"Calm down, Susie. You're not making any sense. What wolf are you talking about?" Leah spoke softly, trying to calm her daughter. "Stop for a minute and take a deep breath...that's right. Now tell me what's happening."
She started out calmly. "It's Sarah, Mom! She was sick, and Tommy wouldn't let me...and then...she...the pillow..."
Leah interrupted her. "Honey, are you trying to tell me that Sarah phased? She turned into a wolf?" Sue and Christy, seated at the kitchen table while Leah paced, exchanged a glance. "And Tommy's with her? Okay, that's good, Suze. She'll be fine, I promise. I'll see if I can reach Daddy and have him come home. If not, I'll be there in a few minutes. Just sit tight."
Leah saw movement in her peripheral vision and turned to the doorway. Jared stood at the foot of the stairs, his expression grim. "Go to your daughter, Leah. I'll be here with your family, and nothing will get through that door past me. Nothing," he added solemnly.
Sue nodded, and Leah hurried out the door. She arrived just as Tommy and Sarah crossed the back yard, still in wolf form. "You talk to her, Tommy, and I'll get her some clothes." She tossed him a pair of cutoffs from the laundry basket, and he caught them in his mouth.
When Leah returned, Tommy had phased and dressed. He was sitting on the ground and talking softly to Sarah. Leah nodded toward the house, and Tommy went inside to wait with Susie. Leah approached her slowly, extending her hand. Sarah growled softly, sniffed it carefully, then licked Leah's palm.
"You're okay, honey," Leah said softly. "I know exactly how you feel." The wolf paced nervously. "Try to sit down and rest - that's it. Rest your head on your paws, and let your heartbeat slow down. When you're totally calm you'll turn back." Leah moved closer and stroked the soft fur behind her ears.
A few minutes later, Sarah walked into the house, Leah's arm around her shoulders. Susie burst into tears when she saw her sister. The twins embraced for a long moment before either one spoke.
"I'm really okay, Suze. It just freaked me out for a while. It's not like it was a big surprise or anything, but I wasn't sure what to expect." She ventured a smile, trying to calm her twin. "It's actually kinda cool."
"Jared, please sit down. We're not in any immediate danger. Let me fix you something to eat," Sue pleaded. Christy stood and took his arm, guiding him to the nearest chair.
"I'll be stronger as a wolf, Sue. Don't worry," Jared muttered, but he dropped into the chair and leaned his cane against the table.
Sue placed a steaming bowl of stew in front of him. "It's good to see you downstairs, Jared. I'm sure you were ready for a change of scenery. After you eat, you might want to sit on the porch and get some fresh air for a bit.
Emmy's eyes widened when she walked into the kitchen with Embry on her hip. "Somebody wants his mommy," she smiled at Christy. She looked uneasily at Jared and asked softly, "You feeling better, Jared?" He nodded and continued to eat.
Christy opened the refrigerator and took out a baby bottle. She popped it in the microwave and set the timer, then turned to Sue. "He's just hungry. Would you like to feed him?"
Emmy handed the baby over to the smiling grandma. "I'm going over to see Tommy, Mom. I won't be long. Now that Leah's there for Sarah, I need to talk to him about a few things." Sue nodded her understanding and settled back in her chair, the baby now contented in her arms.
Tommy was on the porch, and he grinned and ambled down the steps to meet Emmy. "Hey! I haven't seen you in ages!" He looped his arm affectionately around her shoulders and walked beside her up to the porch.
Emmy hugged him. "Yeah, I wondered if you'd noticed that," she said softly.
"Of course I noticed! You've always been my bff, Em! But I guess life just gets so busy..."
"I've missed you, Woof. I'm really glad that you and Pokey are so happy together, but sometimes I feel a little...left out, I guess. My two best friends in the world don't seem to have time for me any more. Am I being too sensitive?" She looked up at him, her eyes sparkling with unshed tears.
Tommy's smile dimmed. "I guess I never thought of it that way. We've been so wrapped up in each other - I'm sorry, Emmy. I never meant to hurt you."
Emmy wiped at her eyes. "I'm fine, Woof. I knew you weren't avoiding me. I guess I've always been a little possessive with you." She smiled. "So, I hear we have a brand new wolf in the family. Is she okay?"
Tommy sighed. "Yeah, she'll be fine. Mom's a great resource for her. And I'm no longer the newbie - after 15 years! I suppose we have Bella to thank for this," he added bitterly.
"Don't forget she's my sister, okay?" Emmy's jaw tightened. "Everybody wants to blame Bella for everything that happens around here, but you guys don't know her. And Paris is in town too - let's not forget that Bella's not the only vampire around."
"Okay, okay," Tommy said quickly. "I didn't mean to insult her. But don't you wonder why she's here, Em? She might very well feel she's got a score to settle with the pack." The look in Emmy's eyes stopped him there. "Look, let's talk about something else."
It started out innocently enough. Seth came walking out of the forest clad only in his usual cutoffs. As he headed into the house to change before retrieving his family, he found Paris standing on the front steps. He cleared his throat just as she was about to knock again.
Paris whirled to face him. She took in his lean, muscled body in a quick glance. "Oh. So that's why you're not answering." She smiled, embarrassed to be caught ogling him.
Seth swallowed audibly, the beautiful face he had loved for so long just inches from his, completely unchanged by the years - as he supposed he was too. He tried to appear nonchalant. "What can I do for you, Paris? I didn't realize you were still around."
He had never seen her flustered before. "I...uh...that is...it's about Bella, Seth. And her companion. I wonder if your pack is taking her presence seriously enough." He unlocked the door and stood back, allowing her to enter. She perched on the edge of a chair, her hands clasped in her lap.
Seth paced. "Of course we are, Paris. We're just about convinced that she's responsible for Kim's death as well as almost killing Jared. But we have to be sure, and we have to move slowly. We can't go off half-cocked and risk losing more pack members in a confrontation."
Paris shook her head. "You don't understand, Seth. Another teenager phased today, and that probably means that one of them has been prowling around on the reservation."
He nodded. "It was Leah's daughter, Sarah. I was on patrol in the area at the time. And I know all this, Paris. What do you want me to do?"
She stood. "I just thought you might need my help at some point, and I wanted to let you know how to contact me. You have no idea how strong we are, Seth, and how difficult we are to kill." Her eyes hardened. "I can help you. All you have to do is ask." She took a folded paper from her pocket and handed it to him. He shoved it in his pocket without looking at it.
"Paris, I...thank you," he mumbled. His emotions were jumbled. He truly loved his wife, especially now that she was the mother of his child, but he had never really stopped loving Paris. They hadn't been given a chance for closure. Her fingers brushed his arm, and he felt a spark as if touched by a live wire. He groaned softly and took a step toward her, his eyes locked on hers.
She froze, her lips parted slightly. His eyes moved to her lips, their sweet cool touch so familiar. His hand at his side, he leaned forward and touched his lips to hers and then - nothing. A soft flutter of the curtains told him that she had slipped out the open door.
He sank to the couch, mortified. Reaching in his pocket, he took out the slip of paper and glanced at the address and phone number scribbled in the familiar handwriting. He walked slowly to the kitchen sink and took a butane lighter out of the drawer. He rolled the igniter with his thumb and touched the flame to the paper. He dropped it in the sink, and when it was consumed he washed the ashes down the drain.
Leah wiped her hands on her jeans and opened the door. There stood Paul and Rachel and their two children. She grinned. "What a nice surprise! Come on in; I'm baking cookies."
Paul stepped aside to let the others in first. PJ and Sally went barreling into the living room, where Susie and Tommy were watching television. Rachel grabbed a potholder and took the spatula from Leah's hand. "I'll get these before they stick, Leah."
Paul spoke softly to Leah. "I wanted to talk to Sarah, and I don't leave them home alone. Ever."
Leah smiled. "It's always good to see you guys. And Sarah's upstairs in her room. Go ahead." She turned back to her cookies.
Paul knocked softly on Sarah's door. "It's Paul. Can I come in?"
The door opened. Sarah looked so young, he wanted to scoop her up in his arms, but instead he grinned and whispered, "I felt a disturbance in the Force and it led me here."
Her eyes widened. "Really?"
"Nah, I'm just kidding. Actually, your grandmother called me. So how are you doing with all this?" He sat on the edge of her bed and patted the quilt beside him.
She sat next to him. "Well, it's kinda scary...but also kinda cool," she said quietly. "You know what I mean?"
He smiled and wrapped his arm around her slim shoulders. "Exactly. And I agree. I just wanted to tell you that there's a reason we're a pack. We're all there for each other, and if you ever need anything..."
She laughed. "Ummm...I happen to know several wolves personally."
He chuckled. "Well, just in case there comes a time when your blockhead brother, your overprotective father, or your bossy mother can't help you - I'm your man."
She hugged him. "Thanks. I'll remember that."