Blue Moon

Prologue:

When I said I wanted my life to be like a fairy tale, I did not envision it like this.

They say be careful what you wish for but I clearly wasn't careful enough.

Seventeen years alive and its all come down to this.

Me and the big bad wolf.

In the stories I've read, the heroines were cunning, clever, and quick on their feet.

I was none of these things and I had but the deepest regret for not planning this out more thoroughly.

Sitting in a pool of glass I looked at the creature stalking toward me.

I have come face to face with death and like all those before me, I won't live to tell the tale.

Chapter 1: The Move

Rain poured down, splashing tumultuously across the windshield as we drove past Forks. This was a promising start. Not like anything bad ever happened late at night on a long road trip through a thunderstorm. The destination was La Push, a place I haven't seen in ten years let alone recognize.
My mom stopped taking me to visit when I was seven, after her and my dad had a falling out. I gave up on asking because she was far too prideful to let her family know about her disposition. La Push was always a sore subject for her so imagine my surprise when she announced that our little family of two was packing up and moving there. Part of me suspected that she could no longer afford to pay the rent on our home anymore while the other half hoped that maybe after ten years she misses her brother and her family. I'm not even sure if I'll recognize Rachel, Rebecca, and Jake when and if I see them again.

The past two days have been a cramped never ending car ride. The tension was high considering mom and I have been bickering non stop for the last couple hours. She was beyond tired from driving for hours on end yet refused to let me take over because I was "inexperienced" as she puts it. What was the point of even having my license then?
"Suit yourself," I mumbled as she went off on another lecture on how the death toll for teenagers have reached an all time high thanks to reckless drivers on the road. There was no point in trying to argue with someone as stubborn as Emmie Black. PUlling my hood over my head, I tuned out the rest of the rant and reached for my book.
To my dismay it was pitch dark out and the only source of light were the street lamps all the way back in Forks. The next best alternative was my phone light.
"Stop! You'll ruin your eyes and the glare is distracting," A hand came down and clamped my phone shut. I glared daggers at the stern faced woman behind the wheel. The clock flashed 3:16 a.m. on the dashboard. I was exhausted, cramped, and irritable.

"Theres nothing else to do!" I argued while I stuffed my phone back into the pocket of my hoodie, "And its too uncomfortable and stuffy to fall asleep."
She said nothing and just pursed her lips instead. I guess she was choosing to ignore me which was better than engaging in another argument. With my hood pulled over my eyes, I tried for the umpteenth time to go to sleep.

The heavy rain was actually soothing. It was preferable to the silence that had settled itself on the car once again. I stared out the window into the trees and nothingness from under my hood. Finally sleep overcame me. In about an hour I'll wake up to a new home and a new life on the reservation. I wonder if Jake will be happy to see me. He probably won't even recognize me since its been about a decade. From what I could remember, he was scrawny and gangly. Tall and awkward with hair even longer than mine pulled back into a ponytail.

There was mixed feelings about this sudden move. To be uprooted from the only home you ever knew and set on a destination toward a place you don't even remember? No one can blame me for the sense of dread I now felt. I wouldn't be surprised if Uncle Billy and everyone else turned us away at the door. We haven't exactly been a warm welcoming family to each other.

"Teddy" I groaned involuntarily and curled up tighter against the passenger door.

"Pititchu," I could feel my mom slowing down. She pulled to a stop and gently pulled back my hood. "I'm tired. Do you mind driving the rest of the way?" She asked softly stroking my hair.

My mom must have been really tired to finally cave in and let me drive. I got out and stretched before switching sides with her. My glasses were in the glove compartment. They were the first thing my mom handed to me before I started driving. The rain had died down but it was still drizzling outside. The clouds had dispersed letting the moonlight shine down illuminating the road. It was a full moon tonight. The werewolves must be out. Hah! if such a thing even existed.

"AWHUUUUULLLLLL!" A howl rang out from far away in the woods as if to contradict my statement. I glanced over to see if the noise woke my mom up, but she was sound asleep. She looked so peaceful and at ease. She never had a quiet moment since dad walked out of our lives because she was always on her feet taking up two jobs and shifts to raise me, her pititchu.

Pitituchu was the only word in our native language that I ever heard my mom use. She called me 'moon' because I was the light in her life and also I was born on the night of a full moon. It was a pet name that she hasn't called me since I was little.

Lost in thought I didn't know how thick the fog came down until I could barely see three feet in front of the car. I cursed silently and turned on the high beam headlights. The rain had stopped and now I was driving through an endless cloud of fog. The trees were obscure, their branches were reaching out silhouetted against the condensation like bony skeletal fingers. It was too quiet now. The deafening silence felt eerie. I sighed and pressed down harder on the pedal. It might have not been the smartest idea but I wanted to get to our destination faster. I didn't want to be driving on an empty dark road anymore.

There was a groan.

I heard the noise again but it was deeper, more guttural this time. Then a pair of dark red eyes appeared and I saw the form of what looked like a large mutant black bear come out of the fog. The car was headed for this great giant beast.

"MOM! MOM! PLEASE WAKE UP!" Did that voice belong to me? It sounded way too meek and shrill.

My mom stirred and opened her eyes. In a panic I swerved the car to avoid the animal gripping the steering wheel so tight my knuckles turned white. I veered the car as far to the right as I could praying this wouldn't end badly. The car lurched and emitted a loud screech before going off the road and into a ditch. Smoke came out and the air bag deployed into our faces. We were both breathing hard. The only sound that could heard was us trying to catch our breath. No more howls. No more growls.

I looked over toward my mom and instantly regretted it. She was furious very very furious. Her stare was so cold and harsh I could have froze to death. She was still breathing hard and tugging on the scarf around her neck.

"WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?!" She wasn't too angry for words anymore. I got an earful.

"I never should have trusted you to drive!"

"There was a huge bear in the road! What did you expect me to do?!"

"You are irresponsible and reckless! And letting you drive was a mistake."

"Coming here was a mistake!"

"Don't you take that tone with me. This was a big sacrifice on my par-" My mom was interrupted by someone opening the car door.

"Is anyone hurt? What happened?" came a steep masculine voice. It was near my mom's side of the car. A boy with close cropped hair poked his head in to look at us. I couldn't see his whole body but from the looks of it, he seemed huge. Like outrageously steroid size huge.

My glasses had fallen off and I was feeling around the car for them when someone thrusted the cracked tortoise shell frames into my hands.

"Looking for these?" A broad young man perhaps in his early twenties was looking down at me. Behind him stood another boy, shorter but quite tall and muscular just the same. This one had his arms crossed. They were both half naked! Dressed in cut offs. The one addressing me wore flip flops while the shorter one wore sneakers.

"Yes.. Thank you," I replied distractedly. I just crashed the car and now here are two half naked boys with god like muscles come to the rescue. I must have either hit my head hard or died and this is heaven. I cleared my throat and spoke again. "My mom and I were headed for La Push when a bear came out of nowhere on the road. I swerved to avoid it of course and we kinda ended up in this ditch. Our family lives here. Do you know Billy Bla-"

"We just need the number of a mechanic and can you please direct us toward the La Push Inn? How far is it from here?" My mom interrupted giving me a look that meant shut your mouth.

"This looks pretty serious please let us help. The nearest mechanic doesn't open until morning," the shorter boy spoke up as he stepped closer to the car.

"Yeah, we'll can get a doctor if either or you are hurt," said the boy who handed me my glasses.

"Wait! Did you say you knew Billy Black?" The boy standing by the passenger side interjected. "He's my father."

"Jake?!" I climbed out of the car ignoring the outstretched hand trying to help me up.

The boys all exchanged confused looks amongst one another. My mom climbed out of the car as well letting Jake -or who I assumed to be my cousin- help her out.

"You don't look familiar..I don't recognize.." He trailed off. "Oh wait!"

"Its Teddy." I replied flatly embarrassed that he didn't remember me. He probably didn't know that we were coming.

"Teddy! Of course!" Jake pulled my mom and me over and embraced us in a tight bear hug. It must have been below 50 out but his body felt scorching hot. I could feel the heat permeating through my sweater and shirt and I'm sure my mom did too. The other boys stood off to the side awkwardly.

Letting go Jake gestured toward the boys standing to the side. "I don't know if you remember them or if they remember you too well but thats Embry and Paul." He then directed his attention toward my mom, "Aunt Emmie I didn't know you and Teddy were coming. What a nice surprise. errrggh- he looked toward the mess- I'm sure dad will be glad to see you two. It's been years!"

"No.. no its perfectly fine. We'll see your dad another day. Theres a room I already reserved at the La Push inn," My mom tried to ease out of the offer. She hadn't been very honest with me. I glared at her and offered no help out of this uncomfortable situation. They didn't even know we were coming and she just lied right to Jake's face! Ohohoho She can get out of this one on her own. I was mad, beyond mad.

"Rachel and Rebecca are away for college. Theres plenty of room at home for you both," Jake insisted pulling us over toward the side of the road.

"Listen, I just texted Quil," Paul held up his phone, "and hes on the way. Jake and Embry will get a tow truck to get the car out of the ditch and over to the shop." He looked my way and gave me and wry smile. I suddenly forgot why I was mad.

Thankfully Quil arrived within a few minutes sparing everyone the awkwardness that came over the situation. My mom long gave up protesting and just climbed into the passenger seat quietly as the boys piled stuff from our beaten up car into the back of Quil's truck. I tried to help but Jake wouldn't let me and it looked like they were doing fine without me. They carried our boxes of stuff like it was a pile of pillows. All four boys were toned and rippling with muscles. They must be on steriods.

"Theres so much stuff. Did you guys pack your whole house with you?" Jake joked patting the back of the truck.

I smiled weakly. Ironically we did but I'm sure he doesn't even know we planned on moving here let alone visit. Paul was riding back with us to help bring all the luggage into Billy's house. Not that I minded since I got to sit with him in the back. I kept stealing glances at him on the ride to Uncle Billy's. Puberty treated him well, very well. When I was 7 I had the biggest crush on him and my days were spent trying to tag along after him and Jake. Paul was 12 at the time and had zero interests in girls. Quil and Embry matured alot too. They looked nothing like the scrawny boys I used to play in the woods with. Quil was my age I think give or take a year but looking at him in the rear view he could pass off for a twenty year old.

Quil's gaze met mine in the rear view mirror and before I could look away he spoke up. "Well, look who finally came back to visit. What brings you back here?"

"Uhh.. we're moving here." I blurted. A sharp pain ran through my shin. I peered down and saw that my mom reached back and grabbed my right leg, digging her nails in. Uh oh guess I made a mistake, but what else could I have done? I couldn't lie. They'd know in a few months when we were still here.

"You are?" Paul turned away from the window to look at me, genuinely shocked. I don't know if this was meant to be good or bad but I instantly regretted saying anything because alot of this was unexpected even on my part since my mom 'forgot' to inform me that our distant family had no idea we were even moving here. As far as they knew up until now, we could have been dead.

"Hey! This sure makes senior year alot more interesting. You'll be going to La Push high with Claire, Seth, Colin, Brady, and I. You can meet them tomorrow or something. We have to get you registered first since school starts monday." Quil babbled on and on.

I pulled my leg out of my mother's death grip just as we rolled up in front of a beige two story house. The Black residence looked even cozier than I pictured. There was a little black mail box on the right of the drive way and two small flower beds on either side of the door. The front door didn't have steps but rather a little ramp. Off to the side toward the back of the house was a brick red shed. The memories were slowly coming back to me.

Quil ran to knock on the door while Paul went around the back to get all the baggage unloaded. I climbed out and walked with my mom up the drive way. She refused to meet my eyes and instead looked forward at the solid oak door.

There was a creak as the door opened revealing a disgruntled man who appeared to be in his fifties. He was in a wheel chair. This can't be uncle Billy. The uncle I remembered wasn't wheelchair bound and didn't look this tired and weary. His expression changed to disbelief and happiness as he took in the unexpected guests standing at his door.

"Taha Aki it can't be," he muttered, "Emmie is that you?" The door opened wider and he beckoned us in.

"Its been years since you came down here. Teddy's gotten so big!"

"Yeah, its been awhile. Sorry for the intrusion. I planned on staying at the inn and dropping by to visit at a more reasonable hour but there was a slight change on plans thanks to Teddy's careless driving." I glowered at my mom. Sure blame me when you've done alot worse.

"Not at all! Please stay here instead. Stay as long as you want. Its good to see you both again."

Paul unloaded the last of our belongings in the living room as my mom and Uncle Billy settled down at the kitchen counter. I turned around to thank him but he was already in the car with Quil backing out of the drive way. Waving, I shut the door and joined my mom and uncle at the table. They were making small talk about the reservation and how life had been for us in California. As if small talk made up for ten years of distance.

It was now around 4 a.m. in the morning and I was a zombie. Uncle Billy directed me toward Rachel's room upstairs and gave me the 411 on where everything in the house was. Climbing the stairs was like hiking up mount Everett when you're as tired out as I was. Sucks for me because Rachel's room was all the way down at the end of the hall too. I didn't even change or unpack. After brushing my teeth I hopped right into bed and was out like a light.

"AWHOOOOOOO!" I sat up startled and grappled around for my phone. The digital clock flashed 4:27. I just couldn't catch a break. What kind of animal would be up at this hour? Maybe my pillow will muffle out the noise.

"Way to go Embry! You caused an accident earlier. You know better than to run out onto the road." A voice hissed.

"Dude it wasn't me. Ask Paul yourself! I was covering Quil's shift since he went to visit Claire" another voice responded in frustration.

"Well if it wasn't you who was it? That was suppose to be your post."

"How the hell should I know?!" came an exasperated reply.

The voices were coming from outside down below. It sounded like Jake and Embry. I couldn't get a better look since the window was open just a crack. I put my hands under the window and pushed up. At first the window wouldn't budge but then it gave a loud squeal and slid open wider. Embry and Jake's head immediately snapped up toward the direction of the second story window. Shoot! They heard me. I laid down flattening myself out on the bed hoping they didn't see me.

"Shit! We were too loud." Jake hissed.

"Let's go before we wake anyone else up. Besides, Sam wants us to meet up."

I sat up just in time to see them both disappear into the forrest. What the hell is going on? It's five in the morning. Anyone in their right mind would be in bed not running around half naked.