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He had gallantly diverted his eyes to the floor while I dressed in his shirt. They now moved over my body in appreciation, he lingered an unnecessary moment on my legs before meeting my face. He displayed a greedy grin, then frowned, and raised his hand in a fast movement. His fingers twined with my hair.

"What's this?" A thick white lock of my hair glided between his fingers.

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Chapter 9 – Lake Crescent

I took the hair from his fingers to examine it myself. But because it was attached to my head, what I could see was limited.

"Do me a favor and keep your eyes at ground level." Edward opened his mouth to speak, but I placed my index finger on the smooth peach-colored creations to silence him. In one agile movement I jumped onto a high branch above me, and climbed to the top of the tree. I welcomed the last moments of moonlight; the sun would rise soon. I let my hair bathe in it, allowing me to identify what it looked like. The new sense couldn't exactly be described as 'seeing' which would involve my eyes; my sensory organs were not linked to the light. It was as if knowledge spilled into my brain, knowing… rather than observing.

My tousled hair was still the same wild tawny configuration it was before, except for a thick white lock originating from above my forehead, weaving its self to either side of my face. It didn't look all that bad, but it definitely contrasted with my natural skin and hair.

"Is this a hobby of yours? Sitting in trees?" I heard Edward say. I looked down to see him patiently looking ahead of him. I chuckled while I let myself fall on the balls of my feet behind him. He turned to face me. The intimidating stance of before was gone, his lazy smile made him look serene. After all that tension and pressure I had endured, I longed for some physical and emotional comfort, something I'd like to get from him.

As if Edward read my thoughts – which he could, but wasn't currently doing – he draped one arm around my waist, and pulled me closer. My soft curves molded well in his embrace. He used one hand to tuck a white strand of hair behind my ear. That hand then traveled over my cheek, down my neck, back to be reunited with its opposite on the small of my back. I mirrored his posture, placing my hands where he had his.

"I must thank you again Vivian." He held my gaze, his golden orbs penetrating to my soul. "You are exceptional for risking your life to save a stranger you met only two days ago."

"You don't feel like a stranger, you know what I am. That's pretty intimate to me."

"Even so, Thank you." He bent down and placed a kiss on my forehead.

I relished the contact, it left me hungry for more. 'Did you miss?' I wanted to say, implying that my lips were elsewhere. I changed my mind, I've had my share of excitement these last thirty minutes.

"What happened to your hair?"

"You happened to it." He tweaked his head backwards to look at me. "Well, indirectly at least. When I was hunting for your voice in the woods, there was a moment where I couldn't hear you anymore. Despair filled me and I howled to the moon asking for help in finding you." I searched his face, how did he take my sharing of emotions that he had induced? How did he feel about me 'howling' and other wolf traits?

He didn't seem put off, but sincerely interested by what I had to say. So I continued, "I didn't actually expect anything to happen, but people look to god in times of need; I guess I am no different. Even so, I meant every word I said". I didn't want to go into detail of what I said, wanting to lay my kill at his feet and all.

"The Moon Goddess must have heard me. I felt a surge of energy hit me, I still feel it," I whispered the last four words. "I am now, er, able to observe –I mean sense, whatever her light touches."

"That's how you found me." He confirmed in understanding. "Does this happen to your kind often?"

"No, I don't know any wolves that have white hair either. Apart from…" I frowned. "Aunt Persia, but I thought that was due to her old age." Come to think of it, other old wolves kept their natural hair color; they never turned grey or white. Aunt Persia served as Priestess of the Moon in our pack, she performed ceremonies and rituals according to the traditions, and possessed healing powers to aid wolves after heavy battle.

I didn't feel that special though, and all of her hair was white, I just had a lock. I could feel white energy pumping through my body allowing me to sense what moonlight touched, but that's where it ended. I didn't feel like a keeper of ancient magic. The Goddess of the Moon generously gave me what I needed to save Edward, but nothing more than was necessary. I knew this as if the blessing had come with a card and instructions.

I explained this all to Edward. He nodded and asked the occasional question while listening intently. When I finished, he was silent. His gaze was focused on something beyond me.

I hoped I wasn't too alien for his comfort. He had spent an entire vampire existence absolutely loathing werewolves, I wondered if my further attunement to the moon would renew his distaste. He seemed ok before what just happened. But even if he would be ok with me being a werewolf, would he ever be able to appreciate the beauty of my loup-garou shape? Or would he merely 'put up' with it? I'm not sure if I could be truly happy with someone who would only enjoy half of me.

Suddenly he placed his hand on my shoulder, pulling me out of my stupor of macabre thoughts. Excitement flared in his eyes, "Can I show you something?"

I glanced at him sideways. "What did you have in mind?"

He extended his hand for me to take. "Run with me."

My interest was tickled, I took it. "Alright."

And we were off. Hand in hand we ran though the forest with Edward leading the way. I could feel he was holding back on his speed a little. I suspected that in my fur we might be equals in that area.

As we glided through the woods, the only sounds that could be heard were the steady gushes of our breath, the rustle of leaves tumbling in our wake, and the soft crunches of branches where we tread. Occasionally trees would be positioned in such a way, that in order to keep our hands linked, we had to move our bodies close together to run through the narrow opening at this high velocity. Heat and excitement coursed through me, Edward radiated ecstasy. This was true freedom; no fragility, no holding back, no secrets.

After a while he slowed down, "We're here." My nose detected a slight elevation in humidity; water must be near.

He started pushing some bushes out of the way for me. I let go of his hand and merely leapt over them – while holding down the shirt, not to give him a peepshow. He chuckled and followed my lead.

I was not prepared for what I saw; it stunned me. My eyes moved over a magnificent crested lake, in the shape of a waning moon. It was vast and stretched far. Green hills hugged the lake on either side, protecting the precious water within its embrace. The water was perfectly still, the surface smooth reflecting the hues of blue, orange, and pink found in the sky; it was the image of true beauty. A bare-chested Edward now entered that image making it almost unbearable.

"Welcome to Lake Crescent."

"Oh, Edward. It's wonderful."

"I'm glad you like it. You should see it when the sun hits it. The lake turns a brilliant blue and is very clear. It's due to the lack of nitrogen in the water, it inhibits the growth of algaes." He explained matter-of-factly.

He walked to the edge of the water and sat with his back against a tree. "Why don't you come sit with me." He patted the soft moss next to him.

What a perfect suggestion. I walked to him slowly, feeling absolutely at ease. Relishing the different textures beneath me; the moss and fine pebbles moving under my toes. When I sat down, he placed an arm over my shoulder and I let my head lean against his bare chest. Both of us were watching the changing sky.

"The sun is about to rise." He wasn't saying this because I was retarded or unobservant, he was merely pointing out the fact that something was about to happen.

"You said it didn't hurt you right?" worry tainted my voice.

"No, it won't. Just…" he sighed. "I hope it won't scare you off." Images of a melting Edward filled my mind, only to be replaced with an Edward with bubbling skin, one with scorched black patches wherever the sun touched, perhaps he would even turn into a bat and fly away. Without the moonlight I wondered if I could find my house by myself.

"It's nice to breathe again," he said and took an extra deep breath. "Your scent changed since you got that dashing new hairstyle." I moved down, my head in his lap; I wanted to see his face. He winked at me.

I returned a smile. "Yes, I noticed that too."

"Before your smell was – I'm sorry for the comparison, I don't mean anything by it – like a stinking dog left in the rain." I gave him a scrutinizing look. "Sorry, but now… it's quite lovely." To prove his point, he took my left wrist in both his hands and held it under his nose. He inhaled deeply causing his chest to expand. His lips lingered near my wrist, he kissed the thin flesh. A pleasant shudder ran down my spine.

"What do I smell like now?" I was very curious.

"I can't exactly compare it to anything. What comes to mind is a wild forest, moments after rain has fallen. It doesn't exactly make my mouth water, not in an edible way." He smiled reassuringly. "But it makes me wonder what you taste like."

This kind of caught me of guard. "Erhm, would you like a bite?" I said trying to be polite.

He dropped my wrist like it had electrocuted him. "What?! No of course not. Don't be ridiculous."

"Would it harm me?"

He still had an uneasy expression from the imaginary shock he received. "No, our venom only harms the human body. It wouldn't have any effect on werewolves. Not that many vampires would voluntarily put their teeth in one; it wouldn't be the nicest of tastes." He looked disgusted by the mere idea. "With perhaps you as exception. I was just curious."

"Well, just so you know, you smell quite different yourself. You used to smell like ice-cream that expired a lifetime ago." He snorted, amused. "You still have a sweet scent, but without the expired quality, blended with something more masculine." It truly did smell lovely. "But I don't feel the need to put my teeth in you. I'm not even curious." If I would though, I would choose his butt. I laughed at the thought.

Edward smiled warily. "Here it comes," announcing the sun's arrival.

I moved my head to see the sun climbing over the hill on the opposite side of Lake Crescent. It illuminated its surroundings, making the green hills greener, the lake blue and golden by its shine. I turned to see Edward. What I saw there, was a sight I knew would never leave me.


AN: Everything said about Lake Crescent is true. I did some research for nice places in the area, and unlike "the meadow" in Twilight, the lake actually exists near Port Angels. And let me tell you, it is absolutely stunning. There is a map and pictures in my profile. I suggest you check it out.