with the deepest brown eyes I had ever seen, human or not. "She's my mate, Alice," I stated just for her, knowing how close she was to believing me.

I saw from the corner of my eye as my littlest sister turned as well, her eyes looking over my mate. Her mind paused on my wolf's eyes; she looks at him as if she loves him… It was just a fleeting thought, preposterous – because though she was my imprint, she wasn't human, she couldn't love as we could, not that that would stop me loving her – but it was enough for Alice. "I believe you, Edward; it's obvious she feels this connection, too. No other wild animal would trust one of us to take care of them."

"Thank you," I whispered, almost giving in to the longing to hug her for her belief, but Jasper interrupted any thought of it.

"If Alice believes you, then so do I." He half-smiled. "Congratulations, little brother. Even if the package is a little… unexpected. Besides, your feelings are pure, untainted; true."

I smiled and nodded; as soon as they heard Jasper's thoughts on the matter, my parents joined in. Emmett was soon to follow. It seemed that all of my family had accepted my beautiful wolf for what she was – my mate – except…

"Can't you just accept this, Rosalie?" I asked her, taking a step towards her. "Please, Rose."

She looked into my eyes, and I tried to give her time to think without my prying into her every thought. A moment later, she spoke. "You truly care of her, then?" Her voice held a hint of disgust, but I knew she was comparing her to the werewolves we detested so much from the nearby reservation.

"I truly do," I answered honestly, reaching forward for the first time and brushing my hair through the soft, but dirty, fur of my wolf. She let out a contented sigh, pushing her head closer to my hand. Even Rosalie couldn't help but smile.

My blonde sister stepped forward, beside me, and held out her hand until it was just in front of the wolf's face. She glanced at the hand, before gently licking it. My sister's smile grew, and I knew she was hooked. "Welcome to the family, puppy," she murmured.

LFW

Author's note: Does anybody else think it feels like I was trying too hard with this chapter? If you agree with me there, I must apologize. I'm still getting back into the swing of things, but I'm trying my best. Also, let's face it; not Strange Imprints story will ever go as smoothly as Play the Fox did. Fox is my masterpiece, and always will be.

If enough people are interested, I will be putting a poll up on my page about whether or not you would like to see me write a Before the Imprint story for this. Want to know more about wolf-Bella? Just take the poll!

Review, please, and remember me.