***Right after Breaking Dawn*** Disclaimer: The characters in this story belong entirely to Stephanie Meyers ! ***

KATE

It all ended so quickly that it seemed finished as quickly as it began.
The Volturi's visit to Forks had been swift and cunning, and their presence still hung in the air with a heaviness that would not leave the forefront of my memory anytime soon. Of this I was certain.

I glanced over to the Cullen residence and watched as the rest of the guests begin to settle inside.
Carlisle and Esme appeared to be as soft and unruffled as always, smiling and chatting with the odd assortment of guests that remained in their living room. I strained my ears to listen. Carlisle was chatting in – what sounded like Gaelic - to a young man that came from Ireland with Siobhan. Yes, it must have been Gaelic. They laughed and their intensity lessened. Alice relaxed into the familiar role of the gracious host, as she fluttered between guests and ensured that the music was the perfect blend of soft and relaxing, and that the volume was appropriate. Only Alice would fret over music selections after what we had all just experienced. I thought momentarily about Alice as a human. She must have been a very social creature in her human past; she was intuitively skilled at entertaining and creating lavish surroundings, and others seemed to gravitate towards her and her never-ending will to create the perfect atmosphere. Her mate Jasper followed her every move with his eyes. He smiled quietly to himself as he watched her dance thought the guests.

Alice and Jasper were quite the pair that way. She worked in the physical realm creating harmony, while Jasper worked in the emotional one. I could see how they were so drawn to one another. They were indeed a perfect pairing. My eyes unexpectedly drifted over to the large rogue that sat alone on the back steps of the Cullen manor.

Laughter pierced my thoughts. The dense memories of the event seemed to lift for the Cullens and I felt a twinge of contempt at their ability to celebrate at a time like this. The Cullens had always been able to make light of the most pressing situations, and my disdain was quickly pushed away as I remembered the events in all their clarity. I felt a wave of sadness wash over me.

Irina.

My eyes flitted over the trees to the smoke that was still slowly rising above the woodlands. It was lighter now; the smoke; but still thick enough to curl into perfect circles at the ends just before it disappeared. I breathed out the air in my lungs in an attempt to let go of the anguish I felt. My knees felt suddenly soft and I had to resist the desire to fall to the ground. It was hard to imagine that she was no longer with us. We were so sure in our immortality and the long life that we had together as sisters that I had never once fathomed life without her. She was my kin, my kindred spirit, and our protector in many ways. She lived in the human world as well as any of the Cullens, and had always been there to guide Tanya and me when we had trouble controlling our desires. I wondered how we could ever adjust to life without our eldest sister.

Eleazar, Carmen and Tanya left the Cullen's just moments after the Volturi's abrupt departure. They couldn't bear to be around the others, and quickly said her goodbyes to Carlisle and Esme. Tanya only stopped to nod quickly to the others from a distance, and then she turned towards the north and headed straight to Denali. I understood her actions immediately. The Cullens were like family to us, but Edward had always held a special place in my sister's heart. I was sure that seeing Edward so closely connected to his bride Bella would do nothing to lessen Tanya's heartache over our sister. She needed to be alone with her thoughts. Tanya was so always so collected and calculated. She whispered to me as she left, "Kate I will see you at home. I will run ahead and make the preparations for the….," she stuttered, "the … funeral."
With a silent nod I let her go on her own.

A funeral had never crossed my mind. Tanya did a better job of blending into the human world than I did. It was a trait she inherited after living for so many years with Irina. I imagined it was only an excuse though, to leave quickly and quietly as soon as the danger was over.

I entered the house to say my farewells to the Cullen family.
Edward was sitting pensively on the couch, watching while Bella cradled their daughter Renesmee in her arms. She smiled down at her daughter while Renesmee put her hand up to her mother's cheek. Bella and Edward laughed in tune, while Renesmee cooed and hid her face in Bella's chest. What a talented family indeed. It was no surprise that Aro coveted them. Renesmee was the first halfling born in many generations, and to have so many gifts between them – well, it was remarkable that the Volturi left at all. Edward read his daughters thoughts while she projected them to Bella… I wondered if she could project to both of them at the same time. I dismissed the thought because with Edward's ability to read her thoughts, it would never have been necessary to begin with. It was like they spoke with the eyes and heard with their hearts, and my thoughts drifted for a fleeting moment to Garret. I was thankful that there would be no mind reading between Garrett and I, as I was taken aback by my own musings of a possible pairing between us. Something that I had looked for for so long….

Bella's voice drew me back to the Cullen triangle, and she searched my face as she asked "Will you be staying this evening, Kate?" I politely shook my head and my thoughts went to Irina. Edward nodded in silent understanding and the Cullens turned their attention to me as I said my goodbyes. Any feelings of resentment that I could have had towards them were quickly overshadowed by their affectionate warmth and genuine concern. Carlisle and Esme looked on in worry, and Esme reminded me twice that I was always welcome at their home, at any time. I saw the pain in their faces as Carlisle whispered, "We will always miss Irina so very much. She was a true friend."

I was relieved to have this caring family by my side as I grieved my sister, and their concern made me feel less alone; less frightened. I saw Garrett look at us though the window. He had a curious expression on his face, one eyebrow slightly peaked, and he watched us closely as I hugged Esme for the last time. No sooner had I noticed Garrett's watchful stare did I notice Edward's face turn to look at Garrett on the step. He extended his hand to the rogue and said, "Thank you for helping Kate." I didn't have the time to wonder what Garrett had helped me with, because Edward turned to me with a half smiled and smirked, "Have a nice trip home Kate. I think it's wonderful that you will not be travelling alone."

A feeling of anticipation warmed my mind; Garrett – the rogue – was accompanying me home.

I smiled a last goodbye to the Cullens, and I drifted over to Garrett. I remembered his joking laughter as he said, "I'll follow you anywhere, woman." Anticipation washed over me as I realized that he really was going to follow me home. Was it possible that I had made such an impact on him in a few days? He did seem interested in our alternative lifestyle. Was it my electric "gift"? Did he want to keep me safe? If I had a heartbeat, I am sure it would have skipped a little bit quicker at the thought.

"As long as the lady accepts the offer," Garrett smiled as he nodded at me, and then quietly added, "Carlisle asked me to accompany you to Denali."

"Oh – um - well…" I stammered, "That would be very kind of you Garrett."

Instinctively I looked down. What a fool I had been to assume that it was Garrett's idea to accompany me home. I had let my heart get ahead of my head yet again, and foolishly thought that perhaps this time, this time, I might have met someone that felt as connected to me as I did to them. As we made our way down the long driveway, I made sure to smile at Garrett so my disappointed thoughts would not be obvious in my expression.

We walked slowly, almost deliberately towards the north. Neither one of us spoke for many long hours. His movements were slow; deliberate, and there was something untamed about his mannerisms even though he appeared to be very aware of every step he took. It was Garrett that finally broke the silence.
"I will need to feed tonight."

I nodded and realized the implications of our strange union. My ideal hunting ground would be less than ideal for Garrett, and vice-versa. It had been years since I had been tempted by the smell of humans while I was feeding. It was a complicated thing when my family fed in Denali. We desperately tried to quench the burning thirst, but, rather than quench it, we really only wet our lips. Our desire for human blood was controllable, as we had proven for almost a century, but we all knew that it was not safe for us to tempt fate while we were in hunting mode. In order to successfully live within the mortal world we learned to switch back and forth between our two modes of life. We were either living, or we were feeding. The two realms of our existence did not coexist because it was far too dangerous to be tempted during the frenzy that was hunting. I sighed at Garrett and was about to suggest splitting up for the night when he interrupted my internal monologue, "I would like to try it your way."

My eyes widened as I met his gaze. I was relieved that I would remain in the forest and there would be no Seattle for me this evening.

"And how do you do that? ¨"

I paused – confused.

Cocking my head to convey my confusion he smiled in wonder and continued, "There. You did it again. How do you appear to be so human?"

I laughed, "I don't even realize that I am doing it. Decades of practice I guess. It really is second nature to me now. It's part of our lifestyle."

He copied me slowly and turned his head to the side. His disheveled sandy blonde hair was mostly tied back into a ponytail, and when a lock of hair fell forwards into his eyes he did his best attempt to gracefully push his hair behind his ear. His movements were far too rough to pass for human, but we both laughed aloud at his attempt.

Suddenly, his eyes deepened. The game was over and his movements became jagged and jolting. He tilted his head back in an accelerated motion and his mouth fell open, as if he were tasting the air with his breath. He paused for a second, perfectly still.

A breeze came from the north and his eyes darted as he caught a scent in the wind. His eyes were dark; too dark, and I knew that he was hungry. In a flash he was gone, slightly east, slightly north…. I breathed in deeply as I tracked his scent as long as I could. I lost him briefly but I knew which direction he headed towards as soon as I detected the sweet smell of our natural prey wafting through the treetops. I winced as the burning in my throat intensified. I imagined Garrett tasting the forbidden blood and the fire inside my mind began to swell. I was sure that had found his destination when the mouthwatering scent intensified. He was feeding. I curled my fingers into fists and my head went back as instinct took control. I had forgotten how potent the scent was when a vampire was… the thought was intolerable. It took every ounce of control I had to not sprint to Garrett and indulge my impulses.

Focus Kate. Focus.

I drove the warm ambrosial thoughts out of my mind and I held my breath. I would hunt for a bear later, or maybe, if I were lucky, I would find a lynx. After one last pause to look east towards the handsome rogue, I drew a deep breath that I would hold for hours as I pushed north towards Denali.

…..

It was 5 hours later when Garrett finally caught up to me. The full moon was hanging high in the sky, and the forest seemed alive as we walked silently through the trees. I was used to the silence of the forest around me, and it calmed me as I walked.
Garrett remained silent as his stride fell in step with my own. We continued this way for a few minutes before I finally stopped to look at him.
His bright crimson eyes looked over my body, and then up to my face. He stopped at my eyes and his gaze was so intent that it made me feel like he might possibly be able to see into my soul. I felt strangely exposed and I was suddenly at a loss for words.
His gaze was uninhibited, and I was taken for a moment with the way the moonlight highlighted his strong features. He really was stunning in the moonlight. He had a chiseled face, with deep set eyes and full lips that were parted ever so slightly. He was strong and confident, and held his head high as he took a step towards me.

"I'm sorry if that was uncomfortable for you."

He waited.

"Garrett, I think it's better if we travel alone."

He waited.

"It's too hard for me to know what you are doing while and to remain in control."

His eyes narrowed, "The hunger doesn't go away?"

I shook my head, "It subsides. We learn to ignore it. But when others around us are feeding, it makes it almost impossible not to slip," my voice softened, "and I cannot go back."

He watched me intently as I spoke.

"I didn't know that it would be like that for you," his eyes softened as he moved towards me, "Kate, I apologize. I did not mean to vex you, and I would like to try your way."

"To vex me?" I teased Garrett mercilessly, "You really haven't spent much time with mortals in the last century, have you?"

He paused, and his voice grew soft, "I haven't spent time with anyone in a really long time."

My breathing quickened as the mesmerizing rogue started to circle me. He knees were bent slightly, and his head was tilted playfully to the side. He reminded me of a panther as he walked; sleek, muscular and strong. His eyes were on fire and he got closer with every step.
I tried to remember the last time I had felt this way. I thought back through the many years and I panicked as I realized that I had never felt quite like this. Garrett had a raw energy that was unique to only him. I thought about my solitary life, and how I had yearned for so long to meet my mate. He was closing in on me, and I froze in anticipation.

He smiled wickedly at me and put his hand behind my neck. He pulled me towards him and he kissed the side of my neck softly. "How," he whispered into my ear, "can I follow you anywhere, if you insist that we travel alone."

His lips moved down my neck and over my collarbone as he continued, "I am a man of my word Katrina Denali."

The forest was electrified as wind spiraled through the trees and over my skin where his kiss had been. I felt him begin to pull my lips towards his, when the scent came crashing in and temporarily blinded all passion. I pulled back as my throat began to burn and the thirst quickly heightened. "Garrett," I breathed, "I can smell it in your breath; on your lips," and in a flash the memory of almost losing control caused my eyes to open in horror and all I could see was my life in Denali crumbling all around me. My hands pushed him away and I watched as Garrett winced in pain.

His eyes quickly cooled and he grimaced
"What was that for?" he growled.
"Self preservation?" I asked. I hadn't meant to use my gift on Garrett. It all happened so quickly, and the only thought that crossed my mind was the will to resist the temptation to feed.
"Can you control it?" he asked cautiously.

"Under normal circumstances, yes."

He pondered the irony of our predicament and he began to laugh heartily. I relaxed as I heard his low voice and wonderfully warm laughter.

"Is that how you plan to tame me; you strange, beautiful creature?"
His eyes lit up as he spoke and I wondered what they would look like if they were as amber as mine. He placed his large hand on my cheek and shook his head with a smirk, "Will you not allow me to try?" His breathing quickened and his hand moved over my once beating heart, "or does all desire fade with your lifestyle?"
His eyes searched my face for an answer and I felt slightly annoyed by his question. Garret could be confident to the point of arrogance, so it seemed, and he quickly added, "It was a serious question."

My eyes locked on his and I realized that Garrett really had no idea.

I held my breath, and gave him a soft kiss on the lips. "Our diet does not affect out appetite."

He looked relieved as he took my hand in his, "Shall we pick up the pace then?" He grinned at me devilishly and we walked hand in hand towards the north.