CHAPTER TEN

Images are now filling my mind. It's seem like I'm watching a movie in a sepia tone. Three people are in this movie, an older man sitting in a wheel chair, hunched over with his face buried in his hands; a tall, dark and handsome man is standing in front of someone. I can see the silhouette of the individual whose path he seems to be blocking, it's a woman. He's close to her and his hands are on her cheeks in a very loving manner. Somehow the angle shifts and I see the eyes of the woman; so many emotions in those eyes. She looks scared, confused, hurt and somewhere deep down… love? I wasn't quite sure about that one but it looked like it. The angle shifts now her face is seen perfectly. Those lips, those eyes, that's me! As the realization hits me that I'm in this so called movie, the screen goes blank and more images coming up. My face appears as if I'm in a dream, a pair of white pale hands now appear, caressing my face, fingers running over my lips and jaw line as my eyes are closed as I enjoy the moment.

I feel my heart racing and something snaps me out of my daze. I sit up quickly from the lying position I seem to have been. My eyes are still blurry and haven't adjusted yet but my eyes do fall on something familiar. A pair of beautiful topaz eyes stare at me as emotions practically leaps out at me, eyes full of concern, kindness and love. I close my eyes as I shake my head and press the palm of my hand against my eyes.

"Andrea? Can you hear me?" the voice of an angel asked.

"Give me a minute." I replied, not really knowing where I was. My mind was so fuzzy. I pulled my knees up to my chest and hugged them as I laid my head on my knees. I felt the emotion of tension and concern fill the room. I just hugged my legs tighter as I squeezed my eyes shut. I decided to breathe to regain a sense of sanity that I seemed not to possess at the present moment. I took a couple deep breaths and I was feeling better, a bit light headed but much different from when I had woken up from my dream. I opened my eyes and slowly lifting my head. This beautiful, Greek looking God with topaz eyes was now staring at me. It was Edward; Edward Cullen! He was on the ground on his knees looking up at me. He looked like a four year old on their first day of school, scared. I couldn't even open my mouth to speak.

"Andrea, are you alright?' he asked, his voice now pleading.

"Yes, I'm quite fine now. Thank you." I said, trying to be calm as ever as I slid my legs down and placed my hands on my knees. "Where am I? I asked.

A crooked grin appeared on his face. "You're in my room."

It took me some time to comprehend that I was in Edward's room. My face betrayed my emotions as I was in shock. I heard a chuckle coming from this Adonis and changed my expression to one of annoyance. He smiled the most beautiful smile I have ever seen and broke down all barriers that I was holding up.

"My family is waiting for you downstairs. They're all concerned. Would you like to go meet them?" he asked.

I smiled and nodded at him in agreement. He smiled back at me as he took my hand in his and helped me off the couch I was laying on. He walked first, leading the way, my hand still in his. When we had gotten to the steps, he gently placed his hand on my waist and held me close. It felt strange but yet so comfortable to me. I peered at him from the corner of my eye and he was just staring at me in such a kind way. I'm sure he's just concerned. Don't read too much into it I said to myself. When we approached the living room, his family was sitting, waiting for us to arrive. I smiled seeing Alice as she ran up to me, slipped her hand around my hip and helped Edward pull me down to a huge couch, both of them sitting on either side of me.

"I'm not that breakable guys. You don't have to treat me like I'm made of glass" I grinned as I looked at Alice.

"I know that but I can't help it. I just want to make sure you don't break and leave." She said with a smile on her face and in her voice.

I stared at the faces that were now staring at me. Emmett's face was in a full boyish grin looking at me; next to him was Rosalie who was scowling as she was filing her nails. Jasper was sitting on a single seat, his fingers intertwined as his head hung low, staring at the floor in deep thought. Then there were two other people, a very handsome older man with blonde hair which I assumed to be Edward's father and to his side was this beautiful woman with a heart-shaped face and billows of soft, caramel-colored hair.

"Andrea, this is our father, Dr. Carlisle Cullen and our mother, Esme Cullen." Alice chirped as she held my hand.

"It's a pleasure to finally meet you Andrea." Said Carlisle

"It's a great pleasure to meet you as well Dr. Cullen, Mrs. Cullen." I said calmly, trying to be as traditional and polite as I was brought up to be.

A smile appeared on both of their faces. "No need to be so formal, dear. You can just call us Carlisle and Esme." She said with a smile on her motherly face.

I smiled as I looked at her and gripped the hands of my friends that were sitting next to me.

"Edward told me about what happened at school. I'm sure you're well informed of what we are?" Carlisle said calmly as he looked at me, trying to read my reaction.

"Yes and of course your secret is safe with me and my friends." I replied, making sure to assure him that we weren't a threat to their existence.

"I was also told that you have some type of power?" his voice was like a statement and question in one.

I grinned and looked at him. "Uhhh, guess I got really got hearing."

Emmett jumped up from the couch with that big grin. "Yeah right Andy. Have you forgotten gym class?" he teased.

I rolled my eyes at him and grinned. "I'm just athletic."

Carlisle smiled slightly at the banter passing between Emmett and me. He looked at me in my eyes, with a very serious look on his face. "Andrea, I understand the need for your secrecy but we have exposed ourselves to you and as an act of good faith and trust, maybe it would be best if you let us know what you are."

"From the information I've gathered, you're not human, are you?" he asked.

I held on tighter to Alice and Edward's hand. I was getting anxious and nervous and my emotions seemed to be riding a crazy roller coaster. I then felt a sudden ease and calmness. I looked over at Jasper who was now sitting upright and looking at me. I smiled back at him, acknowledging that I knew it was his doing. I looked at Edward, his face all full of concern. His eyes were searching, probably searching for the truth. I then turned to Alice, so beautiful, so pixie-like. She had the sweetest smile on her face and I just felt that I could trust them.

"I guess seeing as you'd like to know what I am, I guess I should start and say who I am." I said, sighing and leaning back against the couch. Alice and Edward now very close to me, I was basically on top of him as my shoulder pressed against his, either one of us not moving but secretly enjoying the feel of each other's body so close to each other. Alice was just pressed up against the side of me, both of them still held my hands, intertwining my fingers within theirs.

"I'm Andrea Elise Donovan. My father is a two star Brigadier General in the Army. I'm basically an army brat so I have no recollection as to where I'm originally from. I have a mother, also named Andrea and a bigger brother Joe, who I have not seen in years. I ran into some trouble when I was younger and I got powers from that. There's not really much to say, I have very little background." I said as I looked at their faces.

"What happened to you? What powers do you have?" Emmett asked. He was now seated closer to us, sitting on the edge of a chair, looking at me with extreme interest. I never thought I'd see Emmett this interested. He doesn't seem like the type to be interested in much.

"I was 13 years old at the time. I overheard a conversation with my mother and a friend of hers. I found out that I was adopted. They weren't my real family. They did go through a lot to make it seem like I was. They had naturally fair skin and I was always brown so they tanned a lot to make sure I didn't notice that our skin colours were different. Anyway, after finding out this, I backed some stuff up in my backpack and ran away to the woods. I had fallen asleep and this man came up to me after hearing some noises. I knew I couldn't trust him and he looked like something unnatural. After some time he told me to go and hide and that's when I saw a group of men gathered to meet him. Their eyes fell on the hiding spot I was in and I just ran when I saw that. Before I knew it, the guy who had come to save me was holding on to me and then he bit me. That's how I was changed. "They were now staring at me looking confused.

"I know you're confused but I'll explain. He took me back to my house and we fought. He was a vampire named Vince. We fought when I realized I had changed."

"… how did you know you were changed?" Alice asked.

I smiled and looked at her. "He stayed during my transformation and then poured liquid from a flask and gave it to me to drink. It was human blood." I felt Edward's body shake. I wondered if he was disgusted by me or out of anger. I started to move my body away from him when I felt his grip tighten on my hand. My body froze in mid-shift and I sunk my body against his.

I looked at them as they stared at me. Their faces were so sad. They looked concerned that I was changed the way I was and tricked into drinking human blood; anger, sadness, concern, protectiveness; all emotions that flooded the room.

"Anyway, we fought and I got some answers from him. I have powers of a vampire; speed, strength, you know, all that good stuff"

"That still doesn't explain you. Your heart is beating. You're not pale, at all." Carlisle replied, still puzzled.

"That's why I'm in Forks actually. See, my real father was part of a tribe and he lives here now. I guess his blood negated that aspect of being a vampire. I'm still not quite sure about that part." I said, thinking back to my meeting with Billy and Jacob.

"Other than strength and speed, what other powers do you posses?" Carlisle asked. I knew he was interested. After all, he's a doctor and a well educated vampire in all areas.

"Other than those, I can hear voices. Not psycho-in-my-head voices but conversations. Unlike Edward, who can hear thoughts, I can only hear verbal conversations. I can hear a conversation on the other side of the world if I concentrate hard enough. I also got a super charged healing factor. I can also change what I am. It's difficult to explain. I can control the vampire side and what I really am and the little part of human that I still am. Oh, l can't forget my most important power, I can see the truth basically; see them for who they really are. I didn't develop this gift but was rather born with it and also a heightened sense of self preservation. I know when someone is dangerous."

They all looked at me in shock. "Wow, healing factor huh? Emmett smiled as he looked at me. "Can I try it out?" he asked. He was beginning to grow on me. I was really starting to like him.

"Come on big boy. Hope you have one too. I don't want to accidentally break you." I grinned.

"No chance of that. I'ma take you down!" Emmett yelled as he dropped to the floor on his knees, acting like he as punching me on the floor.

"We'll see to that." I grinned.

Everyone's mood had lightened now and everyone was just relaxed.

Carlisle looked at me as if he was in deep thought.

"Is something wrong Carlisle?" I asked.

"I was just thinking of what you said. The thing is, you still haven't given an answer on what you really are." he replied as his liquid topaz eyes bore into mine.

I stared at the floor, everyone was tense again.

"I'm part werewolf." Tears were now brimming my eyelashes.

He stood up and walked over to me. He smiled and put a hand on my shoulder. "It's okay. I see it now. You were born with the werewolf DNA but you weren't aware of your power and when Vince turned you, the blood killed certain elements from the venom. That's why your heart still beats and you're not pale and cold. Can you feel cold?" he asked excitedly.

"No, I don't feel cold. Your hand doesn't feel cold to me, it feels normal." I said calmly.

"My hand does feel warm against you, almost human." He said as a huge smile plastered his face. He then sniffed the air. "You don't smell like a werewolf or a vampire. You have a different smell. Quite…. intoxicating." He looked like a child on Christmas morning; a new toy to play with.

"You're a very rare Andrea. It's great that you're now part of our family."

He pulled me up away from Alice and Edward who was now falling against each other at the speed of their father. He looked at me with that smile and hugged me. I hugged him back, finally feeling some kind of acceptance other than the boys.

I looked at the faces of everyone, all with genuine smiles on their face, Rosalie still filing her nails and not paying any attention. I saw them as being honest and true and felt comfortable with them.

"Oh shit! The guys!" I shouted. "They're gonna kill me!" I said anxiously. "I'd like to stay longer but I have to go. Those guys are really protective. I have to go. I'm sorry. I'll come back to visit." I said as I hugged everyone, with the exception of Rosalie, and started running out of the door.

"Wait!" I heard a voice yell. I turned around and it was Edward.

"What?" I asked, walking quickly to my car, not looking at him. I was already caught by his good looks.

"Let me drive." He said as he put out his hand for the keys.

'They'll kill you if they see you with me and I have to get there fast." I was panicking now. I stood still now staring at him. He walked up to me, his face very close to mine as I inhaled that heavenly scent.

I stared at him as he stared at me with that crooked grin on his face. I closed my eyes as I shook my head and handed him the keys.

"How are you going to get back?" I asked as I raised my eyebrow

"I'll run" he grinned as we both made our way to the car. He was slipping into the drivers seat and I, in the passenger seat. We looked at each other, warmth filled the car. I had a feeling that this car ride would be interesting.