Chapter One – Wind

The Wind. I feel it rushing past me as I move. It feels nice, soft, cool. Everything feels cool, the leaves brushing against my back, the wind in my face, the dirt beneath my paws…

I hear a howl, and I answer the call. My pack leader, the alpha, calls again, this time in my mind.

'Seth, is everything ok at your end?' Soft, rough voices fill my head. But this is normal. This is all part of being a werewolf, of being me.

'Everything is fine, Jake,' I reply, chuckling. My throaty, wolfish laugh causes birds to fly away. I watch them soar, floating on the wind.

I am happy.

I run again. The wind rustles through the trees and caresses my fur. I grin, my tongue lolling like a dog's. I reach the edge of the forest, spotting my mother waiting for news. I phase, my fur dissipating and my form compacting in on itself. It tingles.

I am human again. I push my fringe out of my face and pull on a pair of shorts. I then leave the peace and calm of the woods, and join my mother. I tell her all is well, and she smiles.

She pulls me into a hug.

'Thankyou, Seth. Thankyou for helping in the protection of our lives,' she murmurs.

I smile a small smile. I hug her back.

'Mum, it's no big deal. It's a part of being in the pack…'

'It is a big deal.' My mother contradicts me. 'You could have done what Leah did. Once the Cullens moved away, she gave up on the werewolf thing altogether. You know that. You could have done the same, but instead you risk your life to help. For that I am grateful.' Mum hugs me tighter.

I remember.

Bella and the Cullens left 6 months ago, to avoid the age suspicion. They keep in touch, coming back every week or so, but they make sure that no one knows, no one sees.

Since the ever-present threat was no longer ever-present, Leah, my sister, decided to quit phasing. She has started aging again and is loving life.

'Mum, being a werewolf is being me, don't thank me for being myself,' I say, hugging her and letting go.

'I will always thank you, the way I will always love you. But now I have to leave,' she says sadly.

'What? Why?' I ask, suddenly wary.

'Your father. I miss him so, and I know he must miss me. I dream of him, he calls to me, to be with me. It hurts him to be unable to be with us. It's unbearable.'

'But I don't understand,' I frown. 'Where are you going?'

My mother smiles.

'It's my time, Seth. My time to die. I am old, I have lived. Time is right for me to let my life slip so a new born child may take my place,' she says, and suddenly I understand.

'No! You can't! You can't leave me and Leah!' I say, crushing her against me, protecting her.

Mum laughs.

'I'm never gone for good. You will find me again, Seth. I love you…' With that, my mother breathes her last breath, utters one last goodbye, and dies in my arms.

I cry. Tears pour down my russet face. Anguished, I phase unconsciously. Anguished, I lay mum to the floor gently with my mouth.

Anguished, I race to the cliff tops, sit there and stare.

Anguished, I howl to the heavens, asking the ancestors for my mother back.

Anguished, I jump.

A.N. ~ Well, this is the first chapter of one of my many fifty - bazillion chapter long fics.

yeah.

Seth P.o.V., of course.

This is a birthday fic for my awesome friend Lena, who cried when she read it.

Lena : HEY! You said you weren't gonna mention that!

Oh... well, I better go before Lena kills me...

Just until next time!

Ja matta!

Jerri

Lena : I'M GONNA HURT YOU!

uh... oh...