Chapter 8

"Em…"

"Go find him before he does something reckless and stupid." Emily ordered in a soft voice, sniffling as she dabbed her eyes with some tissue.

She still could not believe the horrendous story Kirstyn told them, wondering how a mother could do that to her only child. It was incredible how Mikayla had reunited with her long lost friend, the bond they had all those years ago still intact. Everything was surreal to her and Emily wasn't sure if she could take much more that night, heading off to take a nice hot bubble bath.

Nobody was hungry after a story like that.

Jared was busy comforting Mikayla, sitting outside with her under the cloudy night sky. He still couldn't believe she was actually back here, wondering what made her leave Los Angeles. He remembered how excited she was to be leaving the small town of Forks to pursue her dream and now she completely changed, wanting a medical degree. However, Mikayla still had that spark and fire about her that drove Jared absolutely to the brink of insanity.

The more things changed, the more they remained the same.

"I'm not even going to ask if you're alright because that'd be a dumb question." Jared murmured, rubbing her back while her head rested against his shoulder, pressing a soft kiss to her temple.

It was bizarre how small of a world they really lived in and Mikayla reuniting with Kirstyn was a prime example. Mikayla thought the same thing and wiped her tears away, scooting closer to Jared, just needing his console at the moment. That story would probably haunt her dreams for the next few weeks, not believing everything Kirstyn had been through in the past four years she'd been missing.

Did Kirstyn even obtain a high school diploma or was she forced to be secluded with that wretched beast, who probably raped her night and day for four years? Mikayla could feel the tension in her throat and released Jared, running over, vomiting over the railing into the sand, groaning. She hated vomiting, but couldn't keep it down, especially when so many thoughts were running swiftly through her mind about everything Kirstyn suffered.

Jared sighed, holding her raven purple streaked hair, wondering when she decided to do that. He waited until she was finished and pulled a tissue out of his pocket, having grabbed some on their way out the door to get some fresh air. Mikayla smiled weakly at him and took the tissue, wiping her mouth off and walked back inside the house to wash her mouth out. She walked out a few moments later, refreshed for the most part, even though she still looked incredibly pale.

"You need to lie down before you fall over." Jared whispered, the worry evident in his tone of voice, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "Mika, that was a lot to take in."

"I don't want to sleep. I can't sleep after hearing that, Jared." She looked away from him and out into the darkened woods, wondering where Sam had taken off to, sighing heavily. "I feel so guilty."

"For what?"

Mikayla blinked as huge tears slid down her face, slowly looking back at Jared. "I wasn't there to protect her." She whispered painfully, feeling her chest constrict, wrapping her arms around herself. "I KNEW something wasn't right that day she left. I should've stopped the car or made some excuse to get her away from that bitch, but I did nothing…"

"Mika…" Jared hated hearing this, knowing she couldn't blame herself for what happened to Kirstyn. "Don't do that. None of this is your fault, do you hear me?"

She probably couldn't even fathom a mother doing that to her child because he honestly couldn't. It was almost unbelievable, if there wasn't so much pain radiating off of Kirstyn while she told the story. Nobody could possibly make something that vivid and cruel up without crying unless they were a hell of an actress. Plus, the scars on her arms proved the truth as well.

"I can't help it, Jared. I feel so helpless right now because I know she's going through this pain and I can't take it away. You don't understand…" Mikayla stood up, keeping her arms wrapped around herself, just letting the tears fall. "I was her protector. All throughout the summers when we'd get together, when I'd stay with my dad, she was there for me and I was there for her. My mom died when I was sixteen, as you well know, which was right after Kirstyn's grandfather. My dad decided we couldn't stay in Texas anymore; that we had to get away. I lost three important people that year and it changed me, made me realize that you can't take life for granted because you don't know when you'll wake up tomorrow. You don't know when today will be your last. I thought she was dead all this time and it turned out she was being tortured, beaten and raped by a monster all because her mother wanted to make a fast dollar…"

Jared watched Mikayla sway on her feet, knowing she was going to either pass out or drop to her knees, catching her as her knees buckled. He swept her up in his strong arms, seeing her eyes drooping, feeling his heart shattering in his chest. He hated seeing Mikayla in this much pain, it physically killed him and he didn't know how to take it away.

He didn't know how to make this right because, honestly, who could?

Nothing could take away or change what happened to Kirstyn, even if the pack were to go to Canada and kill the fiend who destroyed her best friend's life.

Jared carried her inside; knowing Emily had a room already set up for him, deciding he would be staying here. The house was bigger than what people thought, having an entire top half floor dedicated to guests. Jared went to his room, pushing the door open, and gently laid Mikayla down.

"I'm sorry Kir…I'm so sorry…" She whispered painfully, already half asleep, and it tore Jared to shreds.

He immediately removed his shoes, along with her heels and climbed into bed with her, wrapping his strong arm around her waist. No matter what, Jared knew he couldn't leave her tonight, knowing even in sleep she would need him. He knew the only reason she was sleeping right now was due to her body shutting down, remembering the insomnia she frequently suffered. He never knew just how much pain losing her best friend caused Mikayla and was slowly finding out.

"Sshhh it's alright, Mika. I'm here." He whispered, running his hand up and down her stomach, sighing when she spooned up against him.

Their fingers laced together, resting over her gently beating heart, causing his own to swell. He loved her more than life itself, already knowing she was the only one for him, but Jared was terrified to tell Mikayla his secret. How was he supposed to tell her what he transformed into whenever he got angry or had to chase down a vampire?

Would she even believe vampires and shape shifters existed? He knew Mikayla was a realist so this would be very difficult, also knowing he would probably have to phase in front of her to prove it. Mikayla was all about believing what she could see and feel, which is why she would make a fabulous doctor.

Yawning, Jared snuggled against Mikayla, deciding he would figure out how to tell her later when he had more than a few hours of sleep.

~!~

Jacob, stop. Sam's voice ordered, causing the russet colored wolf to reluctantly comply, even though he snapped his teeth together.

You can't expect me to just sit back and not do anything about this. Jacob almost sounded in disbelief, looking over at the slick raven colored wolf, the alpha of the pack. Sam, didn't you hear a word Kirstyn said back there?

Yes I did, but do you honestly think going after this Eric Dawson will make it right?

Sam was a rationalist, always thinking before acting, which is why he made the best choice for alpha. He knew when to attack and when to step back to analyze the situation beforehand. This was definitely a situation that had to be investigated further.

I can't just stand by and allow him to breathe another day after what he did to her. Jacob snarled, snapping his jaws as the hair stood up, feeling another rush of anger overtake him. He deserves to die, Sam.

I know that; I do not doubt he does. But Jake, what good does it do Kirstyn if you go down for murder? I'm sure she wouldn't want that. Sam's voice remained cool, calm and collected, knowing losing his temper with Jacob would only make matters worse. He had to reason with Jacob and make him see the truth, knowing it was already happening. Deep down, you know I'm right.

Jacob growled, hating to admit that because Sam always knew how to diffuse a situation. He planted his paws in the ground, closing his eyes, trying to take deep breaths. Kirstyn needed him right now; he couldn't lose his temper and go off on a killing spree because it wouldn't solve anything. It would only make matters worse and Jacob didn't want that.

Where is she? Jacob hadn't been there when Kirstyn collapsed; nodding when he heard in Sam's mind she was sleeping. I'm going to see her.

Don't wake her up if you can help it. Sam ordered, knowing the poor girl needed to sleep, still finding the story she told them today somewhat astonishing. Oh and Jake?

Yeah?

I wouldn't tell her just yet. Sam knew he would get the meaning behind that and took off into the woods, having the unfortunate duty of patrolling tonight along with Embry and Seth.

Jacob raced back to Emily's and stopped just short of the house, seeing a dim candle lit in the window of Kirstyn's room. He quickly changed into human form, slipping on a pair of cut off jean shorts with sneakers, heading inside the house. He could hear the bath water running in Emily and Sam's room, knowing the woman was distraught by what they heard.

Hell, who wouldn't be after a horrific story like that?

Jacob climbed the ladder toward the top, inhaling the air, his eyes instantly landing on the far left door. Without knocking, Jacob turned the door handle and stepped inside, seeing Kirstyn sleeping in bed. She looked like a beautiful sad angel with tears streaks down her cheeks, her arms uncovered. She hadn't slipped the gloves back on because they were currently lying on her nightstand.

Slipping out of his shoes, Jacob carefully joined her in bed, wincing when it squeaked beneath his weight. He didn't care though, staring down into her face, desperately wanting to take away the pain that radiated off of him. Being a wolf, Jacob had very keen senses and felt her deep raw emotions flooding over him in repetitive waves.

"Kirstyn." He whispered huskily, slowly reaching over to run a finger down her cheek, heart aching at the sight of fresh, hot tears leaking from beneath her closed lids.

Even in sleep she couldn't have any peace, which angered him, but Jacob pushed that aside. He would make a mental note of it for later on, like when he met this Eric Dawson face to face. Jacob refused to allow any harm to come to this woman, having found out through Emily she was eighteen years old. Age didn't matter to him because Jacob didn't look sixteen years old and he had a feeling Kirstyn didn't care about it either.

He watched her chest rise and fall evenly, one hand resting over her heart, the other lying prone at her side. He was becoming engrossed in her sleeping; wondering if that was weird of him to do so. It didn't really matter, especially since he was her protector and she was the only person in his universe that mattered.

Jacob knew he imprinted the moment he began following her in the woods of Langley.

Now the question was how did he tell her about not only turning into a hairball, but also imprinting? She was extremely fragile right now emotionally, physically and mentally, which wasn't her fault. None of it was and Jacob was going to make her realize that even if it was the last thing he did.

He knew she blamed herself for this happening, for not noticing what her…mother…was doing. Jacob had lost his mother in a car accident when he was little, so to hear what Kirstyn's did to her aggrieved him. He couldn't imagine a mother posing as her daughter on the internet, taking risqué pictures of her…Jacob felt sick just thinking about it and gently settled his hand over hers.

"I know you can't hear me, but I swear to you, I won't let anything else happen to you, Kirstyn." Jacob vowed in a soft whisper, not wanting to wake her.

He wanted to tell her this face to face, but at the moment, all Jacob needed was to break her out of the shell this Eric forced her in for four long years. He knew behind those saddened, depressed blue eyes rested a soul that was begging to be ignited and come alive again. No matter how long it took, no matter what Jacob had to do, he would bring the old Kirstyn back, even though he hadn't the faintest idea who she was.

Imprinting was definitely weird, Jacob couldn't believe how strongly he felt toward her and he barely knew the girl. Sighing heavily, he settled down beside her, wondering what she was dreaming about. If only he could read her mind while phased, though she would have to be a part of the wolf pack.

In a way, she was like Emily and Mikayla, already knowing Jared had imprinted on Mikayla. It was very hard keeping secrets from each other in the wolf pack, one of the few things Jacob despised most about being a shape shifter. To think it took Jacob leaving La Push, because of a woman who didn't love him, only to find one that possibly could in time.

Fate had a funny, interesting way of revealing things.

Sighing, Jacob nuzzled her neck with his mouth and nose, inhaling her mixture scent of lilacs and vanilla. It was intoxicating, mouthwatering, made his head heady with need. He groaned, pushing the naughty thoughts that entered his mind far away, knowing it would be quite a while before he could make a move on Kirstyn.

The first thing he had to do was help her heal and get through this, to make her realize that she could live again. Maybe this was Jacob's purpose all along because, until he left La Push and met Kirstyn, he didn't think he would ever be worthy of being loved. How wrong he was and Jacob was thankful for this angel that swooped into his life, completely turning his world upside down.

"Sweet dreams Kirstyn." He whispered, closing his eyes and immediately let sleep overtake his big body, pulling Kirstyn tightly against him just as the candle in the window went out.