Chapter 1

"Jack, what did you do?" I stared in disbelief as my fiancé walked hesitantly into the living room, his eyes bright red in color. It had been over a year since he last killed a human. I thought he was more or less unaffected by their aroma now. Apparently I was wrong.

"I'm sorry, Cassy," he groaned. "I couldn't help it! I was in the middle of hunting, and there was only deer around, but then those stupid hikers had to move upwind and-"

"Jack, please don't blame the humans," I murmured, stroking his forehead. "You know they didn't think they were in danger. They would have been more careful if they did." He sighed.

"I know. I should have been more cautious. Maybe it's not such a good idea to let me hunt alone yet." We both laughed humorlessly.

"Were there any witnesses?" I asked quietly. After all, there were consequences on both sides if one of us slipped up.

"No," he said, shrinking into the couch. "I caught both of them." I suppressed a shudder. Humans may smell appetizing, but I couldn't imagine actually drinking their blood; it just seemed cruel. Well, not everyone had self control like Carlisle. Bella and I were the two exceptions.

"It's okay Jack," I crooned. "It won't happen again. You'll just have to have a hunting partner for a little while longer, that's all." He frowned.

"I wish you would be my hunting partner," he hinted. "I'd hate to annoy Tanya and Kate." I shivered involuntarily.

"Sorry Jack. I will not be a part of any hunting trip. Blood isn't very appealing to me anymore."

"Come on! The world isn't going to fall apart if you hurt one animal…" The look on my face had him quickly backtracking. "Okay, well you don't actually have to hunt. Just keep an eye on me and make sure I don't do something stupid." I smiled slightly.

"I don't want to watch an animal die, either. It's almost as bad as killing them myself." He huffed.

I sat on his lap and touched his cheek, enjoying the mixture of emotions that lit his face. The more dominant one was desire.

"I already am your partner in one way," I reminded him, flexing the fingers on my left hand and making the ring sparkle in the moonlight. It was a small silver band with little diamond flowers lining the top- something only a vampire could create- and a speckle of rubies to enhance the beauty. He had given it to me less than a week ago.

"Now if only everyone else knew that," he joked, kissing my neck lightly. Yes, I had managed to keep it a secret so far; not even Tanya or Kate knew yet. I figured Alice had seen the proposal, and I was glad that she hadn't called to tell my sisters, but it was unavoidable that she would visit sometime soon. It was easier to keep my parents in the dark.

They would have strongly disapproved of my decision- after all, I was only a junior in high school- and I would be grounded for life, if I ever told them. I figured I'd wait a few years before telling them and actually having the wedding. Their sanity was just as important as mine. I only wore the ring to make Jack feel better; I didn't want to hurt his feelings, but it did make the secret more difficult to keep.

He kissed up to my jaw and made his way to my mouth. I kissed him back for a moment, then pulled away when I heard footsteps prancing towards the room.

Alice burst through the door.

"Congratulations!" she squealed, looking at Jack and me. I rolled my eyes, unphased, while Jack nearly fell off the couch. "And thank you, Cassy, thank you thank you!" He gave me a questioning look, but I just shook my head. I had already decided I wanted Alice to do the wedding, since she was, apparently, an expert, but I wasn't about to explain this now, where a bunch of eavesdropping vampires lived. Alice had other ideas.

"I'm designing your wedding," she said to him. Then, seeing my expression, added, "Everyone's out hunting now. You two are the only ones who know I'm here." I sighed in relief. "I don't understand why you have to wait so long, though! I mean, who wants a wedding in college? Bella got married right out of high school, and she survived." I laughed. Bella wasn't exactly cooperative at the time, from what I'd heard. "Okay, okay, bad example. The point is, her parents should have been furious, even worse than yours might be, but they weren't. And I can't see how yours will react because you're so set on keeping it a secret."

"I can't take the chance of changing my mind."

"You'll never know how they'll respond."

"Does that mean I won't slip up?" She shut her mouth and narrowed her eyes. She knew perfectly well that if she answered that, she would never get her way. Of course, her silence was all the answer I needed; no, I won't slip up. I grinned.

"Fine," she groaned," I'll wait, but we're going to look for dresses tomorrow."

Just then I heard three pairs of footsteps enter the house. I jumped up and headed for the door.

"Wait," Alice whispered. "Can we at least tell them? They won't tell your parents." I sighed and nodded, then went into the other room.

"Hey," I said, "guess who decided to visit." She came in right behind me, and Tanya and Kate were immediately at her side.

"Alice!"

"What are you doing here?"

"How long have you been here?"

"How is Edward doing?"

"Please, Tanya, stay on topic!" I laughed and went over to stand by Jack and Garrett.

"My brother is fine," Alice said, trying to hide a smile, "and I've only been here for a few minutes. I actually came here to congratulate Cassandra, and to tell you why, since she obviously wasn't going to." If I could have blushed, I would have.

"What do you mean?" Tanya asked, eyeing me carefully.

"Jack proposed!"