Bella POV
The silence was tedious.
Since dropping the bombshell, I had been entertained by the vague expressions that the Pack portrayed. Who knew shock could look so humorous.
I looked at them all. "Well, what did you think he was?"
"We didn't think. We never would have considered..." Sam admitted, looking at the others for confirmation.
More silence.
"So you're a werewolf? You mean the change at full moon kind?" Jake asked.
"Yep, I'm afraid so."
"How long..."
"Since I started phasing? Well, I started when I was thirteen. It's usually periods of high stress that set us off. We get angry, our eyes go yellow, the shakes start, all our bones break and are reset as we shift and voila, instant werewolf."
"That's the same with us. Except we manage to keep our eye colour. I don't really know why."
"Well, maybe it's because you're the most human of our kind?"
It was a good theory. Werewolves were dark creatures and it took a lot of control not to give into the bloodlust. It was for this reason that Raoul kept a tight rein on his emotions. Much like Sam does.
"What happened when you first told Bella?"
"She was cool with it."
"You're really good with weird."
"Thank-you."
"Where did you meet?"
I knew it was only a matter of time before that question was asked. As the words flowed out of my mouth, I found myself being dragged towards the past...
I had never a popular girl, so when a group of girls asked me to join them on their outing, I was suspicious. Especially when they asked me in front of one of the teachers. Once we had passed the gates, they dragged me through the village and made several turnings. As we approached the woods, they started running. I had no choice but to follow them. They led me into the woods where they knocked me down and started kicking me. I felt myself losing consciousness.
Raoul POV
That was how I found her. I brought her to the nearest hospital and watched as the doctors treated her for cracked ribs and hypothermia. I knew from the moment I had met her, that my life would never be the same. I wanted to look out for her, protect her, and make her happy. I wanted her to be mine.
After she returned to school, I watched as she settled back into routine.
It wasn't until two weeks later that she left the school for the village. This was my chance. Later, she told me that she had often felt like she was being watched and how she knew it was me.
From then on we were joined at the hip. I had thought that nothing could come between us. Boy, I couldn't have been more wrong.
Bella POV
"So, how many of you are there?"
"There are several tribes of settlers that are werewolves. They're more isolated though. They live in the rural areas, but it's not uncommon to find a lone nomad. My pack lived in the woods near Bella's school. It was easy enough for her to slip out regularly."
"So, you dated a werewolf? For how long?"
"About a year."
"What went wrong?"
"My Alpha." His tone made it clear that the subject was closed.
Talk moved swiftly onto other subjects, namely the recent Vampire activity. Victoria.
"She keeps turning up and we chase her but she's good at escaping us. We don't know what she's after."
"I do. Me."
I gave them the PG rated version of events but even that was enough to set them off. Especially Raoul.
"So, the Cullens knew that she was around but they still left?" Paul surprised me by getting angry. It was almost as though he had taken the Cullen's disappearance personally.
I spoke casually, "I guess they thought I wasn't worth saving."
"Well you are. We need to get her before there's any more of us phasing. She needs to die. For good this time."
Raoul was in full agreement with Jake. It was decided that I would spend as much time as possible in La Push. They were adamant that I was worth saving.
Charlie was informed that Jake and I had talked out our differences and had gotten to know some of his friends. It was after all, close to the truth. Raoul would continue to drive me to the school and he would keep guard at night.
There was no point in arguing. The Alpha had spoken and his word was law.
Two weeks later, I was at Emily's having a girl's day. Several members of the Pack popped in between their patrol. Whenever Sam came in, I watched as he made a beeline for Emily. He would swoop her into his arms and kiss the scars that had occurred in a rare loss of control. I knew that he had never forgiven himself, but she never reproached him.
Theirs was a true love.
In those weeks, Raoul and I had gotten closer again; however I did not feel the heady rush of passion. He would always be my first love but we could never go back.
"Hello, earth to Bella." I looked up to see Emily waving a hand across my face. Paul and Jared had popped in and found me hilarious.
"I've been trying to get your attention for five minutes."
"Sorry Em."
"Where were you anyway?"
"Just thinking about the past."
"Must have been good. Let me guess, Raoul?" I nodded. "Did you know what he was?"
"Not at first, but I knew he wasn't human."
"What attracted you to him?"
I let out a small smile. "He was the most exciting person I'd ever known. There was something so untamed about him, so wild. He knew who he was and what he wanted. Who he wanted."
"Can I ask you something? If you had been with a man like Raoul, what drew you to Edward?"
Paul and Jared had given up all pretence of watching the TV and turned to us.
"Honestly? I don't know. He interested me I guess."
"Do you think he'll ever come back?"
"No. And I wouldn't take him back even if he did."
They all breathed a sigh of relief.
"So, what was it like?"
She looked straight at me, her face all serious but her eyes were bright and full of mischief. Her crooked smile gave it away and I felt my face flare up as the truth of what she was asking sunk in.
"Emily?"
The house was full of howling laughter.
"Do you really have to ask Em? I mean, you're dating a man who turns wolf. It's basically the same thing."
"How did you find out?"
"Well, I knew he was different but it wasn't until my stepfather made a rare visit and we argued that I found out."
"Your stepfather... you've never mentioned him, or your mother."
"I don't see them that often. We don't get on."
My tone made it clear that this wasn't up for discussion.
It wasn't until a few days later that Victoria managed to break free the defence line. I had left Emily's briefly to catch some air when the air turned chilly. She was here.
She slid up from the cliffs and we faced off. Grabbing me by the throat, she pulled me closer, ready to drain me dry.
The wolves had caught her scent and followed her trail. Their arrival caught her off guard and as they lunged, I was thrown through the air. I hit the water below and sunk into its murky depths. The weight of my clothes pulled me down. I fought the tiredness to catch a glimpse of my phantom. He was the last face I saw before I gave way to the blackness.
"Breathe. Breathe."
I awoke to the sensation of bricks hitting my chest. My body felt the pull towards the warmth. Jake.
"Oh Bella!"
We were on First Beach. Jake's arms were tight around me and I nuzzled into his warmth.
"Get her home. I'm going over to Harry's place."
We were in the car before I realised that Sam had been among us. He mentioned something about Harry?
My head was too foggy to take in that we had arrived home. Jake was looking at me. Once again, my body felt the pull towards the warmth. We sat together as the heat warmed my bones, Jake's arm on my shoulder a weight I gladly bore.
I looked up at him as he lowered his mouth to mine. Our lips fused as one as the day's events kicked in.
He opened the doors, lifting me out from my side. I scrambled to put the key in the lock as Jake left tiny kisses on my neck. The door opened and the sickly sweet stench of Vampire smacked the both of us in the face.
"Bella! Can you explain to me how you're alive?"
