Daughter of The Blood

Summery:

Ash has built herself up away from her real talents. She's something she was never meant to be. Admired for her rebelliousness by the world around her, she's made for freedom. So why is this runaway suddenly the main player in a Pack Boy's personnel game.

Prologue:

Ash Stoner, the runaway orphan finally has everything she's always wanted. A career in the bag, the look of a million dollars, and a promising future. But when her adoptive parents decide that maybe it's time for this beautiful show star to take a break, La Push might prove a little to much for the rich girl that has learned to take on everything thrown her way.

Even though Ash Stoner has taken the wrong turn once or twice, her parents still seem to find ties to her, even if Ash doesn't want them. But there's always a reason to find a way back home. Whether it be your family or skills, your weaknesses, or the fact you have something no other person can even imagine.

When you build yourself up from nothing, you have to be a special someone to do so. But Ash has built herself up away from her true talent, into something she was never meant to be. So how can you be expected to face everyone back home when your not where you should really be?

Jarred, Ash's brother has always taken center stage to everything she's ever accomplished or done. But that's okay now, Ash has her own life she has built for herself. But even when depressing and unexplained memories from her days in La Push haunt her dreams… this snazzy superstar may find out she's capable of more then she leads on.

Now, everything's changed. Ash has to take who she's become and turn herself around. New look, new personality, new attitude, new name, from now on… everything will have to change.

But when Ash finally finds the one person tying her to her home, can she find it in herself to pursue her dream? Or will her feelings mask over everything she has finally been given back.

And how will small town La Push put up with a show superstar? Or is Ash different from all the others?

Chapter One:

"… so as life moves faster and faster, we need to make a choice. To move faster with it, or to step off every now and then. To marvel at the wonders around us, to take in signs and sounds, and remember just how beautiful life really is. Decide what you want to do… stop, slow down, and take a deep breath, or see life flash before your eyes." her eyes flashed brilliantly as she spoke to the crowd before her. Hundreds upon hundreds of people sat across the room facing her, watching and listening in wonder as her words scared the minds of the people listening and left them wondering what really goes through the mind of Ash Stoner.

Hair as white as the clouds above, and eyes as grey and stormy as the seas below. She was petite and beautiful, like a dark princess. Her very appearance demanded the attention of everyone around her. Pure pride and mystery glowed through her entire body and as she stood before everyone with her head held high, Ash Stoner proved to be intimidating to a point where there wasn't one person that dared to look her in the eye. It was as if she weren't afraid of who she was, she looked onto the world as a challenge to take down, not one to shy away from.

I bid my last goodbye to the people of New York, and exited stage right, the exact way I had practiced. That was how it had been for me. Practice and write, sing and pose. I speak of slowing down to take in life around me, the sights and sounds, the wonders and discoveries, but as I preach to these people before me, I can't help but know that I've never truly taken the time to stop and step off the track of life to embrace what I really have around me either.

Everything becomes a rush. We rush too much to keep anything simple any more. We work too hard, move too fast, and no one takes the time to find the place where they can take things as they come and forget our hectic lives behind us. It's human nature to plan ahead, but sometimes our best ideas come when there's no plan at all. When we just go with the flow, and let the day unfold as it was meant to be.

That is the way life should be, the way it's meant to be.

People rushed around me in a blur of black and white. Editors, make up artists, wardrobe, camera maintenance. This was how things had planned out for my life. It had started as a unruly act of rebellion. I was the new kid, the freak. I had the too pale skin, and that voice. I stuck out like a sore thumb in school and even at home, I was the orphan, the forgotten.

At first I had been great. I had been given a second chance to live like every child wishes too. My new parents were everything I could have ever imagined. Sweet and kind, pleasant and supportive. They son wasn't bad either. He was rowdy around his friends, with an outgoing personality. We were treated as equals, I felt for the first time in ages, as if I really belonged. That was when everything changed.

Jared Creek was the blood son of Maggie and Joseph Creek. We met when I were around seven. Fireworks never lit, nor did our attitudes. In time we learnt to live with each other, but it would never be the same as blood brothers and sisters. We couldn't make it work between us.

Jarred began to get bigger and bigger, I wasn't aloud to go out because mom and dad couldn't take me anywhere. The forest had then become off limits. I was hardly ever aloud home, always being sent to Jarred's friends houses and their aunt's and uncle's homes.

He began to become more and more protective of the family, well… almost all the family. I became the outcast once again. Only blood relatives and natives of the village were that of importance to him and his pack. As long as I wasn't having a near death experience, I didn't exist. Jarred was much older then I was, so it wasn't as if he treated me the best anyways, but it still hurt. I was starting to become less and less important, people started to forget who Ash was, and why she was here. Running away seemed like the perfect opportunity to get out while I still could.

I had been hurt too much to return home that fast. But I will never be able to forget the call I made for the first time. I had managed to get myself to Seattle. The payphone wasn't the best, but it was still a call home. Mom and dad seemed worried at first. But that changed in a blink of an eye. They started asking if this were my final decision, so when I replied yes. They weren't upset at all. Their first words to each other were, 'I wonder if Jared is okay.' As if this were just any normal phone conversation and I couldn't hear through the phone they forgot to cover.

They weren't concerned how far I had gotten or where I was. As long as I called once a week, they weren't fussed where I was or what I was doing. It was reassuring to know they cared to an extent, but I had been let down so many times before, and non hurt to the level that this did.

So I moved on, found my way around the city, became familiar with some generous people. And found my way around a talent no one had ever experienced before. I had taken my life and built it up from the ground. Escaped from the small town of La Push and made a name for myself.

I hadn't even been back to my hometown in ten years, everything was just to much. Not that it made a difference, I wasn't related to the people regardless. They were my adoptive parents, the family I had been given too.

Thoughts of my life back home in La Push invaded my head as I kissed my editors goodbye and waved one last time to the people that made it all happen. I walked out to the parking lot where my car sat before me in the rain. It was humid and hot, a recipe for disaster but a good day for the bugs lurking around. The pavement was wet and full of puddles, forcing me to zigzag across the cement in a ridiculous looking dance.

The drive was quiet, hot and humid. The steady hum of the vehicle was pleasant and calming, if it not for my jumbled thoughts being thrown around with the wild air as it flashed in and out of the windows one hundred miles per second, and as I neared my small house, I found a car in the driveway I didn't expect to see.

Stepping out cautiously, I found I was steadily pacing myself when I neared my front door. Whether or not for an attack or a get away run, the plan running through my mind seemed to work out either way. The door clicked open as I turned the knob. Getting an uneasy feeling wash over my body, I stepped into the house and held my breath, afraid of what I might find. But to my surprise… everything was silent. Which through me off even more. Walking through to the kitchen, I rounded the corner and jumped out from behind. But only to see my mother and father seated at the dining room table in front of me.

Screaming for dear life. I jumped high in the air and attacked my parents as they mimicked my actions. Why their sudden visit had forced me to react the way I did, I couldn't understand. The last time I checked, I had neglected to contact these people for a reason.

"Oh… uh… we… Hi!" my mother was at loss for words as her smiled beamed before me.

Laughing, I couldn't help but smirk as they sat me down and asked me all about my time here and how I had liked it. Time ceased to occur to me as I sat and listened to them talk of home and Jarred, the brother I had neglected to hear from for quite some time.

"So what brings you here?" I asked calmly what seemed like hours later as I sat across from my parents. Everything seemed fine for the Creek's. They were happy back in La Push, Jarred and his friends were doing well, still getting into trouble weaselling themselves out of it. But they seemed happy enough.

"Well…" this, started to worry me. Mom and dad looked at each other for support, and patting my mother's hand, dad looked almost as if he pitied me as I sat before him. It almost convinced me enough to begin yelling about my success and accomplishments, seeing as ever since I had turned seven, my parents had neglected to show any appreciation for me. Their time mainly consisted of seeing to it that Jarred received anything his heart desired. At first it seemed harmless, but it continued to grow, and as it did, it was a contributing factor in my leaving the little reserve of La Push.

"Ash, we've arranged for you to take a little break from your life and move back to La Push for a while." mom stopped and as she did, so did my heart. Everything felt so heavy and far away, as if the wait of the world was on my shoulders and I could do nothing but hold it up silently.

"Wh- What?" I asked breathlessly. My voice cracking under pressure. I felt as if fate were standing over me strangling the very life from my body.

"We know you like it here, and you like your career. But your father and I feel as though maybe you have become to used to this life. We want to give you a break, remind you of the world that's still out there. Plus, Jarred is going through some very hard times right now, he needs your support behind him to help him get through it all." of course, the first thought that popped into my mind. Of course, anything for Jarred. I was desperate, I didn't want to give up my career, but how could I say no to my parents?

"Mom, Dad… I've made my life here. I never fit in at La Push, and besides… you seem perfectly happy with just you three." I tried to keep my voice strong and firm, but it faltered from where I had set my standards.

"You can come back to it all Ash, but we need you now. And your family comes before your career. I'm sorry Ash. But it's time to pack. Your coming home." and with that, my parents stood from their chairs and left the room. Leaving me to drown in my own pity.

I had given up so much for this spot in my career and now my parents were asking me, no forcing me to move on and come home. To forget everything I've worked for and spend time at home. How could I refuse? Why couldn't I? There were so many answers to all these questions, so why were they so hard to find? The problem was, I was still of age… if they wanted me home.

Legally, it was what I had to do.

The sky was dark, dark and cloudy. As if it were holding back a massive downpour, giving the people one last minute to run from the vicious storm readying to attack. The only problem was, my vicious storm had already attacked. News of Ash Stoner's sudden disappearance had struck the media, and I was now a wanted celebrity, not in a bad way… but not in a good way on my terms all the same.

I was use to diversity in the weather areas, but a constant downpour of cloud and rain… there wasn't much of a chance I would prefer being outside to being inside.

Walking through the stages and halls of the airport, my feet felt as if they weighed a thousand pounds as I sauntered behind mom and dad throughout the terminal. Everything in my life was going to change. There was nothing here that held me to this place, no spark that kept me coming back, which is one of the reasons I had neglected too do so.

"Come on honey, I have a surprise for you." Mom's voice was like an alarm clock waking me from the sleep I desperately needed. I had no intention of seeing this place, and sleeping would have been a great escape if it were as easy as it sounded.

So an hour later, we stood outside a building with women flooding in and out. But an ordinary building it was not. This one was non other then a hair salon. A place where people would go to change their image, hide their real appearance. I wanted no partake in this event, I was happy the way I was.

"Mom, what are we doing here?" I stopped suddenly before entering the building in front of me, my tone cold, voicing clear dissatisfaction and disappointment. It was a good thing dad wasn't here, or he would see just how much his little girl had really changed since the last he saw me. Because at this point, it seemed as if though I had gone from the happy and pleasant memories of a kind and quiet seven year old, to a rebellious and unruly teen, all in one day.

"Honey, your famous. You can't have a normal life in La Push if everyone knows who you really are." mom chided me with her parental words and softened me with her deep brown eyes. I had never been good with people's innocent act, nor had I ever been able to turn a simple request such as this down. It was just hair, and as long as it wasn't anything to drastic, I could live with a little change.

"As long as I don't have to change myself that much." I sighed, allowing my mother to pull me towards the double doors and into the salon. The next couple of hours were a blur. From chair to chair I was pushed and prodded. Everything was moving to fast to keep track. My exhaustion had been bad from the plane ride and sudden news, but this new change was sending me to my final point of no return.

After hours of pulling and prodding, brushing and dying, I sat before the mirror with a single towel wrapped around my head. The towel seemed to be the last thing holding me back from the new Ash Stoner.

"Are you ready?" came the sickly sweet voice of the hair dressers' assistant. Nodding my head slowly, my eyes focused on the pale skin and black cotton of the towel before the lady unwrapped my head. The last thing I saw was a flashed of red and then black. The faint ringing of either my own, or someone else's scream rang in my ears continuously.

What felt like for ever later, my body and mind came around and as I heard the faint sound of my mother's voice. I saw the blur of black and white before my head was sitting right. The ceiling and light blinded me in their pale brightness as my eyes fluttered open and closed in utter shock for the moment it took me to concentrate on setting my thoughts straight.

Unconsciously, one of my hands flew to my head as I slowly raised into a sitting position, the room slightly spinning around me. Voices raided the air around me as I span on the spot, neglecting to listen to any of the concerned chatter around me. Feeling the curls under my fingers, I pulled a strand of hair in front of my face and found it would only reach so far.

Suddenly, everything had changed. The oxygen didn't seem to be enough to fill my lungs as I sat trying to gasp in enough air to keep me conscious. Kneeling beside me, I could hear the faint voice of my mother beside me, trying to comfort me into a better state. But I couldn't call her my mother now. I suppose it shouldn't be made into this big of a deal, but this was me my mother was trying to change. Who I was.

"Ash, Ash it isn't that bad. It looks really good. We'll get it died back in time, your hair will grow back to it's original length. Calm yourself down, it isn't that bad Ash." all her words were jumbled in my head. They meant nothing as I sat shocked. Breathing deeply, I found it in myself to settle my heart rate and keep my consciousness on check.

Easing to my seat with the help of the hair dresser and my mom, I spun away from the mirror in attempt to at least give myself a moment to control my feelings and get use to the idea. So spinning slowly on the turning chair, I held my breath as the mirror came into view and I saw every pleased face but my own, then my attention fled from their faces, to my hair.

The red, short locks of my hair. Taunting me with every died root. Every red piece of hair that was planted onto my head. They might as well of shaved it. All of it. Looking into the face of my mom, she nodded in encouragement, nodding back slowly, I looked from her to my hair and raised a hand to touch it once more. Just to make sure that it was indeed mine and not just a trick of the mind.

Clapping her hands, mom seemed to think that this was a step towards me liking and accepting the new look. Accept… I knew there was no escape from the truth, but like… I had no intention of liking or even getting use to this colour and cut for a while now.

As mom burst into conversation with the people around her, my mind blanked and all I could think about was how a pale, carrot head would ever fit into La Push Washington. It seemed impossible at this point. Forever it felt as I sat their just starring at my hair and face. Grey eyes and red hair, petite and pale… there was no way I could fit in with these tall and dark American's on the reserve.

"Oh Ash, I'm so happy you like it. Just look at that glow in your eyes. You've never looked so good!" mom was bouncing with joy as she clutched my shoulders and I could feel the pure joy and happiness roll off of her in waves as her eyes met mind in the mirror. "You're going to love La Push! But there's still a problem with your name…we've had to make small alterations with that too." mom's voice trailed off as I felt my heart stop once again.

"What?" I screamed out through the salon, not intending for it to be as loud as it was, but loud enough to make my mother not only flinch but recoil.

"Ash, you can't live the same as you did. You still look like the famous Ash Stoner. If we give you a new name, people will never take a second look to where you suddenly came from. If your… Jamie Bridgewater then nobody will ever suspect a thing…"

I was officially going into cardiac arrest. My body shutdown as I sat gaping at the woman that stood before me. It was bad enough she was taking me away everything I had built up for myself, but I was being changed not only physically but physiologically also. Changing your name is a big decision and I had no say in mine. Not even the name.

Congrats Ash, I mean Jamie.

Shut up.

Hey guess what…

What?

Jamie means supplants, which means to take the place of another through force, scheming, strategy, or the like.

I cursed as inwardly I was screaming for justice. I wasn't trying to change them, I never have, so why were they doing this to me? "Mom… I don't know. I…" shushing me violently, mom rubbed my shoulders and smiled warmly, like any mother would do when trying to convince you to do something you're completely against.

"Honey, trust me… this will be good for us." easily said for someone in her position. "Now, it's time for the fun part. Seeing as you had to leave most of your clothes behind, so were going out to get you new ones! Anything you want."

"I want my old hair and name back." I sighed under my breath as my mom went to pay for my hair. Naturally, she couldn't hear my protest, but that didn't mean no one did. The lady beside me looked at me with pity, so moving swiftly, I couldn't stand of the pressure under her gaze. So throwing my hoodie over my shoulders, I prayed my mom would pay, and quickly.

Rushing from the salon, I jumped in the passenger seat of the car with such speed my mother was laughing by the time she got to the driver's side. Pulling out of the parking lot, she still seemed amused as we drove down the streets of Seattle. Mall after mall later, everything seemed fine. I had almost forgotten all about my hair, almost. It was good to finally just let loose and have a little bit of fun, enough to tide me over.

By the time we got on the road again, the back of the car was full and we were headed back towards La Push in the sunset. The sky was painted beautiful oranges and pinks, inspiring enough to write a song about. But not filled with enough emotion to finish it off. A good start, but not enough to finish.

Falling asleep seemed to have shortened the trip enough to make it bearable. But not enough to forget everything soon to come. So as the warm hands of my mother prodded me awake back at the white siding two story house, I couldn't help but cringe back at what was soon to be.

The air was cold and crisp, and the feeling of hungry eyes on my back sent chilling shivers wracking my body and sending prickles up and down my spine. The eerie silence of the night air also didn't help the fact that as we approached the door to the house, my father was there yet again, arms folded with a hard set look in his eyes. As if something had upset him deeply. Mom's very presence seemed to jerk him out of his temperamental mood immediately.

"Joey?" mom whispered quietly as we walked up the steps. Far enough to look as if I couldn't hear, but close enough that I could. Dad's response surprised me.

"Jarred and the pack are all here." he sighed as I walked up and met him at the top of the small stairs. Plastering a smile on his face, I smirked and hugged him briefly. His eyes were converted from my face, to my eyes, right to my hair after. Self conscious, I pulled my hood over my head and wrapped my arms around my torso.

"No Ash, it looks good." he smiled, seeing his flaw and covering it over quickly. But a quick correction from mom, and his remixed apology seemed to discourage me more then the first. When mom corrected him, he called me the person mom had made me into, Jamie.

It was if mom didn't even want Ash here. Only Jamie was welcome. If only they knew how that made me feel. Imagine walking into your own home and knowing that you're not welcome, only the fake you've been made into. It's like trying to take a deep breath of fresh air, but finding out that if you don't look a certain way, or act a certain part… you're not welcome to breath anymore. That's what it felt like. As if they were taking my breath away because I couldn't be someone they wanted.

"Come on, lets go in. we'll get your things tomorrow morning. You must be exhausted." dad's voice welcomed me into the house on it's own with his warm tone and reassuring voice.

The house was neat and comfy. It felt lived in and homey. The sound of rowdy voices immediately struck me as we walked through the last arch towards the living area. I must have been very small compared to these people, because as I walked in, all the talking stopped. Everything was silent. My first thoughts consisted only of, wow. These people are huge. Six boys sat in front of me as I walked through up behind my parents into the room.

"Jamie, this is Seth, Quil, Embry, Collin, Brady, and a face you'll most likely remember, Jared. Boys, this is Jamie Bridgewater."

The room remained smaller as all six stood on their feet and suddenly, like a massive balloon popping, the atmosphere changed rapidly.

"Holy shit Jared, this is your sister. Where'd you get her? A midget carrot farm?" the biggest of the boys teased as he began laughing, turning from the boys back to my parents. Smirking, I rolled my eyes and turned to leave. I wasn't going to put up with this nonsense this quick. But stopping me before I could leave, mom and dad turned me back and as I watched. I couldn't help but feel uncomfortable in front of all these expecting eyes.

A bunch of rowdy, loud, hormone driven retards… just what I need to top off my day. How charming.

"I'm Seth." one of the smaller boys smiled and outstretched his hand towards me. Smiling, I shook his hand briefly but recoiled when I noticed how hot his skin was compared to my own cool skin.

"Hey sis, long time no see." this time, it was Jarred that introduced himself. At this point, he didn't look any older or different then when I had seen him last.

"Hi." I whispered quietly. Not used to being around so many people in such a small area.

"I'm-" the boy was cut off before he could finish by dad as he stepped forward.

"It's been a rather… interesting past couple of days. I think it would be best for everyone to get some sleep. Hmm? What do you think honey?" dad looked directly towards mom for backup support, but as I turned to listen to my mother's returning words, I found she wasn't looking at my father, her eyes were focused on me. And in those few short seconds I locked with my mom, I found every emotion, every memory, and every small detail that I had missed out on growing up. I found what I had been looking for in every person I had passed off over the years. What it meant, or what it was I wasn't sure. But it was what I had been searching for. So it was good enough for me.

"Your right Joe. Tomorrow, everyone. Tomorrow." the house had suddenly become much more quiet as every retreated to their homes and beds. Jarred had left to go out to one of the other's places for the night. So as I stood in the middle of the faded living room alone, an odd feeling occurred as I waited silently. For the first time in a while… I felt as if I were at home. Something I had missed.

Chapter Two Preview:

Ash finds that maybe being Jamie Brigdewater is different then what she thought.

A welcome party and one of the most interesting introductions Ash has ever seen, La Push will
definatly have a different impact on her when she strives for stardom once again.