A/N- Hi guys! This is my first work of fanfiction, or my first published one at least. This idea just sort of came to me. I'm not sure yet if it will become more than a one-shot, or if this is how I want to leave it. Let me know what you think of it after you read it. If you like it, I might be inspired to continue. ;-) Also, keep in mind that I haven't had a beta for this, so please excuse any errors! Shutting up now. Enjoy!

Disclaimer- I'm not Stephenie Meyer, as nice as that would be. I don't own any shapeshifters or vamps, only the plot, and maybe a name or two. :-)

Piece by piece. That's how you're supposed to let go of the facade you've created. That's how you're supposed to shed every lie you've told people about yourself. That's how you're supposed to become you. If you even want to show anyone the real you, in the first place.

Piece by piece. That's how it should be. But for you, nothing is how it should be.

You defy every shred of rationalism that exists in this world. Every bit of scientific reason.

It isn't easy- being yourself that is; letting go of the safety that life as a chameleon insures. It's hard living out in the open; letting people see the real you, letting them see every flaw, every blemish, every sin, all the dark residue that has gradually built itself up on your soul.

It's hard when you do it the proper way- on your own terms, terms that don't leave room to compensate for what the supernatural calls for.

But when the supernatural IS involved?

It's a total nightmare. Your soul is bared to guys that range from being a one-time acquaintance who you hate, or used to at least, to being your best friends that you thought had ditched you. You have no choice.

And they hear every dream, every stupid wish, every conversation, every freaking thought. There's no hiding. There's no escaping.

They know. They know things you never wanted anyone to know- the things you always so paranoid that someone find out and harass you for.

You never wanted this. You never asked for this. Hell, you never thought something like this was even possible.

One minute your walking on that narrow, nearly unworn path towards that tree house your grandfather built you for your eighth birthday to get away from the anger you feel now that your two best friends are ignoring you. The next, your body is exploding. Granted, you haven't felt like yourself for awhile now, and at first you think you're delusional, but then there's this voice in your head that sounds a lot like traitor Jake, and you're looking down at furry paws. PAWS!!! You freak, and you run, but they catch you. At first you're afraid, because they're massive. Then you realize, much to your misfortune, that they're the same size as you. You can see yourself through their minds. The big black one is looking at you with an almost sad expression, and then you see the blurred figure of a scarred girl, and feel a rush of guilt, but this powerful love like none you've ever experienced. You feel a flood of happiness coming from the two that you know must be your friends, who know that now you won't hate them anymore because you're in the know, too.

The other two are indifferent. And one is a bit tempermental.

You adjust slowly. This kind of freedom is exhilarating, though, and while at first you're shocked that you're grandpa already knows, it becomes a blessing, because you could be like Embry, and have to struggle with a concerned mom.

Over the next few months you relish in your "duties," as alpha Sam likes to call them. Hunting bloodsuckers comes naturally, but those voices are still always there. That's really the only hindrance about this life. Soon, though, it will prove to be beneficial.

Because Emily's nieces will come one weekend, and, at Sam's insistence, you will be there for dinner to meet them. They are family, after all, and they'll be here often because Emily's brother-in-law just got a job as a paralegal in Forks. They're moving to La Push to be closer not only to his job, but also so that Emily can help Dena with the girls so she herself can go back to work for extra funds to buy the new house.

You don't meet Todd and Dena because they've left before you get there- you and Embry had patrol.

You get there, expecting a hot meal after a day of running, and maybe a screaming kid or two wanting to watch their Barney videos.

But then you see her.

And you know that you'll never be able to look away.

You can't explain it.

It isn't weird at all to you that your life now revolves around a toddler.

Sam, on the other hand, isn't too pleased.

He drags you outside, and you push against him with all your might-so hard that you can't control your furry little problem anymore. You phase in his backyard, and he immediately follows suit.

Then he knows. He understands, and it's not like he can say anything to you, because of Emily and everything.

He takes you back inside, where you proceed to fondly ogle this kid you don't even know.

Your pack brothers will proceed to poke fun at you for the rest of the night.

Emily is wary at first, but she knows how Sam is with her. She knows you'll be the best thing that could ever happen to her youngest niece.

"Her name's Claire," Emily tells you.

'Claire."

It's the most beautiful thing you've ever heard.

So let me know what you guys think! Please R&R!