Wow, the hundred review mark has officially been passed. I'm pretty much dancing right now, lol. Thanks so much for the feedback, totally makes my day. Ahh started on my second summer reading bk, blame it for the sort of kind of late chapter…and my procrastination. This chapter is pretty harmless…at least for me. Hehe.

Enjoy and don't forget to leave a review: D

Disclaimer: I don't own any of Stephanie Meyer's amazing characters--only sarcastic Tala and her secretive dad.

Born To Be Wild

Chapter Ten:

"Seth, what do you have to do with any of this?" I must've missed a couple of pieces of the conversation because the next thing I knew that voice was shouting at the top of their lungs.

Everything suddenly went it to focus and I gasped. Now I knew exactly who it was.

It was my father.

I yelped and fell out of bed. Smooth, right? The voices downstairs stopped for a second before beginning again even louder. I quickly covered my ears---my hearing seemed more sensitive than usual. Heavy footsteps darted up the stairs as I rubbed my head in pain. I hadn't pulled off that little stunt since I was twelve and in a bunk bed.

"Tala, are you okay?" Seth sprinted in, clearly worried. He took one long stride and picked me off the ground and rocked me in his arms.

"What's going on Seth?" I whispered frantically. "Why's my dad here? He isn't supposed to come for at least another day."

Seth winced. "Apparently Port Angeles has a mechanic whose skills can even rival Jake's." He gave a slight chuckle, "Man, Jacob is going to be ticked."

I groaned and stared at the ceiling. My dad was going to take me back and there was nothing I could do about it. He was the king of stubbornness. Seth slapped his forehead, "I forgot about your injuries." I raised an eyebrow and squirmed a bit just to see if anything hurt. Nada.

Well that was weird. Maybe I should sleep more often.

"I'm good," I replied lightly. A mystified expression met me before he headed us both downstairs. The yelling had ceased and I heard Sam retort a few words to my dad before completely going silent. It went something like, "If you don't, I'll tell her about..." About what? Jeez. There's more?

Bewildered, I watched my dad turn a shade lighter than a vampire. He pinched the bridge of his nose before greeting me. "Pititchu, we're going home."

Sam downright growled. "No, you're staying with Emily and me."

I let out a fully fledged shout of victory and leapt out of Seth's arms. Sam and he both exchanged perplexed glances while watching me attack my dad in a hug. I knew he was against me staying, but maybe if I showed a little excitement he'd loosen up.

"Is she sick?" My dad asked my cousin after I gave him a tight squeeze.

He shook his head solemnly, "I'm telling you the truth." Sam walked out of the room for a sec and came back with a thermometer. With no forewarning whatsoever, he shoved it into my mouth. I choked before giving him my meanest glare. He smiled impishly and took the plastic out after a few minutes of pure torture. My dad reached out for it and his eyes widened at the results.

I impatiently tapped my foot. "So, am I sick or not?"

He gazed at my cousin in question. Sam threw up his hands, "Girls are faster, I didn't even know about Leah till it was too late."

"Sam…" Seth's voice was edgy and tense. "What are you talking about?"

"Later Seth," my cousin blew him off and I grabbed the thermometer away from my father.

102.7 degrees Fahrenheit.

I felt my forehead. It didn't seem hot---it actually felt cool to my hand. According to my teachers last year, the average temperature of a human was 98.6 degress. I shrugged, the news wasn't earth shattering---I was always a little warmer than the rest as a kid.

"So," I said. "What now?"

"Well," my dad admitted. "That changes everything. I was going to break this to you later, Tala, but my work moved me to Milwaukee."

"Wisconsin?" I blurted out in disbelief. "We're moving to the Badger State?" He tried to smile, but his efforts were futile. "Since when?"

"Since yesterday afternoon," he muttered. "I'm sorry, I already had a school in mind…but I guess you can stay in La Push for a semester." He put emphasis on the word, giving Sam that 'look.' I bit my lip, trying to shuffle through my feelings. That part of my brain didn't seem to be doing its job.

"There are a few reservations up there," Sam said as if it would comfort me.

Seth enveloped me in his warm arms. "You're not going anywhere without me," he spoke softly in my ear. Sam shot him a glance while my dad turned from red to puce.

"Get away from my daughter," he hissed. "Those myths aren't true." Seth ignored him and just held me tighter. Apparently he wasn't too worried about impressing his imprint's father. Sam sighed and muttered a few profanities before turning to my father.

"They are true, but whether you believe them or not is your own choice. We'll enroll Tala in the tribal school that the boys go to. It's closest and we can keep an eye on her. Now, for clothes---"

"I don't want Pititchu anywhere near him," my dad pointed at Seth with venom. "I don't care if he's Sue's kid or not. She'll go to the high school in Forks."

Sam stood his ground with an aura of authority that I hadn't seen before. "Tala will go to the high school in La Push, or else." Or else? What was that supposed to mean? The defiant expression on my father's face melted into one of shock.

"You wouldn't…"

My cousin raised his eyebrows in a challenge. "Try me."

Was he threatening my dad? That was a new one. Peter Uley was never overthrown---at least not frequently---especially by his hated brother's offspring. The last time he'd been outmaneuvered was at a parent teacher's conference. Let's just say the whole student body found out about it and I had to kick a few people's asses. Or at least thought about it, anyway. I've never actually taken karate or any other kind of self-defense.

"Dad, maybe I can figure out a little bit more of what happened to Mom," I voiced cheerfully. My dad looked like he was going to be sick.

"No, we already know the full story, Pititchu. Just leave it at that---don't hurt yourself anymore," he was now hoarse and blue. Jeez, I might as well paint an American flag on his face. He'd already gone through all the colors with the lovely addition of puce.

Sam looked curiously at his uncle. The wheels of his mind were definitely turning. More secrets, I concluded. There are even more secrets being kept from me. Why can't it just be left at mythical creatures? Isn't that enough? Nostrils flaring, I let my mind buzz out of control at a hundred miles an hour.

Sam knew something more---maybe even a few things more. I mean, the guy intimidated my dad into letting me stay in La Push. Alone. This top secret information must be important if my very over-protective parent wasn't even putting up a fight to remain on the rez as well. Then, what's up with the whole healing, temperature concept? I was missing a piece of the puzzle, and it irked me to no end. I'd have to do a lot of puppy eyes and pouts…maybe I could get Emily to soften her husband up. Now, that was an idea.

"Hello? Earth to Tala." Seth waved his hand in my face. I bolted up and noticed that my dad had left. "Wha..?" He didn't even say goodbye!

Ok, this was pushing it. What did my cousin say to him while I was off in Never Never Land?

"He left you this," Sam held out a shiny debit card. I could tell he was trying not to smirk. "Good thing you aren't a material person, right?" I snorted and snatched my new heaven. This sort of made up for things. Kind of. My heart was still throbbing a bit from the abandonment though.

"Oh Seth," I said in a sing song voice. "We're going shopping." My warmth disappeared suddenly as the teen backed away in terror. My grin got even wider---perfect.

"What'd I do?" He whimpered, shaking a little. I rolled my eyes and grabbed his granite arm. Pulling was not an option---I wasn't stupid, he was way stronger than me. My face puckered into a pout and I gave him a dose of my tawny eyes, "Please? For me?"

"You're honestly making him go with you," Sam walked over to two of us. "Sucks. Anyway, you can't, Tala. You have a fractured rib and a sprained ankle."

He did not just say that. "Be happy that I'm not making yougo with me, Sam Uley. Also, what's stopping me from going? Do you see any injury?" I lifted up my shirt so he could see my stomach. He didn't look extremely pleased.

"That's beside the point. You can just borrow Em's clothes for one more day."

"Sam, even though you can miraculously get my dad to go, doesn't mean you can order me around." I snapped, eager to leave and drink in my newly found freedom.

"Yet," He whispered under his breath. Ha, in his dreams. Seth's jaw swung open.

"Tala, I need to talk to Sam about pack stuff, can't we just go tomorrow? I promise to be your personal bag holder for as long as you want me."

"That's a huge order to fill, Seth," my amber eyes glinted maliciously. "Do you really want me to take you up on that offer?" The werewolf nodded his head in fake enthusiasm. Whatever, it was his death wish. I trudged up to the guestroom dutifully. Sam and Emily, I learned, had popped the roof so they would have room for their newly expected and high anticipated member of the household. Again, I berated my denseness to realize this before.

"What have you been talking about?" Seth repeated his question again. I internally debated whether to eavesdrop on the pair. Maybe I'd learn some answers…but they would know if I was listening for sure.

Stupid werewolf hearing.

I decided to keep the door open a crack. My brilliant excuse would be that I was making the bed, a chore I rarely ever did. Why make the bed when you were just going to sleep in that night? I could only hear fragments of the conversation, but that was enough to satisfy me for the time being.

"….Leah will be thrilled….won't be held a secret from your pack…." I was way more attuned to my supposed soulmate.

"...try to block and phase less….wish this wasn't happening…"

"….how long do you think considering….imprint…."

I gave up after that---a headache was slowly taking over my ability to think. I hopped down the stairs like a toddler and rushed passed Sam and Seth in order to find some pain killers. There had to be some sort of Asprin around here. Not all of us were invincible mythological creatures.

"You're not going to need those," my cousin crept up behind me.

"And why not?"

"I don't want you medicated for the game." Little sneak, just got around the question. Did he think I was that dense?

"What game?" I asked. Seth came into the homey kitchen, pulling me up into an embrace. I understood why he was suddenly so affectionate, but it still felt sort of weird. Falling in love isn't quite as easy as some may think. Seth may unconditionally and erratically have feelings for me, however, I can't say the same. Okay, that was a downright lie. I blushed at the thought of yesterday's events. I had been so caught up in the moment that I'd forgiven him for introducing me to a world that I didn't want to be a part of. I honestly did not want to know that immortal beings walked the earth---some responsible for killing a quarter of the human race.

I suppose that wasn't really an option now.

"Soccer game. The guys are already waiting for us on the beach. You going to play with me?" Seth tried to copy my expertise acting skills. I laughed and shook my head. "Can't, thanks to my nonexistent," I glowered at my cousin, "injuries from the cliff diving. Blame Sam." Seth punched the Alpha lightly giving him a look of pure exasperation. Sam decided to act like a statue. That boy really needed to loosen up. We then walked down to First Beach hand and hand like lovebirds. It must've triggered my cousin because he suddenly excused himself to go wake up Emily. Somehow, she was amazingly asleep during the whole fight. Pregnancy must be taking a toll on her.

Jared laid down the rules.

"Two things. One, we have ladies playing, so take it easy. No more hospital visits to the leech." Paul looked guiltily in my direction. Kim coughed loudly and Jared added, "Also, no tantrums if you get slapped." A few of the guys sniggered. "And two, try not to kill the ball, guys. If you do, you're paying." Everyone groaned.

"Let's get started," Jacob hollered and the game began. Rachel Black filled in for Emily as referee and had to break up at least five fights before the second half.

Fouls were even more popular than the actual scoring.

I scanned the playing field. Kim, Leah, Eden, and another girl were mid-fielders. Seth took up goalie while Sam was acting as defender.

"That was so a goal!" Paul roared at Quil. They both began shaking, not stopping until their Alphas split them apart. It was so weird having two packs in La Push. I guess they only handled it because Jacob was often away with Nessie. If it were me, I would probably be the instigator for a lot of fights. Not on purpose, of course.

During a five minute break, all the werewolves ran into the ocean and then came back to terrorize the spectators. Seth sauntered up to me, grinning smugly. I lifted a brow before even clueing in that his hands were slowly snaring around my waist. Then, in a blindingly fast move, he pulled me off my feet and kissed me fully on the lips. In that moment, nothing mattered more than the boy in front of me. I leaned in and deepened it, wanting nothing more than to do this for the rest of my days.

Rachel had to blow that shrilly whistle in order to split us up.

My cheeks reddened and I sat back down on the ground near a glowing Emily to watch the rest of the game. What the hell was wrong with me? Where did that come from? I never ever (times that by a bajillion) did that. And in public too. Emily must've seen my expression because she gave me a knowing smile.

"It's hard to resist, even if you want too," she said, her smile widening further. "Believe me, I've tried."

"What happened?" I asked, knowing full well how a strong woman like Emily could have succumbed to that passion. It was irresistible.

"I fell even harder," she replied with a wink.

The game ended in a tie thanks to the score keeper, Claire. Her exact words had been, "Da boh win." The guys just kept shoving and tackling each other in the dirt. It was so light-hearted and brotherly, I nearly grinned despite myself.

When getting up to help Emily make a late brunch (okay, more like supervise), I realized that I no longer felt like a complete outsider.

I felt a part of the family.

Ahh I was nice, no cliffies this time around. Lol. Hopefully my next update will be up in the next few days, but no promises. Stupid school starts soon…ugh kill me now. Ahh am I the only person who is glad to see Tala's dad go? We'll find out exactly what happened to him when I get the chance to write Seth's POV. That'll be fun. Maybe it will be after next chapter…who knows?

Anyway, please review! Feedback and critiques are always wanted :D