Hey everyone! So for those of you who don't know me, I'm T.I.H (Taylor Izzie Hallowell) and I'm infamously known for writing Twilight novels. Well recently I have read Shiver (working on Linger) and I absolutely LOVE the book! Devoured it in two days! So, naturally as a writer, my brain started turning the rusty gears and popped out the main plot for this lovely story! I LOVE LOVE LOVE it when I get feedback from my readers, good or bad. It lets me know what you want to happen, what you liked, or what you disliked. Reviews=Better Story. By the way, one of the main characters, Stephen, is pronounced steFen, not steven. And for those of you who don't know me, I also say this one thing at the beginning of each chapter. So as always, Luv Ya'll Lots!

Prologue

He pulled my frozen limp body into his arms as he shook me gently. His chest was warm and bare. How he had came back in this temperature had disappeared from my mind. I couldn't think anymore even if I wanted to. "Em, Emma, wake up, Emma please come back to me."

Oh how much I wanted to. How much I wanted to open my eyes and stand up on my own. To walk away with him like none of this ever happened. Like everything was how it was before.

Stephen let out what sounded like a whimper and he shook me again, leaning his head down close to my lips. "Emma, Emma please, can you hear me? Come back, come back. Don't leave me, Emma." He was sobbing.

If this was what death felt like, I was ok with it. It was almost peaceful. I couldn't feel any part of my body as the snow continued to fall over us. I felt a puddle of warmth escaping through my jacket all over my torso. It wasn't snow, it was too liquid for that. Each breath sharpened the pain growing in my chest. Stephen, don't let me die. Please, don't let me go, Stephen.

"Emma, I'm sorry. Dammit, Emma, I'm so sorry, please don't leave me Em. Don't leave me," He cried as the snowflakes mixed in with his tears. So badly did I want to wake up, to escape my nightmare.

My eyes had closed. My breathing had slowed. I was almost gone. Like sand in a hourglass I felt myself slipping away, one grain at a time. Goodbye Jasper. Goodbye Kayla. Goodbye life.

Goodbye Stephen.

Emma

"C'mon, Kiddo. Up and at-tum," Jasper opened my door and drew back the curtains, the bright light of the morning sun pouring in through my window making me pull the pillow over my head and growl at him.

"Aw, is the vampire too tired to go to school?" he chuckled and sat on the edge of my bed.

"Darn right she is," I answered in a muffle as I tried to stay underneath my barrier of a pillow.

Jasper laughed again and tackled me. "C'mon! Get up!" I wasn't really sure what even made me want to get up in the first place. Maybe I didn't want Jas tickling me. Or maybe I wanted to get the Spanish quiz over and done with.

Once I was dressed I trudged into the kitchen and sat down at the table. It was big enough for Jasper, me, and one other person. Not that there was anyone else here. And there probably never would be. Jasper was a single guy. And knowing him on a first had basis, I had a feeling it would be like that for a long time.

"So, whatcha want today? Eggs? Waffles? Toast?" He had a small apron on that said "Kiss the Cook." Couldn't get any cornier than that.

I chuckled leaned back in my seat. "Toast would be fine."

"Extra jelly?"

"Naturally," I smiled at him as he turned back to the counter top, grabbing pieces of bread in each hand. I took the moment to glance outside. The ground was covered in a large white blanket of snow. Not like it was the first day to be like this. It was only January fourth and we'd had this much snow for about three weeks. It was nuts.

"How's this?" he tossed me two pieces of toast smothered in jelly.

I snapped out of my gaze and smiled. "Perfect as usual," I chomped down on it, thinking about the snow again.

"You would think they'd give you guys a delay or something..." Jas muttered as he worked on his breakfast.

Shaking my head, I grinned. "Nah, they've already cleared the roads by now I bet." My eyes drifted towards the woods again. It was a painting of brown, gray, and white. It was mysterious as it was beautiful. "Do you have work today?"

Jasper nodded. "Yeah, but I promise I'll be back around eight." He shrugged.

"Can I use my car or is it still broken?" Stupid brakes.

"Yeah, I fixed it. I'd be careful though, especially with all the ice."

I stood up, finishing the last bite of toast and grabbed my bag off the table. Jas tossed me the keys as I headed towards the door, pulling on my coat.

"Be careful!" Jas called down the hallway.

"I will!"

"Have a good day!"

"Will do!"

The cool air hit my bare skin like pins and needles. I shivered and stumbled to the little beat up car parked in the lot. I brushed the snow off of the handle and pried it open. With a loud screech and whimper the door gave and opened. I crawled inside, shivering, and turned on the ignition. It took a while for the car to warm up. My fingers were shaking and my breath was shaky as I sat there waiting for the heat.

My head turned as my eyes grazed over the snow-covered ground. My gaze followed the white ground up to the tree line about twenty feet away from my car door. The woods looked like such a mysterious place. Almost like they were calling to me, telling me to go out into it. I looked about a foot up through the brush and sucked in a breath.

I had heard about the troubles we've had around here with them. Jasper had even told me to stay out of the woods. It wasn't the first time I'd seen one of them, but ever time since then it has made me more and more curious.

I pushed open my door and stood up, holding the top of the car door for support. I couldn't take my eyes off of it. I wasn't scared, but I wasn't perfectly fine either. Whatever made me, I started to walk towards it; my feet crunching under the snow.

Scientists have tried to capture them trying to figure out what made them so large, but they hadn't had any luck. Hunters see them, but the people around here protect them. Saying that they're nature, and as long as they don't hurt us why should we hurt them. I was a believer of that. They had never hurt anyone around here before.

"It's ok," I whispered, a large cloud escaping my mouth as I stepped forward again; hand outstretched. "I'm not going to hurt you." If anyone was going to hurt anyone in this situation, it was going to be him hurting me.

I didn't know if it was a he or a she. I just called it a he. He looked like a male just by the way he looked at me; watching my every move. The way he stood taller than some of the ones I've seen deeper in the woods. Maybe he was an alpha male...

The large creature whimpered and his ears flew forward. Its fur was a warm caramel color. His eyes were a soft yellow, his muzzle a light tan.

I stopped, now a few yards from him. "I promise. I'm not going to hurt you." I looked into his large yellow eyes. There was something different about his eyes. Something drawing me in, making me want to be closer.

Go back. A smart voice echoed in my head. Sure it was a smart choice. But it wasn't what I wanted to do.

Go back. It repeated.

I sucked in another breath as he lowered his large head.

"I'm not going..." I trailed off, not finishing my sentence. My hand was inches from its muzzle now.

As if I had done something wrong, the large wolf straitened up and bolted back into the woods. It was gone. I stood there defeated, my hand dropping to my side.

I sighed and trudged back to the car, warm and cozy. My eyes glanced back to the spot where he was only to see nothing but snow and some tracks leading into the woods. I looked at the dash and groaned at the clock.

7:44.

How was I going to explain my tardy to Mrs. Devil...

Stephen

I whimpered to myself as I ran away. Too close I told myself. Too close.

I knew I was far away enough to slow down to a stop. My paws sunk in the snow from my weight as I sighed and began to walk. I didn't have anywhere to go really. When she got home I would probably go back. Maybe not as close this time.

You're an idiot.

Rolling my eyes I growled softly as Tanner trotted up to me, his tail swishing back and forth like a stupid puppy.

Well at least I got one, unlike you. I snapped back.

He shrugged as we walked. There was never anything to do out here. I'm not the one risking your fur for some dumbass girl. It's been how long? He sneered.

I snarled and snapped my teeth at him. DON'T call her that. I sighed heavily. It's been ten years.

He smirked and laughed a bit. Wow. Ten years. I'm impressed you haven't gone insane.

Shut up, Tanner. I grumbled. This kid was like a gnat flying around your ear.

He rolled his eyes. Jackson's been doing the same thing too.

I paused, thinking. No wonder I hadn't seen him in a while. He still phasing?

He nodded. Sure is. He said he actually thought about skipping this year so he could be with whats-her-face. Flex pulled him down from that cloud pretty quickly though. Remember how hard it is? He'd like, never be able to go outside!

I nodded. I knew Flex would keep him down to Earth, but I was jealous. Jealous that Jackson was actually considering skipping this winter so he could be with her. Why didn't I ever think of that? Oh right, cause I was a over 6-foot wolf in the winter.

Yeah, I know. I grumbled and tried to walk past him.

You're thinking about it, aren't you? he asked and jogged back up to me. Boy, this kid was a pain in the ass.

It's none of your business. What are you gonna do? Tell Flex on me?

Tanner smirked and shrugged. It's a possibility.

You're a dumbass.

Speak for yourself.

Don't you remember what happened to Dana five years ago?

He thought for a moment and shook his head.

She tried to skip for her guy. She started out well, but one night he left the window open on accident. Middle of the night she phased, Dad came in with a shot gun, end of Dana.

Tanner let out a whimper and stopped. His ears flew back and his tail went between his legs. Why didn't they come after you guys then?

I had to remind myself that I was the youngest to ever phase. Tanner had only phased two winters ago. Me on the other hand phased at age ten. The youngest ever in the pack's history.

He and his Mom were all for our pack's protection. WPA remember? His Mom was one of the leaders.

He nodded. Makes sense I guess. What'd they do with-

Don't. Even. Ask. I snapped and walked faster, hoping he'd get the idea I didn't want him around. Thankfully, he understood.

It was a long day. More snow fell while she was gone. There wasn't much to hunt or do. You could never tell the time but over the years I had figured out how to tell when she would be getting home. When the winter sun got to that point, I made my way to the south end of the woods. I had a little hide-out spot hidden behind the brush in her back yard. Luckily it was high enough to hide all of me.

And this was my daily routine. Get up early enough to watch her from my hiding spot in the morning, go back into the woods, come back in the evening, watch, wait till she went to sleep, then go back to my 'home' in the forest, then come back the next morning.

Add on the half wolf half man and I was classified as the biggest creep in the universe.

Emma

"There's left over pizza in the fridge if you want it."

I held the phone between my ear and shoulder. "Yeah, I got it."

"Alright, you know how to reach me." Jasper didn't sound to happy to be out this late, but his job demanded it. "Love ya, kiddo."

"Love ya," I replied quickly before hearing the clink of the line disconnecting. I did love Jasper, but there was just something that stopped me from calling him Dad.

I grabbed my plate of cold pizza and sat down on the couch. It had snowed about another three inches during school. Impossible.

My algebra text book and note book sat open in front of me on the coffee table. I groaned and let my head fall backwards against the back of the couch. I couldn't decide which was worse, Mrs. Kemmerle nagging me this morning when I came in late, or the headache that came afterwards. Thinking of this morning, the image of the unusually large wolf popped into my brain again.

Why was he that close anyway? Were wolves really that friendly or social? Or was it just that that kind of wolf was different?

I sighed and gnawed on my pizza. I was so close to it. My fingertips tingled and I closed my eyes for a brief moment.

"Why, thank you Mrs. Queen! I would love to be your princess!" I curtsied, pretending I had a dress on. "What was that, Mr. Snow King? You have a prince you want me to marry? I would be honored!"

I pretended to dance with the prince in circles around the backyard, the snow brushing up around me. "Oh, Mr. Prince Charming! You're such a good dancer!" I giggled as we danced. The winter sun was held high in the sky as my long brown hair swirled in the chilly air.

"What's that? You slayed the snow beast this morning! Oh! My hero!" I squealed and twirled again. I couldn't even feel the cold winter air sting my cheeks and ears. My gloves kept my fingertips from freezing, and my stylish boots kept my toes dry.

"You're right! We should get married at once!" I stopped dancing, feeling a little dizzy. I walked over to my swing set by a small tree when in the spring would blossom little pink flowers.

"I, a small peasant girl, take you, Prince Charming, to be my husband! And we'll live happily ever afte-RR!" I screamed and jumped backwards, falling over a tree root. I felt my head crack against the side of the cold, metal play set. I felt the stinging of tears in my eyes. Snow was falling softly on my face as whimpered. My head felt woozy, and a sharp pain seared from where I hit it.

My tears began to well over as I reached back to my head. My eyes closed, I took off my gloves and felt a warm liquid seeping out of the cut. Gasping for air I opened my wet eyes, looking around.

I nearly screamed and jumped back again. There, a few feet in front of me, was a large wolf the size of a horse. I sniffled and tried to move backwards. I remembered Jasper telling me not to make sudden movements around animals. I kept my hand on my head as I scooted backwards in the snow. But whatever the reason, the more I moved back, the closer it moved to me.

The tears leaked out of me like a hose. My head hurt. I was scared. I tried not to scream and cry for help. More liquid came out of the cut on my head till my glove was soaked in it. I cried a little more, trying to move away from the large animal. It didn't do any good.

It's going to be ok. A voice in my head spoke to me as if to reassure me. I wasn't convinced. Suddenly, the large wolf stepped closer until I could feel its warm breath on my stinging cheeks. Goosebumps appeared on my skin and I whimpered, not making eye contact with it.

I tried not to cry out as it pressed its muzzle against my forehead, nuzzling me gently. I squeezed my eyes shut tightly, trying to think that it was just a dream.

The wolf sat down a little, its eyes at my level when I opened them. I gasped and jumped slightly, the wolves ears perking up.

"Are...are you going to hurt me?" I sniffled, my hand on my head.

It blinked as its ears moved to the different sounds of the forest.

"Well? Are you?" I asked it again.

This time the wolf inched forward, its nose close to my face. I closed my eyes again and flinched. I felt its wet warm tongue licking the side of my face where my tears were falling. It let out a whimper and I opened my eyes as it licked me. I giggled softly and pulled away a bit.

"No! No kisses!" I squealed, forgetting my head or the fact that this wolf could kill me with one move.

Its caramel brown fur made me want to reach out and touch it. I took off the bloody glove and outstretched my hand. As if it knew what I wanted, it leaned its head in till my fingers made contact with its fur.

I smiled. "You're not gonna hurt me, is you." I pet it like it was a neighborhood dog. I watched it as my hand ran over its large head, and could have sworn I saw it smile.

Suddenly, the wolf sat up. I jumped back a bit in reaction, praying it wasn't something I did. Without another motion, it stood up and darted into the brush and disappeared into the woods.

"Bye-bye, wolfy," I whispered after it.

My eyes snapped open and I jolted forward. My hand instinctively went to the back of my head and felt the small scar where the bolt on the swing set had cut through the skin. I put the unfinished piece of pizza down on the plate and got up to the sliding glass window.

I looked out through the dark trying to see anything. I sighed in disappointment and trudged back to the sofa.

My eyes darted from my school books to the hallway leading to my bedroom. I groaned and tossed the books into my bag, leaving them unfinished. Images of the wolf this morning and from my memory flew through my mind as I laid down on the bed. My eyes closed again.

I was seven years old.