Disclaimer: I own nothing.
A/N – I know I haven't written anything since last year, but this just hit me hard after I watched the movie. I have to say I love the pairing of Valerie and Peter.
Summary: When Bella is bitten by a werewolf hunting in Phoenix one blood moon, Renee knows the only way to protect her daughter from being found out is to ship her off to Forks. But Renee didn't count of the resident vampire family that called Forks home, or the shape shifters just next door. Not exactly what a brand new werewolf needs.
BPOV:
Phoenix was usually such a sunny place that no one ever thinks about how haunting it can look at night. But then again, uptown Phoenix (or is it downtown?) is as loud and bright at night as it is during the day, even if the light is artificial.
I hurried down the empty streets of suburbs, where the artificial light did not shine. Other than the scattered street lamps that the city planners had been kind enough to add on, everything was quiet and dark. Renee had told me that getting a job that ended so late was a bad idea when there was no car for me to drive home, but I had ignored her because Phoenix Friendly was only a ten-minute walk from our house, and for a drug store on a street corner – one of many – it didn't pay too horribly.
Still, the darkness seemed especially mysterious tonight. Maybe it was the blood moon that had been hanging above Phoenix this past week, this tonight being it's last night here for another thirteen years.
I shook my head, clearing it – all these recent gang killings were getting to me.
Still, whatever gang it was that was now terrorizing the city of Phoenix truly was barbaric, if the news reports were anything to go by. Random people found with limbs missing or their throats ripped out, scratches covering their limbs. The police chief had stated that it was likely the gang was cornering their victims before setting dogs loose on them, as no mere animal could cause such damage without being a bear or something.
And Phoenix doesn't have bears.
My senses, heightened by my traitorous fear, allowed me notice a sound that did not belong in the darkness. Click, click, click.
My head swiveled and I cocked my head. It almost sounded like someone was tapping long fingernails against smooth concrete. But that would mean something was here with me…
I sped up my pace, my heart beginning to race. It's nothing! I told myself. Slow down now – you are not being chased by something so stop acting like it! Neither my heart nor legs agreed with me though, so I continued to speed walk down the empty street with my eyes glued straight ahead.
Just around this corner and I'll be one my road. I'm already half-way there. Just keep going!
Click, click, click.
No one is following you! I mentally berated myself.
Turn around then. The more daring part of me challenged. I mentally glared at that part.
"Fine!" I muttered, irritated and scared. It was making me irrational, talking to myself and hearing things. I turned around, determined to prove that daring side wrong. "See, nothing's-" I cut myself off, not daring to breathe.
The only street light on this road was back down where I had come from and quite far away, but I could still see the beast five feet in front of me with what little light it provided. It was huge; its head slightly above mine. I could look it in the eye, which right now I was.
And those eyes. I had never thought of yellow as a scary color – quite the opposite – but right now I would happily run away from baby chickens if they were this color. Harsh and sharp, the two slit yellow eyes seemed to slice me right open. I could not force myself to look away. It was as if I wanted it to stare at me – right before it killed me.
The black beast took a step forward and I snapped out of my trance.
A ragged gasp, meant to be a scream, escaped me and I set off running toward my road – towards home. I snarl came from behind me and there was a click from the monster's claws as they hit the concrete road and then smash!
Faster than my mind could process I was on the ground, unsure of what had happened. I could feel tiny pieces of the road digging into my face and arms and the beast's body on top of mine. I used my hands to turn myself onto my back, even under the creature's weight.
Yellow eyes. Once again, they bore into mine and the fear made me tremble, my mind telling me to scream as loud as I could. But even through the cloying fear, two things processed clearly in my mind as the beast snarled down at me from above, white teeth gleaming.
I was going to die. This creature was going to kill me no matter how loud I screamed – if I even had time to do that. Its teeth were like knifes poised over a juicy steak, ready to start cutting. But maybe if I screamed the neighbors would hear and be alerted of the danger.
I will not show it I am afraid. I didn't why it was so important to me not to seem afraid when I obviously am, but it was. Maybe I just didn't want to have my life end like a Hollywood horror movie, screaming in terror as the monstrous beast ate me alive. Or maybe I just didn't want to think of myself as a coward who is scared of monsters. I may not have been a person who could watch gore and grin the whole time, but monsters had never bothered me before.
Still, I managed to harden my eyes and even glare at the beast, though the trembling didn't stop. Those sharp yellow eyes were full of animalistic hunger as they gazed at me, teeth bared, but I still spat out "Enjoy the feast," quite sarcastically. I don't know how I did it. The blood moon glowed down on us, giving the beast an eerie red outline.
The next thing I knew a those jaws dug into my shoulder and then darkness.
Ten months later
"I'll be fine mom," I said, trying to assure my mother yet again. She was still anxious about my decision to move to Forks, even though she was the only one who knew the real reasons for my moving. "Besides," I whispered so that any passerby's couldn't hear me, "there are tons of woods in Forks, unlike Phoenix. We always have to go far away on full moons. There'll be plenty of wild animals for me to kill those nights and much more space. People were getting a little suspicious this year anyway, seeing as I didn't have the excuse of injures to explain why I'm missing several days of school monthly. Charlie's already told everyone that I get repercussions of the attack at least once a month, so I have my excuse. Everything will be fine."
Renee still looked uncertain, but I knew my logic had worked on her. That was one thing I appreciated much more now – the human ability to be logical. Animals did not have such things.
"As long as you call me during that time of the month so I can know you're OK," Renee seemed to be trying to reassure herself more than me, but I didn't mind. Aside from me and Charlie's summers together back before I was thirteen, this is the longest amount of time she was letting me leave her. And things had changed greatly since then.
"I love you Mom," I said, giving her one last hug. My mother hadn't given me as much physical contact since 'the attack' as we liked to call it, but she was soaking it up now. "Tell Phil I'll miss him too when he gets back from his job hunting. He's in Georgia right now, right?"
Renee smiled at me, her eyes tearing up. "Sure thing sweetheart."
I felt bad for leaving her, especially when I was still unstable. But I had control of myself enough not to kill people at random once a month as long I was far enough away when night fell.
I waved goodbye as I boarded the plane, and Renee waved back.
I couldn't help but think of that other, unspoken reason as to why I was leaving. Neither Renee nor I spoke of it, but we both knew deep inside. Phil could not know. He may be my mom's new husband, but that doesn't mean we could risk the fragile secrecy that we surrounded ourselves in when it came to the attack. Both our lives had changed that night, but none more so than mine.
Still, driving out to the nearest forested area and spending several days there once a month just wasn't plausible when one person in your house had no idea what was going on. It had been a horrible hassle last week and once the full moon was over I had immediately decided that Fork's extensive forests were exactly what I needed.
Of course Renee had put up a fight about it, saying that we couldn't risk telling Charlie about my monthly problem, but in the end, she had agreed that I was responsible enough to handle it. "Of course coming back is an option," Renee had said, "but do what you need to do."
And telling my dad I had been attacked by a werewolf on a blood moon and therefore was now one myself wouldn't exactly end well. I had been lucky that Renee had found me out there on the road, unconscious and bleeding from the cuts on my arms and face, my shoulder forever scarred by vicious bite mark on my shoulder. I was also been lucky that she had been into myths and legends at the time, and therefore knew exactly what had happened.
I laughed quietly to myself as I remembered my shock at her conclusion. Werewolf. Then again, the beast that had attacked me could easily fit the werewolf bill when I remembered what I had seen on the monstrous creature.
The plane landed in Port Angeles late that afternoon. Charlie was there to pick me up like I expected and soon we were on our way to Forks. The silence wasn't as trying to me as it was to Charlie. Knowing your daughter had been mentally and physically scarred by a vicious attack and you could do nothing to help her wasn't some I perceived as a good motivator for conversation. And judging from the way Charlie kept glancing at me, as if I'd explode or something, it was obvious that he was feeling both helpless and wary.
I however, found the silence between us comforting. Of all the things that changed, Charlie's awkwardness when it came to his feelings, something I had inherited, hadn't changed. Plus, the lack of conversation allowed me time to adjust to the new environment. The air smelled much more heavy and damp around here, the constant rain and abundant greenery adding new scents – scents that I hadn't been able to smell til the attack – and flavors to the air. They made my nose twitch every once and a while, something I was trying to get a hold on.
We finally arrived home. The house was decent for its age seeing as this was the house I was brought home to when I was born, but the house didn't interest me as much as the woods behind it. I would have to see just how far out they went, but still, having them so close to home would be good. They would be accessible that's for sure.
"Well, here we are Bells," Charlie said gruffly and I smiled. It would do, though the real test would come in about a month.
I managed to convince Charlie that I could carry my own bags – and with my new strength it really was no problem – and marched up to my room. Charlie followed, watching me like a hawk again. I dumped the backpack and single suitcase – we couldn't find many clothes meant for Washington in Arizona – on my new bed and looked at my new room.
The bed cover and pillows were a purple that looked as plain and worn out as the white paint on the walls. There was a small closet, a wooden desk with an ancient computer on top, and an old rocking chair that stood as a testament to my childhood days here.
I turned to look at Charlie, hyper aware of his continued presence with my new senses. I was still getting a hold of those.
Charlie cleared his throat. "Look Bells, I'm glad you're here and, well, if there's anything you need, whether it's concerning, er, what happened, then I just want to know that I'll, well, be there for you." Charlie looked away as he said this but that made the meaning no less important.
I looked away to, my brown eyes gazing out the window. Well, they were brown now anyway. "Thanks Dad. I'm glad I'm here too – I just needed a change of atmosphere, you know? And I'll remember that. Love you." I said, blushing slightly.
Charlie blushed as well though it was less obvious on his face – he wasn't as pale as me. "Love you too Bella. I'm glad you're alright, or at least as alright as you can be, all things considered."
I didn't answer him and Charlie left. I stood there, thinking.
Was I alright? I was a brand new werewolf who was going to test her iffy self-control on the unknowing populace of Forks, Washington. I was a monster who was trying to be a good as she could, even though her instincts made her want to be a killer. I was a mythical creature now; something that I didn't even believe existed til I became one myself. A considerably dark creature to boot, one that had been painted in many different lights through the ages and few of them good. Was I truly alright?
I sighed. No I'm not alright. I thought sadly. But like Charlie said, I'm about as good as I can be, all things considered.
My first day at Forks High seemed to be going unprecedentedly well considering I wasn't even there yet.
By the time I woke up Charlie had already left for work, so no one was there to make breakfast for aside from myself. While rummaging for a box of cereal that wasn't already expired I managed to find a note Charlie left saying that he had got me a truck for school that he had bought off his old friend Billy and that it was waiting in the drive way for me. I had nearly teared up at that but I didn't want to seem too pathetic – crying over a car and all. Even if it was incredibly sweet of Charlie to do such a thing.
I jotted down a quick 'thank you' as I mused over the fact that I didn't have to walk to school now. Not that it would have bothered me – I was in excellent physical shape due to me new, powerful muscles – but showing off by walking two miles there and back every day just wasn't my thing, and the rain would make it a miserable experience to anyone, even a werewolf.
When I got outside I found that the truck was obviously very old but still in good shape. I couldn't see a single dent in its exterior, even with my superhuman sight. It is just rusted, but that didn't bother me at all. At least it worked.
But now that I was finally at school – the truck was slow so I didn't have much time til class – I realized just how uncomfortable I was. I knew no one here, and considering how gossipy these small towns were, everyone here probably knew me.
I sighed and got out of the truck. There was no use just sitting here.
It was easy enough to find the main office, though I might have had trouble once upon a time. As soon as I walked in the scent of warm air and cheap perfume hit my nose, making my nose twitch. I walked right up to the front desk, fighting off a sarcastic thought at several obviously fake plants that took up space in the corners, and cleared my throat to get the receptionist's attention.
The receptionist was a woman with fake red hair and a cheery smile who immediately scanned my features when she noticed me there, as if trying to see if she'd seen me before.
"Hello my name in Isabella Swan. I'm new." I had a feeling Charlie would have called me by my full name to everyone here. I was not disappointed.
Recognition flashed across her face and her smile widened. "Oh, of course! Here you go dear." she said, handing my slip. The woman, whose nametag I now saw read Ms. Cope, didn't stop smiling even as I walked away. I could feel her gaze on my back, assessing me. I didn't need werewolf senses for that.
The beast inside me, melded with what was once my more daring side, growled at the unwanted attention. I had never had one of those quick tempers, but the beast seemed to have mind of its own sometimes. Things that would have mildly irritated me before the attack would make the beast growl and glare and beg to be allowed control. I knew my control wasn't perfect – nowhere close in fact, it had only been ten months – but it was enough nowadays that I didn't feel the urge to break someone's hand if they laughed when I stumbled. Something I now only did when my mind was busy.
So of course I had to trip right then, practically falling on a boy with dark hair and glasses. The glasses fell from his face and onto the ground, but he somehow managed to grab my arm and steady me.
"Oh I'm so sorry – are you OK?" I asked urgently, swooping down and snatching his fallen glasses in one fluid movement. I held them out for him. "I believe these are yours?"
The boy, who looked like the chess club type, sighed in relief and took the glasses. But when he returned them to his face, he gasped in surprise. "Yeah, yeah I'm fine. You must be the new kid."
The beast stiffened in irritation and I mentally groaned. I did not want to be known as 'the new kid' for any amount of time. I decided to enlighten him. "My name's Bella." I said. I needed to be patient – at least for now.
"I'm Eric Yorke. Do you need some help finding your way around?" Eric said. When I nodded, Eric grinned happily, looking quite accomplished with himself.
And that was how it went for the next several hours. Some new person would escort me to class, and they would ask me questions about life in Phoenix that I had already answered for the guy (or girl) before them. When I got into said class, I would hand the teacher my slip to be signed and make my way to my new desk with everyone staring at me. It wasn't completely horrible, but it sure was annoying.
By the time lunch came around, I had become friends with a girl named Jessica. She was shorter than me with curly hair that made up for her lacking in height, and she talked almost nonstop about anything and everything. I managed to listen with one ear as we went through the lunchroom and got our trays. I got no more than an average human would – something that had shocked me at first. Wouldn't werewolves need more food than normal? I somehow didn't.
Jessica led to me to a table full of semi-recognizable faces. I recognized one boy with spiked up hair, Mike, from my World History class, and chess club Eric was there. Jessica began pointing out other kids as we sat down: Lauren, Angela, Ben, and Tyler, all of whom seemed at least halfway decent, Lauren being the exception.
It wasn't until the introductions were over that I noticed them. My eyes, for some reason, seemed to gravitate to them just before they came into view. I couldn't stop staring as they got their trays and, moving in a way that made it hard to tell they were sticking close together, went over to a table on the other side of the cafeteria. I waited til they had all sat down before I turned to Jessica.
"Who are they?" I was unable to hold back the curiosity in my voice. Jessica grinned at me, and I could almost feel her excitement at being the first to tell me about these beautiful strangers.
"They are the Cullens and the Hales." She stated, setting a practiced eye on them. I had feeling she had spent a long time staring at them – or at least the boys. "The big one is Emmett Cullen, the bronze-haired boy and the short girl is his siblings Edward and Alice Cullen. The two blondes are Jasper and Rosalie Hale – they're twins. Jasper and Alice are together, along with Rosalie and Emmett. But don't waste your time with Edward – he doesn't date, at all." She said the 'at all' like it was some kind of scandal. I had to resist laughing.
Still, something about them just doesn't feel right…
Just as that thought went through my head, Edward – the bronze-haired one – turned and met my eyes. His eyes were pure black; not a completely unnatural color, but not something you often see. I couldn't seem to look away, just as I hadn't been able to look away when I had come face-to-face with my attacker that night. Yet they held none of the sharpness or violent ferocity that the monster's had.
Stop! I commanded myself. I've never even met him! Why I am comparing his eyes with that beast's anyway? Edward Cullen is not a mythical creature.
Thankfully, the spell was broken. Edward looked away and I nearly let out a breath in relief, but held it in. I turned back to the table and saw Mike gazing at Edward, almost jealously. He must like Jessica or something, considering she seemed hung up on Edward.
"So?" Jessica said, grinning like the devil. "Isn't he hot?"
I shrugged, knowing some people took offence to the term 'hot'. Besides, I don't judge people by looks – actually, I don't judge anything by looks anymore. Some things are not what they seem.
Jessica huffed irritably at my noncommittal answer and I decided to move this conversation along. "So, where are they from?"
Angela seemed to notice my attempt at a topic change and played along. "Alaska. Dr. Cullen is a doctor and moved them all down here two years ago. He fixed my brother's arm last year – he's an amazing doctor."
I gave Angela a small smile just before Jessica jumped back in, happy to gossip more about the elusive Cullens to the clueless new girl. "Yeah, Mrs. Cullen is like the twins' aunt or something like that. The three Cullen kids are all foster kids though. I think Mrs. Cullen can't have kids." She tacked on the last part as an afterthought. I frowned slightly but didn't comment on her rude way of saying something so personal.
The bell rung and I was once again escorted – this time by Mike. Mike wouldn't stop talking, almost nervously if what I smell was right, until we got to Biology.
I walked up to the teacher, Mr. Banner, who signed my slip with a smile. I nearly sighed in relief when he pointed out my seat – some of the teachers made me introduce myself in front of the whole class. Just because I was now a mythical creature doesn't mean I suddenly got amazing public speaking skills.
I slid into my seat, internally happy that I didn't trip into it as I used to, and turned to my new Biology partner. But just as I did, taking a deep breath through my nose at the same time, I felt the subtle waves of the air conditioner hit me from behind.
Everything changed that second.
Edward Cullen tensed up and his eyes widened before narrowing into a vicious glare. He practically screamed hatred as his hands gripped the desk hard enough to make his bones show against his pale skin. His eyes were suddenly very much like my attacker's.
But I didn't have much capability to process more than that.
The second Edward's scent hit my nose I was attacked from the inside. I had thought I had good control over the beast. But right now, I never felt so wrong. His scent wasn't repulsive, but it made the beast come alive like never before – except for those full moon days. The beast roared in fury at the smell, and the instinct to rip and tear him shreds was stronger than ever before. I'd never felt such…such bloodlust before. The beast screamed and thrashed against the binds I tried to force over it as it tried to meld with my human side and gain control. It would not be deterred – it was determined to kill Edward Cullen.
I froze, barely managing to turn my head – quite stiffly – to the front. It was an effort to appear to be paying attention as I fought for his life. I could feel my eyes reflecting the beast inside of me; slit dangerously and yellow. As I fought of my instincts, I clamped down on my muscles, refusing to move an inch. The beast shrieked at that, and for a moment I felt my control slipping, my mind mixing with the beast's, my body trembling under the weight of my instincts, my crushing strength let loose and flowing freely through my arms, my lips pulling back into a snarl, a growl slowly building in my throat…
And then a blast of air from that same damned air conditioner hit me right in the face – clearing my mind and making my nose twitch – and for a blessed moment, that control-shattering smell was gone.
My instincts backed down just enough – for the supposed threat was not truly gone – for me to try to put a lid over them. I doubted I would ever be able to cover them completely, but I could try. The beast still struggled – the threat was right there – but in the end, it was contained. Somewhat. At least I pushed the beast into the back of my mind.
But every living creature had to breathe, and when I took another breath it was like my inner demons – my beast – went wild and desperate for blood. But I was warned this time, and I knew what was to come when it happened. That lessened the beast's hold a bit; it wasn't a lot, but it was enough to sit there for the rest of the hour without the beast melding with my human side again. How long was even left? Shouldn't it be over by now? This wasn't right – I was already cursed and now I can't even go to class without wanting to kill my lab partner! I would have growled aloud if I weren't afraid of Edward hearing me.
Time ticked away like a slug, dragging itself at the minimal speed forward. The whole time I kept the beast at bay as it fought its way out. My breaths were erratic and as far in-between as I make them without turning blue. By the time the bell rang, to signal the end of class my face was flushed from breathing with my teeth clenched.
I stood up as fast as possible, my body still tensed – though to defend myself from an attack or to pounce on someone myself, I don't know. But before I could grab my stuff and leave Edward Cullen was already out the door. I blinked in shock, not truly processing the fact that he went just a bit too fast, then grabbed my stuff and left just as quickly. I would deal without a guide for now.
As soon as I left the Biology classroom and escaped into the relative safety of the hallway, I dashed straight into the girl's bathroom and collapsed against the wall, gasping for breath.
"Dear God…" I whispered to myself. "What the hell was that?"
After I managed to get control of myself – and stop freaking out – I speed walked to Gym. I didn't get lost on the way there and just barely managed to squeeze into gymnasium before the teacher walked in.
I wasn't a total disaster when it came to sports now, though I was nowhere near talented. I merely had more strength and stamina and could instinctually aim my hands so that the ball would go where I wanted it too. So yeah, not talented at all.
But that didn't meant I enjoyed it. Sports had been the bane of existence for too long for me to change my views on it now. I had happily pretended, during those last days at my old school, that I was just as bad as I had always been.
But here was supposed to be a new start and, though I knew it would get annoying to be known as being good at sports, I would play as good as I could. After all, if I pretended to be horrible and then slipped up one day things would not end well. Therefore, I best just not to pretend when it came to gym. I wouldn't do my very best – that meaning, be superhuman – but I would be good enough not to be a jinx.
By the end of gym I was smiling. Focusing on not being just the perfect amount of good had taken my mind off Edward Cullen and my strange reaction to him. That and the fact that I hadn't broken a sweat. My good mood was ruined when I got back to the office.
Before I even got back to office I could hear two people talking inside. I froze ten feet from the door when I realized what one of the voices was saying.
"Drop Biology? You won't have enough credits to graduate." Mrs. Cope was saying, obviously trying to convince someone to reconsider.
"I'll catch up next year."
The words chilled me to the bone when I realized what was going on. Edward Cullen was trying to convince Mrs. Cope to let him drop Biology, the class he had with me. My heart sped up and I mentally cheered him on. Please Mrs. Cope, let him drop the class. I don't know if I can survive Biology if what happened today happens everyday! Please.
"Please Mrs. Cope?"
Mrs. Cope paused, obviously thinking about it. "I really don't think there are any other options Edward. You'll just have to bear through it. I'm sorry." She sounded truly apologetic.
I heard Edward sigh through the brick walls and walk towards the door – his steps so quiet I barely noticed them even though I was looking for them. I made a snap decision and moved a bit too fast to the side of the building. I held my breath when I heard the door open and saw Edward Cullen walk away without sparing a glance in my direction. It wasn't til he disappeared inside his car – the Volvo, of course – that I came out of my hiding spot and slipped inside the office.
Mrs. Cope seemed to be thinking about something until she spotted me. She smiled and took my slip. "Have a good day dear?"
I paused. Today definitely wasn't good, but at least I didn't kill anyone. "Yeah." I lied. She didn't appear to believe me.
When I left the office I practically ran to my truck, seeing as no one was still in the parking lot. I slammed the door shut and drove at my truck's top speed back home, one thought running continuously through my mind.
What happened?
There it is, chapter one! And no, I'm NOT telling you why both Bella and Edward freaked out when they smelled each other. It's obvious if you know anything about animal behavior though. I will be tweaking the werewolf characteristics a bit to serve my own purposes – for example, Bella will not age but won't realize it for a while, even though Cesaire obviously aged. After all, Bella is going to remain a werewolf – why would I change her into a vampire? However she will still be allergic to silver, still burn when she enters holy places (not sure just yet how to incorporate that one), still has super senses and abilities, and will still smell musky, like the forest. However, no one will notice except the Cullens when they find out because Forks is surrounded by forests that make everyone smell like that, like how the grandmother smelled like the wolf because she lived in the woods her whole life.
Just in case you're wondering why Edward didn't notice her hiding, his mind was too absorbed in his thoughts to notice her consciously. Edward and Mrs. Cope's conversation is mostly taken from Midnight Sun, with my own change at the end.
~Sweevil Out!