Author's Note: Wow, you guys! Sorry it took so long for this chapter to be finished, but I am sort of a perfectionist, and this was a lot harder to write than I expected it to be. I have been under the weather lately, also. But here it is the second chapter! I hope y'all like this one as much as you did the first one!
Bella's a... How could this... She didn't even grow up on the reservation... voices swirled around in my head, none of them being my own. Was this wolf telepathy Jacob had always mentioned? I tried to step forward and found myself fumbling over my extra two legs. How could this even happen? I collapsed onto the ground, and if wolves could cry, I'm sure I would have just then.
Becoming a wolf had went against everything I had ever known about myself. Somehow, I was a Quileute? My stomach became sick with the thought that Jake and I might be related. And what about Edward? The man I loved more than my life itself, the man I could not live without, what about him? Werewolves and vampires could barely stand in the same room without tension, let alone have an actual relationship.
If you were even allowed to, Bella. Quil's voice chimed in my ears. What was he talking about, allowed to? And how did he even... Oh right, my mind was no longer my own.
You're a member of the pack now Bella. If alpha says no, you have no choice but to obey. You physically cannot go against him.
So you're telling me I could be banned from having a relationship with Edward? I growled instinctively at the voices in my head. That thought was quickly gotten rid of anyway as I began to question my future. Would I live on the reservation now? How does this pack thing even work? I looked down at my shaggy fur, and decided I would definantly need to cut my hair. How would I even phase out of being a wolf? It's not like there was some button to push.
We'll figure that out later, Bella. In the meantime, let's get back to the reservation, Sam wants to talk to you.
Jacob's voice was finally comforting and I walked over to him, gradually getting the hang of being on all fours. I glanced back at Edward, his eyes were lined with sadness, and a pang went through my heart. I hoped he could hear my thoughts right now as I silently apologized. His expression didn't change though, so I trotted over and rubbed my head against his chest, gave him one last apologetic look, and took off running directly into the reservation, Jacob at my heels.
This way, Bella. You're a six foot tall wolf right now. You can't exactly go prancing into town. There are still people here who don't know we exist. He laughed.
I snorted and turned away from him as I walked past. It was truly exhilarating, being a wolf, now that I was calmed down enough to realize it. Every one of my senses were heightened. The world was now one of brilliantly vibrant colors invisible to the normal eyes. I felt every leaf I stepped on, even as I ran terrifyingly fast through the trees. Each muscle in my body stuck out as I ran; I could feel their sheer power. I smiled to myself with satisfaction as I realized I was no longer the one who needed protecting.
Follow me, Bella. You don't even know where you're going.
I grunted, admitting that he was right. Sam had obviously already phased; I could hear his thoughts now along with the rest of the packs. The only problem was, he was thinking in Quileute. He must not have known until I pointed it out because he immediately switched to English.
Welcome to the pack, Bella. He said simply. Quil, Embry, Jared, and Seth cheered with excitement as they mimicked his greeting, followed by a much more reluctant one from Paul. I supposed he was still holding grudges. I began to listen to their thoughts more than I had been, and I realized every part of their life was now lying out before me.
Leah was trying her hardest not to think anything. Quil and Embry were sharing similar thoughts of excitement at having a new member. Jared and Sam were amazed at the curiosity of having another girl phase. It was odd enough to have one, let alone two. Paul didn't really care about the whole situation, as long as I would give up "my bloodsucker friends" for good. And Jacob, well he was just happy to be by my side again.
It was a bit overwhelming, really. I could barely think straight with just me inside my head. Nine people in the same brain was a little much. Jacob began to slow, and I mimicked his actions. A clearing was up ahead, and I could see that the entire pack was already there.
Leah's angry eyes glared at me from the shade of a large tree under which also sat Sam, Paul, and Jared. Embry, Quil, and Seth were playfully fighting with each other on the other side. Seth raised his head as soon as I arrived.
Bella! He started to run towards me and leaped into the air when there was only about ten yards between us. I instinctively ducked under him and head-butted, pinning him to the ground.
Easy, Bella. Don't let your fighting instincts get ahead of you just yet. Sam warned.
Oh, no. I hadn't thought through what I did to Seth, and I might have hurt him. He was younger than me, after all, what if that meant I had more strength than I realized? I looked down at him and quickly jumped off, nudging him with my head. My eyes began to gloss over.
He jumped up and pawed at my ears.
Calm down, Bella. I'm not that fragile.
My mind rushed with feelings of embarrassment as well as a tad bit of anger at not realizing how completely absurd I had been to frantically worry about Seth. I sat down with a sigh, and awaited further instructions.
It's nothing to be embarrassed about, Bella. Jared's voice sounded loud and clear in my head. You were just worried about the kid.
Seth's growl was louder than I expected, and I jumped. Who are you calling a kid? He crouched in Jared's direction like a prowler with its prey.
Jared took the challenge. You, little one. And with that, they pounced at each other, rolling away into the trees with the sounds of teeth clashing and claws scratching. Despite what I knew, I still was a little worried about the two of them.
Sam laughed, and came closer. You have so very much to learn, Bella. But first, we need to try to get you to phase back. Focus your entire mind on your human form. Picture every inch of yourself as you are in your mind, and when you've done that, reach for it.
Jacob's voice chimed in, Uh, Sam? Are you sure she wants to change back here? In the middle of the clearing with everyone watching?
Oh, I forgot. Clothes don't exactly come with the transformation. He turned to Leah, still half-hidden in the trees and as resentful as ever. We are close to your house, Leah. Run back and get Bella a pair of your clothes.
Leah growled but could not refuse to carry out a direct order, and took off into the trees at a lightning pace, her thoughts heavy with hate and reluctance. I had to stop myself from thinking about her too much, no need to let her hate me more.
Go ahead and go off into the trees, and try to phase back. Leah will find you when you're done. I nodded, and trotted off, finding a spot far enough away that even with wolf eyes they wouldn't be able to see me. I tried to do exactly what Sam told me. I pictured myself in all my clumsy glory. I was wearing sweat pants, and an old tank top like I had been when I had phased. My tangled brown hair was pulled back into a loose ponytail. Yes, that was me alright. Clumsy old me. With hope that I could get this the first time, I sent all my thoughts rushing toward my human form. I mentally reached for it like a great feast before the hands of a starved man.
A familiar feeling rushed through me, I began to shake and quiver and my senses were dulled. It all came to a stop quite suddenly and I could feel the difference. How weak I was now in comparison. It felt odd to not have a tail as completely insane as that sounded. I reached up to touch my hair. Sure enough, clothes were not part of the deal, and I waited awkwardly for Leah to arrive.
It didn't take too long before I could hear her footsteps. She had phased back into a human, too. She threw the clothes at me with a swish of her wrist, not looking directly at me until I had pulled them on. Then, she looked me over, anger still in her eyes.
"I'm sorry for whatever I did to you," I took a leap of faith and threw that out in the open.
"You think I'm mad at you? I'm not mad at you Bella. And I heard your thoughts before, I'm not angry solely because of the situation between Sam and Emily, either. There's something you need to know, Bella. But I would rather you hear the full situation from Charlie."
"What are you talking about? What do I need to know?"
"Bella..." she paused for a long moment.
"We're sisters."