Chapter 9: Lying and Lions (Ren. POV)
Aunt Alice pulled me up and shook the dirt from my now tattered clothes. Thankfully that hadn't torn too much off of me. I was covered enough for the time being.
"I'm fine" I reassured them, "I was just caught off guard, that's all." My voice sounded a little shaky.
"Don't worry about it. It happens to every vampire at some point. Let's go find something else." Alice grinned. We headed east towards my uncles to see what we could find. As we ran, I tried to rebuild my confidence. I shook the memory of the attack from my mind.
We found several unusual things to hunt, like the kangaroos and the jackals. My favorite was the gazelle because it tasted similar to the deer back home. Aunt Rose preferred the elands because they tasted slightly sweeter than the rest.
When we ran into my uncles I watched as their eyes dropped down over my torn clothing. Uncle Emmett looked at Rose while Uncle Jasper looked at Alice. No one said a word to me and I was glade. I knew they would be talking about it after I went to bed tonight. I suddenly felt embarrassed and weak in comparison to my strong family members. Avoiding eye contact, I looked up the face of the rocky mountain.
The hike up the side of the mountain made me feel even more stronger. I used every muscle, ever sense I had been given at birth. My hands held onto the old rocks forever cemented into the side of the mountain and pulled myself up further. Uncle Emmett badgered me, but I knew he was just trying to make me feel better. Uncle Jasper was forcing a good mood, which helped Uncle Emmett's efforts. Alice and Rose stayed close praising my moves from time to time as I swung and climbed gracefully upwards. It was more fun than I had expected and the memories of this evenings dinner quickly recessed.
Way above the desert floor we watched the sunset off a ledge. It protruded out the side of the mountain like a cliff. I dangled my legs over the edge and enjoyed the beautiful view. The land was flat and sandy as far as our eyes could see. A few trees and the murky river twisted across the landscape like a snake. A few roaming herds wandered in search of food and shelter. I slipped my camera out of my pocket expecting it to be ruined, but it wasn't.
"Hey, it's not broke." I exclaimed holding the camera up in surprise.
"Why would it be broke? Emmett asked. I noticed Aunt Rose jab him in his side.
"Look at that." Aunt Alice pointed to the change of direction in the herd. They moved so smoothly. I saw a cheetah running full force towards the herd as they scurried. It was unusual to watch. That was what we looked like when we hunted. I was having an epiphany right here on the ledge.
I snapped a few pictures before the sun completely disappeared on the horizon.
At the top of the mountain was a single large tree. It felt like a statue at the top of a prestigious mountain. I wondered how it was to be at the top looking out over the desert and surviving all the winds and sunrays day in and day out. It looked so peaceful and so strong. I wanted Jacob to see this. I pulled my phone out of my pocket. He had not called yet and I felt the disappointment set in. I leaned against the tall tree and tried to enjoy the view. Aunt Rose was right, it was peaceful to be in complete blackness. The wind whipped stronger up here and it felt good now that the sun did not heat my skin. I closed my eyes and reached for my necklace.
My hand searched my neck and collarbone, nothing. I frantically searched again making sure I hadn't missed the fine gold chain and precious ring attached. I began to panic as I became more aggressive in my search for it. I checked my pockets and even in my bra. By this point, everyone had turned to stare. Uncle Jasper, sensing my inner most feelings had turned long before the others. By my side now he was very concerned.
"What happened?" he asked stretched his hand out towards me in support. I felt another wave of peace wash over me. I swallowed hard taking in a deep breath. This was it, everyone would know my secret. Dad would find out and everything would crumble to pieces.
"My necklace, it's gone." I gasped and then broke into tears. I held my chest as the tears flowed down my face. My lower lip tremble as I gasped repeated for fresh air.
"What's so special about that particular necklace?" Uncle Emmett asked bewildered. A typical man's lackadaisical question. I'm sure he was thinking, who cares about a stupid necklace.
"My, my.." I stumbled over the words. I would have to tell them now. I wasn't ready for that yet. I couldn't. I just couldn't tell them about the engagement ring.
"Yes." Jasper urged me.
"One of my mothers jewels" I lied. The men seemed not to care, but my aunts did. They wrapped their arms around me.
"It will be fine. We know where it is." I looked at them inquisitive before remembering myself.
"Right, the mountain lion." I can't believe I hadn't noticed then.
I pulled myself together and brushed away the tears. My phone beeped and I knew who it was, Jacob. I smiled hoping for some space. My aunts and uncles had engulfed me during my mini break down. I slipped around to the other side of the huge tree.
"Jacob, I miss you so much." I said passionately. "I wish you could see this place, it's so beautiful." I said playing my part. I knew I would be in his warm embrace soon enough, but I couldn't let on that I was up to something. I had sixteen years of behaving, I was ready to take some risk. What's the worst that could happen to me, grounded?
He told me he was close and couldn't wait to see me. We were approaching the foot of the mountain when I heard Uncle Jasper ask Alice what she was seeing. I stopped dead in my tracks and turned to see her furious face. She glared at me only momentarily. Unexpectedly, a power breeze blew against us leaving an eerie feeling in the pit of my stomach. It's the awkward and uncomfortable feeling you get right before something bad happens. Goosebumps shivered down my back as I wrapped my arms together tightly.
Alice was nose to nose with me in seconds with Jasper on her heals. Emmett and Rose stood nearby, waiting, listening.
"Did you really think you would get away with this?" she said frustrated sand disappointed.
"Aunt Alice, I was going to tell you." Ouch, another lie. I was not behaving very well at all, but wasn't that the point?
"Okay, I was going to sneak away to see him. You know he has to be near me. We cannot be apart no more than Mom and Dad has to be apart and everyone understands that." I was digging myself a deeper whole. By then everyone knew exactly what was going on. Jacob was here, in Africa. Alice saw me disappear, which was a no brainer, Jacob had to be near. But that meant my future disappeared too and that meant big trouble for my aunts and uncles.
"I promised your father I would keep you safe and with us at all times and you thought you were going to sneak off to be with that mongrel!" I had never seen Aunt Alice upset and it was unnerving. I stepped back once and shook my head no.
"Please, let him come with us. Mom and Dad will never know. When they come for the day, Jacob will leave. He's just one more person to protect me. Please." I begged.
I looked at Aunt Rose pleading, but I knew it was no use. She stared back at me disgusted. I let her down with my constant infatuation with Jacob.
"Absolutely not. This is our village and they don't know him or his kind. We have complete trust and cannot just start bringing anyone into their village when we want."
"I'm sorry Aunt Rose. I didn't think about it. I just need him. You have to understand that, don't you?" I hung my head accepting my defeat.
"We will fix this later and search for your necklace tomorrow." She said firmly.
"Tomorrow, no! I have to get it tonight, please!" I begged.
If I saw Jacob tonight he'd know I lost the ring. I needed that ring now, not tomorrow. After several minutes of undignified graveling Uncle Jasper finally agreed to take me to find the necklace, aka ring. When he pulled out the fine golden chain my heart sunk because the ring was no were in sight.
"Sorry, kid. Tomorrow it's gonna have to be. It's not the end of the world you know, it just feels like it. I know your Mom and she won't flip out, I'm sure of it." he reassured, but he didn't know my lies.
Back at the hotel I showered and found a private place in the hall to call first, my father, and then Jacob. Dad was the easy call. He just wanted to make sure I was safe. I told him about the day, but left out the part about being attacked by a mountain lion and loosing my engagement ring. I was glad to hear his voice and started to really miss them. Mom was getting as anxious to see me as I was her. They would be here in two days and I was looking forward to it. When I called Jacob I could tell that he was frustrated.
"Sorry it took so long to call. It's been a long day.. They know you're here now." I admitted reluctantly.
"Alice? Right?" he asked annoyed. "We should have both known this would never work." he growled.
"Don't be so negative, Jacob. The plans still in place and that's all that natters. Now get a good nights sleep and I'll see you tomorrow. Love you forever." I smiled blowing a kiss into the receiver.
"Love you too, sweetheart. Sleep good." he echoed.