Chapter 1: Home

Kenzi POV

I ran along the edge of First Beach taking in the smell of the ocean. It had been forever since I ran on this beach. La Push is my home but I haven't lived here since I was about nine years old. My parents divorced and I was forced to live with my mom, while my older brother Jared got to stay with my dad. I turned ten in Manhattan, New York. If I was truthful I hated it in New York because Jared and I were inseparable until the divorce. I finally got enough money saved up to transfer to Forks Community College to finish my teaching degree.

I turned up my iPod as I ran trying to burn off some energy before going to find Dad and Jared. The skies were dark and grey, which meant a storm was about to hit. I was dressed in jogging pants and a sweatshirt. If it was going to downpour any second I'd be drenched. Mother Nature must have been pissed at me because the rain poured down soaking me from head to toe. I ran as fast as I could, trying to get out of the storm before I was soaked to the bone. I could barely see in front of me, when I ran into someone. I looked up and saw a very large guy standing before me. He was shirtless in the middle of a rainstorm was this guy stupid or something?

"Oh crap, I'm so sorry I can't see much in this rain," I said quickly. I felt like an idiot for not watching where I was going.

The guy smiled down at me. "It's alright. I need to pay more attention to where I'm going. I'm sorry Sweets. I'm Brady by the way," he extended his hand to mine.

I took his hand and smiled shyly. "Hi, Brady I'm Kenzi, nice to meet you. Sorry I zone out when the iPod is on."

Brady gasped loudly. "Kenzi Wahalla? Oh my god Kenny is that you?"

I stepped back from Brady a bit. "Yes, I'm a Wahalla do I know you?" I asked quietly. I didn't recognize Brady but that didn't mean anything since I haven't been home in ten years.

"Yes you do Kenzi, you grew up with me remember? Brady Call. You look amazing," he said shyly. Why was he acting so odd if he grew up with me?

My eyes must have looked like saucers but I couldn't seem to stop freaking out. "Hi Brady, how are you? Good god you're huge!" I squeaked. Did I really have to squeak when I said that?

Brady picked me up in his massive arms "I'm great Kenzi. What brings you home after all this time?"

I smiled a real smile those were rare for me. "Well I want to finish my teaching degree and then get a job at our tribal school."

"You're a teacher? That's awesome, Sweetie. Jay will be excited to hear that," he said pulling me in for a quick hug.

I inhaled deeply taking in the scent of the ocean water. "Speaking of Jay, do you know where I could find him?"

"I sure do," Brady said with a laugh. "He's at my house with Collin and Sam they're going over some things. I can take you over there if you want me to; it's not too far from here."

"Oh no, I couldn't inconvenience you like that Brady, I'll just walk there if you tell me where you live. Unless you live at the same house that you did when I was younger, I still remember how to get there," I laughed.

Brady set me on my feet and took my hand. "Now Kenzi Denise Wahalla you know I was raised to walk pretty girls wherever they needed to go and I don't intend on stopping now just because you are grown up. My dad would freak if I did that to his Goddaughter, of all the pretty girls in the world."

I laughed for the first time in years. "Well, I wouldn't want to get you in trouble with your dad over that so I'll let you walk with me back to your house but don't try anything funny or I'll have to kick your ass," I joked poking him in the chest.

We walked for about ten minutes before we stood in front of the pale blue house I remembered from my childhood. Everything looked the same, but different. The house was aged and slightly worn. I heard the sound of deep voices coming from inside. Brady stepped in front of me and opened the door with a smile. I smiled back and nervously took a few steps forward until I was inside the doorway.

Brady went into the kitchen and looked back at me with a smile. "Hey Jay someone is here and they're looking for you stud," he said making me laugh. I was surprised how laughing had become so easy now.

A tall and built guy followed Brady out of the kitchen and stood no more than two feet from me. "Okay Brady who wanted me?" he asked. "I was stuffing my face!" Is that really Jay?

Brady walked behind me and chuckled "This little cutie wanted you Jay. She's been looking everywhere for you. I kind of ran into her on the beach when I went for a run earlier. I told her that I knew who you were and I offered to bring her here so that she could stop looking so hard for you. "

Jared studied me closely like he'd never seen me before in his life. "I'm sorry sweetie, do I know you? You don't look like the type of girl I'd go after. I like my girls with a more fully figured body," he laughed. Was he really this much of an asshole now?

I almost smacked him "Yes asshole, you do know me. I'm Kenzi does the name ring any bells? If not then allow me to refresh your memory for you. I'm your little sister you fucking prick," I snapped. I knew I was probably a bit too harsh with my response, but he pissed me off.

Jared ran to me like his life depended on it. "Kenzi I'm so sorry for talking to you like that, I thought that you were a girl from another reservation trying to start trouble for me since I'm married now. Are you just visiting us or are you here to stay baby sister?" he asked hugging me tightly.

I glared at my brother with anger in my eyes even if he had no idea who the hell I was, he shouldn't have reacted to my visit the way he did. It was extremely uncalled for. I crossed my arms over my chest and leaned against the wall. "I was going to ask you if I could come and stay with you, but I don't want to cramp your style big brother. I'll just look for an apartment to rent," I mumbled turning toward the door. "I'm sorry I bothered you."

I felt Jared's hand grab me and hold me in place so I couldn't leave. I tried to fight him off, but he was just too strong. He spun me around to face him and cupped my face in his hands. "Kenny, I'm sorry I honestly had no idea it was you. I'd love it if you came to live with me and my wife Kim. Come in the kitchen and say hello to everyone they won't bite," Jared said putting his around me.

For a split second I wanted to run away from all of the people in Brady's kitchen, but then I realized that I knew most of the people already. I smiled huge at Jacob Black. I could never forget the face of my best friend and stand in big brother when Jay wasn't around. "Hi Jake, how are you?" I asked softly. I suddenly felt very short in the room with so many men over six feet tall.

Jake wasted no time picking me up in his arms like he used to when we younger. I listened to the sound of his heartbeat for a few minutes to calm myself down and like so many times before it worked like a charm. "Hey Miss Kenzi bear welcome home! I've missed you kid," he joked spinning me around. Jake seemed happier than Jay did to have me around again.

I laughed as I was spun around in Jake's arms, I felt at home finally. "I missed you too, Jake. Do you know where I could rent an apartment around here?" I asked not caring if I pissed Jay off or not. "I'd cramp Jay's marriage if I stayed with him. I already interrupted his meal time by showing up here tonight," I gritted my teeth with the last few words.

Every single guy in the room glared at Jared, even the ones I didn't know yet. Jake pulled away from me to look into my eyes. "What do you mean Kenzi? You are Jay's little sister, you couldn't cramp his style. You never cramped mine and you never will, in fact since Jay's being an ass you can come live with me and my wife. Come on I'll introduce you to her now."

I followed Jake across the kitchen and spotted Embry, Collin, and Quil eating what appeared to be steak and mashed potatoes. I also recognized Sam Uley and his younger brother Paul. Jake stood next to a blond girl with ringlet curls and big blue eyes. "Katie, this is Kenzi Jared's little sister and she might as well be mine too, Dad used to babysit her for nine years," he said.

Katie extended her arms for a hug. "Hi Kenzi, I've heard so much about you from Jake and Billy. It's nice to finally meet you, welcome home," she smiled so brightly at me I couldn't help it I had to smile back at her. "You look hungry, why don't I fix you a plate, guys move down a bit so Kenzi has a place to sit please."

The guys moved down and I sat next to Jake, where I felt welcome. Sam hugged me as well as Paul and Collin. It took Embry a few minutes but he hugged me too after a while. Katie gave me a plate and I ate quietly while Jay stared at me like I was from Mars. "Hungry Kenzi?" he asked coldly.

I jumped at the tone in Jay's voice; he'd never raised his voice at me before. I looked down at the food in front of me suddenly not hungry anymore. I sank in the chair and moved the food around my plate in embarrassment. Jake stood up and walked out of the kitchen, I wanted to follow him feeling like a little child wanting him to hide me. "Jakey, wait for me," I called after him. "I need air too and space from the food police."

I stood on Brady's porch with Jake and tried my best not to cry, but I felt so alone. I started to shiver when the winter wind blew past us and Jake put his arm around my shoulders. "You'll be alright Kenzi, trust me," he cooed to me. "Jay just needs to get used to you being around again. He'll come around again I know it. The divorce wasn't easy for him Kenzi bear."

I looked up at Jake with tears in my eyes and smudged mascara on my face. "It wasn't easy for me either Jake, I had to leave everyone and move to New York with no contact with anyone from here," I said softly. "I hated leaving here and Jay but I wasn't given a choice in any of it."

The door creaked open and I pulled away from Jake desperately trying to make myself look presentable to whoever was coming out on to the porch. Katie stood to the left of Jake and smiled at me. "Here Kenny, eat up baby girl," she said handing me the plate of food that I'd abandoned in the kitchen. "Jared is an ass sometimes, don't take it personally honeybunch."

I felt out of place in La Push no one could really make me feel like I belonged and that it was still my home. A young guy walked up the steps and hugged Jake tightly, giving me the once over before going inside. The guy was hot I couldn't lie to myself all Quileute boys are attractive. "Who was that Jake? Do I know him?" I asked staring back at the door he had just walked through.

Jake chuckled at my inability to close my mouth and look away from the door. The guy was adorable; he was tall with dark hair and a nice body. Jake wouldn't stop laughing at me but I didn't care. I kept hoping that the hottie I just saw would walk back outside. "That was Seth Clearwater Kenzi, he's Sue's son," Jake told me through his laughter.

Sue Clearwater has a hottie for a son? I wonder why I don't know him at all. "Why don't I know him Jake?" I asked. "He seems to be around my age, right?" I had to be careful about what I asked. I didn't want to seem desperate. I'm not nine anymore so boys tend to make me turn my head, but Seth made my head spin.

Jake smiled slyly and messed up my hair. "Seth always hung out with his dad Harry when he was little, that's why you don't know who he is. Since Harry died six years ago Seth hangs around with me a lot," he said honestly. "He's a good guy, a pig at times, but overall he's not too bad."

I smiled for some reason I couldn't help myself. "So, he's a pig? What kind of pig are you referring to, Jakey," I asked with a small laugh. "He can't be all that bad if he's my Godmother's son."

Jake laughed at my statement. "Trust me, Kenzi you will want to slaughter him just like every other girl in La Push does," he told me. "I will tell you this much though, if he hurts you or disrespects you in any way what so ever, I will be the first person in line to kill him."

I giggled and walked back inside to put my dishes in the sink. I washed the pile of dishes already stacked in the sink before washing my own. The guys in the tribe had turned into two things, one was slobs and the other was complete and utter assholes. I had just finished washing all of the dishes when Seth put his plate in the sink. I was drying the last plate when he slapped my ass. "Hey, one more plate won't kill you, right? Wash that for me, will you? Thanks a ton babe," he chuckled.

I spun around on my heels to face him, or face his bare chest was more like it. "Um, no I won't wash your dishes for you," I snapped. I wasn't a damn maid for him to use anytime he felt like being lazy. "You are capable of doing your own dishes and if you can't well then I suggest you learn!" I handed him his dishes and walked out of the kitchen with a smirk on my face.

I heard Seth grumbling something about me being a bitch when I left the kitchen. I didn't make it very far into the living room before he grabbed me lightly around my waist. I turned around slowly in his arm and faced his bare chest once more. "Can I help you?" I asked getting more irritated by him every second. I didn't like his attitude at all but somehow I didn't want to fight to get out of his arms either.

Seth smirked and laughed. "I asked you to wash my dishes for me, little girl. I shouldn't have to ask you twice," he told me softly. His hand brushed my cheek and I nearly sank to the floor forgetting that he's a pig. "Get that done for me and I'm sure that there will be a reward in it for you." Was he serious? He needs a reality check.

I pushed myself away from him almost falling on my ass in the process. "I am not your maid and I refuse to clean up after your pig ass," I yelled. "I can't believe that you would just assume that I'm here to clean! If I was a maid I would never clean up after you, even if I was paid all the money in the world."

After I told Seth off, he turned to me and smiled showing off its perfection. "Who said anything about paying you to clean?" he asked folding his arms over his chest. "I asked you to wash one plate and a glass for me. If I had known that you were such a bitch I wouldn't have bothered asking in the first place."

I had enough of the bullshit I wouldn't take any more of it. I turned around and stomped out of Brady's house, slamming the front door behind me. I wanted someone to come after me, but I knew no one would. Welcome home, Kenzi! I thought to myself blowing a breath of air out of my lungs. I laughed at myself "Some welcome," I whispered lowly into the air. La Push will always be home sweet home.