(Sequel to my story "Asylum". Bree Cullen and Seth Clearwater are happily enrolled in college together and dating. Their life is disturbed when a series of grisly murders draws too much attention to the possibility of vampires and werewolves. Bree and Seth find themselves looking into the crimes for their own safety. To top it all off figures from Bree's past show up and seem determined to pull her back to her former life.)
(Note: Not listed as a crossover but I AM expecting members of the FBI's Behavioral Analysis Unit as well as US Marshal's Black Badge Division to put in appearances.)
(Calm before the Storm)
Bree Cullen yawned and stretched on the blanket laid out under a spreading tree. She laid aside the book she had been reading. Twisting slightly she looked up at the young man in whose lap her head was resting. He was comfortably slouched against the tree trunk with his legs out to the side. In contrast to her he had been doing nothing more challenging than playing with Bree's long brown hair. Even longer now that it had been back in high school, it now reached below her waist.
It was a beautiful fall day, the temperature mild as usual here at the foot of the Oregon Coast Range. Happily the clouds had parted and the rain that had fallen off and on for the last few days had vanished. A gentle breeze ruffled Seth hair as he leaned over to place a kiss on Bree's upturned face.
"Mmmm that's nice," the petite girl smiled, her eyes sparkling.
"Yes it is." Seth shifted position. His legs were now drawn up and spread so Bree could sit up against him with her head just under his chin. His arms went around her and she covered his hands with hers.
The pair had just returned for their second year at Oregon State University. They were still mostly taking core courses but were enjoying those even as they looked forward to beginning their planned majors. Seth was enrolled at the School of Forestry while Bree's Biology major was leading her pre-med aspirations. Seth grinned as he recalled Bree's completely straight faced announcement of what she hoped to accomplish as a doctor.
"First and foremost, like my Dad, I want to help people. Second I want to explore the physiology of vampires. Could our bite be made non-poisonous or at least not always fatal so we wouldn't kill every time we fed; vegetarian or 'normal' vampires alike. And then there's the most important thing of all."
"What's that?"
"To do something to adjust our sense of smell so that werewolves don't stink so badly."
They had laughed together. Somehow that didn't seem to be an issue between them. He had also noted that the whole smell thing didn't seem to bother Renesmee and Jacob. He shrugged. It wasn't like there was anything he could do about it. Maybe Bree would solve it one day but he wouldn't hold his breath. He grinned. He wasn't the one who had to do just that as she had told him more than once again with a straight face. Maybe his girlfriend had an aptitude for stand-up comedy. Of course since her jokes could only be appreciated by vampires and shape shifters she might not have much of an audience.
Bree sighed. "I'm glad to be back but I did have a wonderful time this past summer."
Seth certainly agreed with that. Corvallis wasn't a very big city, most of its population being made up by the University and Good Samaritan Medical Center but getting back to the deep woods where he felt most at home was wonderful indeed. He was already looking forward to next summer, in part because by then he would hopefully be taking some of his forestry courses and could apply what he learned to the woods at home.
Their names were called out as a group of their friends walked by. The pair waved back. Especially when they had first arrived here last year they had kept to themselves. Freed of her past as Bree Tanner and with her new-born status firmly behind her the petite vampire had come out of her shell. While still holding back from many of the campus goings-on she, and by association Seth, had accumulated friends that they hung out with and enjoyed. There had been a few parties, a concert or two, even a football game last fall and a baseball game last spring.
"They sure don't play baseball like my family does," was Bree's private comment to Seth although she claimed she enjoyed the experience.
Seth looked up at sun, gauging the time before pulling out his phone and confirming what he already knew.
"Time for class Bree."
"Just when I got comfortable," the girl grumbled. Still, she pushed herself up and together they began to gather the blanket and the rest of their belongings. Their attention was drawn by a booming and generally obnoxious voice from somewhere on the other side of the tree although some distance away. Unfortunately the voice was also familiar.
"Him again," Seth noted.
"Are his minions with him?" asked Bree without much curiosity in her voice.
"Of course," her boyfriend replied with just as much lack of enthusiasm. "They're too codependent not to be."
Bree grunted agreement, looking around the tree trunk. "Wonder who they're bullying now?"
"I think he's just showing off."
"I can't figure out what he thinks he has that deserves showing off."
"Me either, but after that our little confrontation last fall I think he looks around twice before he even thinking about bullying anyone."
(Previous school year. Freshman registration)
"Get out of my way little man."
A sudden push on his shoulder caught Seth off guard and he staggered forward. Regaining his balance he spun around so smoothly and quickly that the hulking boy behind him involuntarily took a step back before regaining his composure. And his attitude.
"Make way sonny. I don't have time to wait in line."
"Neither do I," Seth returned calmly, "but it happens."
"Don't you know who I am?"
"Someone with retarded social skills?" Bree asked, coming over after having finished her own course sign-up.
Seth smothered a grin. Bree was no longer the scared shy little girl she had been a few years back. She might still look like a little sixteen year old but she had grown into someone who was confident and sure of herself. No wonder he loved her.
Confusion on his face the big man turned to face Bree. Realizing that it was a petite girl glaring at him he shook his head and the cocky grin returned to his face.
"Well hey there little darling'. I'm Mike Dexter. You're pleased to meet me I'm sure. I'm the new star member of the Beavers."
A look of confusion crossed Bree's face and Seth just managed to swallow a laugh as she spoke again."
"You eat trees?"
"Football! It's the football team, little darlin'." He moved closer to Bree. He stopped and looked around as did the three hangers-on with him. A low animal growl surrounded them. The source seemed hard to pinpoint. It was as though it was coming from all around them.
Bree held her breath for a moment. She had faith in Seth and his self-control but the lunkhead in front of her was just capable of pushing too hard and she didn't want to have to explain how a giant wolf appeared and ate this self-proclaimed football star. Telling the authorities it was because he felt his mate was being threatened, although actually the reason, wouldn't exactly go over compared to finding a wolf shape shifter in the middle of college registration.
Fortunately things calmed down when a friendly arm was draped over Dexter's shoulder.
"Hi there."
The football player tried to shake loose but found himself in an iron grip far surpassing his strength.
"Nice to meet you," the large dark-haired young man said affably. "I see you've met Bree and her other half. By the way I'm Emmett Cullen and I'm Bree's older brother. One of them." He casually tightened his grip. Dexter barely managed to choke down a gasp of pain.
"Who are you?" Mike demanded although in a much more subdued voice.
"I'm Emmett Cullen. As I said, Bree here is my little sister." The tall man responded with an easy grin. "I see you've met her and her boyfriend." He continued what outwardly appeared to be an affable arm around the self-proclaimed football hero's shoulders. He leaned closer. In a voice only Dexter could hear he went on. "You might think I'm having this discussion to warn you away from my sister and her boyfriend. That's true but not for the reason you might think. While I'm perfectly capable of doing some very bad things to you I might be able to stop myself but Seth won't. And you don't have to believe me but I assure you he is a lot more dangerous than I am. So a word to the wise."
Without waiting for an answer he released Dexter, who did not manage to suppress his gasp of relief. Turning to Bree and Seth he smiled.
"So you guys ready to go grab a bite? Once Seth is registered of course."
"Sure." Bree smiled and leaned into a big hug from her brother. She was happy he had diffused the situation without drawing too much attention to it and preserving everyone's public status. She managed once more not to giggle as Seth finished his registration and they left while Dexter was still standing in the same place blinking in confusion.
"I have a feeling," Seth remarked as they headed for the parking lot, "that old Mike there is going to discover that being the big man in high school is not going to automatically transfer to college. Maybe it will but I have my doubts."
(Present)
Bree continued to regard Mike Dexter with a faint look of disgust on her face.
"Bullying perhaps is out of bounds to him now but he still thinks he's God's gift to women."
"He's not hitting on you is he?" Seth asked casually but a fire lit in his eyes.
"Of course not." Bree slipped her arm through his and squeezed gently. "He knows better."
Seth calmed down and changed the subject. "The weekend is almost here. Want to go camping?" he asked as they ambled towards class.
"Going camping" was the euphemism the pair used for going to the woods so Bree could go hunting and Seth could run in his wolf form
"We'd better," replied the petite vampire reluctantly.
"Hey, it's okay," Seth put his arm around her.
"I know, it's who I am and I remember what Rosalie says all the time. If she had had a choice she would have refused but it happened and she has so much to be thankful for because of it. But it does get old sometimes."
"I know sweetie." He pulled her in tighter. "But think of it. You and me and no one else for miles around."
"That sounds promising," Bree laughed.
"It will be."
(To be continued)