The howling was the most beautiful sound I'd ever heard. It was so full of longing that I had to sit on my hands so I wouldn't get up. My knees bounced with the effort it took to keep still. The TV might as well have been silent. Before long, I was arming myself with silver knives and bullets. Somewhere inside me I sensed that, if it really were a werewolf outside, the kind of werewolf that came from Forks wouldn't be stopped by a silver bullet or knife. Briefly I wondered if I would even try to stop the wolf if I was confronted by it. Its howls were just so beautiful.

Once I got outside, I expected the urge to find the wolf to soften, but it only intensified. It seemed that the natural earthy smell, and the cold, misty rain, only pulled me farther into the forest around the Cullen's house. …The Cullens. My brother. I had almost forgotten…everything. I was walking towards a wolf. Maybe it wasn't a werewolf, but a wolf. I was letting myself become so obsessed with this Jacob guy that the mere call of a wolf entranced me. I stopped walking, or running rather. The wolf still howled, closer than ever. On the one hand, werewolves were my enemy, more now than ever before what with my brother's new vampire status. On the other hand, this is probably not a werewolf. They're La Push only, after all. It couldn't hurt to entertain my thoughts of Jacob in this moment, after all. Edward wasn't around to embarrass me.

So I kept moving, further into the Forks forest than I'd ever been. Soon, I'd have to start making my way back. Before Emmett came, I'd have to take a shower. No need for him to smell the earth on me and question what I had been doing while he was driving here. But the howling calmed all of my anxieties, and soon it was so close that I could hear the shifting that the animal made when he breathed in for the next howl. I continued through the forest, pushing past branches and heaving my feet through stubborn sapling roots. When I picked up my head to look forward, something huge moved behind the bushes in front of me. The howling picked up again, louder than ever. My breath caught.

Earlier, I couldn't hear the wolf move because I was so close, it was because the wolf was so massive. I'd never seen one that big. I'd never seen any animal that big. My first reaction was to pull out my gun and shoot it dead, but on closer inspection I realized that it wasn't the traditional werewolf. There was no man in this animal, except a few strange facial expressions. The body of this creature was just a large wolf. It wasn't anything like the hideous man-wolves that Sam, Dean, and I had hunted down. This wolf was beautiful, but it was definitely not just a wolf. It was staring at me, and I finally forced my face away from its massive body to look at its face. The wolf was staring at me from under locks of russet fur. I reached forward and it bowed its head. I took that as permission to continue. Lightly, I went to brush his muzzle, but as soon as I made contact, I pulled my hand back. A numbing hot current had passed through my hand, as if the wolf were one thousand degrees hotter than any living thing could ever be. The wolf whimpered.

"You felt that, too?" I asked no one in particular. The wolf started to back up slowly. "Wait. Don't go! It wasn't me. I won't hurt you, I promise." I tried to plead with the animal, knowing he probably couldn't understand what I was saying. But I didn't care much. I strange sadness came over me at the thought of the wolf leaving, and all I could communicate, even if I had wanted to say more, was that I wanted the wolf to stay. But he continued to back into the trees, and I sat down on my legs in defeat, sighing and staring at the ground. What the hell was that? Why was the howling so luring? Why the electric shock? I looked at my hand, checking for demon-made marks. Maybe this was all some sort of track…but if it was, then why did the wolf walk away? Maybe he was going to get…

"Ehem." I jumped at the sound of a throat clearing from behind me. "Excuse me." A deep male voice said. Immediately I was standing up, feet a little more than shoulder width apart, hands in the air, ready to fight if I needed it. Quickly I calculated if it was necessary to take my knife out, sizing up the male as a worthy opponent, but in the end deciding that knives were really messy anyways. I was about to make a move when I noticed his face. Soft, and childlike, his tanned skin.

"Jacob." I said, softer than I should have. The name felt familiar on my lips.

"Hi, Kay." He said, striding over to me as if he'd known me all his life. "How are you?" He asked when he had reached me. We were close, and it was as if I could feel his warmth from where he stood, a foot in front of me. I had the strangest urge to step towards him and close the distance, so I took a step back and straightened myself.

"What are you doing here?" I asked him. He smiled like he thought of a joke he wasn't going to tell me.

"Appreciating the forest." He said flatly. It was very clear that he was not here to just appreciate the forest.

"Can't you appreciate the forest closer to La Push. Last I checked this was the Cullen's land. I didn't know you guys got along so well." I said. He raised his eyebrows. "What?" I asked.

"La Push," He began, looking over his shoulder and jabbing in that direction with his thumb, "is three miles that way. I'm barely past the territory line." My breath caught.

"That's impossible. I walked here. I could hear your howling from the Cullen's house. I couldn't have walked that far." I mumbled, my heart thumping because I could sense he wasn't lying. I whipped out my phone. Edward had left at one. I almost dropped the phone when I saw the time.

It was four.

Emmett was home, now, for sure.

Briefly I wondered why no one had called, until I saw the 'no service' sign at the top of my cell.

"Shit." I said, but at the same time, my brain didn't want to believe it. I could not have spent three hours walking through the forest. I mean, I wasn't exactly keeping track of time, the howling was too beautiful to think.

"What's wrong?" Jacob asked. I looked at him. His body had shifted, so he was almost leaning towards me, but his feet were farther apart, like he was readying himself to be tackled. His face spoke genuine concern.

"I wasn't supposed to leave the house. And now Emmett's home and everyone's probably flipping." I said, running a hand through my hair. "I have to go." I said, ignoring the immense sadness I felt at the thought of leaving. I did know for sure that I didn't want to look at Jacob anymore. I wasn't very used to thinks not being explainable around me, and time spent with Jacob was far from real. I can't believe it's been three hours…

"Wait." He said, and caught my arm as I tried to walk away. A calm spread through me at his touch. I was relaxed in a way I had never known, not waiting for an attack, or a phone call from Bobby or Ash about some demon war. It wasn't a calm like I wanted to sleep, though. It was just that I wanted to breathe. "Don't go." He said, and it was hard to argue.

"I have to. My brother must be worried." I admitted.

"Your brother?" He asked. "Who's your brother?"

"His name's Dean. You've never met him. He's…" I paused. Why was I telling him this? I didn't know him, maybe shouldn't trust him. But even as I thought this, I knew it wasn't true, and I had to keep speaking. "He's a new vampire." I said. Jacob's face fell flat, and I felt pain for it. "The Cullens didn't change him," I quickly corrected what I knew he was thinking, "We were attacked by vampires. My brothers and I." I told him.

He was silent for a moment. Then, "How did that happen?" He asked solemnly.

"Long story." I said, as my heart jumped again. If Emmett came looking for me and found me with Jacob it would be bad. Even Jacob's hand, still closed around my arm, didn't calm that fear.

"I've got time."

"I don't. I have to go." I said, and started walking. Jacob kept up easily at my side. "What are you doing?"

"I'm walking you home." He said, and my stomach did a flip.

"You can't." I said.

"Why not?"

"I live with the Cullens."

"So?"

"Jacob. Seriously…" I began, but my phone was vibrating. Slowly, Metallica began to replace the forest's sounds. I pulled out the phone and threw it open.

Before I could even say hello, Dean spoke. "Kay?" His new silky voice was fraught with worry.

"I'm here, Dean," I sighed.

"Are you alright?" He asked, and I felt guilty. The old Dean would have jumped into screaming at me, but I could tell he was more worried than angry, and I knew it was because we had just lost Sam.

"I'm fine." I said, attempting to sound soothing. I looked away from the forest floor and towards Jacob. He stood with his arms crossed, his face composed like the night before. Even though I'd only known him for one day, I could tell he was angry.

"Where the hell are you?" Dean asked, but he only tired.

"I'm lost." I lied. "I was putting down Missouri's ingredients." I said, praying Dean would believe me, though I almost never got lost. It's hard to get lost when you "sense" things so much.

Dean sighed, but I didn't sense he thought I was lying.

"I'm fine, Dean. I'm on my way back now. I just walked really far away from the house." I admitted. A light growl came from Jacob, and I shot him a look. I didn't know how much vampires could hear over the phone.

"Where are you?" Dean asked.

"I'm headed North to the house." I said.

"She's headed North to the house." I heard Dean repeat. Then a little louder he said, "Emmett's coming to get you." I froze.

"I'm fine, Dean." I said.

"Stay where you are. Emmett will be there soon." He ignored what I had said.

"Dean. I'm fine." I said again. The last thing I wanted was Emmett coming my way.

"Kay, this is an order," Dean took my hand. Jacob took my hand, forcing me to take a breath. "Stay where you are."

"Fine." I gave in.

"He'll be there soon." Dean said, and his silky voice was strained. I could tell he needed to get off the phone.

"I'm okay, Dean. I have a gun with me, if it helps." I said, though my abilities were more effective than a gun.

"It does. I'll talk to you soon, Kay."

"Take care." I said, and then we hung up. Jacob squeezed my hand, and when I looked at him, it hit me how close he actually was. I could feel his breath on my face. He was much bigger than I was, and his smell was the most refreshing thing I had ever smelt. He raised his free hand and placed it on the small of my back, pulling me in slightly to him.

"You have to go." I whispered, wondering why the atmosphere was so intense.

"I know." He sounded pained. "Take care of yourself, okay? I don't know when I'll be able to see you next." His brows came together. I reached up with my free hand cautiously to his face. Under my touch, he shivered, and moved his hand from my back to cover my hand on his face. He closed his eyes and breathed in, before he kissed my hand and gave it a slight squeeze. I was too mesmerized to think of anything but how calm I felt. I had never been that relieved in my life, and it hurt to think of him leaving.

"I'll be okay. You take care, too." I said, thinking of how vulnerable he looked in his human form compared to as a wolf. He chuckled.

"I'll be fine." He was composed again, and the moment was gone. I took my hand out of his and walked away to a tree stump a couple of feet ahead. With an effort I tore my gaze from him and looked at the ground as I sat on the tree stump.

"I'll see you soon," He whispered, even though he had said he didn't know when he'd see me again before, while I avoided meeting his eyes. There was no noise for a couple of minutes, but when I looked up, I was alone. I sighed.

What just happened? I had never felt that calm before. Not even hunting made me that anxious, made my stomach feel that way, made my breath catch. I didn't even know him… It wasn't normal, that much I knew. I needed to find out what happened. It wasn't sitting well with me that I didn't know.

Five minutes of obsessing later, I heard shuffling in the bushes. Emmett stepped forward, his eyes dark and his movements rough…well, gracefully rough. He was angry. I could say that, at least. Angry must have been the mood of the day. He didn't say anything at first, and I stood up and walked to him.

"You had everyone worried." He said, finally.

"Sorry. I was laying down protection." I said, eying him, praying he didn't smell Jacob. My abilities kicked in a moment later, he smelled something.

"Let's go." He said and moved towards me.

"I can walk." I said, taking a step back. Maybe Emmett didn't know the smell was coming from me.

"If I let you walk we won't get back to the house till seven." He reasoned. I took another step back.

"I'd rather get back at seven. No offense." I said. He sighed, and rolled his eyes.

"Kay. Come on, I won't hurt you. We carry Bella all the time and she hardly ever gets sick anymore." He said, as if that would have been comforting if that were my problem.

"No." I said and started walking. In a flash I was off my feet, hanging in the air bridal style. Out of reflex, I threw my arm around his neck. There was a moment when all that happened was us staring at each other. Then his nose wrinkled. I closed my eyes.

"Did you meet someone here?" He asked. Quickly I racked my brain for a solution…and then it was obvious. I knew for a fact, or at least I was hoping, that Edward hadn't told anyone I'd been to La Push or even knew about the werewolves. Edward wouldn't risk my brother finding out…

"No." I said, lying through my teeth.

"I know you're lying." He said, putting me down, but not letting go of my shoulders.

"I heard howling." I admitted. "It sounded like the animal was in pain. I came out to check it out, and I got lost." I said, but then quickly switched up my approach. "Please don't tell Dean. He'll just worry. It was a stupid thing to do. He'll just think I can't handle myself. Please don't tell." I said quickly, and this was all true, so it was convincing enough.

Emmett sighed and picked me up again.

"You'll have to take an outdoor shower. You smell like dog." He said before he began running, and the world became a blur.