Chapter 11: The Lie

Jake and I continued to hang out for the next couple of weeks. By the third week of September, it felt like we'd been friends forever. He'd still have moments where he'd disappear with the rest of the guys but I didn't mind too much. I wondered more about why none of them would talk about where they were going. My curiosity was peaked. But honestly I didn't get that upset since then I'd find myself at Emily's or Rachel's or even down at the beach with a book. Although I'm not a huge fan of it, I was starting to get used to being alone.

Between Emily, Rachel and me, we spent lots of time together, both of them grinning to each other as I walked into the door one day.

"What's with the looks?" I said, sitting down next to them at the table.

Both of them looked at each other before turning back to face me."We were just talking about how much happier Jake seems now that you two are together," Emily said.

"We're not 'together'," I answered, holding up the air quotes, "We're just friends."

They exchanged glances again before Rachel said, "Well whatever you are, I'm thankful because Jake's actually been a tiny bit nicer to Paul."

I laughed, "Only a tiny bit though."

She nodded and we all laughed. "Though with the rate people in here are coupling I wouldn't be surprised if Seth or Embry start knocking down my door," I chuckled.

"I don't think you have to worry about them too much. They wouldn't get in Jake's way," Emily said.

I sighed and rolled my eyes, "He doesn't see me like that and vice versa. We're just friends. Just because you two are happy, don't go trying to play matchmaker on me."

Both of them grinned at each other then said together, "If you say so."

I graoned then stood up, "Okay, for now I'm not going to be thrown to the wolves by you two. I think I'll go read for awhile."

Both girls were laughing as I went out the door but I didn't care. Damn couples. Always think since they're happy they need to find you your other half. Don't get me wrong, Jake's great but I really don't see him that way. Even if I did, I'm totally not ready for that. I'm barely ready to have as many friends as I do now since we've been here. I snuck back into my room, catching a quick glance to see Eric and Leah in his room. I doubt they even noticed me since they were so busy laughing and smiling at each other. Holding back a gag I realized I definitely know how Jake feels when it comes to Paul.

Leah and Eric only had grown closer in the passing weeks. What I'd said to Jake was true. Eric really was part of the group now and I literally never saw him upset anymore when the guys had to bail. Again I felt something in my gut telling me I'm missing something around here. I shook it off but it was still there in the back of my mind.

Inside my room, I sat on my bed and leaned back. I picked Incarceron back up and started to read. My door was closed when suddenly I heard voices. I set it down and went toward the door. Their voiced came through and I figured I should probably say hello. As I put my hand on the doorknob, I stopped when I heard Leah say, "It's bound to happen any day now."

"Is Jacob only making a big deal out of it because it's his ex?"

I heard Leah scoff and answer, "If only she was. They never got that far. That's not it, no. I know you haven't come listened to the stories yet but we have a treaty that our tribe made long ago with the parasites. We agreed not to kill them if they didn't bite anyone. Of course it'll be broken when the bloodsucker changes his bride. Then we'll have to take them down."

"Just her or all of them?"

"I'd take them all but it's all Sam's call. He's the Alpha like I told you."

I moved away from the door, taking in all I heard but not understanding. By the sound of things they were talking about Bella. Normally it wouldn't have mattered. I knew Jake still loved her and was still hurting. But suddenly Leah was talking about murdering her and her fiance's family? That irked me. I never could see Jake as the type to kill to get the girl of his dreams. Yet something else struck me in what they'd said 'bloodsucker' and 'parasite'. I don't think I'd ever heard those used before as cruel nicknames but at the same time I kept feeling like I'd heard them before.

Suddenly it all clicked like a switch going off in my brain. Why when we first came to town everyone acted so strangely and hush-hush on certain things. Stories. Leah had said it. When I was younger, Dad taught us about his heritage, telling the Quileute stories. Tales about wolves and "Cold ones". It was like the tribe believed in vampires and that they actually could defeat them by turning into wolves. It was completely ridiculous but is the town more into it than I thought? I mean it's not like they're using it to boost tourism. I mean the guys always disappeared into the woods like a pack—PACK. They actually think they can become wolves? What kind of cult are they involved in?

I can't believe Jake or any of them really believed any of this. But the worst thing was that they dragged my brother in and didn't even bother with me. They probably already know I wouldn't go for something like that. No big surprise there, I'm a pretty logical person. I really don't want to stop being friends with all of them but I'm not gonna stand by and let Eric get sucked in to a fantasy or continue being lied to. Especially not all those I finally put my trust in. I can't even believe that my own brother, who's shared so much pain and suffering with me, has been lying to my face. I'm more than hurt. I'm more than angry. Pure rage flooded my veins like fire. I was going to learn the truth and I knew exactly who was going to be the one to fill in the blanks. Grabbing my cell phone, I quickly shot off a text to Jacob that read: Need 2 c u. Important.

Being impatient, my furiousness only increased as each minute ticked by without a response. After 3 minutes and 45 seconds (yes I was counting) I got a text back that said: Window or door?

I messaged my response and waited. Sitting on my bed, my feet hanging off and arms crossed, I tried to calm myself but couldn't. Before I knew it I heard the tap as he opened it and climbed inside.

"Hey, what's up?" he asked, "What's going on?"

Staring at him and my lips formed into a straight line, I asked, "I was curious as to when you were going to stop lying to me."

His eyes widened as I added, "It's bad enough the entire town's in on it and hell, I honestly am amazed that Emily and Rachel, my two closest friends since I got here, were in on it too," I stood, stepping right in front of him and staring up, "But the worst is that I've finally let people in, which to be honest has been the hardest thing to do these last few months and suddenly every single person here is betraying that trust. And even more than that," I said, standing on my top toes to stare harder into his eyes, "for some reason, I trusted YOU since the moment we met. I've been so sure, stupidly now, that you couldn't and wouldn't ever lie to me and now I find out that you're part of a group that thinks you can turn into wolves and fight off vampires but still didn't have the guts to tell me no matter how incredibly insane it sounds," I paused a second, holding his gaze. His eyes darted back and forth at mine as I finished, "So, tell me, are you going to stop lying to me or is this 'friendship' over?"

Jake looked back at me, taking a couple of steps back slowly before turning and balling his fists. "I'm going to kill Seth," he said with a growl.

"Don't kill Seth. What's he have to do with it anyway?" I sat back on my bed and sneered, "Was he supposed to get me to join or am I not on the mailing list?"

"That's not it," he answered, turning back to face me, "How did you—"

"How'd I figure it out?" I answered, shooting back off the bed, "Easy. I remember the stories my dad used to tell me and Eric when we were growing up. So when Eric and Leah were talking out my door a bit ago, I knew exactly what it meant. I never thought for a second this entire town thought they were true because really, who would? It's crazy. Yet it does explain why everyone acts weird around Eric and I, well, just me now. And why all of a sudden him and Leah are inseparable and he's acting like a lovesick puppy when normally it's the other way around," I paused and shook my head, "I know why you couldn't tell me because you knew as soon as you did I'd tell you exactly what it sounds like. Insanity. You're all insane and now you've dragged Eric into it!"

Shaking my head again I added, "You know what? Forget this. I can't do this right now."

Before Jake could say a word, I hopped out of my window and ran towards the beach. It was the only place I could ever truly get my piece of mind. Sitting back up and the piece of driftwood I always did, I sat and stewed. I couldn't believe it. I don't know how long I sat there, watching the waves. I was completely lost in thought and didn't even see him when I heard his throat clear from behind me. I turned to see Eric standing to my right. I turned back towards the ocean and said, "If you've come to tell me that it's not as crazy as it sounds, you might as well head back."

"Look," he began, "I know you're probably pretty pissed—"

"I AM pissed."

"But —it's not their fault."

I cocked an eyebrow. "Not their fault? Seriously? They're all buying into the delusion. I can't believe you are!"

"It's not though. Ask Jake. He can show you."

"I don't care if he thinks he can turn into a wolf. I'm pissed because everyone in town lied about it. If they want to believe that's fine but I absolutely hate that everyone I've put my trust in, especially you, decided to keep me in the dark."

"It's not by choice Kel. Sam's the head of the pack and ordered that no one else can know."

I glared at him. "But you can? Awesome. So when I thought 'we' might be outsiders I was wrong. It's just me."

"That's not it," he said as he climbed up the driftwood next to me. "I'm sorry I didn't and couldn't tell you. But I can't argue when it's not my secret," he paused and said, "Kel, you know I never would intentionally keep anything from you. You're my sister and I tell you everything."

I sighed and looked at him before looking to the water. "I know you never have," I said before pausing for a second, "I'm just sick of always being the last one to know. I mean you barely talked to anyone before Leah and still you get let in first. I don't know, it just feels like I don't belong."

Eric wrapped arm around me and pulled me close. "You do belong. We both do. The only reason I got to know is because…well because Leah imprinted on me."

"She did what?" I said as I raised my eyebrows.

"It's hard to explain but um-,"he paused a second, "basically she's my soul-mate."

I rolled my eyes and said, "You just met her. Love at first sight doesn't exist."

He laughed and said, "I know it sounds crazy but it'll make sense soon enough," hugging me for a brief moment he added, "Just talk to Jake. Please?"

I looked at him for a moment then sighed. "Fine," I slightly shook my head, "Now let me have some time to myself will you?"

He nodded and stood., looking down at me as he said, "Do what you gotta do. I'll catch you later."

Eric jumped down and headed off as I turned back to face the waves. Again I sat there for some time until I felt someone behind me. I turned to see Jake approaching, slowly. The closer he got, the more I saw how unsure he really was by the twitching of his hands.

"I don't bite," I said.

Stepping closer he replied, "Wouldn't blame you if you did at this point."

I sighed and glanced back at the waves. When I looked back to speak, I almost fell off the branch I sat on when I jumped because down next to the tree where Jake stood a few moments before stood a huge russet haired wolf. I blinked and pinched myself. It can't be…can it? I slowly stood and jumped down without taking my eyes off him. I swallowed, bracing myself for a lunge any second if it wasn't Jake. But when I stepped closer, the dark brown eyes staring back at me were the same that I'd looked into many times before. As I looked, I could see the worry lines of my face appear. Biting my lip, I slowly reached out a hand to touch him, pulling back a few times in the process. As my hands embedded themselves in the fur, I couldn't believe how soft it was. The sheets of my bed were coarser than the hairs sliding through my fingers. As the reality dawned on me, I gasped and took a step back. "So it is true."

I was about to reach out again as he darted on the other side of the driftwood. For a moment, I thought my gasp scared him away but shortly after Jake reappeared in nothing but shorts. He walked towards me slowly, tentatively but I closed the distance sooner. When he got within arms' reach, I couldn't stop myself from touching him. I ran my hands up his forearms and then down his chest. My eyes roamed all over his torso before meeting his eyes as I said, "You-you really ARE a wolf."

Jake gulped, looking down at me and returning my gaze, "Does it freak you out?"

"Honestly? Yes."

Suddenly his eyes downcast and he started to back away. I stepped back in front of him, so there was only maybe an inch between us. "But that's normal," I went on, putting my hands on his arms, "I mean, who wouldn't if they thought that werewolves and whatnot were fiction and suddenly one came to life before their eyes. Anyone would take a long time to process that," Giving a half-smile I added, "But that doesn't mean I'm going anywhere; it just means it'll take a little bit of adjusting."

His eyes brightened as he said, "So you don't mind me being a werewolf?"

I smiled, "As long as you're not going to change me into one I guess I can handle it."

He laughed, "It doesn't work like that. If I bit you, nothing would happen."

I thought a minute then said, "Then I guess you're more like a shape shifter unless I'm wrong with the lore. Can you change into anything else?"

He shook his head, "Not as far as I know."

I quickly wrapped my arms around him and hugged. As I pulled back I said, "It's definitely different, but I'll deal. Just promise me something?"

"Anything," he answered.

"No more lies," I said, looking up into his eyes, "I don't care what it is. From this point forward we will always be completely honest with each other no matter what. Deal?"

"Deal."

We both smiled and Jake walked me back home since I had to get in sometime. But I still wanted to know more and get caught up on everything. Once upstairs, I sat on my bed. Gesturing for him to sit by me, I said, "Will you explain it all to me? Everything? I don't want to be missing out anymore."

"Thought you had to make dinner?"

Biting my lip then grinning I said, "How about I'll give you some if you tell me?"

Jake chuckled and we decided to do both that once. It was weird having him help me in the kitchen but nice because he told me everything I wanted to know. Although when the part came about Bella, he got rather quiet and stone-faced.

"Hey," I said, putting my hand on his shoulder, "If you don't want to talk about her you don't have to. I get it. She picked the vampire and there is a treaty that deals with them which will break any day now when he changes her right?"

He nodded.

"So when can I kick some vampire ass? I'm in," I grinned.

Shaking his head he replied, "We'll kick the vampire ass, you'll stay here."

I feigned shock as I replied, "It's insulting that you think I can't."

"I don't think you can't," Jake began, "I know. Besides, it's our job. Piece of cake."

"Fine," I whined before breaking into a grin.

Wrapping his arms around me suddenly, Jake gave a gentle hug. Then he said just above a whisper, "I was worried if you ever found out you'd run as far away as you could and even though I'm glad you didn't, maybe you should."

Hugging him back I responded, "I'd never leave. I'd still be your friend no matter what, even if you were a leper, which if you are please stop hugging me."

We laughed, embracing for a few more seconds before we heard a loud howl from the woods. Turning to me he said, "We've been out each night trying to get news. Guess it's time to go again."

"Will you be back tonight?" I asked, "Or are you going to brave Paul's snoring?"

Looking at me a second he said, "Is it okay to come back here?"

"You're always welcome here," I said with a smile.

He grinned at me and said, "Keep your window open."

Without another word he hopped out and ran. I saw him phase in the distance and still felt the lingering heat from our hug. Why is he so warm? Maybe it's a wolf thing…In any case, it warmed every inch of me and at that moment I realized I couldn't not be his friend.