The first time I met Sam Uley, I knew that a calm haven had arrived. I was safe and nothing in the world would ever hurt me, or love me, with him around. I ignored the pull of my heart, however. He found me lost and scared in the woods, so deep in my depression and self-hatred that I barely registered what he looked like, much less who he was. My heart was shattered and I had no capacity to let another into my life.
That is, until Jacob Black came into my life. With Jacob, my heart slowly started to heal, but even then, there were gaping holes that he could just not fill. And then he began to ignore me. Sick with "Mono." As if anyone would believe that story. So my heart was once more torn apart, but this time the pieces were bigger and not completely in shambles.
It was in the meadow where my life changed in such a way that I could never go back to the way I use to be. I went there searching for closure. I knew that Edward hadn't really left me because I was a "distraction" but let's face it. He never wanted to spend the rest of his existence with me. It is a good thing that he got out now instead of torturing us both with knowing that the end would be coming soon and that we would be torn apart by death-my death.
The trek to the meadow was long and disastrous. I started out early in the morning, but didn't find it until just before sundown. As I stood there where we once lay together, falling for each other, I realized the magic of this place was no more. The magic of Edward was no more. I was free. And then, the tall shadow flowed out of the trees. He walked with a grace I recognized and a face I would never forget. "Laurent. What are you doing here?"
"Why, Bella! Fancy meeting you here. I wasn't expecting it."
"I thought you were going to be up in Alaska, with the Denali clan."
"I was, but I couldn't quite conform to their diet."
"You mean . . ."
"Yes. You have interrupted me in the middle of hunting and it looks like I will have to hunt no further. See, you should be grateful I found you and not Victoria. The things she wants to do to you are not for the faint of heart. However, you smell so delicious, like strawberries and freesia. I am going to enjoy my meal." I couldn't believe the things I was hearing. It was pissing me off. I had survived one vampire, the heartbreak of another, the abandonment of another boy, only to become dinner? My body started shaking like leaves in a hurricane.
"I don't think you want to do that. I have come too far to become a glorified mummy." Laurent looked at me strangely before springing.
It was at this time that my life changed. The shaking from before turned into a painful tearing and suddenly, I was lunging at him as well, my teeth sinking into his neck. Like a dog, I instinctually shook my head back and forth, ripping his head from his body. Then I dropped him and backed off.
Leaving what was left of Laurent, I dashed into the woods beyond the meadow. I found myself running. Always running and never stopping. What kept me going was the fact that I did not trip, I was not hindered by the fact that I had two scraggly legs. Instead, I was empowered by the raw force of four legs that knew better than I did how to go that extra mile.
Soon I came to the edge of a town. I slowed down and slunk in the shadows. I wanted to go home. I wanted to see my dad, Charlie, but most of all, I wanted to be human again. The thing was, I had no idea how I had become a wolf in the first place. I don't know what made me do it, but I found myself walking down the main street of La Push.
As I found myself standing in a deserted shopping center (it was a Sunday that day) I was suddenly surrounded by five other wolves like me. At first I cowered on the pavement and then straightened up. If I could fight off a blood thirsty, man eating vampire, than I can face down a pack of wolves! And then, the one in front of me, a pitch black wolf far larger than the others, transformed into a man, a very good looking, naked man who drew all of my focus to him. It was as though my world had been pitch-black and I was now able to see with the coming of the sun.
"My name is Sam, can you understand me?" I was shocked, so shocked that I relaxed my position and nodded. "Do you know where you are?" Again I nodded. "Can you please transform?" I shook my head. "Are you scared?" Again a shake. "Do you not know how?" I nodded. The rest of the wolves gasped in surprise. "Boys, go ahead and shift." He told the others. There in front of me were then four others, only one I recognized. I trotted over to where Jacob stood. And suddenly I shifted.
"Bella?" He gasped.
"Hi Jacob." I said and then slapped him. "I am going to go home. I don't want to speak to you." And then I turned and walked over to a pay phone and picked it up. Before I could start dialing, however, the phone was taken out of my hand by Sam.
"I can't let you leave."