Chapter Four

I don't know what exactly I expected when I decided I'd definitely go to Alice's grad party… maybe that I would be able to relax for five seconds. But, really, who I was kidding? The life of a pack member never ends. I don't think I even expected it to, I mean, really, I'm a freaking shape-shifter.

Alice whipping in to "vision-mode" pretty much told me the party was over. The Cullen family gathered us all in to a more quiet room of the house while the party continued, oblivious to the conversation taking place nearly five feet away. We had four days until something came, something that would cause a bloodbath.

"Hold up; what damn army?" Jake demands, just as confused as they rest of us.

Carlisle is quick to answer. "Newborns… our kind."

Embry and I exchange a look. He shifts, glancing at the vampire family.

"What are they after?" he asks.

Alice, still clinging to Jasper, tags in. "They were passing around Bella's scent-the red blouse."

Jake tenses, "They're after Bella? What the hell does this mean?"

Carlisle sighs, not really looking at anyone as he goes on. "An ugly fight; lots of lives lost."

Jake glances back at us, the silent question passing between us.

"Alright, we're in."

Bella is the first to argue our part in the battle. I feel Embry's hand tighten around mine at her mention of us getting killed. Jake, still being an ass, is the first to crack back.

"I wasn't asking for permission."

As if hoping for him to do something, Bella looks to Edward, but he's only concerned about her safety. Finally, it comes down to deciding when we'll get together to train since newborns aren't like regular, ancient bloodsuckers. Apparently, they're worse.

I go home that night. Though Embry asks me to stay at the Res, I had to decline. My mom and I need to talk. She said she had something to tell me and I didn't want to turn her down; not with the tone she was using. It's nearly midnight when I stroll through the front door. She looks up, her eyes tired. Sitting with a mug clasped between her dainty hands, Janice looks awfully cozy in her peach-colored robe.

"Hi, mom." I wave.

I shrug out of my coat and hang it on the back of my chair before taking a seat. A few moments of silence pass; the incessant tick-tock of the clock slowly driving me insane. I open my mouth to start the conversation, but she beats me to it.

"Your uncle used to run around late at night; we never knew where he was going… he wouldn't tell anyone, even me. It was shocking since we told each other everything. It scared your grandparents; they even sent him off to some military school for rebellious teens,"

She smirks, "He got kicked out for sneaking off the campus… which was thought to be impossible."

"I don't see-"

Mom shakes her head, her eyes focused on the contents in her mug.

"I'm telling you this because I don't want you to end up like him."

"Mom, uncle Tommy lives in New York City in some penthouse apartment with an incredible job; he's successful."

"And alone."

"Is this about finding my special someone?" I groan, realizing the irrelevance of this damned conversation.

My mother has always thought the most important thing in this life is family; having a family, raising a family, being a family.

Family, family, family.

Uncle Tommy used to tell me that he wasn't alone by choice, he used to say that when the right girl came along, he'd know. She'd be the gravity holding him to the earth… My head snaps up at that. Blinking a few times, a thousand memories of my uncle Tommy play through my mind before I jump up from the table. Mom was in the middle of speaking and is watching me with wide eyes from the sudden action.

"Shiloh?"

"I need to call uncle Tommy."

"It's three o' clock in the morning in New York; you'll wake him up!"

I fly upstairs to my room without a second thought and dial his number so fast I deserve a reward. It rings a few times before his groggy voice picks up.

"Who the hell calls at three am?" he groans.

"Your niece; I need to ask you some questions."

"Dammit, Shy, can't this wait until-oh, I don't know-a reasonable hour?"

"It's urgent, Tommy."

He sighs and I hear him adjust himself before a big yawn echoes in to the phone.

"Alright, shoot."

"Where were you going when you would sneak out at night as a teen?" I ask, sifting through my research.

He laughs, "Did your mom put you up to this? I swear, that woman-"

Rolling my eyes, I pause at the old journal I found in my mom's closet. She says it isn't hers, but could it be Tommy's?

"She didn't put me up to anything; I just have a feeling..."

A tiny lock keeps the aged book's pages together and hidden from anyone reading it. Biting my lip, I slip my finger under the lock and pull up. The gold breaks instantly, the cover popping open. I skim through the first entry and my suspsions are confirmed after the first sentence.

I am wolf.

"Shy? Are you still there?"

"Yeah, yeah... I think we share the same reason for sneaking out. Actually, scratch that. I know we do."

His breathing is slow and shaky as he goes on, "Shiloh, you couldn't possible imagine the reason I had for sneaking out."

"Maybe I could… throw me a bone."

"Thomas! What on earth are you doing here?" mom laughs, her voice carrying up the stairs.

I peek out from above the stairs as my uncle walks in to the house.

"Shy called me up last night and I got the first flight to Seattle. I heard that she graduated; crazy. I haven't seen her since she started high school and she's already finished. Incredible how time flies."

"Uncle Tommy!" I cheer.

I run down and hug uncle Tommy. He laughs, "Hey, kiddo."

I recognize his scent. The beautiful hint of animal mixes with his cologne; the smell of a fellow wolf. I feel him tense slightly as he inhales my own scent before relaxing. When we pull away, we share a knowing glance.

"Where are you staying?" mom asks, ignoring the sizzling bacon.

"On your couch." Tommy smirks.

Mom grins, nodding as she drags his single suitcase in to the living room.

"Alright, well, maybe you can keep tabs on my daughter then."

Tommy glances at me and we share a look before he waves a dismissive hand, as if to say 'We'll talk later.' Mom skips back to the kitchen and fixes a plate for her brother. He slides on to a chair, a fork and knife in each hand. The moment the plate hits the mat, he's devoured it all. I smirk, having seen this scene more than once. If there was any doubt in my mind that my uncle was a wolf, it was obliterated the second his fork hit the plate.

Mom places a cup of orange juice before Tommy with a nostalgic smile, "You haven't changed very much; do you eat like that in public?"

Uncle Tommy downs the drink and returns the smile.

"I try not to."

Mom glances at me then the clock. "It's breakfast time and you're home; I'm astonished."

As if on cue, my cell vibrates against my leg. I flip it open to reveal a text from Embry. Though it's a rushed, confusing mess, I realize that we have training with the Cullen's today. I curse under my breath before racing upstairs. Grabbing my backpack filled with supplies, I slip on my running shoes and jump back downstairs.

"Shiloh, sit down. Your uncle just got here; you can't go running off like this." Mom snaps, though I can see that even she knows I'll leave with or without her permission.

"I forgot that I had prior plans… I'm sorry, but I really have got to go."

Uncle Tommy pushes his cleaned plate away, "Come on, Jan. Give the kid some space. You and me need to catch up anyhow; where do you work?""

I smile at uncle Tommy before taking off out the door.

Everyone shifts before heading to the clearing. No one trusts the Cullen's enough to walk around on two legs. I wouldn't have minded, but Embry asked ever so kindly. By kindly, I mean he basically had Sam use the alpha voice on me. I don't get it; the Cullen coven are civil and kind, why such bad blood?

Oh… because they drink the blood… right.

Edward narrates our thoughts while Carlisle explains what newborns are before letting Jasper take the lead. His eyes are serious and his battle scars out for show for added effect. Glancing between us, he explains further.

"And, second, never go for the obvious kill."

They demonstrate a mini-fight between Jasper and Emmett. Bursts of dirt, condescending tips, and a blur of movement later, the training is over. Embry and I walk off, fazing later in the woods. After changing, he takes my hand and leads me through the trees.

"Shy, I need to talk to you something,"

I glance up at him, slowing my walk until we came to a stop. He sighs, running a hand through his shaggy spikes.

"Sam thinks it'd be better if you stayed out of the fight."

I rip my hand from his, glaring at him defiantly.

"You mean you want me to stay out of the fight." I snap.

Embry shakes his head, opening and closing his mouth while he debates what to say.

"That's not true, Shy. I'd feel better if I could be with you the entire time so I know where you are, but Sam doesn't want the younger wolves in the fight… Seth isn't fighting either."

"Seth is fifteen! He hasn't had his growth spurt yet. I have. Hell, I'm bigger than Leah."

Embry sighs, "I'm not going to tell you what to do… neither is Sam. We're just suggesting that you sit this one out. You're young and new and… I wouldn't be able deal with it if you got hurt."

I close my eyes, forcing myself to remain stubborn, but my inner voice knows the sentiment behind their reason. Crossing my arms over my chest, I walk away from him. The next second, Embry is wrapped around my waist.

"Don't walk away angry."

"I'm fighting, Embry. Not you or Sam or anyone is going to stop me; I'm a part of this pack and I'm going to defend it." I say, conviction in my tone.

Embry nods, pressing his lips to my forehead.

"Just be careful."

It's nearly the day of the battle when I decide my mom should meet Embry. These last four days, I'd been pretty good at being home at appropriate hours and I've hinted it's due to a boy whose cleaned up my act. Uncle Tommy caught on to Embry scent the other night, but said nothing.

"You showered? Are you wearing a shirt and jeans? Shoes too, right? Did you brush your hair? Are you wearing deodorant? Did you shave?" I demand, pacing around my room on the phone.

Embry laughs, "Calm down, Shy. I'm presentable, alright?"

I let out a breath, settling down on the edge of my bed.

"I'm sorry… I just-I'm nervous. My mom is awesome and all, but I just want you to look like the kind of guy that can clean up someone's act. She'll love you, but I just want it insured, y'know?"

"Breathe, puppy-dog."

I smile, even relax, at the silly name.

"Okay, okay. Are you almost here?"

"I'm pulling up to the house right now."

Glancing out the window, I see Jake's crappy rabbit parking on the shoulder.

"See you in a second."

I click off the phone and drop it on my desk. Adjusting my long-sleeve top, I take a second to touch-up the little bit of makeup I applied. If we aren't running around in the woods, Embry deserves a girl that'll primp. I run a hand through my hair quickly, sprits a bit of subtle perfume, and calmly make my way downstairs.

Uncle Tommy is at the window when I get there.

"So, he's the boy that you were wearing the other day."

I smirk, "Yep."

"He's… like you?"

Tommy glances at me, eyes softened. I nod with a small smile on my face. You have no idea.

"Yeah… he is."

The doorbell rings and my mom comes shuffling out of her room in a pale blue dress. Her hair is done up and the makeup is on. If I didn't know any better, I'd think she was trying to impress the guy I was bringing home. She slides over to the door and throws it open, "Hello! You must be Embry."

"The one and only."

My sincere apologies for the wait!

School is back in session and my classes are awesome about homework... note the sarcasm. I'm in current event hell. Anyway, I finally had a break due to Labor Day weekend so here is the product of my break! It's mostly a filler, but we're slowly progressing. Until next time, remember to share the love!

-Allie3