A/N: I have the next few chapters written there is just a few things I keep rewriting to make sure the story flows correctly. Thank you for the reviews, follows and favorites! It means more to me than you could ever know. This is a pretty long chapter as will the next couple be, Enjoy!
Disclaimer: Don't own twilight because if I did it would be all about the wolves.
Chapter 4
"I have something to tell you," a voice from behind me said, Jade Black, Jacob's cousin from the Makah reservation.
I just stared at her through my glasses motioning to the spot next to me and she sat down next to me.
"I wish you never came back," she said sighing looking out over the ocean. I stayed silent and just looked out straight ahead, "But that doesn't matter, I know you're it for him. I was never the girl who he was meant to be with,".
"What are you talking about Jade?" I said suddenly way more confused after her second confession.
"Don't act so oblivious Aiyana, it doesn't suit you," Jade said through her teeth. Woah, woah woah, what the fuck? What did I do?
"I haven't done anything to you, why are you so pissed? I haven't even talked to you since I was 14," I said turning to glare at her.
"Whatever Aiyana, he deserves better than your abused 'help me' act, you're probably just dramatizing everything, like you have since we were kids," Jade said with the same anger I had directed towards the ocean.
"Fuck you Jade, I hope you never have to experience this, just-," I said standing up and glaring down at her grabbing my stuff, "Fuck off,". She just continued to stare out past me acting like I wasn't here anymore.
I scoffed and walked up the beach and barley heard her yell after me, "Nice drawing Aiyana,". I look down at the sketch book in my hand, a grey wolf. What?
I was pissed and hurt but focusing on the anger burning inside me I practically ran back to the house taking the short cut from when we were kids through the forest, big mistake.
"You're even prettier in person," a voice called out from above me, I snapped my head up glaring at the intruder, "I can't wait to taste you,".
I couldn't see anything other than the red eyes from through the branches, "What?" I whispered all the anger melting away.
Just then he jumped down standing right in front of me, I flinched back. He smiled a perfect smile contrasting to his pale skin.
"Don't you remember me little Aiya?" he said reaching his hand to touch my face. I take a large step back and I feel my chest tighten as my breath gets shorter.
I remember him, he was of my dad's clients, he would stare at me when ever he was over with a smile that made my skin crawl worse than my own father's did. I turn to run the other direction but before I could take a step, he's in front of me again. I gasp and try to back away tripping over a root.
"Ah, there you go," he said pleased before looking up past me and frowning. I turn back and see a large horse sized wolf behind him growling as it makes its way to standing in front of me protectively, it was the same one from the drawing. Sooner rather than later, a dark russet colored wolf, a black wolf and another smaller lighter grey wolf come out of the forest to form a protective circle around me.
I could hear my own heart beating in my ears, the blood all rushing to my head. I would love to wake up now.
"See you soon beautiful Aiyana," the man said as he turned and ran so fast, I didn't have time to blink before he was gone. Three out of the four wolves went after him snarling and snapping. The large dark grey wolf turned back to me slowly.
I stare at my lap, hoping this isn't the way I die. I loved wolves growing up, why'd they have to be the one to kill me? I hear a whine and snap my head up to see the grey wolf staring at me laying it's head down in a way that could only mean friendly
"Just when I was feeling hopeful, I get eaten by a wolf, I loved wolves growing up," I say out loud and the wolf lets out a snort which almost sounded like a laugh. Against everything in my head, I study the wolf, the way it carries itself like a warrior almost down to how it was now, careful and caring.
"Oh fuck me," I said to the wolf who just twitches it ear, "Here lies Aiyana Uley, killed for being an idiot,". I mutter to myself as I stand to my feet, taking a step closer to the horse sized wolf who I swear rolls it's eyes at me. I sit down next to the wolf and look into its eyes, those same eyes I would recognize anywhere, Paul.
I cock my head at the wolf, nearly squinting my eyes before my eyes widen and I realize exactly what was happening.
"The legends," I whisper and the wolf whines again pushing it's head towards my hand.
"Dude are you kidding me? You're a wolf? You left that out of the many conversations. "Hey Aiya, did I mention the legends are true and I turn into a wolf now?" Oh and by the way, cold ones are real, maybe stay out of the forest, thanks for that dude," The wolf, Paul, rolled his eyes and glared at me and I can almost feel him calling me a hypocrite about keeping secrets.
The wolf, or I guess Paul walks behind some bushes before coming out as human Paul a few seconds later. He's looking at his feet and the second he looks up, his eyes meet mine, fear was evident.
"Are you going to say anything?" I said snapping at him. My defense mechanism was anger, all the fear washing away replacing it was the anger I felt earlier, "Whatever, not like I am not used to people not giving me answers,".
I said as I stepped around him, I heard him following me as I made my way to the house, about five silent minutes later, I was fuming.
I sit on the steps and take a deep breath as Paul avoids looking at me shuffling his feet.
"Spit it out Paul," I said rolling my eyes at my childhood best friend. Paul just shrugs.
"You are the only person that took it as well as you did out of all the im—girlfriends. Not that you're my girlfriend well you are, you're my best friend that is a girl," Paul says in a rush and I just look at him waiting for him to stop blurting things out. He takes a deep breath and looks at me now, "Are you afraid of me? I'd never hurt you Aiyana,".
I look at him for a moment to process this information. My best friend turns into a wolf, no big deal right? I mean he was so gentle with me last night, he just saved me from a leech, he'd never hurt me, right? I hope not.
"Nah, it's pretty wild though," I said and he smiled brightly at me taking a seat next to me instantly turning into the old Paul.
"I'm sorry I didn't tell you, I couldn't. That's why I left earlier, I didn't want to phase around you and you get hurt," Paul said.
"Why did you have to phase?" I asked suddenly curious, he looked away for a minute. I racked my brain trying to remember the legends and the phasing part of it.
"Nothing, just freaked out a bit," Paul said looking over at me and suddenly nervous Paul was back.
"What?" I ask suddenly insane confused. What freaked him out? Popcorn? My face? Was I that ugly now?
"Nothing you did, you're beautiful," Paul said quickly as if he could read my mind. I shrug my shoulders letting it go.
"Who else?" I ask suddenly curious that all my childhood friends are now wolves.
"Well uh—Sam was first, it was when you were in San Francisco that he started showing signs and Billy offered him a job up here knowing he would phase any minute, then me, then Jared, who you saw with Sam earlier," Paul said.
"How'd you know I saw Sam?" I asked Paul. He looks over at me then back at his feet.
"When we are in wolf form, we can see each other thoughts, to help us fight vampires," Paul said and I shuttered when I heard vampire and Paul immediately takes notice, "I shouldn't have left you, I'm sorry Aiyana, he will never hurt you, I promise,". I shrug my shoulders again and just stare out into the woods.
"Leah and Seth," I go to cut him off again but he just glares at me. I shrink back and make a carry-on motion, "Leah is the first female shifter in history, it happened after Harry passed away a couple months ago, then Jacob, Embry and Quil should phase soon,".
I just sit there a moment, processing the information, when a large black wolfs comes into the clearing of Paul's house growling.
"Oh look, second family reunion of the day, go inside Aiya, I don't want you to get hurt," Paul makes a move to go face the angry wolf and my hand instantly goes to his arm. Fear running threw me and I hold on to his arm with all my strength.
"Don't leave, please," I whisper releasing my grip on him. The black wolf whines and I look at it as it drops on it's belly and sets his head on the ground.
"Baby, it's fine, it's just Sam," Paul tried to reassure me but I just shake my head and don't let go. Paul looks over at Sam and like Paul did earlier run into the trees coming back human.
Paul takes a seat next to me, "Yeah, he's about to chew my ass out I wasn't supposed to tell you everything without someone else here,". I looked at him confused but before I can question him Sam starts yelling.
"What the hell were you thinking Paul? What if she got hurt? What if she didn't react well?" Sam screaming reminded me of our father and I suddenly needed to be far away but as if Paul sensed it he pulled me into him wrapping his arm around me.
"Stop yelling, you're scaring her," Paul said back in a typical Paul fashion. He's always had a temper but never around me, I always saw a Paul that no one else but Kate saw.
I, on the other hand, was known for having a smart mouth and a temper but that changed when we moved, I became quiet, leaving most of myself here, I became this completely different person.
Sam looked down at me and backed up, "I didn't leave you because I wanted too Aiyana, I had too,". I was not expecting this to be turned on me and Paul immediately stood up standing in front of me.
"Not today all mighty alpha, go home," Paul said as he started shaking. Sam stared him down, but I reached out to grip Paul's hand hoping to calm him down. Instead this made Sam shake more but Paul seemed to calm instantly. Sam just turned into the forest and ran.
"I'm sorry baby, I didn't know he was going to show up," Paul said to me and then grabbed my hand pulling me up and leading me into the house.
"Does your mom know?" I asked suddenly, Paul could never keep a secret from his mom growing up, one of the many reasons I got in trouble so much as a kid.
"Yeah," Paul said before dropping on the couch pulling me into his lap. I was so confused; Paul was never affectionate growing up so what gives now?
I look up at him from my place on his lap and he looks down, his face showing concern, but I just looked at him.
"I haven't felt this safe in 4 years," I said with a slight smile on my face but then continued, "But if he finds me, he will kill me and I'm so scared he'll hurt you, I have to run Paul,".
He started shaking like a blur and I reach out to touch the side of his face, he pulls me in closer and rests his head on top of mine. Eventually his shakes calm but his grip doesn't.
"You're never leaving me ever again Aiyana, I can protect you, all the guys and me, plus Leah," Paul says and I remove myself from his grip. His face looks pained as I stand in front of him. I needed to get away from him if I was going to say what I needed to say.
"I shouldn't need you guys against my dad, I turned into this completely different person when I moved. Shy and quiet, never making a disturbance or being an altercation. I was so scared, so afraid one day he was going to kill me, all I wanted was to come home and be safe, with you and even with Sam," I took a breath sitting on the coffee table in front of him, "I refuse to be that girl anymore Paul. I refuse to be the damsel in distress, you can't keep treating me like I am going to break every second. I got the shit beat out of me nearly every day for four years but feeling you be so different with me, it hurts even worse, stop acting like you care about me like that and stop being affectionate, you never felt this way before, so why now?"
I take a chance to look at him and he was staring at the wall, shaking with a scowl that would send most people running away but I just reached out to touch his face and turn him to look at me.
"I am not broken and I am not weak, I just believed him when he said I was the reason everyone left, why mom died, why Sam came back here, but he was wrong, it wasn't me, it was him," Paul was shaking even worse now but I continued, "You're my best friend, please stop treating me like I am not the same person, stop treating me like I'm some charity case,".
"You're not," Paul snapped, and I pulled my hand back as if he burned me. My eyebrows burrowed and I sent him a questioning look, "You're stronger now and more beautiful than ever,".
I just stared at him and he got up suddenly, I stared at the spot where he was just sitting now not even flinching when I heard the screen door shut, again. I stand up almost as if I am on auto pilot going up the stairs and laying down. The events of today catching up to me as the tears come rushing out, everything catching up to me. I don't get out of bed for the rest of the day, Kate offers to bring me food but I can't bring myself to eat.
What if my big mouth pushed away the one good thing I had? Paul will come, back won't he? I needed a distraction.
I looked at my phone seeing the text messages I had missed in the past 24 hours. Some from friends at home wondering where I was on the last day of school, others from Leah and one surprisingly from Sam.
I read threw them before hesitantly listening to the voicemail Sam left,
Hey Aiya, happy birthday little sis. I doubt you're going to listen to this but if you do know I love and miss you so much. You are always welcome here and today is your chance at freedom, use it. You're so much stronger than you think. Emily says happy birthday, she's my girlfriend. I want you to meet her, I want you to be apart of my family again and I swear if I have to listen to Paul complain one more time that you aren't here then I might go crazy. I can't wait to tell you everything, please call me back. Please Aiya. I love you, bye.
The soft click made me realize the tears were again running down my face. I could hear the pain in my big brother's voice and was suddenly out of bed throwing my shoes on over the baggy sweats I stole from Paul; I grabbed the hoodie from earlier pulling it over my t-shirt.
I quietly walked out of house hoping not to wake up Kate, I look around and realize just how dark it was, Paul would kill me if he knew I had left the house. I shrugged to myself making my way to the car, I decide against it, it would wake up Kate and a motherly lecture is not what I needed.
It was probably a 8 minute walk to Sam's from here so I walk with my head down, hearing the leaves rumble I snap my head up to see Paul's wolf staring me down with anger in his eyes. I just keep walking and the wolf snapped at me before turning back into the trees and soon I see Paul coming out of the woods.
"What the fuck were you thinking Aiya? It's past ten already, it's too dark for you to be out here alone!" Paul yelled at me, I wasn't afraid of him angry though, I don't know why.
I just rolled my eyes and kept walking, he grabbed my hand and spun me around, "Aiya!" Paul screamed this time a lot closer to my face. You know what, fuck him.
"Why do you even care Paul? All I asked was for you not to leave me for today and you disappeared TWICE," I snapped back and he had pain in his eyes but that was quickly clouded by anger, "I opened up to you and you LEFT me, again,".
"Because you're my best friend and I would die if I lost you, are you so stupid that you don't know how dangerous the woods around here are? Was today not enough for you to realize that I can't have anything happen to you?" He said in such a calm voice but it hurt as if he was yelling.
"You think I'm stupid? I'm so sorry I am just the same stupid ignorant and naïve little girl that left four years, I already told you I wasn't so fuck off," I said suddenly ignoring every other part of that speech. Paul just let me go and walked back to the woods shaking fiercely. When we were younger, we often got into screaming matches so why was it hurting so bad this time he walked away? I shook my head rubbing my eyes and hoping the tears go away.
About 3 minutes later, I walk up to the old house I grew up in, there was a light on and laughter coming from the kitchen. I hesitantly knocked and all sound went deathly silent as loud foot steps came to the door.
Jared answered the door, he looked at me for a second before stepping away and allowing me to walk past him into the living room. Sam sat on the sofa with a female on his lap, she was beautiful. There was a girl I recognized from school, Kim here and Jacob and Embry sat on the floor.
"Aiya!" Jacob yelped and got up to his feet quickly to come hug me, I smiled and laugh as he twirls me around, "I missed you, no one can stand up to Sam like you can,". I laugh and was passed to another warm set of arms, Embry.
"Hi bry!" I said squealing as he picked me up. I was set on my feet and very aware of the large man behind me, Emily I am assuming stood next to us with a huge smile.
"Hi Aiyana, I'm Emily, Sam's girlfriend," I smile brightly and pull her in for a hug which she returns.
"Sorry you got stuck with him," I said with a smirk. The other guys laughed, and Emily just winked back at me,
"So you know about imprinting? Paul came clean?" Jared asked and I looked over at him and nodded. Although, I had no idea what the fuck that was. Paul was lying to me about something? Well, we really didn't get a chance to talk before he stormed out after my little confession.
"Aiy," Sam whispered looking at his feet. I turned around to him and nudged his shoulder he snapped his eyes up to me.
"Samuel, we should talk," I said sternly and suddenly everyone around me dispersed knowing the screaming match was about to happen. Sam nodded his head and motioned for the front door, I followed him out sitting on the old rocking chair, that belonged to our mom.
"Aiya, I wouldn't have left you if I had a choice," Sam said suddenly, and I had to rack my brain for anything.
"You didn't even phase back in San Fran, you left because Billy offered you a job," I said keeping my calm. Sam shook his head at me.
"No, I got a call from Billy and it was when I was really sick that one day, he told me about the legends and told me I was going to phase soon, so I left," Sam said leaning against the rail in front of me.
"You still left me there Sam, I got my ass kicked every single day when you left, if you can't tell by my face it just kept getting worse," I growled out at him. Sam just looked at me the anger building in his eyes.
"Don't you think I realize that Aiyana? Don't you think it killed me when Paul barley 16 showed up and started screaming at me because I left you there and he started beating you up? I TRIED to call you, get you to come here, run away but you never fucking answered me. None of the cards on your birthday or Christmas, or phone calls or texts, you said you HATED me," Sam said his voice raising with every word.
"You left and you never came back, you can try all you want to make me feel guilty but all I wished for every birthday was that you would come back and get me, you never did. He almost killed me Sam, if I didn't leave yesterday, I would have died, where were you? Hiding behind a cell phone? Or a written letter? WHERE THE FUCK WERE YOU SAM?" I screamed at him suddenly on my feet yelling at him and his anger dropped from his face and he looked pained.
"I'm so sorry, please don't shut me out again Aiya, I knew I'd kill him if I went to that house again. I was so selfish, then people started phasing and I couldn't leave," Sam pleaded with me. None of this making me feel better, none of this was making the hurt go away.
"What's imprinting?" I asked as my mind wandered to Paul. I heard a loud smack from inside the house and some yell, 'Paul is going to kill you'.
Sam sighed glaring at the door then turning back to me, "Paul should be the one to tell you, how'd you get here?".
"I walked," I said absentmindly, soon as the words left my mouth Sam was shaking in blurs.
"He let you walk through the forest late at night after what happened today? You walked through the forest late at night after what happened today?" Sam growled out. Oh, shit.
I took a step back and he took one towards me, "God damn it Sam, you're scaring her again!" I heard Paul yell as he comes out of the forest in his cutoff jean shorts.
Sam shook and leaped over the rail and ran towards Paul phasing mid way and Paul shredded his clothes too phasing into his beautiful grey wolf. They were growling and snapping at each other when Jared and Jacob ran out to run in between them.
Embry and Emily came running for me as I just stood there staring. Embry wrapped an arm around me and I leaned into his embrace. Emily just laid her hands softly on my arm whispering soothing words.
"Come on Aiya, let's go inside, the boys will figure it out themselves," Emily said grabbing my hand. I let her lead me inside and we sat at the kitchen table.
"What are they fighting about?" I asked curiously as Emily went to go grab a cup and filled it with coffee before setting it in front of me. I smiled my thanks.
"You, Paul never forgave Sam for leaving you and when Paul phased, he went to go get you but Sam ordered him not too," Emily said shaking her head in disappointment.
"Did Sam not want me here?" I asked. That would be the only reason he would tell Paul not to come. Paul wanted to come, my savior.
"No, it's not that, he thought it would be less dangerous for you with your dad than it would be around all the wolves," Emily said rolling her eyes before muttering something under her breath.
"So, what's imprinting?" I try again asking Emily who just looked at me deciding whether to tell me. She takes a deep breath and starts speaking.
"It's when a wolf finds their other half, it's when they see you, they're whole world revolves around keeping that one girl safe. You gravitate towards each other without having to think about it. They will be whatever you want, a brother, a friend or a lover. When they find this other person, it balances their wolf out," She says smiling, probably thinking about Sam.
"So, you and Sam?" I ask with a slight smile. She shakes her head yes. Then motions over to Kim who was sleeping on the couch.
"Her and Jared," Emily said with a slight smile. Then the boys all walked in, Paul immediately coming over to me kissing my head before sitting next to me and eating a muffin that on the table.
I looked at Emily questioningly and looked back to Paul that was eating a muffin in his own world as his hand rested on the small of my back. I looked back at Emily who was just smiling at me but refused to deny or confirm anything with a shrug.
I guess our argument was long forgotten and just smirked, "I'm sorry for walking around late at night," I whispered to him and he just smiles before placing a kiss on my cheek and grabbed another muffin.
"Pig," I muttered and looked away as Paul was rolling his eyes. He held up a piece for me and I took it and placed it in my mouth.
"Holy shit Emily, these are so good," I said reaching for the rest of Paul's muffin as he growled at me. I smacked his head and he just pouted. Emily was just laughing at us when Jared made a whipping noise.
I looked over at Jared and winked causing everyone to laugh except Paul because he didn't know what I did from the other side of me.
Paul's phone started ringing and he looked down at it before looking up at me, "I'm assuming you didn't tell mom that you left?". My eyes went wide as I pulled him up with me and ran out the door yelling my goodbyes. There was laughter from behind us as Paul follows behind me not letting go of my hand.
"She's going to kill you," Paul said in a song-singing voice. I rolled my eyes before look up at him.
"Not if I tell her you abandoned me twice today," I replied in the same tone. He stopped suddenly and looked down at me.
"You wouldn't," He said seriously knowing it would immediately turn the wrath of Kate on to him.
"Oh I would," I giggled before continuing to walk letting go of his hand. He took a few quick steps and wrapped his arm around my shoulders. We went up to the house and the living room lights was on, oh we are so screwed.
