I honestly can't believe how many people have looked at this story 1044 people and counting! Too bad there's only 21 reviews. My previous story had 99 and only 179 hits so I dunno. Whatever. I'm excited to write this, I'm not normally this excited. Hopefully, you like it too!
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Regan tossed the clothes on the floor of the bathroom, warning Wyatt before she opened the door. Steam poured out of the bathroom and onto her face. She smiled, smelling her shampoo mixing with his scent. She wasn't sure how to define it: clean, like after a heavy rain, not quite earthy but airy and free. She shut the door tightly behind her and plopped down on her bed. She grabbed her book and began to leaf through it.
Regan was going through a phase reading all of the werewolf books she could find. She was currently in the middle of an –almost- trashy romance. She didn't realize it when she purchased it; the summary on the back gave no allusion to the romance flourishing within its pages. It was about the –only- female werewolf and her escapades. Regan found it humorous to say the least. She liked the character, but the author really needed to check her sources about werewolves…the bathroom door opened and Wyatt stepped out, his dark blonde hair spiky like he had dried it quickly with a towel. She smiled.
"Some light reading?" he asked. He stepped forward and took it carefully out of her hand. His thumb held her place as he read the back of the book.
"Yeah, it's actually really good. Inaccurate and definitely up for debate, but good."
He smiled and handed the book back to her. She carefully placed her copper page marker back in the book and looked up at Wyatt.
"Let's head downstairs, I want to see what the rest of my family is doing, and what they're planning to do with those trackers you spoke of earlier."
Wyatt's smile faltered.
"What's the matter?" Regan asked.
"I get the distinct feeling that some of your family doesn't like me."
Regan laughed. "You get the distinct feeling that Edward doesn't like you," he didn't reply but only looked more sheepish. "Don't mind him, I'm actually going to have a little chat with him later. He's just a little protective of me, that's all."
"A little?" Wyatt asked with a smile. He seemed relaxed around her, a gentle smile on his lips. There was something about his eyes too, the way he watched her. Like he was drinking it all in and committing it all to memory, just in case he never saw her again.
"I can't believe your shower," he said, "I've never seen one like that before!"
Regan just smiled. "It is pretty awesome isn't it?" The shower was Regan's favorite part of the house. It had not one, but five showerheads. One above where a showerhead normally is, then three jets across her shoulders, and one on her lower back. She could change the pressure and strength of the jets. If she made the water hot enough, she almost believed that her body temperature was above freezing.
"Come on," she said. She grabbed his hand to get him moving. They walked out of Regan's room and to the stairs. She let go of his hand then, flying down the stairs.
"YOU GUYS WERE PLAYING WITHOUT ME?!" she demanded.
Emmett and Jasper were playing with their new obsession: the Wii. Regan was absolutely addicted. She was just as absorbed with the game as the boys were. Carlisle, Esme and Alice were chatting on the couch in the corner discussing the strategy of the boys playing and Rosalie was in the kitchen, scrubbing motor oil off of her hands. Edward was sitting in the windowsill doing what could only be described as moping.
Emmett paused the game and rubbed his head nervously. "We were playing to see who would play you? Winner plays Regan?" he said cautiously. Jasper nodded in agreement. They were playing tennis, their little armless characters were waiting somewhat impatiently for them to start playing again.
"Yeah, yeah, when you guys are done, I'm playing Red Steel," she said plopping herself down less than gracefully on the loveseat perpendicular to the one that Esme, Carlisle and Alice were sitting on. Wyatt walked uncomfortably across the room to sit down next to her. Edward growled softly from the seat.
Can it Edward. She growled mentally.
How can you stand to sit near him! He's trouble I don't trust him!
Why not? Regan asked, turning her head ever so slightly to catch her brother in the corner of her gaze. Because he thinks I'm pretty? Hell, he hasn't even seen me as a vampire yet. Not fully. And he thinks I'm pretty. Oh don't act so shocked, I can see how he looks at me.
It was true, even her immediate family had only seen her pure vampire form a handful of times. Regan kept her disguises close, a security blanket of sorts.
Edward growled, audibly this time.
If that's not it, then what?
He made no reply.
Go hunting with him. Of any time, he will be the most true when he's hunting. Take Jasper and Emmett with you too. Make an excuse of your singer. I take it you're going back to school?
Of course, he thought bitterly, I won't let some puny human drive me away from my family.
It's settled then. I suggest you go now, while there's some daylight left.
"Jasper," Edward spoke in the most civil tone that anyone had heard since Wyatt showed up. "I'd like to go hunting, will you join me?"
"Uh, of course Edward," he said while putting the controller down gently. He gave him a questioning look.
"Emmett, would you like to come too?"
"Yeah, sure Edward." He too put the controller down and looked just as baffled as Jasper.
Jasper and Emmett headed toward the door and Edward still hadn't gotten up. Regan looked at him, her eyebrows raised. Edward snorted at her and got up.
"Wyatt," Regan said softly, "why don't you go with them? You said you were hungry right?"
"Yes," he replied, he looked at her uncertainly though his eyes were darker than obsidian.
"Go ahead, I'm going to stay here and catch up on some things. I'll be here when you get back, then you can regale me with your history." She smiled gently. He nodded and rose, following her brothers.
She looked to Emmett and Jasper; Edward had already gone out the door. Emmett smiled enthusiastically. He loved hunting no matter who he went with and would no doubt challenge Wyatt to some competition or another. If he was a good sport, Emmett would accept him without question. Emmett was trusting by nature and one more brother to wrestle with would not raise any objections. Jasper, on the other hand, would probably spend the entire time reading Wyatt and making his own decisions. Jasper smiled and nodded, following Emmett out of their house.
"Hey Wyatt, I'll race you to the clearing," Emmett called.
"What clearing?" Wyatt called in return.
"Oh, I don't think you'll need directions, you'll be behind me the whole way!" Emmett's voice was fading into the distance. His giddy laughter was followed by another joyful shout from Wyatt's voice. Rosalie came in, rubbing her hands on a rag.
"Sometimes, I swear I'm married to a four year old," she said with an affectionate smile.
"Uh, Rose, I hate to break it to you, but that's illegal. Very illegal," Regan said with a laugh. Rosalie threw her towel at Regan's head and walked upstairs.
"Regan," Carlisle's gentle voice called from the other couch, "what do you think of our new guest?"
She sat for a moment thoughtfully. "I feel like I should trust him. I do trust him. Whoever was after us at the shore…Wyatt sent him flying. He's a powerful vampire, that's for sure. I don't know, I just have this feeling…I can't describe it and I doubt I'm making much sense."
Carlisle smiled. "You feel that he's trustworthy?"
"Yes, without a doubt," she replied.
"Then he is welcome here. Besides, I would like to know his history too. And how he survived so long with the Volturi without following their diet. To Aro, we are a spectacle that is interesting from afar. If we lived in Volterra, that would be an entirely different story. They would either force us to change our diet or kill us. I am certainly intrigued." They all sat thoughtfully for a moment. Carlisle ran his thumb over Esme's knuckles, as his eyes grew distant with thought. Esme sat with her head resting casually on Carlisle's shoulders. Alice looked like she was trying to blow up her head.
"Alice, what's wrong?" Regan asked.
"I'm trying to get more information on Wyatt," she said, her eyes screwed tightly shut.
"Any luck?" Regan asked.
Alice smirked, her eyes still shut. "I thought you didn't believe in my visions."
"Yeah, well, if you see it, maybe Edward would grow up a little. He'd probably believe you over me at this point."
"Regan, don't take Edward's attitude to heart," Esme said gently. "He's threatened by Wyatt. And that whole incident with that girl from school last week. He's had a hard time recently, you should give him the benefit of the doubt."
"He's acting positively uncivilized though! Wyatt will probably run for the hills after he gets back from hunting. Edward will probably be chasing him the whole way!" Regan sighed exasperatedly and rested her head in her hands.
"Don't worry dear," Esme said softly, "everything will work out how it's supposed to."
"Easy for you to say," she grumbled bitterly. She sighed clearing her head. "I'm sorry, that was rude."
Just then, Alice gasped. She slumped back into the couch lifelessly and everyone looked at her expectantly. After a few moments, she opened her eyes. She grinned mischievously at Regan. "Ohhhhhh! Someone's getting lucky!"
"WHAT!?" Regan roared.
Alice began to laugh uncontrollably. Regan's expression hardened.
"NOT FUNNY!" she growled.
"Your face was priceless!!" Alice said, hardly able to get the words out between her laughs. Regan threw a pillow at her.
She was about to make another comment when the boys returned. Emmett had his arm around Wyatt's shoulders, complimenting him on his taste. Jasper walked in silently and slid in the couch next to Alice. Regan looked at him expectantly. He looked at her and nodded. Edward was the last to walk in, closing the door softly behind him.
Well? Regan asked.
It went off without any major problem. He and Emmett tag teamed a den of bears. They had a great time. Jasper read him the whole time and found him to be agreeable. They both like him.
And you? She asked.
I still don't trust him.
Regan sighed. So should I expect the grumbling, growling and general moping as your future attitude?
No, but I'm going out.
Where to?
None of your business. He said, attempting to close his mind off to her. Before he could though, she caught a glimpse of that human, Bella.
"Edward, no!" she said aghast.
"Relax," he sighed, "I'm just going to go and see where she lives, maybe try to build up some resistance to her scent. I'll be gone for two hours, tops. We've got school, remember? "
"Edward," Carlisle cautioned, "are you sure that's a good idea?"
"I'll be fine Carlisle, I promise," Edward said with a brief smile. He'd better not try anything stupid, Edward thought to Regan. She looked at her brother from the couch, turning her head just enough that she made eye contact with him. She raised her lip enough to expose her fang. Enough of a threat that Edward's smile faltered. "I'll be back later," he said, and was gone. Wyatt walked smoothly to the couch that Regan was sitting on. He sat down next to her, just a hair's breadth away from his knee touching hers. Regan was painfully aware of this but hesitated to move. She could only stare at the gap between their knees. Regan was suddenly aware of her family, staring silently at her. She smiled, embarrassed.
"So," Regan said causally, looking up into his now golden eyes,"Tell me about yourself Wyatt."
"Well, I don't really know what to say," he said uncomfortably.
"How about your time with the Volturi?" Alice prompted.
"Ok. But I want to make something clear; my time in Volterra was not of my own accord. While Aro left me alone, he would not allow me to leave. The older vampires there would terrorize me for my vegetarian diet. So I took to hiding out in the catacombs that entwined in the bowels of Volterra. There, they kept their records. I learned so much about so many things. They have a file on nearly every vampire, uh, alive. That's how I know that you, Alice, can see the future, and Carlisle's resistance to blood is second to none."
"Anything about the rest of us in that file?" Emmett asked, obviously wanting be included in the conversation.
Wyatt chuckled. "Emmett, you're listed as the fourteenth strongest vampire on file- "
"FOURTEENTH!?" he roared. "What's that based on!?"
"Their own comparison I guess, I think-"
"HOW CAN I MOVE UP!?! I –oof-" Emmett's question was cut off by Rosalie elbowing him in the gut.
"Go on," she said calmly.
"There was something on all of you, mostly your backgrounds and powers. All of you except Regan," he said thoughtfully.
"Me?" she asked.
"There was no picture, no real background either. I suppose the picture makes sense, you being a shape shifter and all, and I suppose the reason they didn't get background is because you were a Wolf and your career of thievery. Its nice to put a face to a name."
She smiled gently.
"And what happens when Aro realizes you're gone?" Jasper asked from the opposite couch.
"Aro knows I'm gone, I told him. He thinks I'm having a "teenage rebellion" I guess. But believe me, the last thing I want to do is bring the Volturi here. If they start looking for me, I'll either go back to them or move on. I'd rather not go back, but I will if it keeps them out of your hair."
Regan tensed on the couch beside him.
"But we'll cross that bridge when we come to it," he said with confidence.
They sat in the living room for a few moments, silence overwhelming the room. Regan cleared her throat. "Uh, I think I'll go hop in the shower,"
"Don't hop, you'll slip," Emmett said laughing.
"Oh aren't you the funniest comedian ever…" Regan growled sarcastically from the stairs.
"Hey Wyatt, ever played the Wii before?"
"No," she heard Wyatt reply from the top of the stairs, "but I bet I could beat you,"
"We'll see," Emmett said gamingly.
Regan smiled, certain that they would be busy for quite some time. She zipped up the stairs and was in the shower before her clothes hit the floor. She set the nozzles on high and the water as hot as it would go. She felt her vampire self emerge as she sighed in contentment in the steam. She let the water pound her body for quite some time and sat on the small bench that she installed for merely the purpose of not thinking and soaking in the steam. Eventually, she sensed movement in the house that generally meant that school was approaching. She sighed and turned off the water. She toweled off with the massive, plush towels and wrapped it around her torso. She was running her fingers through her wet, matted hair as she opened the door from her bathroom to her bedroom. She jumped when she saw Alice and Rosalie sitting on her bed.
"Jeez!" Regan exclaimed. Instantly, her face was less statuesque and her skin erupted in freckles. "A little privacy?"
"You think she could take a longer shower?" Rosalie asked Alice, totally ignoring Regan's outburst.
"I'd rather not challenge her," Alice said solemnly in reply.
"Can I help you with something?" Regan growled.
"You like him," Rosalie said calmly. If it were possible, the blood would have drained from Regan's face. Wyatt and Emmett could still be heard playing the Wii downstairs, but this was a house of vampires, secrecy wasn't at the top of the list.
"What?" Regan hissed.
"Relax," Alice said soothingly, "we've come to tell you we approve."
"Oh," Regan grumbled, "thank you so much for your blessing. It's not like he's asking me out on a date, proposing, or marrying me. I met him yesterday after he tried to attack me."
"You wouldn't mind a date, would you? Because I think I should have a talk with Wy-" Alice began.
"YOU WILL DO NO SUCH THING!" Regan replied, positioning herself in front of the door. "So I like him," Rosalie and Alice smiled in triumph, "but you two will have no part in harassing, goading, coercing, suggesting or scaring him! Are we understood?"
Alice and Rosalie held up their hands, "Scout's honor," Rose said solemnly.
"Good, now get out so I can change."
Rosalie and Alice left, snickering at Regan. Regan shut the door with force and sighed. "Stupid future telling, busy body-ing..." she grumbled as she donned her clothes. Even through her anger, she couldn't help smiling. Alice and Rose wouldn't have been in her room unless Alice had seen something. Her smile widened. It was going to be a good day.
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Ok, I know I haven't updated in a while. Work's been crazy and I just got my wisdom teeth out so I've been really whacked out. Sorry. I can't BELIEVE how many people have looked at my story! It's practically illegal! My next highest number of hits is 269… then 172 (and that story had 99 reviews). So I've given up on threatening for reviews. Just as long as you're ok with me updating when I'm able. If you review more, I'll be guilt tripped into updating sooner. If not, whatever.
Oh and for those keeping score, I know I said I'd bring Bella back this chapter and I REALLY meant to but it just didn't work out. Next one, cross my heart and hope to die.