Solstice

Prologue

Pain punctured me with a knife as I watched him change, to imagine the pain that he was going through, my heart sank. That pain turned to fear as this huge beast rose off of the ground and came at me with snarling exposed teeth and dead black eyes. Horrified, I began to run into the forest, but suddenly I stopped.

What am I doing? I can't just leave him. I realized that it wasn't him that was the monster, he couldn't possibly know who is who in this state. I turned around and stared at the massive creature, and I kept thinking that underneath the skin of that creature

was my best friend. The beast began to circle me and seemed to

be glaring at me, then snarling the beast lunged at me. I took a quick, deep, and possible last breath.

Chapter One: Family

A clap of thunder shook the stone cottage with the harsh intensity of a cannon blast. I secured my balance by quickly grabbing hold of the window sill as I crossed my room into my rather massive closet. As I stepped into the enormous capacity adjacent to my bed, I heard a crack of lightning as it whipped through the atmosphere. I attempted my best as to put an outfit together that was both flattering and appropriate for a game of baseball.

Skimming through my clothes, which of course was always a little too much for my particular tastes. As I dug through the mountain of clothes I found a loose fitting baseball jersey that I was afraid Alice had thrown out. I pulled it on over my white tank-top and then turned toward the eighteenth century French style floor mirror that Rosalie got for me last year for my birthday. I turned from side to side adjusting whatever needed to be. Finally satisfied, I picked up a hair tie from off of my desk and pulled the mass of brown curls back into a low ponytail.

I could hear commotion coming from downstairs as I continued the progress on my appearance, Mom must be getting restless. I rushed into the bathroom and began putting on eyeshadow. The forest green shade complemented my chocolate brown eyes. At last, my mother's lack of patience crept its way up the stairs and into my room.

"Renesmee Carlie Cullen! If you are not down here in ten seconds, we are leaving without you!" she shouted from the living room, well I suppose you could call it, an undead room in our situation.

"I'm coming as fast as I can Mom!" I yelled back, then turned back to put the finishing touches with mascara, then looked back in the mirror.

"I don't think Jacob really cares if your outfit matches your shoes, Nessie." I heard Dad call out as I, at last, approved of my wardrobe and began to head for my shoes. I replied by rolling my eyes at his annoying comments. Still annoyed, I pulled on my shoes, ripped my jacket off my bed, and stomped out of my room and went downstairs.

I zipped up my jacket as I made my way into the "living room."

Mom and Dad were waiting as impatiently as always. It becomes even more irritating when a thunderstorm heads this way. Mom blew a restless sigh as I glided my way across the foyer.

"Well, are you coming or are you just going to stand there." I said looking at her first then, turning to Dad with an elvish grin, he then replied with his usual crooked mischievous smirk.

Race you! I suggested to him in thought, he nodded then I turned back to Mom who had an annoyed look on her face, she hates it when we speak telepathically. I gave her a look suggesting our competition, she grinned approvingly and I threw open the front door and flew across the lawn at top speed. I could hear them following behind me at their typical momentum. I steadily zipped through the forest with ease. My senses were on high, occasionally feeling the soft brush of the ferns against my skin, I could smell the blood of the hikers who were at least three miles away, and I can see that far of in the distance a herd of elk who were migrating north.

Again, the thunder boomed over my head then I picked up my speed just a little bit. I saw the two blurs of my parents whip past me, I growled in agitation and tried to run faster, but I just couldn't out run them. I flew into the clearing and tried to break but instead crashed onto the ground, turning up the soil with my shoes.

I heard Emmet's loud booming laugh as I picked myself up and smacked the dirt off of my jeans, Rosalie elbowed him in the chest with a thud and winked at me playfully. I looked around and saw that Alice and Jasper were nearby, I assumed that they were talking over their strategy for today and I couldn't help but to go over there and pretend to eavesdrop. So, I sneaked up behind Alice and wrapped my arm around the back of her shoulders. She glanced over at me and smiled a sweet angelic smile at me, then turned her attention back to Jasper, as did I. He was planning out this game as if it were a battle and he Napoleon, marking everyone's positions and carefully mapping out all of the possibilities for a victory.

I was to get first base for my team, which was me and the pack. Alice, as always is the pitcher for them. Jasper was mumbling to himself during this time, praising one decision then downing another, which soon lost my focus. I turned around scanning my surroundings waiting for the pack to get here. Mom and Dad were standing with Carlisle and Esme next to a spruce appearing almost like Greek statues other than the occasional talk between Mom and Esme about whatever it is that they talk about.

Suddenly, I felt the presence of something coming from behind me. I stood still looking out of the corner of my right eye, then a force ripped my baseball cap off my head. Emmet.

"Get back here!" I shouted through my teeth lunging at him but he dashed out of my reach, then I began the chase in a circle then, he sped zigzagging in between the pine trees. I followed intensely getting closer and closer with each passing second, and my hair was blowing behind me from the wind.

I wasn't paying attention to what was going on around us, assuming that everyone was watching and laughing at this friendly game of cat-and-mouse. All of a sudden, he stopped and I crash into him at top speed knocking us to the ground. I gazed at him in anger, but he was staring out into the mist on the other side of the clearing, then I looked at Dad, who beckoned Carlisle to follow him to the center of the field. I rolled my eyes, and sighed out of agitation, they do this every time when someone other than Jacob is involved with us. I stood up, snatched my cap from Emmet who was still staring as I walked away. Crossing my arms and sighing I headed over to Mom who seemed to be just as annoyed as I was. I released one hand to place on her cheek and showed her all the other times that the pack has been with us, especially after I was born.

We have never had any problems before, why would they start now? I asked her while still in contact. Then I released her so that I could get an answer. She looked at me with sincerity in her golden eyes.

"I don't like it either, sweetheart. They're just negotiating the game for today, that's all."That's where I stopped her.

"But why! You guys will probably end up winning anyway. You always do." I mumbled to her, she nodded agreeing with me. I hit her on the shoulder, possibly bruising my hand in the process. We both turned our focus back toward the fog that appeared just above the ground. Four dark figures began to emerge slowly out of the mist and in our direction.

I could see Jacob clearly first in the triangular formation, behind him I could see Embry and Seth, then came Quil and Leah, which surprised me as I watched her as she casually walked across the field.

Leah and I don't really see eye-to-eye, in fact she pretty much hates me. I'm not sure why, perhaps its because I'm a "bloodsucker" like my family, or maybe she's still just angry that she has not imprinted on anyone and almost everyone in the pack near her age has, even Seth has on Sam's daughter Alisa, at least that is my theory. I glared at her as she strolled across the empty field. After the rest of the pack had regrouped, I returned back to where Jacob was, he was still I suppose negotiating terms for the game.

It did not take to long before Jake's attention was lost and where all he could do was stare at me, which sort of gets annoying after a while. I could feel the blood rush to my face, I quickly looked away from him. I could feel the grin stream across his face. Blushing and with a gleaming smile on my own face I turned back around to face him. He was speaking to just Carlisle this time. It must be torture for Dad knowing just exactly what Jake is always thinking about, especially when I'm involved. They seemed to be wrapping up this unnecessary conversation, so I walked toward them. Jake began to smirk as I came up from behind Dad, and gave a bored sigh, then winked at Jacob who returned a sweet smile.

"We're almost finished Nessie, be patient." Dad said in a quiet voice. I wanted to stay there and wait till they finished, I couldn't leave, the connection with Jacob and me feels a lot better now than when we were yards apart. I wish that I could have Dad's power, so that I wouldn't have to just stand here silent and the two of us having a conversation with just our eyes.

We stared into each other's eyes, we were so transfixed that we didn't notice that Dad and Carlisle had already gone back to where, our opponents were positioned. I looked around and giggled, at last we were alone.

Jake stepped closer to me, then my heart began to flutter like the wings of an overexcited hummingbird. He motioned with his head toward the pack, signaling for us to join the rest of our team. He wrapped his massive russet colored arm around the back of my shoulders and we slowly paced ourselves as we headed for the large pine tree that stood many yards away from my blood family.

The Quileutes are very much like a second menage, I usually spend more time at La Push than I do at home. Ever since I was born, a strong bond has come over them with me, and probably just because Jacob imprinted on me. Whether it was my ability for drawing people close to me, or the fact that Jacob would rip them limb-from-limb, but I believe they knew better. Emily, Sam's wife is the one that I am particularly close to, there is also Quil and Embry, my best buddies. We three are always pulling pranks on one another. I can remember this one time when Quil and I mixed Nair into Embry's shampoo bottle, he was shedding fur for a month.

As he pulled me closer, the intense heat that radiated off of Jacob had begun to spread to me since the moment we touched, it felt like an open flame was placed against my back. We took four more long

strides across the field until we met up with the rest of the team. I was uncomfortably squeezed between Jake and the neighboring pine tree. It felt like an oven in the circle of wolves.

Well, at least I'm not freezing. I thought to myself removing my jacket and throwing it across the limb just above my head. A newly mature Seth, who was right next to Jake, whistled as I extended my body upward to toss my jacket over the branch. When I came back down, I could hear Jacob punch Seth in the stomach and saw him leaning forward from the blow. I lightly scolded Jacob with my eyes, but I couldn't stay angry at him for long, a quick laugh had already snuck out. But I wasn't alone in the laughter, of course Quil and Embry were, and Leah, too, was amused at her brother's pain.

After the laugh-fest we got down to business, we all wanted to win this, but Jacob and I are probably the most competitive. I reached over and touched Jake's hand.

So are you going to hog left field, or do I get it this time? I pouted with my eyes and he returned it with a sigh of defeat. I lifted my hand and waited for him to speak.

"Well, I guess I'll have to." He said feigning reluctance, and Leah who was generous enough to share one of her own comments.

"Of course." I heard her whisper to Embry. But I just ignored her attitude, that's what we all did. We huddled together forming a complete circle of four shape shifters and one vampire-human hybrid to convey our strategy.

This is going to be fun. I thought. Our plan was set, Embry had the luxury of being the umpire, I was in left field and only twenty yards away from Jacob. Embry set up for the first pitch which was going to go to Jasper, Jake and I swapped a wick glance, and with a crack of the bat the game began.

I sensed the ball fly passed me and into the trees, I bolted after it as Jasper sprinted over to first base. Zooming through the forest at

top speed I found the ball, it had smashed into a pine tree lodging it about three inches in the trunk. I ripped it out of the bark and threw it as hard as I could back into the clearing. Out of breath, I took a few short moments to myself. Something rustled behind me, I turned sharply and crouched defensively, but saw it was just the wind blowing the fallen leaves against the dried bark of a dead birch tree.

Renesmee, you are going crazy. I thought, shaking my head disapprovingly. I quickly made my way back, and from what I could see which was Jasper storming off of the field in pure fury, and Jake with an approving look on his face, confused as to what exactly happened I went to Jake and Embry, who had regrouped, for an answer.

"What happened what did I miss?" I asked unsure of what to think. We were stopped about fifty yards away from the bases and waiting for the next play he continued to grin approvingly at me.

"Jake got him out just before he could even get to second!" Embry nearly shouted, with that news I glanced across the field at Jasper who had calmed down enough to return to the game. He looked up and we met eye-to-eye, I shrugged telling him that I was sorry, he smiled implying that it was all right. I nodded and I took my place back in left field.

After the first few innings it was tied thirteen to thirteen then it began to rain, but we didn't stop. Dad was now at the bat, we knew that this was going to be difficult, since Dad knew all of our plays.

Quil stepped up to the plate and began winding for the pitch. But suddenly , the rain began to pour down on us. We have never quit a game before due to rain, and it seemed today was going to be our first, and my team was losing anyway. The rain was dripping off of me as if someone had dumped a bucket of water on me, everyone else did also.

Jacob and I ran under the cover of the trees, we looked up at the sky hoping that the rain would stop, but it just came down unwaveringly. His eyes came back down and met mine, I took in a long breath through my nose, accidentally breathed in his remarkably irresistible scent, and exhaled, burning my throat in the process. I winced in pain at my thirst, Jake noticed and I signaled to my throat, then he nodded.

"Ok let's go." He motioned with his head to go northwest, and headed for the mountains where there had been talk between the humans of a elk overpopulation. I grinned, but then held up my right index finger telling Jacob to wait a moment.

Dad, Jake and I are going to go hunt. We'll be back in an hour or so. Glancing across the field at Dad, speaking to him telepathically. I told him winking afterward. He and Mom seemed to be leaving when he whispered in her ear then looked back at me.

All right, be careful, he replied returning a wink. I rolled my eyes at the parental remark. I heard Jake choking back a laugh, and a quick hard nudge in the stomach shut him up.

I'm always careful. I thought, turning my body in the direction Jake had pointed out and began to stride.

I meant that for Jacob but you be careful to. I sighed and began to follow Jake into the forest. Clasping our hands together, we ran through the forest following the scent of a herd of elk five miles away.

As we gracefully cavorted through the trees, the enticing scent swirled around in my nasal cavity making my stomach rumble with impatience. I watched Jacob, unbeknown to him, as he began to "prepare" to phase into a wolf, and with the removal of his shirt I was momentarily distracted. My heart skipped a few beats as he continued, right then I believe was when he caught the feeling of someone watching him, so I quickly bolted away and nearly running face first into a fir, and while attempting to dodge the tree, I in fact slammed into a massive boulder.

I heard a wine of concern as I looked up from rubbing my aching shoulder. Jacob had already phased into this magnificent russet shaded wolf. Nearly staring into my eyes, because of his height, he sweetly licked my left shoulder. I smiled at him and a light appeared his dark brown eyes, and I knew that he knew I was all right. He motioned again with his massive vulpine head to travel in the direction toward the elk, then he trotted in that direction. I followed him as he tracked the scent, then they appeared.

Approximately forty-five elk, were grazing in the field below. We both felt that they taste better with age that is why Jacob and I only go for the eldest males. Scanning the herd, I spotted and claimed my four, as did he. Stalking them, slowly pacing ourselves for the best kill, then like lions on Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom, we dove after the elk. Chasing my first, I jumped onto it's back, snapped its neck and began to feed. From the corner of my eye I saw that Jake had caught his prey. Feeding was easy, easy but a messy business.

After a few more feeds between us, we were most definitely full, then I realized that the storm had passed, and the sun beamed brightly, causing the glow to appear on my skin. Jacob ran back into the forest, in order to change back to human form. He came walking out of the forest gleaming at me for no reason. His russet skin was bare causing my skin to glow even more under the sunlight. He glanced down at my shirt I looked down too and realized that I was covered in elk blood, I am a messy eater.

"Great." I said in a sigh, embarrassed at my lack of table manners. I began to remove the blood-soaked blouse. Once I had the shirt off, and standing there in my white tank top I thought Jake was going to have a heart attack, well Quil and Embry, maybe.

"What, are you the only person here who can be the immodest one?" I said and he chuckled a little then again looked down at me.

"I hope not." He responded and came closer to me. I nervously faced in the other direction trying to prevent the usual extreme cardiac pulsating behavior. You would think after seven years of constant companionship it wouldn't be this bad that I'd be use to it by now.

The heat from him pressed against my skin like an irresistible flame, and I was the moth. Then I went closer to him, only millimeters apart I could feel both of our hearts beating uncontrollably fast. His hand touched mine, but was hesitant at the sudden contact with the ice. A few years ago we all began to realize that my temperature was getting lower as I got older, but not drastically. I looked down at my hand with regret, then up at him and he seemed to discourage my reaction. But then, he extinguished the pain I felt with his heartwarming smile and my heart soared again. I hate it and when he does that. He's such a tease! Again he took my hand this time sincerely, crossing my fingers perfectly between his, holding on as tightly as he could. I gently rested my forehead on his chest, then he pulled me into an embrace that was just as symbolic as our previous one. He was never going to let me go, telling me that our lives are going to be like this, forever.