Chapter 10

Where's Sarahbelle?

A few days had passed and I hadn't heard from Sarahbelle. Carlisle kept reassuring me that she was fine, but I had to see for myself. I decided to sneak over to my parent's house to see Sarahbelle. When I got close to the house, I called to her in my mind.

Sarahbelle? Can you hear me?

Billy? Where are you? She sounded surprised to hear from me.

I am right outside the house. Would you come out and see me?

Billy, I'm not in the house.

I was confused. I knew it was late. Where are you Sarahbelle?

I'm in the woods.

I wondered what she was doing out so late in the woods.

Are you alone? I thought she may be out with Seth or something.

Not quite.

I suddenly felt worried for her. Sarahbelle, are you okay? What's going on?

Don't worry, Billy. I've never been better, actually.

I started to walk towards the woods and was frantically looking for her in the dark.

Sarahbelle, where are you? I want to see you. I've been worried about you since you became ill. You shouldn't be out in the cold night, just getting over an illness.

I'm perfectly fine, Billy.

I heard some rustling of leaves and a branch break ahead of me.

Sarahbelle is that you?

Billy, don't come any closer.

Why? What's wrong?

I don't want you to see me like this.

What in the world are you talking about?

I heard rustling again, then Sarahbelle came out of the brush, wearing nothing but her underwear and a tank top.

"Sarahbelle, why are you in your underwear?" I pulled my jacket off and went to cover her up. "What is going on here? Were you with Seth just now?"

"Well, kind of."

"Oh, Sarahbelle! You could have warned me or something. Jeez!"

"No, Billy. It's not what you're thinking."

The light from the moon escaped through the clouds, and I could see her face clearly now. She started to shiver. I put my arm around her. She pushed me away quickly.

"No, Billy. You must stay away from me!"

"Sarahbelle, what in the hell is wrong with you?"

I looked at her strangely, and realized she seemed different to me. She couldn't look me in the face. She threw her jacket at me.

"Billy, I don't need your pity."

"What are you talking about?"

"I'm perfectly fine. You checked on me, and now you can go." She was still shivering to the point of convulsions.

"You need my jacket. You're freezing. You will get pneumonia or something."

"I'm not freezing."

I went to her and handed her the jacket again. She was holding her arms close to her body, tightly. I went to put the jacket over her shoulders and accidentally brushed her shoulder. She was burning up.

"Sarahbelle, you are feverish again. We need to get you inside." I tried to lead her by the arm to the house. She pulled away from me again.

"I'm not sick, Billy."

"You are! You're burning up, and you have chills. You shouldn't be out here. What are you doing out here anyway?"

"I was running." She looked away.

"In your underwear?"

"Yes, I was hot."
"Of course you were. You are running a fever."

"I'm not running a fever."

I narrowed my eyes at her. "Sarahbelle? Where is Seth?"

"He's around."

"He's in the woods?"

"Yes."

"Who else is out here?"

"No one."

"Sarahbelle?"

"Okay. Collin and Brady."

I turned my head at her and scowled at her. I suddenly had an urge to smell her. I leaned into her and took a whiff. My nose curled at her scent.

"Sarahbelle. You smell like a wet dog."

"Thanks." She grimaced at me.

"Sarahbelle, you weren't sick at all were you?"

"No."

"Oh, no, don't tell me? You're one of them?"

"Yes, Billy. I have joined the Quiluete pack."

"You're a werewolf?" I whispered.

Sarahbelle leaned into me and whispered back. "Yes, Billy."

I jumped back from her slightly.

"But, how? You are a girl?"

She crossed her arms and stomped her foot, that kicked up a small cloud of dirt.

"Billy, girls are allowed to be werewolves too."

"I know, but it is unusual."

"Leah Clearwater was a werewolf, and a damn good one."

"Okay, one other girl."

"Don't be sexist, Billy. I can kick your butt just as well as my wolf brothers."

"I'm sure, but it is just unusual, that is all."

"Why is it? I am my father's daughter. It was bound to happen."

I was suddenly aware of her bond with Jacob, which had sealed closer, and spread farther for me. "Of course it was. You are Jacob Black's daughter."

I think she realized that her words hurt me unintentionally. "Billy. I'm sorry. I didn't mean it that way. You know I didn't." She reached for me, but I turned away.

"I'm glad you have everything you want now, Sarahbelle." I went to walk away.

"Billy. Billy? Don't go. I'm sorry."

I kept walking back toward Carlisle's house. I heard a distant high pitched howl as I reached the front door of the house. I looked toward the woods and caught a glimpse of a brown wolf coming out of the forest. I squinted to get a better look.

Sarahbelle?

Yes, Billy. It's me.

I was amazed by the size of the great brown wolf before me. She looked so much like Jacob, it was scary. She was smaller, and her fur was much longer, but she was a spitting image of him.

Well, I have to say, you make a great werewolf.

Thanks, Billy. I didn't mean to upset you. I am just so thrilled about being a werewolf, that I wanted to share it with you. I didn't know how, though.

I should have realized I wasn't Jacob's son. Deep down I knew. You're relationship with him confirmed that, and now with this. I pointed to her.

You're still my brother, Billy. We have the same mother. I love you the same, and that will never change.

I love you too, sis. I just don't know how to handle this right now. I'm happy for you, I am. I am just in a weird place right now.

I understand, Billy. But, I'm here for you. I will just be a call away.

Thanks.

Billy, will you ever forgive Mom?

I don't know. She lied to me all this time, and kept this secret for so long, and Jacob was just going along with it. I'm just a little peeved at them.

I know. I'm sorry.

I heard another howl, lower pitched this time. Sarahbelle jerked her head back towards the woods.

I have to go, Billy. Seth is waiting for me.

It's okay, Sarahbelle. I will see you again soon.

She jumped up on me, placing her front paws on my shoulders and licked my face. Then she got down and ran towards the woods. In a flash she was gone.