Chapter 1: The Forest

The earth was a soft cushion under me as I lay down in the meadow where my parents had spent many a time. Listening to the sounds around me, I realized I was comfortable. I could hear the deer drinking at the stream, the foxes running through the brush after a rabbit, the birds talking amongst themselves. However, something was bizarre. No sooner had I thought about that, two big, strong arms scooped me up with ease. I didn't have to look to know who it was. The boy holding me was one of which who never left me alone, the one who always protected me, the one who claimed to be my soul mate forever.

"Hello, beautiful," whispered Jacob Black, as he was setting me back down to the ground. "What brings you all the way out here on this ugly day?"

"What deems this day ugly in comparison?" I asked smiling.

"You of course," was his answer. Now Jacob has known me for my entire life, so it came as no surprise to me when he suggested what I was just about to say. "Want to race?" he asked. Knowing that I could beat him with my eyes closed, I nodded. Grinning with a look of determination, he asked me to wait where I was while he phased. I shrugged. He was in the dense forest before I could blink, and back out again within 40 beats of my heart. As I walked over to him and put my hand on his big, scruffy neck, I could hear him whining with anticipation.

"Hold on, we have to state the course," I huffed. We stood there waiting impatiently while the pictures running through my mind connected with his, and he either agreed with a woof, or denied that path with a growl. After what seemed like 10 years, though it was about 10 seconds, Jacob was ready to start. Just like that, we were off, flying through the meadow, leaping into the forest to start our race.

Thinking about how easy this was going to be for me, I slowed my pace. I will just wait here until Jacob catches up, I thought. I could hear him coming up behind me. Panting, he flew by me, a blur of fur. Laughing, I got up and started jogging. Within a second, I was already passing him. He growled at me in annoyance and then continued to run. As I eased into a run, I could hear him straining his breath to try to catch me. "You should've kept your mouth shut," I whispered. Then I really took off. In less than a second, I had crossed the stream, jumped up one side of the mountain and I was sliding back down, feeling free as a bird. When I looked over at where Jacob was just coming out of the forest, I giggled and then continued to slide. Then he looked up. Seeing me so far ahead, he barked and howled to try to divert my attention. I must admit it started to work. In mid-leap over the stream, Jacob let out the biggest howl I have ever heard him make, almost as loud as a foghorn. Just as I landed on the ground, he was there playfully snapping. Startling me, my feet lost there hold, and I fell into the stream.

Barking his wolf-laugh, Jacob just stood there, looking amused and satisfied. Annoyed, I snapped at him "Jacob Black, you are the dumbest, stupidest, werewolf I know. Stop looking at me like that and help me up." He was still laughing silently as he put his head under my arm and hoisted me up so that I could stand. Once stable, I jumped onto his back and we took off again. Jacob cared about me, which I knew, even if he was careless now and then. Smiling, I dug my fingers into his fur to keep my hands warm. As we got back to the meadow, he slowed down so that I could fully lie on his back. Coming to a stop, he slowly lowered himself to the ground. As I steeped off, he licked my hand and then ran into the forest to phase back into human form. When he returned, he was laughing at me again. "What now?" I asked him, not liking when he did not tell me things.

Trying to make a straight face, he replied, "You made my fur all wet. I could barely get my shirt on. I swear it was worse than when you clung to me when you were little. Jeez!" Smiling a little at this, I started to walk away. Jacob couldn't understand. He started following me, more determined then ever to find out what I was hiding. "Renesmee Carlie Cullen why are you smiling?" he asked curiously.

"Oh nothing," I giggled.

Demanding now he said "Well, are you going to tell me or not?" I startled him with my quick turn.

"Do you really want to know?" I asked him. He nodded. "Okay fine," I said, "It's just that I am smiling over my victory."

Confused he asked "Victory…what victory? You didn't win the race." I just nodded. He laughed a boastful laugh, a laugh to prove him wrong. "How did you win?" he inquired.

"Well, I was beating you down the mountain, over the stream and then you cheated. Then when you dropped my off in the meadow, you were about a foot in front of the finish line. So, when I got off your back, I walked over the finish line, and since I completed most of the race already, I win." Thinking this over, Jacob sighed as he realized that I was right.

Grinning sneakily he just told me " You are the smartest person I know" before picking me up and running through the forest, back to my house, with me in his arms once again.