AN: Here's the re-edited Chapter Four! Again, only minor things were changed, mistakes, grammar spellings, blah, blah, blah. So, here it is!
Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight!
Chapter Four
Brooklyn's POV
"Thanks," I muttered for what had to have been at least the thirtieth time that night.
Everyone at the party felt the sheer need to come up to me separately, and wish me a happy sixteenth birthday. They each made some comment- trying to be subtle, of course- on how this year should be better for me than the previous one.
In other words- hopefully, I acted more maturely, and would make wiser choices when it came to guys. I gave a cheery smile to each and everyone one of those people, nodding along, agreeing, that yes, this would be a wonderful year. . .blah, blah, blah.
After awhile, I wanted to drift towards the forest, into the wooded areas surrounded by trees that were less than thirty feet away.
The party was in Uncle Paul and Aunt Hannah's huge backyard. It was the place where usual pack meeting were held. I had no doubt that there would have been one tonight, if the party wasn't being held here.
Laughter sounded to my right, I glanced in the direction of the noise, watching as Dad told some ridiculous story to Seth Clearwater's wife, Fiona; about how he wooed mom into falling in love with him.
To my left River trailed eight year old, Bridget Clearwater as she stalked away from him, with an annoyed expression on her round face.
"Stop following me!" She shouted, before stomping her feet loudly, and huffing.
River halted mid-step immediately after his angry imprint gave the order. He watched sadly as she ran towards Seth, hugging onto his waist tightly, and muttering about how River wouldn't stop following her everywhere.
Seth chuckled, trying to get his daughter to calm down, but shot River a warning look over his shoulder. Silently telling him to back off.
"I'm so stupid," River muttered lowly, looking defeated.
"Bad day?" I asked, coming to stand beside him, and giving him a comforting whack on the back.
He hunched his shoulders. "More like a bad year." His eyes softened, while he watched in the distance as Bridget started playing with Skylar Call, making her laugh. "I shouldn't say that. I don't regret imprinting. . .It's just, a challenge, I guess. It would be way easier though, if Bridget didn't hate me."
I rolled my eyes, deciding not to get involved. Again. He was always complaining, and I was always reminding him that eventually she would come around. She would start to need him, and then she'd start to love him. At least he had a soul mate to look forward to.
I left River there, to drown in his misery, knowing that most likely, it wouldn't last much longer.
I spotted mom coming out the back door with Hannah, who was frowning. Mom shot her an angry look, before hissing something at her, and then stalking off in the direction of the party.
Hannah, looked down, and then when she noticed me watching her, she plastered on a smile and headed for me.
"What was all that about?" I demanded, before she pulled me into a hug.
"Nothing. You're mom's just. . .stressed."
Stressed?
I doubted it.
She was all smiles this morning. Something was up.
Mom and Hannah barely ever argued. . . unless it had to do with-
"So how's your birthday so far? Get lots of presents?" Hannah interrupted my thoughts, while pulling back, and giving me an encouraging smile.
"Not really. But the party's just started. I'm sure by the end of the night, I'll be drowning in them," I said dryly.
I didn't want lots of presents.
She raised an eyebrow. "What? No car?"
I shrugged.
Yeah right.
"Well, I think someone needs to have a talk with their little brother. As a matter of fact, I think I'll go do that now. . .But, I hope you have a good birthday, Brooks. One you'll never forget." She gave one last smile before heading towards dad with a determined expression on her face.
I wanted to tell her that I hoped I did too. . .but it wasn't likely.
The forest was looking more tempting by the minute. Maybe if I went in towards the front I could sneak past all the people and-
"Brooks!"
My head whipped up, as Collins ran towards me.
Her dark auburn hair flew back as the wind hit her face. She skidded to a stop in front of me, her face flushed with the warmth of the sun that was still half showing in the sky.
"Whoa, slow down there. You don't want to injure yourself. Just think how that'd hurt your gymnastics career," I drawled.
She pulled down the hem of her tightly fitted black tank-top; which had ridden up during her 10-meter dash. "Guess who just pulled into the driveway?" Her blue-gray eyes were bright, and full of mischief.
"Who?" I asked, humoring her.
"The Black's. Is Kai here, yet?"
I shook my head.
I hadn't seen him since this morning, before he took off suddenly. But that wasn't anything new.
He was always leaving the house in a rush, not feeling the need to make conversation with anyone. "I don't think he's coming. Mom probably told him to stay away if he thought he couldn't control himself. . . Did you see any of them?" I asked, curiosity getting the best of me.
All I could really remember from when the Black's last visited was that Soren was. . .hot, really hot, and both Taylin and Ivy were beautiful. But that had been years ago. I wondered if they looked any different.
Collins moved closer to me, and looped her arm through mine. "Soren. . .yeah, total babe. He's got chin length black hair, and chocolate brown eyes. No joke. He looks about Kai's age. I didn't get a good look at anyone else though. They're all in the house. Kim and Jared are talking to them," she kept her voice low, probably not wanting Paul to hear her fawn all over a guy. A half-vampire at that.
More people, was all I could think. The whole pack family was here. And they were here because of a day that I didn't even want to celebrate. I could feel the anger course through me.
"Well, are you coming in?" Collins asked, looking towards the back door eagerly. I already knew she wanted to get another glimpse of Soren.
I looked around at all the people, as they laughed and chatted loudly. The kids ran around, playing and screaming. And suddenly, it seemed too much. Like the space I was standing in was too small and there were too many people. "In a minute," I choked out, trying to swallow, and take deep breaths. "You go on. . .I'll catch up."
I wasn't sure if Collins heard me or not though. She was already bouncing in the direction of the house.
Deciding not to wait any longer, because I wasn't sure if I could, I headed towards the front of the house. Slipping into the forest.
My eyes closed on their own accord, as the breeze flitted in my direction. Lifting my blonde hair from my face. Caressing it soothingly.
I could breathe perfectly fine, now that I was free from all the people.
Opening my eyes, I spun around in place a few times, enjoying the trees as they whirled and blurred in my vision.
I loved the woods.
The trees.
The fresh air.
I could have spent all day out there, alone, staring at the squirrels and deer as they pranced by in their natural habitat.
I sighed, sadly, realizing that I would have to go back soon. Mom would freak if she knew I had taken off.
Turning around, I stiffened as a I heard a branch break behind me.
Spinning back and looking in the direction of the sound, my body froze.
Standing seven feet away from me, in all his perfect glory was Caden Danvers.
My Caden.
All the air rushed out of my lungs, and I was left breathless.
He looked the same.
The exact same as always. And it still hurt to stare at him, because he was so beautiful; with his dark hair, and liquid pale eyes.
Caden seemed to be frozen too, as he watch me guardedly.
I didn't know what to do. I wasn't even positive I could get myself to breath properly. . .
"Caden," I whispered.
Those beautiful blue eyes trailed from my toes to the top of my head slowly, before his sharp gaze settled on my face. His expression was blank as he looked at me.
"I'm sorry," he said abruptly, in that silky voice I had longed to hear so many times before now.
But before I could even open my mouth; to respond, he was gone.
And once again. . .I was alone.
Taylin's POV
"Hi," the girl said. She was around my age, or maybe a little younger with short auburn hair, blue-gray eyes, and freckles that lined her heart-shaped face. "I'm Collins- you probably don't remember me, not that I blame you. You were pretty little the last time we saw each other," she said, her voice all kinds of perky.
I smiled at her politely, trying to get my memory to work. I had a vague recollection of her, but nothing specific came to mind.
"It's weird," she went on, oblivious to my discomfort- or maybe she did recognize it, and was trying to make me feel better. "You're actually like nine years younger than me, but you look about seventeen. I'm sixteen by the way. My cousin, Brooklyn. . .well, we just call her Brooks, she turned sixteen today too. It's her birthday party- but I bet you already knew that. . ." her voice trailed off, and she bit her lip, appearing suddenly shy now. "Sorry, I tend to talk too much when I don't know what to say."
"It's fine," I jumped in, not wanting to make her uncomfortable. I bet my mere presence already did that. I had to remember that I was part vampire- that because of it, I needed to be on my guard with people, ones who weren't like us.
I kept my expression calm, I didn't want to smile too big, and show my teeth or anything. That would probably freak her out.
"I do that sometimes too. Where is the birthday girl at anyway?" I hadn't seen her around at all, but I was hoping that where ever she was Kai would be. . .not that it mattered. Just the thought of seeing him angered and excited me.
I mean he hated me, right? A big part of me didn't want to see him, and it shouldn't.
But I still couldn't ignore the other part, the small one, that just wanted to get a quick glimpse, even if it was for a second.
Collins shrugged, and gave a fast glance around the backyard, before turning to face me. "Um, I don't know. She was here a few minutes ago. But she's pretty unpredictable sometimes. She probably needed to get away from everyone. Brooks' is what you call a loner, I guess. The less people there, the better, at least, that's what she thinks."
It was obvious that Collins didn't share her cousin's view on being alone.
"So do you drink blood?"
I almost choked.
Soren laughed a few feet away as he passed by.
A few others looked around, mostly the ones who were wolves, because I knew without a doubt that they heard that with no problem. An older woman, in her mid-thirties with the same auburn hair as the girl in front of me, shot a look at Collins.
Collins rolled her eyes in the woman's direction, before looking at me expectantly.
I swallowed, quite loudly, and hoped no one could hear it. I knew I was blushing from embarrassment. To ask someone if they drink blood wasn't your normal conversation starter. It wasn't like asking if you ate meat. "Uhh. . .yeah, I do. My whole family does, well, except for my dad. But we only drink animal blood. Mostly from deer," I explained, not wanting to get too graphic.
Collins didn't looked grossed out. Her face was actually kind of thoughtful. "Cool."
Cool?
"What?" I blurted out, not expecting her to say, cool, of all things. I was expecting a, gross, or eww, not a, cool.
She rolled her eyes at me. "Well, you got to eat right? It's not like your hurting anyone, or anything. So it's fine. It's cool."
"Ok-ay," I said the word slowly, as I internally questioned her mental health. I had never had that kind of reaction from someone before when they found out about my diet. She apparently didn't share her cousin's view on vampires.
"You think I'm crazy," she accused, raising an eyebrow, placing her hands on her hips.
"Yep," Soren drawled, as he came up beside me, and grinned cheekily at Collins. "She thinks you're crazy. But she likes you."
Collins turned her suspicious gaze onto my brother, narrowing her eyes. "And how would you know that?" she challenged.
I gave Soren a warning look.
I wasn't sure if dad wanted us to get into all that. Telling people about our. . .abilities, wasn't something that was considered normal, or trying to fit in.
Soren just rolled his shoulders back, and threw Collins a cocky look. "Well, let's just say if I told you, I'd have to kill you."
Bad move.
At that moment, I really did want to kill him. How could he even say that? I'm pretty sure the entire backyard froze on the spot, and fixed their penetrating eyes on us.
Collins, God bless her, didn't even bat an eyelash. She stood tall, not breaking her defensive stance, and gave my brother a dazzling smile. "Cute, real cute. But your flirting skills need some serious work. Because they really suck." Her eyes settled on me. Her expression genuine. "It was nice seeing you again, Taylin." And then she turned in the opposite direction, and made her way towards the tables that held finger foods. Everyone else went back to what they were doing before, and loud conversation was heard in the background.
My heart was racing, as I glared at Soren. "Idiot," I hissed.
"What?" His face held mock-innocence. "She thinks I'm sexy."
I turned my face away from him.
Mom, dad, and Ivy were most likely giving him death glares from the direction behind me. I just hoped no one held Soren's ignorance against the rest of us.
"Time for cake," Someone yelled.
I wasn't in the mood for food anymore- of any kind, but I reluctantly followed Soren to where everyone else was standing. People started gathering around a table that was placed out near the edge of the house, a few feet away was a few trees.
An entrance into the forest.
The table had a large rectangular purple cake set in the dead center, with writing that said, Happy 16th Birthday Brooklyn.
It took a few minutes for everyone to get in their places, and for the candles to be lit before someone voiced what I had been thinking.
"Where's Brooks at?"
People started glancing around, probably wondering why she wasn't standing at her place in front of the cake.
Soren leaned down towards my ear. "Maybe a bear ate her," he muttered.
I ignored him. Crossing my arms over my chest, as some of the crowd thinned as they heading in different directions, in search of the birthday girl.
"You think you're so funny," A deep, masculine voice hissed from behind me.
Instantly I stiffened. Soren followed suit, before whipping around to face the voice. I stayed in my spot too frozen to move.
"Yeah. That's because it was suppose to be," Soren remarked.
Shut up, Soren, I thought angrily in my brother's direction. Knowing very well that if he concentrated hard enough he could hear me.
The low growl that was emitted from the stranger made me shutter. "I didn't find it funny at all. It actually seemed like more of a threat. Kind of like the one you made earlier."
"Threat? Of course you would see it that way. . .not that I can blame you entirely, our kind are extremely. . . defensive," my brother said.
The stranger laughed. A sound of mockery. "I really hope your referring to leeches, because you'll never be a part of our kind. You're a mutt. . .a mutant is more accurate actually. You and your family."
I sucked in a breath.
Finally having enough, and unable to believe that this person without even knowing us could say such a thing, I spun around and faced him, about ready to give him a piece of my mind- until l looked into his face.
Kieran James.
Kai.
His beautiful features were twisted into a menacing look of rage, as he stared at my brother. Fury and rage, were the emotions that were coming from him,
I felt them with such intensity that I gasped.
The small noise caught Kai's attention as he broke eye-contact with Soren, and turned in my direction slowly, bringing his blazing turquoise eyes up to meet mine.
Time seemed to stand still as our gazes collided into one another's.
I held my breath, as I stared, fixated on the most handsome face I had ever seen in my life. I had seen it before, but only in pictures. Which did him no justice, as to in person. I couldn't have turned away at that moment if I wanted to.
Kai's light brown hair seemed smoother in real life, and shorter now; only long enough that the front few pieces fell, blocking his greenish-blue eyes, that were as clear as the sea.
For a second, one mere second- one that no normal human would have been able to catch, Kieran James' eyes were full of adoration as he stared back at me.
And then it was over.
The second had passed quicker than it came.
His eyes glazed over, before turning hard. Green glass, was the only way I could describe it at the moment. His eyes were shards of anger, confusion, and denial.
"No," Kai breathed, staring at me in complete horror.
I didn't know what to do, or how to describe what had just happened.
But before I could do or say anything, I felt Soren's arms wrap around me, pulling me back, away from Kai whose body started trembling as he continued to whisper, "no," while watching me. The word turned into a hiss, and then a growl, before he exploded.
People in background were yelling for everyone to get back and to run into the house.
But I couldn't move, as I stood motionless in Soren's arms.
In Kai's place was a midnight black wolf with turquoise eyes.
Kai's gaze never left my face, as I felt the emotions that ran off him, and shot through me. . .hatred.
I had no doubt in my mind in that moment that Kai wanted me dead, before he took a step back, snarling menacingly before leaping straight for me.
AN: Hope it was alright. As you can see, Brooklyn has panic attacks. . .Yep. Found out how she deals with those later on. The edited version of Chapter Five will be up soon!
