AN: This chapter was really hard for me to write, surprisingly. I bring up a topic that Stephenie didn't talk about much in Twilight, so I had to do a lot of research, in the hopes I could pull off this mythological creature. Didn't go very into detail about them, but I will later on. Hope it doesn't disappoint. Once again, thanks to my lovely reviewers, who all deserve party favors and applause.
IAMCOOL511: Thanks for the review. So glad to hear you like my story.
LIVININTWILIGHT: So sorry for another cliffy, but I needed time to research and write the explanation for the events. It took longer than I thought it would, and would've made that chapter super long.
DANAMARIN: Thank you for the gold star. I shall treasure it forever. ) You guessed correctly my dear. Took me awhile to figure out how to explain that, since Stephenie didn't talk about it much in Twilight, but I made due with the research I found.
ADDIE W.: You're a sweetie. Thanks for your kind words.
ANIMALS ARE MY LIFE: Hope this chapter was posted soon. I hurried as fast as I could.
RIN09: Hope the chapter was worth the wait. Lots of drama coming soon with these new characters. Hope you enjoy it. Thanks for the review!
OFFICE GIRL: I hurried with an update at top speed, but it took me awhile to say what I wanted to be said. Hope it was worth the wait for you. Glad that you enjoy reading my story.
MIDNIGHT 1987: Yup. You guess correctly, dear reviewer.
TANGSOO: Well, you'll get your "who" question answered in this chapter. I updated asap.
TWILIGHTGAL: Your review had me smiling and laughing. It was simply delightful to read. Hope to hear from you again, and I hope this chapter provides you much excitement.
FLIPPIN SWEET TWILIGHT LOVE: First of all, that name of yours is "flippin sweet"! It took me awhile to figure out how to make Edward explain for it, but I got some of it down. More clarifications not covered in this chapter will be brought up in the next.
PASSIONFORNIGHT: Your flattery is so very sweet. Yes, I felt sad for poor Bella for not having a moment of normality on this lovely evening. I tried to give her a bit of it towards the end though, as you'll see in this chapter.
ABBEY123: I updated as soon as I could when I finished writing this all out. Took quite a bit of time though to figure out how to write it. Thanks so much for your review.
Seraphyn: Well, sorry for so many ups and downs. I thought it would make for an interesting story. Hope to keep the story entertaining. Thanks again for the review.
ALLEYCATZZZZZ: Thanks. I take great pleasure in writing out the dialogue. Half the time I'm just imaging what I would say, so forgive me if some uncharacteristic statements are said. I can't help myself sometimes. P
3. The Party Crashers
All the noise of the party came to a halt at the sound of another howl, and I felt Edward's arms around me in an instant, his face set in stone. People around us focused on the front door, where loud knocks ended the silence. Mike, hesitant at first, managed to move towards the door and open it.
A group of five hooded figures emerged. Though shadows concealed their faces, their eyes lit up in the same orange I had seen in the trees. Leading the group was the tallest figure, the only one draped in red. Even with about twenty heads separating us, I could see the figure's eyes, the same color as the scarlet robe, look at me. Edward growled, glaring at the figure.
"Edward, what's going on?" I moved closer to him.
"Carlisle warned me of them," Edward grew tense with me in his arms. "I didn't think they would come crashing over here…"
"Nice party," the leader patted Mike's shoulder and he managed a smile.
"Edward…" the red eyes never left me as they approached.
"He can't do anything here, with all these humans…" Edward said, more to himself than to me. "He wouldn't…"
"Are they why you left me at the dance?" I whispered, feeling my heart rate accelerate right when it was beginning to slow down. "Edward… are they?"
"Cullen," the figure nodded at him and Edward growled.
"Jack!" the group walked past us outside and approached Jacob, who sat at a table, talking to some students in his classes. "How come you didn't tell us you were going to the party?"
Why and how this pack of hooded figures knew Jacob Black would not be figured out at this particular moment because Edward quickly began to drag me through the crowd to the front door. When I resisted, demanding that he tell me what was happening, he merely pulled me into his arms and carried me outdoors. A set of headlights blinded us momentarily and a door opened, where Alice leaned out slightly.
"Get in!" she called.
A minute passed in silence as Jasper drove like a maniac, the passing scenery a blur. With a hand over my chest, I looked at Alice and Jasper, hoping they might display some of the answers I needed to hear. However, all I saw was fear. Turning to Edward now, I hoped he might say something, but found him leaning forward, his elbows propped on his knees, his hands running through his hair.
"What is going on here?" I yelled. "First I'm almost attacked by some stranger, and then he decides to go and invite the rest of his buddies over. Obviously something is up here, and I'm not going to be left in the dark."
"You ever wonder why Billy Black is so interested in us?" it was surprising, hearing Jasper be the first to respond to my anger. "Ever thought about why he doesn't trust us, even though it's been established that we actgolden?"
"Billy's just superstitious."
"Billy's associated with werewolves," Jasper corrected, and Alice shot him a look.
"What Jasper means to say," she hit Jasper on the arm and turned around to face me. "Is that The Quileutes, for quite some time, have hadclose connections with werewolves in Forks."
"Oh," I nodded. "So, does that make Jacob a werewolf?"
"Did you see him with glowing eyes?" Jasper retorted.
"Not exactly sure," I answered in the same dry tone to match his. "But it was a bit dark and I am only human."
"Edward, why don't you tell her?" Alice said, reaching over to tilt his head up. "Someone has to tell her, and it should be you."
"We don't ever have much trouble with werewolves," Edward said. "They pride themselves on segregation from other races, and keep to their kind."
"This isn't some vampire and werewolf war, is this?" I asked, remembering I had seen a few movies on that.
"This isn't some fictitious story, Bella." Edward's hand grasped mine. "The only differences we have are strictly territorial."
"Territorial?" of all the things to argue over, a plot of land didn't seem likely. "What? They want to upgrade your guys' house or something?"
"No," Edward's face darkened again. "They're after you."
"What?" I sat back, feeling I was going to fall over. "Are you kidding me? First some sick, psycho hunting vampire, and now I have a pack of werewolves after me?"
"You're quite the catch, for humans, vampires, and werewolves."
"Apparently so," I smiled weakly, going dizzy. "But – why… why me?"
"This new pack of werewolves came into town about a week ago," Edward explained. "They're been living at the forest by Billy Black's house. The Quileutes have always been affiliated with those touched by lycanthropy, and that continues up to modern times. The new leader, Zane, has taken a liking to you. He heard of the girl who charmed a vampire, and now he's interested…"
"Of course, men are all the same: they want what they can't have." I grumbled.
"The pack showed up at Carlisle's this evening," Edward frowned. "Zane wanted to let him know of their arrival, as if we were unaware of there presence in Forks…"
"So what do they want?" I asked. "I mean, what could they want with a teenage girl anyway?"
"They're a pack of animals," Edward said. "They're like a dog that wants what they see another dog playing with, and they're willing to fight to have it."
"See, I told you. Men are all the same."
"Bella, this is serious." Edward looked me in the eyes. "Zane wants you. It doesn't help that he's been staying at the Black's estate, where he gets to hear that little Black boy ramble on about how in love he is with you but how you are in love with me."
"See, no need to worry. I'm still yours."
"Werewolves' instincts are far stronger than ours," Edward told me. "If they transform… you face an animal. And they don't mind the fight to get what they want."
"Woah, I don't want any wars fought out over me." I held up my hands. "I'm no Helen of Troy. I've seen the movie. I've heard the tales. That is not going to happen over me."
"That's what we've been trying to prevent," Edward looked helpless. "Bella, please. I could never forgive myself if something happened to you. You've got to be patient. Carlisle will probably work it all out. It should be over soon."
"Over? But didn't Carlisle already try to work it out? A lot of good that did. I only got a visitor in the same night that that Zane fellow decides to have a chat with Carlisle who looked like I was a piece of steak with legs…"
"No more following voices anymore, Bella." Edward said. "And no more going anywhere alone. And absolutely no walks into the forest."
"This could all be avoided, if you just let me…" I seized the opportunity, bringing up the old argument.
"Bella, please, this is really not the time…"
"So, what do we do from here?" I pouted in a playful manner, but was disappointed nonetheless that I would still remain human.
"Well, the plans of the evening were for you to stay with us," Alice said. "And I don't think that's changed any…"
"Good, at least one thing this evening won't be cut short because of these party crashers," I mumbled, though I knew they could hear me.
"I'm sorry our whole night was ruined," Edward apologized, bringing my hand to his lips.
"It wasn't my whole night that was ruined," I corrected. "Just my evening. The night is young."
"Think I can make it up to you?"
"Well, I'm sure we could arrange something." I shrugged but gave him a smile.
"Gosh, that moment of fear was short-lived." Alice remarked, turning back to face the front with a sigh.
"We really should be serious right now, Bella." Edward said. "We've got a big problem at hand."
"Yeah, but you also promised me a bit of normality, and I haven't gotten that quite yet."
"Want me to take the long way home?" Jasper asked.
"What's that? One minute, instead of two?" we laughed and I rested my head on Edward's shoulder. "How about you slow down the car to at least below one hundred and then take the long way home?"
"Sounds like a plan," Jasper agreed.
"You're quite the negotiator," Edward commented, smiling at me.
"I do what I can," I grinned and placed my hand against his cheek. He moved into my touch.
"You are still so warm, Bella." Edward closed his eyes.
"I'm not going to be like this forever, you know."
"Bella…" Edward's eyes shot open in warning.
"Fine, I won't bring it up again." I batted my eyes at him.
We arrived at the Cullen's home in the next five minutes, since Jasper kept to his word and brought it down to ninety, still forty-five miles above the speedlimit, but still a lot nicer than one hundred above. We entered the place to find Esme sitting on a sofa, reading a book. She smiled and jumped up, rushing over to embrace me. I smiled, always feeling welcomed when in her presence.
"Carlisle is in his study," she explained, leading us to the room she had previously been sitting in. "He'll be down in a moment. We've been waiting for your arrival since Edward left."
"We had a slight detour..." Edward began, only to be cut short.
"Is everyone alright?" Carlisle glided down the steps and stood before us.
"Yes," Alice answered. "But Zane and his pack showed up for the party."
"And one of them decided to give Bella a visit," Edward growled as he said it.
"It wasn't that bad..." I tried to reassure, hating all the fuss that was being said over me.
"If I hadn't came in when I did..." Edward stopped, obviously trying not to think of it. "What do we do? They assure us peace, and then do this."
"Well, what exactly did they do?" Carlisle inquired, seating himself beside Esme.
"One of his pack tried to attack Bella," he grew stiff as he said it. "And then the whole lot of them showed up at the Newton's party."
"Isn't it natural for teenagers to crash parties though, Edward?" Carlisle asked.
"Yes, but they aren't teenagers..."
"Zane and his group just enrolled at Forks High," Carlisle informed. "They very well pass for teenagers amongst the humans."
"Is Forks a magnet for nonhuman creatures, or is it just me?" I questioned.
"But that still doesn't explain why one of them almost attacked Bella!"
"Werewolves are very primal in their instincts," Carlisle began. "Most of the time they act primarily on instinct. Most likely one of the pack was curious about Bella and sought her out. He might not have been planning on attacking, but perhaps the close contact was too much for him to fight. They are easily governed by their animal tendencies, and any wolf, upon the seclusion of a creature that is substantially weaker and completely defenseless, is apt to attack."
"That's no excuse," Edward frowned, unsatisfied with Carlisle's explanation. "What if I hadn't came when I did?"
"If you would like, I will seek out Zane tomorrow." Carlisle told him. "I would tonight, but from what I've heard he is at a high school party, and I do not think it sensible for the town doctor to come crashing in on youthful merriment."
"Why not?" Edward grumbled. "Mike Newton already has a pack of werewolves crashing his party."
"That does not give reason for us vampires to," Carlisle responded.
"I was invited."
"I was not."
"How about we all rest for a bit?" Esme suggested, sensing the tension in the room and growing disturbed by it. "It has been a long day for everyone."
"Where's Emmett and Rosalie?" Jasper asked.
"Upstairs, in their room, I believe." Esme answered. "There's no need for the whole family to be disturbed tonight."
"Well, I'm done with worrying for the night." I announced.
"You should be the most worried," Edward said, frowning.
"I think Bella's right," Carlisle agreed. "We're perfectly safe in this house. No one will dare come nearby and, if anyone does that poses a threat, I am confident that we all will be able to defend ourselves and Bella."
"Sounds good to me," I said, reaching for Edward. "Come on, you promised."
"Okay," Edward still frowned as we went to his room. "But I'm not going to be okay until Carlisle talks to Zane."
Edward's room remained unchanged since last we had been in there. The only new addition had been a thick burgundy blanket that Esme had brought up one day for me when it was exceptionally cold and I had resorted to shaking. Grabbing the blanket now, Edward draped it over my shoulders, sweeping me into his arms and then placing me on his leather sofa.
"Did I lose my ability to walk this evening?" I asked when he sat beside me.
"No, but it always feels great… having you in my arms." He gave me a smile.
"I'll agree with you on that one," I shifted, bringing the blanket closer to me.
"You're still cold?" Edward asked. "I can find you…"
"I'll survive, I promise." I interrupted. "But, you know, I wouldn't be so cold if you…"
"Bella…" the warning was in his voice again.
"I wasn't going to bring that up," I said, laughing. "I had a very different agenda at hand."
"Oh, really?" Edward raised an eyebrow. "And what exactly were you planning, might I ask?"
"That maybe there's another way to heat up the room?" I tried to give him my slyest grin, and prayed I didn't look completely ridiculous.
"And… what did you have in mind?" he matched my tone, except his was far more believable than any cheesy voice I could pull off.
"I don't know – maybe a bit of hugging or…" Edward tucked my hair behind my ear and kissed the side of my face. "I guess that's good too."
"Really?" he closed his eyes, kissing my forehead. "How about this?"
"That's good… too…" my heart rate went soaring again, and I wondered why it hadn't put out by now, constantly have to go up and down throughout the day.
By the time Edward decided to place his lips on mine, I had discarded the blanket completely, abandoning it on the carpet. When he kissed me, my heart stopped again, and I grew breathless.
"You know, breathing is good for humans." Edward remarked, breaking the kiss. "I can't have you dying on me every time we kiss, Bella."
"What can I say… you take my breath away." I blushed after I said it, realizing I was becoming completely corny. "In the literal sense too, obviously."
"You blush far too easily," Edward remarked, kissing my cheeks and then running a finger over them.
"One of my many intoxicating qualities, right?" I asked with a shrug.
"Exactly," Edward smiled, kissing me once more.
"Gosh, do you guys need a chaperone now?" Alice stood in the doorway, but Edward continued to kiss me. "I guess you guys do."
"A little privacy would be appreciated," Edward said when he finally decided to give me a moment to breathe.
"I wonder how far you guys might have gone if I didn't walk in on you…" Alice gave Edward a questioning look. "Kissing is all you guys plan on doing, right?"
"Edward is more likely to take a bite out of me than anything like that?" I felt flushed, having to reassure Alice.
"Well, figuratively speaking, it could be considered to be like taking a bite out of someone…" Alice didn't seemed convinced. "I'm assuming you want some more alone time, now?"
"You assumed right," Edward responded, and I smiled, glad to know that despite all their eccentricities, the Cullen household possessed some family qualities.
"Wow, I didn't expect that kind of interaction."
"What does that mean?" Edward asked, turning to face me.
"I forget sometimes with you guys that we're all teenagers still."
"I'm a vampire, Bella. Almost a hundred."
"Yes, but at that moment, you were the seventeen-year-old guy who is quite the looker, if I might add, whose sister just found him smooching with his girlfriend." If Edward were human, I think he might actually have blushed. "It's okay though. Our relationship is pretty open by now. If they didn't expect us to act like a couple once in awhile, what did they think we were doing?"
"I guess," Edward shifted and I grinned again.
"You know, this is the most normal I think we've had it all night." I confessed.
"What? Having Alice come in to inspect and interrogate us like that?"
"No," I shook my head, grabbing his hands. "Acting like we just might be normal, you know? Like I'm not in a house full of vampires and I'm not currently being sought after by a pack of werewolves. Like we're just two teens in love, and your sister intrudes upon our privacy."
"You actually enjoyed that?"
"I'm not exactly up for it happening again soon, but it was nice for a change." I admitted. "I mean, it's as normal as it gets for us, at least."
"I guess you're right," Edward agreed with a nod. "But let's not hope it happens again tonight."
"I think Alice got the hint that we want our privacy," I giggled when Edward's arms came around me.
"Good," he moved his lips back to mine and I felt him grin. "Because it's about time we're alone for the night."