Chapter 4 - Max

Later that evening, Erica was sitting on the front porch and her cell phone vibrated in her hand...She looked down and smiled at the name on the front display. She flipped it open and said, "Hello Max." Max chuckled and said, "Hello my beautiful...How was the plane ride?" Erica crossed her legs and said, "Terrible without you." Max said, "And Sam? Was he happy to see you?" Erica said, "Yes of course...10 years will do that to people...I wish you was here...You'd love La Push...It never changes but the scenery is always nice and the beaches are always beautiful." Max said, "Nothing is more beautiful then you my love."

Erica smiled warmly and said, "How was hunting?" Max said, "We got close to the Volturi...But at the last minute they snaked away from us." Erica said, "Just promise me you're being careful." Max chuckled and said, "Of course my love...You know I am...When is Harry's funeral?" Erica said, "2 days." Max said, "You know if you need me I'll come." Erica smiled softly and said, "I know...but I could never ask you to stop hunting just to come here for a couple of days...Especially if you guys got that close to the Volturi." Max said, "Well just the same if you need me all you have to do is call." Erica said, "I know...Thanks for the offer. I'm gonna let you get back cause I know you guys are hunting hard." Max said, "You know I love you right?" Erica smiled softly again and said, "I love you too." Erica flipped her phone closed the same time a voice behind her said, "Love huh?" Erica looked up at her brother and smiled coyly.

Sam sat next to his sister on the steps and said, "So do I wanna know?" Erica giggled as Sam wrapped his arm around his sister and pulled her closer to him and she accepted the loving embrace...Erica blushed a little and said, "Yea...I sort of started seeing another pack member over in London...He followed me to Paris and then Italy...His name is Maximus Sulare...And yea I did sort of fall in love with him." Sam said, "Did you guys imprint on each other?" Erica said, "Lord no...He knew eventually I'd be coming home to be in my brothers pack and I offered for him to come to, but he said he'd never fit in, in America...But we did say we were going to continue seeing each other even if it is long distance." Sam chuckled and said, "Yea...REALLY long distance. C'mon you've had a long first day let's get some dinner and sleep." Sam stood up and helped his sister stand up as they walked into the house they could already smell Emily's cooking.

The following day it started all over again with Jaci and Erica trying to outdo the guys but only because they couldn't keep their smart comments to themselves. Before Paul did any cliff diving he walked over to Jaci and said, "How about some sugar to help my courage." Jaci said, "What do you say I slap you around instead?" Paul put his hand over his heart and before he jumped he said, "Can't we do both?" Jared and Embry were laughing, Embry said, "I can't believe Erica smoked Jacob on the race up here." Jared said, "I can't believe he's taking the loss so well." Jacob growled and said, "Shoot me now." Erica walked past Jacob to the edge and said, "Don't worry wolf boy...eventually you'll be able to keep up with me." Erica ran her index finger up the bottom of his chin and Jacob pulled away and about to say something when Erica jumped over with a giggle.

Jacob's fists were balled at his sides...He was getting fed up with her..Sam walked over and said, "Don't even think about it Jake...She's my sister...I know she's got a mouth on her but you'll have to accept that in some things she's better then you...But only because she's been training longer then you...Once you get your strength and speed up you can tease her for losing to you." Jacob said, "Screw that...I'm sorry Sam...I know she's your sister and I'm ashamed to say it but I want to hit her...I've never wanted to lay my hands on a female so bad." Sam said, "Calm down man...You're really letting her get to you." Jaci giggled as she walked by and said, "Jake...I wouldn't have thought you'd let a woman get to you...Erica does that to guys in a pack to challenge them...It's kind of like a training exercise to see how they control their anger...It's effective." Jaci scrunched her nose and jumped over the cliff following Erica onto the beach again.

The two emerged laughing at Jacob not being able to take the teasing abuse from Erica. Jaci said, "I know it's funny and all...but I'd be careful of him if I were you." Erica scoffed and said, "I'm not worried about some weak member of the pack he's not as strong or fast as me or you, but if he can learn to control his anger I'd venture to say he will be ready to take over the alpha position soon as it should be and let Sam step down. Jacob is pre-ordained to be the Alpha...He's just not ready...But he will be...Even if I have to push him kicking and punching all the way." Jaci watched as Erica smirked and walked away.

As everyone walked up to Emily and Sam's a horn honked. Sam looked at the top of the drive way and a yellow cab door opened and a man about 6'4" 260 lbs of muscle with long black hair to his shoulder blades stepped out in jeans, steel toed boots and a black t-shirt stretched over his chest it looked like a second skin...His beautiful hair was pulled back at the sides to keep it out of his face. Sam said, "Erica...I think you've got a visitor." Jaci elbowed Erica as he head popped up and her face lit up with excitement. Erica smiled as she took off running and the guy swept her off her feet and spun her around. Erica touched his cheek and said, "I told you, you didn't have to come Max." Max said, "Well beautiful, I couldn't very well let you go to a funeral without an escort to help catch your tears." Max dipped his head down and captured her lips in a searing kiss.

Sam chuckled and said, "I guess that's Max." Jaci laughed and said, "You guess right." All eyes were on the happy couple at the top of the hill...no one noticed the jaded brown eyes watching them.