The four hour drive up to Seattle was tiring enough without Helen's constant chatter. We had all decided to go up to the city to look for a dress that would fit Emily in little less than a month and since her sister - and the maid of honour - had arrived, we had no choice but to bring her.
I glanced at Leah exasperatedly as Helen started talking about Jesse, Claire's older sister, and all her wonderful accomplishments.
Leah returned my gaze before shaking her head, "So, when's the next date?"
"Well, he mentioned something about a movie on Tuesday." I said. "But he's been working a lot lately..."
"Yeah, I know." Leah's expression turned dark. "Jake also has us picking up extra shifts."
"He and Sam work you all too hard." I frowned, "It's not as if the building will disappear if you take one day off."
"I think he wants to get it done before the snow starts falling." Leah said. "So we have more time to eradicate any pests around the area."
I nodded slowly as Emily turned into the parking lot of a fancy looking store.
"Do you think Claire and Jesse are all right with the men?" Helen suddenly asked. "I mean, I know Quil is a good babysitter but I don't trust the other's so much, you know."
I sighed, "They'll be fine, Helen. Relax."
The woman looked at me sternly before getting out of the car in a huff. Leah fought back laughter and Emily looked at me apologetically before we made our way into the store.
(...)
"I don't like this one." Emily said as she stepped out in a long, cream coloured dress. I pulled my face at her and she giggled, shaking her head before returning to the changing rooms.
"That's her sixth dress." Leah whispered, "And it's past two already."
I sighed and looked up at the girl, "I know... But she needs to feel comfortable in it."
Leah shook her head, "I'm not peeved about that. It's Helen that's driving me insane... She's my cousin and all, but we need to get a muzzle or something."
The laugh that escaped my lips was enough to make Helen look at us from one of the racks, "What?"
"Oh, uh... Leah was just telling me that my fly was down." I lied, glancing at Leah quickly before looking to where Emily stepped out with a defeated look.
"I think I know when to give up." Emily sighed. "Let's go home... I need Sam."
I saw Leah wince beside me and cocked my head at her, she waved me off and followed Emily from the store - with many thanks to the clerk.
"How about we grab something to eat before we leave?" I suggested. Everyone nodded and we set off towards the diner across the street.
"Shit." Leah muttered. "I forgot my tote bag in the shop."
"Go, we'll meet you there." I said, smiling at her.
We sat down in one of the booths and I looked over the menu quickly, "I'm just going to have a burger."
"Excuse me." A strangely familiar, melodious voice said from next to me. I turned around to face the woman and my eyes widened. "I'm sorry to bother, but where did you buy your perfume?"
The woman's hair was a shade lighter than honey and her perfect, round face was as pale as snow. She was wearing aviator glasses that made her features stand out all the more.
I glanced at Emily, who had stiffened. "In Port Angeles."
The girl laughed quietly, it sounded like a peal of bells. "Well, I'll be sure to visit some time. The scent on you is delicious."
I frowned and sniffed myself as she left, noticing only a faint trace of the perfume still on me. "That was weird."
"Uh, c'mon." Emily said. "I'm not hungry anymore. Where's Leah?"
The girl in question came rushing in with an angry expression, "We need to leave. Now."
"Why?" I asked as Helen and I shared a look.
"I-I... My mensus arrived." Leah said, looking shifty.
I stood up quickly and nodded, "Let's go then."
Emily pulled out her phone and dialled someone but Leah pulled me away by my arm and out the diner; not before I caught Emily saying something about a 'red-eye'.
(...)
Paul pulled me into his chest immediately, burying his face in my hair as he breathed evenly. I could hear Sam ask about our day and Leah excuse herself to the bathroom.
"Are you okay?" I shivered at his voice, so gentle that my heart melted at his tone.
"Yes." I said, pressing my lips to his bare chest. "You know, you're the only contractor I know of that builds houses half naked."
"Are you complaining?" He asked, tightening his arms around my waist as I shook my head. "So, what happened?"
I shrugged, "Em couldn't find a dress so we went to the diner but Leah... Uh, had a little problem."
"Oh," he said. "Anything else?"
I thought about it before chuckling, "Some weird girl came up to me and asked about my perfume... Said it smelled delicious."
His muscles tightened and he emitted a rough growl before the trembling started. I pulled away and stared at him.
"I have to go." His face was as red as the day I joked about Embry and I but he looked angrier than I'd ever seen him.
Before I could try and calm him, he stormed out of the house and into the woods - leaving me confused and worried.
Sam stood awkwardly behind me and I saw as Jacob walked in and looked at me worriedly.
"You okay?"
I nodded my head at him and went up to my room, using the excuse of exhaustion to avoid any more questions.
I stared up at the ceiling as I played with my hair, twisting it through my fingers slowly as I thought about the diner. Somehow, that woman looked familiar; I just couldn't put my finger on where I'd seen her before.
"Hey..." I heard Emily's voice. "You dreaming?"
I frowned slightly and sat upright, watching as she entered and sat down on the edge of my bed.
"So, dear..." She chuckled but whatever she was about to say stopped short when I fell off the bed.
"Oh my..." I gasped, getting to my feet. "It's her! It-Its... Oh, but that's impossible!"
"Alina? Are you okay?" Emily asked, looking startled.
"That woman... From the diner, I've seen her before." I said, looking at Emily fully now. "Well, it's more like a dream..."
"What dream?" Emily asked worriedly.
"Its recurring, for as long as I can remember now." I say. "I'm in the woods with a wolf and she appears, calling me to her but then the wolf lunges at her and-"
"Alina." My head snapped towards Sam as he stood in my doorway, scowling at me. "Come with me."
"Why?" My voice trembled but he ignored me and turned around, leaving me with a concerned Emily.
