Chapter 7: "Inquisitive" (Daniela POV)

"Me?" I asked, making sure I heard him right.

"Yes," he said, holding my hand, "you."

There was so much to take in: being Quileute, werewolves, vampires, and imprinting. I'm still not even sure if I believe all of this.

"You don't believe me, do you?" Seth worried.

"I don't know, Seth," I shrugged. "If you were really a werewolf…"

I paused, gulping, while he waited for me to finish.

"Will you show me?"

"It's complicated, Daniela."

"How?" I asked, not looking at him.

He lifted up my chin with his index finger and explained, "We wolves phase when we lose our temper, and I don't want to risk hurting you like Sam did to Emily."

I looked down at the sand and questioned, "What do you mean?"

Seth explained to me that Sam had once lost his temper with Emily around. She was dangerously close to an irritated and livid wolf. As a result, she now has a long scar on the side of her face. Seth told me that he does not want that to happen to me, and I nodded in understanding. He said to me that it is easier for him to phase now than the first time.

"When did you first phase?" I asked.

"When I was just a year older than you," answered Seth.

"Fifteen?"

He nodded and retold me the story about how many of them started shape-shifting at a young age because of the several vampires who stayed at the Cullen residence.

"Collin phased when he was thirteen," he said, "and Brady did when he was fourteen."

"Speaking of Brady, he imprinted on Valerie right?" I asked, grinning.

"Yup!" he answered.

"Who else imprinted?"

"Well there's Jake and Nessie, Sam and Emily, Quil and Claire, Jared and Kim, Paul and Rachel, me and you," he said, choosing to speak the last part slowly.

I blushed then asked another question, "So Collin, your sister, and uhm…I forgot his name…uh…Embry, I think, they haven't imprinted yet?"

"No, but I hope they do soon," he told me. "Especially my sister."

"And why is that?"

"It all started with the high school sweethearts, Leah and Sam," he began.

I love listening to these stories.

"It's a long story, but I'll cut to the chase," Seth said. "Sam and Leah were in love five years ago. When our cousin, Emily, came over for a visit, Leah introduced her to Sam. He was the first one out of our generation to phase, and of course, when he saw my cousin, he imprinted on her. It broke my sister's heart."

I gasped, feeling sympathetic for Leah.

"I know. My sister was miserable for years," Seth said, "but she's a little better now."

"That's good," I smiled.

Seth and I paused for a few minutes looking into the sea.

I asked him if werewolves have different qualities than humans.

"Yeah," he replied. "Our body heat."

I stared at him curiously.

"Daniela, you just didn't notice," he smiled at me. "It's Washington in November, forty-five degrees, and you don't have a jacket. Have you noticed that you're not cold?"

I laughed, "Thanks, by the way."

"Don't mention it."

"What else?" I asked.

"Well, we read and feel each others thoughts when we're in our wolf form."

"That means you hear your sister's thoughts!"

Seth nodded, "Creepy, I know."

We both chuckled.

"Is being tall and muscular part of being a wolf too?"

"Yep," he said, popping the p.

Mmm, six pack. I mentally grinned.

"Anything else you want to know?" he inquired, not looking at me but looking at the endless waves of water.

I shook my head and replied, "But I think I believe you now."

"Good," he beamed.

He stood up and offered his hand to me. I gladly accepted and stood up also. Seth and I were slowly walking back to the bonfire where everybody was. It was somewhat awkward because I knew he wanted to hold my hand. I don't even know what we were supposed to be right now. Friends or more than friends? I really don't know. Instead of making him make the first move, I took his hand and intertwined my tiny fingers with his. I swear, I saw him smile from my peripheral vision.

"Hey, Seth?" I called, my steps fading into a stop.

"Yes?" he answered, stopping too.

"Should I be scared of you?"

All he did was grin and brought his right hand up to touch my cheek.

I didn't buy it, and I knew he saw it in my facial expression.

"Daniela Rylee Hermosa Karylle," he announced.

It gave my stomach butterflies when he said my full name because no one ever says my full name except my parents when I'm in huge trouble.

He continued, "You could be scared of me if you choose, but there's no reason for you to. I'll protect you with my whole life. I would die for you, I would do anything for you, and I will be there if you need a shoulder to cry on. I'll be here for you. Promise."

"You're lying right?" I asked, in full shock at what he just told me. That was pretty deep for a guy I've only known for a week.

"I'm not lying, I do promise," he stated with no hint of fib in his face and his voice.

That's when I realized he was telling the truth.

I didn't know how to reply to that, so I wrapped my arms around Seth's waist. He hugged me back. I felt protected from any danger or harm. It was like that same feeling of protection from my brother, Derek. Only this was a little different. Because sparks flew.

Seth and I continued walking on the sand towards his family and friends. We held hands again. We both smiled again. When we reached the others, I saw the looks of joy in their faces. I bet they've been waiting for me to find out about their secret.

"Oh, and Daniela?" Seth added.

"Mhm?"

"Only certain people can find out about this secret," he told me.

"Define 'certain people'," I said.

"Imprints and families of wolves…so keep it a secret, okay?"

"Promise," I simply answered even though I'm bad at keeping secrets. Though I am sure I could keep this one.

"You gotta pinky promise," he said.

"Really, Seth?" I chuckled. "Aren't you a little too old to pinky promise?"

"Pssh, no," he scoffed. "Now pinky pwomise, pwease Danwela?"

"Aw, a guy with a sensitive side," I sarcastically said.

He pouted. In a cute way, of course.

I gave in and linked my pinky with his. Seth grinned ear to ear and hugged me again.

"You're the best," he said as he put his face the top of my hair. "You smell good, by the way."

I smirked, "Oh I forgot. You're a dog. Dogs have good noses."

He laughed with me, so did everybody else.

Seth was now sitting on a tree stump, while I was standing beside him. He offered me to sit down but I refused. Everyone went back to their conversations except little Claire who was holding Quil's thumb, dragging him to us. Claire raised both her hands up for me to carry her while Quil did some weird handshake with Seth. I think it's a guy thing.

"Did you know Quil is my best fwend?" Claire informed.

"Aw, that's great!" I told her.

Weird. I thought Quil imprinted on her. Isn't it an 'I found my soulmate' thing?

I shot Seth a questionable look, but he only said, "I'll explain to you later," and I nodded.

He and Quil seemed to have a funny conversation considering that they both laughed every time I turned to look at Seth. Claire was such a talkative child, by the way. She talked about how she'll start pre-school when she turns four and how she's really excited. After ten minutes of cute little Claire talking about her life, she started yawning. I patted her back and told her she could sleep in my arms. I sat on the tree stump where Seth sat earlier, and before I could even sit down comfortably, Claire was asleep. Quil noticed, apologized and took the sleeping little girl from my arms. The way he carried Claire was so sweet. Any person could tell that he cared and loved her.

"Hey, guys!" I heard Collin greet.

We both greeted him back.

"Do you really believe that we are werewolves?" Collin asked me.

Everyone stopped talking and waited for my answer. All eyes were on me.

"Yes, I do believe y'all," I proudly announced.

They all smiled at me, except for Collin. He laughed.

"Y'all? Texas much? Why can't you just say 'you all'?" he mocked.

I looked down, embarrassed.

Leah punched Collin's shoulder, and the guys shot him a look. He grimaced.

"Don't be such an ass, gosh," Seth said angrily.

I rubbed Seth's shoulder and told him it was okay.

Collin apologized.

Billy Black, or Uncle Billy coughed loudly and said, "Daniela, during bonfires, I normally tell the Quileute legends, but since Seth told you about it already, I guess I could save my breath for today. I'm glad you know about us now."

"Me too," I said, hugging Uncle Billy.

"Well, Sue will drive me home, so you kids have fun!"

"We will!" Jacob assured his dad.

When Seth's mom and Billy left us, we all started eating. I grabbed some chips and put them on a disposable plate with dip. It was pretty much what most of us girls ate. The guys- well, they ate more than an adolescent boy with very high metabolism. Another fact I learned about werewolves.

Seth was sitting on the sand, and I went over to sit by him.

"Don't call Collin an…ass," I said, hesitating the last word.

"Why?" he whined. "He made fun of you."

"I know," I said, "but that doesn't give you an excuse to call him that."

"An ass?"

I punched his arm for saying that crude word again. It didn't really benefit me. It only made my fist a little sore. Seth apologized for that.

"Really, though. Out of the words from the Seth Clearwater Dictionary, Seth Clearwater uses the vulgar ones?"

I heard Quil, Paul, and Embry snicker and looked at Seth in a scolding, humorous way.

"Like there is such dictionary! He probably doesn't even know what vulgar means!" Paul shouted to us.

"How did he-?"

"Super hearing," Seth told me.

Paul winked at me and chuckled.

I saw Jacob walk over to us with ten-year-old Nessie holding his hand. Which reminded me: I need to ask Seth about the whole weird imprinting thing again later.

"Hello, cousin I just found out about!" Jacob greeted.

"Hey, cousin who knows my name but chooses not to say it, so I'm just gonna do the same thing," I said, raising my eyebrow.

"Ah, sense of humor," said Jacob. "I think I'm going to like you cous—Daniela."

"Why thank you, cous—Jacob."

"Please, you can call me Jake."

I saw Nessie biting her lip, holding her laugh.

"Hi there, Nessie!" I said.

She smiled at me. This young girl was so beautiful. She has golden-brown curls flowing down to her shoulders, golden eyes like honey, and a face with gorgeous features. I almost forgot she was part vampire. Are vampires this beautiful?

Nessie must have noticed me staring at her because she notified me, "You probably know what I am by now, but don't be afraid. I won't hurt you."

Shaking my head, I commented, "I know; I believe you. I was just thinking that you are such a beautiful young girl!"

She blushed and thanked me.

"You're welcome!"

She touched my cheek, and suddenly, I saw a vivid visualization of Seth and me lying down on the sand on a bright sunny day at the beach. He looked at me, full of love in his eyes. Unexpectedly, Seth's face was a few inches from mine. I was ready to close the gap then…it faded away, back to Nessie's smiling face.

"How'd you do that?" I asked her, amazed.

"What did Nessie show you?" Seth asked.

Ignoring Seth's question, Jacob answered mine instead of Nessie, "She has a gift."

He explained to me how most vampires have different talents.

"You should meet my family one day," Nessie said to me.

"I'd love to!"

"Awesome! And don't worry, my family is decent."

"Noooo they are not!" I heard Paul yell out of nowhere.

I looked at Seth and said, "Oh right. I forgot. Super hearing."

"Naw. Paul is just a freaking eavesdropper!" Seth said, yelling the last part.

We all laughed at that remark.

"Anyway, Daniela," Jacob said, "if you ever want to visit Dad and I, which is probably never because you'll probably only want be there to see Seth, you can always bust through our door."

"I'll keep that in mind," I laughed, "and busting through your door would totally not ruin my head."

"You know what I mean," Jacob winked.

"I know, Jake."

"Or you can always go to Sam and Emily's house," Seth added. "They have more food, and that's usually where you can find us."

I smiled at their welcoming invitation.

Now that I think of it, I've been smiling a lot tonight.

But that's all right. I'm starting to love this new family.

A/N: What did y'all think of it? I just wanted to show you guys what it was like to be welcomed in a family of werewolves from my imagination. ^^ I know you want it to be Seth's POV now, so…next chapter will be Seth Clearwater POV. Don't be sad. Be glad. :D REVIEW, please! Btw, in the beginning it was technically October and still supposed to be October now, but I changed it to November. I hope you don't mind the slight change. :)