AN: Here's the edited chapter Seven! Only one more chapter to edit before I start posting new chapters! Yay! I can't wait!

Disclaimer: I do not own the Twilight series.


Chapter Seven

Ash's POV

It hurt.

I could never again describe the intense smoldering pain I felt as my body was ripped apart- it consumed me- as it molded itself together and was altered into a different figure, altogether. In those moments I was unable to form a coherent thought, except that I was dying. My bones crunched, and shifted until I was lying there lifelessly on the forest floor. In the body of a wolf.

Don't get me wrong.

I had been well prepared for this moment. When the time would come, and I would be shifted; changed into a wolf.

It was my destiny.

My brother Hunter had gone through it with ease. He had made it seem as if it were the coolest thing in the world.

It wasn't.

Those were the thoughts that were running through my head as my dad, Sam, phased along with Paul. And then all the sudden my private thoughts were invaded, and their thoughts were taking over my brain- and I had no idea what they were saying.

It was just a bunch of noise- something I had never had the indulgence of knowing about.

I was deaf.

I had always been deaf.

My world was enveloped in utter silence.

It was all I had ever known.

So image how confusing it was to have them yelling strange sounds at me.

Eventually Paul phased back. He began to sign to me. Telling me to remain calm- yeah right- and to relax so I could phase back.

The process was time consuming. I couldn't hold onto one form for long. And after awhile Paul left to go to the party that was being throw for Brooklyn James; another member of one of the pack's daughter.

From what Hunter told me, the girl had issues. She was obsessively in love with a vampire, or something. The whole thing sounded strange. She sounded strange, but I would have gone to the party anyway, if it hadn't been for my body's decision to morph into a wolf.

I wouldn't have went for Brooklyn though- I barely knew the girl- I would have went so I could get a glimpse of her cousin, Collins.

Collins.

She was the daughter of Paul and Hannah, and the sister of River- whom I've had very few conversations with, or rather, exchanged meaningless hand gestures with before.

I wasn't one for being social.

I kept to myself, only communicating with others when absolutely needed. I didn't know any other way to be. . .But then there was Collins. For some reason, her presence made me unsettled. In a good way. If there was such a feeling. When I was around her, or when I thought of her, a part- a rather large part- of me wanted to be normal.

The girl was so full of life. So energetic and joyful.

I had never seen someone possess so much exuberance before. When she walked into a room, the place seem to lighten up. I longed to hear her voice, and her laugh. She was pretty short for her a girl, but she was slim. And her short auburn hair looked silky as it shinned in the sun. Her blue-gray eyes appeared clear and innocent, but burned with intensity when she was angry or passionate about something. The freckles on her face made her look cute, and went well with her pale skin.

Everything about her was. . .perfect.

Damn.

And I had cursed myself multiple times over the years for not having the courage to talk to her.

There had been one occasion. Back when I was thirteen. It was when I realized that I wanted nothing more than to have a conversation with Collins, who had been. . .well, blooming into a beautiful girl over the past year, and had gained more admirers than I could count.

She had come to my house. And of course mom had asked me to answer the door. When I did, I hadn't expected her to be there, standing on my porch with a pie in her outstretched hands.

I had froze. Literally, my body wouldn't move. She had looked so pretty that day, wearing a sundress, that she didn't look at all comfortable in. The hesitant smile was present on her face, as she raised her hand in a friendly gesture.

I knew I should have done something.

Anything.

I was more than aware that she knew Sign Language, all the pack kids did- for me. And I knew it would have been the smart thing to do; to greet her, or at least step to the side so she could enter. But I didn't do anything of those things. After a minute of just staring at her beauty, a crushing wave of embarrassment came over me. I had been staring at her. Just gazing and admiring her beauty and not doing anything else.

She stared back at me. Opening her mouth and then closing it, before giving me a confused look.

I panicked.

And before I could stop myself I slammed the door in her face.

Mom had seen practically the whole exchange, and chastised me for doing such a rude thing, before going to open the door back up.

I had ran up to my room, my heart racing, after that.

And Collins had never tried to talk to me again.

Over the years I had watched her grow up. Watched jealously as all the boys who passed by her gave her those dreamy looks, probably fantasizing what it would be like to kiss her. Not that I could blame them. I, myself had thought about the same thing countless times.

After I had phased, going back and forth, from both forms. I was a little more focused on my surroundings, and some of the things that were going on around me.

When I had finally decided that I was going to try and phase back into human form, and stay there, Hunter had phased. I watched through his mind as the horrific scene took place in the Walker's backyard.

I watched as Collins stood near my younger brother Mason, as Kai circled and growled at the what had to be the Black's.

And I watched the gut wrenching scene, as Collins was struggling to break free from Mason's grasp. At that point I was done watching.

I had sprinted through the woods, before barreling into the backyard, just in time to knock Collins out of the way with my snout.

I didn't hear the snapping sound of her wrist like everyone else, or the loud thud as she smacked into the ground. My concentration was on Kai; who was ready to lunge at me.

Not knowing what to do- or how to fight- I snarled at him, and stood as straight as I could in my wolf form. I kept my dominance present, as I stared him down.

Hunter had told me about how he was next in line to be alpha when dad stepped down. But I was also aware that I had alpha blood running through my veins, so I used it as best to my advantage.

It was only when Kai laid on the ground withering, when I decided I had done enough.

Turning back, and remembering the reason I interfered. I was horrified to see Collins, lying unconscious on the ground, her wrist twisted at an unnatural angle.

I bowed my head down, whimpering, at the sight.

What had I done?


AN: Edited Chapter 8 will be up very soon. Again, please read from the beginning. The story will go much smoother if you do.