Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight, gosh darn it.
Chapter 4
Chase and I ran borders for half an hour, just enjoying the day. It was beautiful for Forks; there was actually some sunlight for once.
All of a sudden, I grunted as my stomach heaved. Well, I thought it had.
I don't feel so good…
Really? I hadn't noticed. Go home and rest up. I'll finish watch.
Thanks, Sky. My stomach twisted again.
Will you hurry up?
Once Chase had phased back, I was alone in my thoughts. I wandered along, sniffing here and there. Eventually I made my way to the special clearing that I liked to think of as my own. It was small and closed in by trees, but sunlight could just reach the center. I padded over and curled up in a comfortable ball.
I woke up some time later; I had no idea how much time had passed. A cloyingly sweet, icy smell surrounded me. I looked up and saw the source of the overwhelming scent. Eight vampires stood in front of me, loosely arranged in a half circle.
But these vampires smelled different from the last vamp that had come through here. I grinned at the thought, my lips pulling back over my sharp teeth as I crouched, muscles tensed.
The blond vamp stepped forward, and I snarled a warning. The bloodsucker held up a hand and said, "Greetings. We are the Cullen family. I am Carlisle; these are Esme, Rosalie, Emmett, Alice, Jasper, Edward and Bella."
I snorted a laugh. It was like some bizarre version of the aliens saying, "Greetings. We come in peace." Then their name penetrated my thoughts.
The Cullens. Jake had told us about them. Bella had been his old love, before he imprinted on Ali. She'd chosen Edward over him and decided to become a vampire.
Why, I had no idea.
The bronze-haired one Carlisle called Edward smirked at me. Of course. Edward was the mind reader.
I felt horribly aware that I was the only phased werewolf facing a coven of eight vampires.
Carlisle was talking again. "We mean no harm," he assured me. Aha! The parody was complete. Greetings; we come in peace. Like I was going to trust a filthy bloodsucker. I stared at Edward and thought, Be my voice, as loudly as I could. I would phase back, but as a human, I was nowhere near as strong and fast as I might need to be.
Edward nodded and leaned over to speak to Carlisle.
What do you want? I thought, listening as Edward translated my thoughts.
"We wish to speak to the Pack," Carlisle said formally. "Who are you?"
The Alpha, I snarled in my mind. Edward's eyes popped wide and he quickly relayed this to Carlisle.
"You're the Alpha?" Carlisle asked sharply. "Sam, Jake and everyone are dead?"
I snorted. Idiot bloodsucker. No. I am the Alpha of the New Pack. I am Sam's daughter, Skylar.
Carlisle relaxed. "Ah. That explains things. Well, Skylar, would you mind bringing your dad and Jake?"
Whatever.
Edward's mouth quirked in amusement. I sat back on my haunches and howled as loudly as I could: the universal pack signal.
A minute later, my pack had arrived. They arranged themselves around me and we waited. Carlisle looked puzzled. "Where are they?" he asked.
They don't phase anymore, I explained. They'd only kept it up so that they would be ready when we phased for the first time.
"Oh."
About ten minutes later, my dad and the Pack arrived. When Jacob entered the clearing, he stopped short, as if he had hit a brick wall. I saw the shock swirling on his face, pain and happiness churning together. I stared at the vampire who had been Jake's best friend and love so many years ago.
She was beautiful, certainly. All vampires were, part of their disgusting predatory tools. But Bella had warmth about her that made her even more stunning than the blond bombshell standing by the enormous leech. When she saw Jake, her gold eyes brightened and her face lit up when she smiled. She took a cautious step forward.
Joe lunged, snarling. He'd inherited his dad's volatile temper. Edward yanked Bella back, letting loose a guttural snarl that thundered around my tiny clearing.
Joe! I thought, yanking him back with all the authority I could muster. I glared at him as he trotted back and lay down, whining in protest.
Sorry, I thought to Edward. He's Paul's son. It won't happen again.
Edward's eyes brightened in humor and he nodded. He must know Paul.
Jake stepped forward, as if he couldn't quite believe his eyes. "Bella?" I heard him ask, uncertain.
She smiled in true happiness. "It's me, Jake." She moved forward once more, but before any of us knew what had happened, Jake turned and ran from the clearing. Dad followed him, yelling, "Sky, can you take care of this?"
I nodded in assent as the rest of Dad's pack left with Jake.
Give me a moment. I bounded into the surrounding trees and phased back, pulling on sport pants and a sports bra, all the clothing I ever carried. I ran back out, beckoning my pack forward. Adira and Ryder flanked me, and the rest of the Pack spread out behind us.
"You better not try anything," I warned.
Carlisle chuckled and I felt my lip curl. "That would be most unwise." I got the feeling that he was just patronizing me, but I let it go for the moment.
Bella was standing a few feet away, sobbing dryly into Edward's shoulder as he stroked her hair and tried to comfort her. His face was twisted into a curious expression of mingled pain and jealousy.
Thankful that my senses were duller when I was in my human form, I walked over to them. Ryder shadowed me. Awkwardly, I placed my hand on Bella's shoulder. Edward raised his eyebrows at me, but backed off.
"You surprised him," I said gently. "I'm sure he'll see you once he's calmed down a bit." I couldn't help but not hate her—she seemed so innocent.
Bella said nothing, only wailed a little louder.
"Bella?" I tugged at her shoulder. Edward glared at me, a growl building in his chest. I glowered back, pulling back my lips to expose my teeth. So far, I didn't like Edward at all. He was way too protective, still treating Bella like she was a human and not a vampire.
I continued trying to talk to her, but she didn't respond. I felt slightly ridiculous, trying to help a bloodsucker, and I could almost hear the accusations swirling from my pack. As far as they were concerned, their leader had just gone nuts. Eventually, I gave up, and headed back to Carlisle.
"Why are you here?" I asked.
"We've come back to live here…and Bella wanted to see Jake," Carlisle said, his gaze flickering over to the sobbing Bella. "Obviously, that part hasn't worked so well." He smiled sadly at me. "Anyway, we figured we'd let you know."
"We'll respect our boundary," I said, businesslike, when what I really meant was, Stay on your own side, leech.
"As will we," Carlisle replied. I nodded and headed into the trees to phase. Against my better judgment, I looked at back at Carlisle.
"You can call me, if she needs help," I said, inclining my head in Bella's direction. Carlisle nodded, looking pleased. I frowned. "I'm not doing this for her, bloodsucker. I'm doing it for Jake."
Carlisle nodded again. "Of course." I continued into the woods and phased, leading my pack away.
Hope you guys liked this chapter! Okay, so now I want at least 4 more reviews before I update again. 4 chapters, 4 reviews…get the picture?
