Brady POV

Bane's big test. That was what I was calling it in my head. The first real demonstration of how much control she had over her human side. And there was no denying it. Nobody was looking forward to this. Because the guinea pig for this experiment was going to be Emily. We didn't need the emotions roiling through Sam's head to be on edge.

It was just after sunset. Clouds rolled in the blackening sky, but nobody was worrying about the darkness. It was helping us right now. We were approaching the borders of our land as a group, and none of us had phased back yet. Sam had the youngest members on watch around the perimeter of his house, on the lookout for anyone who might see us. Jacob and Sam had planned to have most of us phase back to human. I was one of the few that would remain a wolf, just in case Bane needed forceful restraint.

Right now, we were banking on several facts. Firstly, Bane seemed genuinely determined to do this. She was jogging along with us, keeping up with our long strides, one tiny hand securely gripping the fur on Leah's neck. I knew she was talking to Leah, giving and getting reassurance, though I didn't know exactly what they were saying. Secondly, Bane was well fed at the moment. She was as calm and coherent as it was possible for her to be. Thirdly, Emily was fully prepared for what was coming, and was ready and willing to be as calm and gentle with Bane as necessary. This was a meeting she had been waiting almost five months for.

Fourthly was an idea Leah had apparently come up with. She and Bane related well because they had things in common. She believed Emily's scars would be enough to get through to Bane, because that was one very obvious thing they had in common. Sam wasn't thrilled at this. Despite the fact that Bane had Emily beat in the scar department by about a hundred times, it hurt him every time he thought of Emily's scars. Of what he had done.

Time couldn't lessen pain like that.

Highway's clear, Colin suddenly said, distracting me from my train of thought.

I increased my pace, my quickening movements mirrored by everyone around me. Many were fanning out now, moving to take other defensive positions. I saw Seth break into a run and disappear into the trees ahead. The smell of asphalt was growing stronger. Jacob gave a slight growl and turned to look at Leah for a moment. Leah nodded, then turned to Bane. I watched with more than a little disappointment as Bane climbed up onto her back.

I hated not being Bane's favorite. Despite knowing what I had done the day of the clash with the Cullens had been right, it still hurt whenever I remembered the look of terror and betrayal on Bane's face as she stared at me. And even more her tears and sobs of pain. But Sam had told me over and over again that Bane had needed someone like Leah from the very start. She needed to receive the care a child needed, not just be a buddy. When I had been with her, she had started growing more comfortable with the wolf life. She seemed happy. But her weeks with Leah had changed her completely. She was a little girl more and more each time I saw her, and less of a wolf.

I wanted to call it being domesticated. But that sounded like an insult each time I thought of it. Everyone else agreed what Leah was doing was helping her. And I had to be happy she had found someone she could trust so completely.

But my time with her had helped, hadn't it? When she had first come to us, she had been so wild and uncontrollable. Each reaction was an unknown. Nobody could guess what she was going to do next. I had helped to calm her down. When she was angry or afraid, she had listened to me the best. I had reassured her the easiest. With my help, it had become easier for the pack to trust her.

And physically, she had been an emaciated wreck. She had become one hundred percent better in that respect with me. Her body had filled out to a more natural shape, slim and properly muscled. Her bones were hidden as they should be underneath a healthy layer of flesh, not jutting out like some morbid impersonation of a Halloween decoration. Her scars blended a little better, made her less horrifying in appearance. Even the Cheshire split on the right side of her mouth was less noticeable.

You helped her a lot, Brady, Sam said suddenly. She won't forget that. She'll be much better off if this works out.

The highway was upon us now. I moved to Leah's side, looking up at Bane and wagging my tail halfheartedly. She peeked at me over her blankie, which she was clutching tightly to her chest with one arm. After a moment, she smiled slightly.

I won't hurt her, she said softly, with the kind of inflection in the words that hinted she had said them multiple times already, to herself and others.

I know you won't. I have faith in you. I've always had faith in you. I gave her a lopsided wolfy grin. You know what a road is, don'tcha? There's one right here.

I know. She looked around as the trees broke before us. I managed to keep pace with Leah as she darted across the four lane expanse, but it was a struggle. Leah was wicked fast. I know roads. I know cars.

That reminded me of what she had told me months ago, about how she had used to scavenge off of roadkill. The one who made me said that meat is what matters, whether rotting or fresh. We eat whatever we find. I winced despite myself.

Everything was silent for the next few minutes. I could feel the pack nerves rising. We were so close to Sam's house now.

Split up, Sam said at last. Those of you phasing back, go and do it now. We'll set up first before Leah brings in Bane.

I heard Bane sigh slightly, and gave her one more wag of my tail before I grudgingly moved onward towards the house. Jared, Colin and Paul followed me. Paul was slightly more relaxed tonight. He had softened toward Bane just a little in the last few weeks. Mostly because she had managed to "put a dent" in Rosalie, which had impressed him despite himself. But he was also totally sympathetic to Sam, just as Jared was. Both of them had only to imagine Rachel or Kim in Emily's place to vow to do everything in their power to keep her safe.

Emily was standing on the front steps when we entered the little clearing that surrounded the house. She smiled at us as we approached her. Although this was one of the few times she had seen us in our wolf forms, she could still recognize us. She was completely calm. Her face betrayed neither excitement nor fear. Seth was already standing off to one side, his wide eyes glinting in the light streaming out from the open door.

Everyone else filed in around us after a moment. Sam immediately approached Emily and put his arms around her, Jacob standing at her other side. The packs were trying to appear casual in the way they stood around. Well...as casual as a group intermixed with a few giant wolves could look. I took a few steps to one side and sat down. Colin sat next to me, while Paul and Jared settled opposite of us. A path was now formed from the forest to the front door.

All clear, came the words from the patrollers. Jared turned and nodded at Sam and Jacob.

"Okay, Leah," Jacob called.

Leah materialized slowly from the shadows. She had phased back too. She needed to get a new shirt the next time she swung by her house. Her hand was clasped securely around Bane's, whose eyes were as wide as saucers as she was led forward. She seemed to be struggling against the urge to hide behind Leah.

It's okay, I said in the most cheerful voice I could manage. Emily is really, really nice. Just like Leah.

I almost gave a snort at myself for saying it. "Leah" and "nice"? Wow. That sounded almost blasphemous. I heard Colin and Paul snicker, very slightly, at my thought.

Leah led Bane forward slowly, and her hesitant steps kept their pace. They stopped when they were just within the beam of light from the door. Then, Leah released Bane's hand and gave her a gentle push forward. She took two jerky steps, then froze completely. Her eyes were fixed upon Emily, who was smiling very gently in return. Sam's expression was calm, but his grip tightened a little more.

For several minutes, absolutely nothing happened. Bane continued to stare at Emily, studying every inch of her through wide eyes, her arms crossed tight around her chest, embracing the blankie like a protective talisman. Every now and then, she gave a hesitant sniff, testing the scents in the air. Emily's pure human smell stood out. She seemed unable to decide what to do.

Emily's not gonna hurt you, Paul said abruptly, breaking the silence in my head and making me jump. Does she look like she's gonna pull a bazooka out of her back pocket? Come on. If you want anyone to be afraid of, it should be me. I still owe you for this. He lifted his muzzle upward slightly, showing the visible scars on his neck.

Paul, this is so not the time to bring that up, Jared growled.

I bared my teeth slightly at Paul too. Sam glanced between us, anger flaring in his features. But Bane didn't react negatively. Paul seemed to have the right idea. She had relaxed slightly at his words. She licked her lips, glancing back at Leah for the first time before turning back to Emily. Emily smiled again, and very slowly she freed herself from Sam's arms. She took two small steps forward. Bane twitched visibly.

"Hello, Bane," she said, her voice the upmost in gentleness. "I am so happy to meet you."

The smallest of whines escaped from Bane's throat. She looked back at Leah once more. Leah smiled and rolled her eyes.

"Well?" she urged. "Emily said hello to you."

I knew Bane knew how to speak. But the last time I had heard her physical voice had been that day on the beach. A pang of regret shot through my heart as I remembered her terrified screams yet again. Bane gave a sigh, and faced forward once more.

"H…he…hello," she whispered. Her body shook slightly as she spoke. Her voice was airy and weak, almost inaudible with disuse.

Emily beamed, and suddenly reached her hand back. Sam placed a small dark object in it. Bane stiffened, sniffing the air again. The first sniff was wary. The second, third, and fourth were curious. I sniffed the air too. And my mouth instantly watered.

Aw, man, Bane! She made you a cupcake! She must like you. Emily's cupcakes are to die for!

Dependent on meat or not, Bane was always a sucker for sweet stuff. The slightest hint of a sweet treat would bring her running, no matter what she was doing beforehand. And tonight was no exception. Her arms slowly dropped to her sides as her eyes widened, the blankie now clenched in one hand. She took a step forward, and then another. Leah mirrored her, clearing her throat to gain back a little of Bane's attention.

"Very, very, very carefully, Bane," she warned sternly.

Bane glanced back once, then focused on Emily again. Emily had the cupcake in the palm of her left hand, which she was holding out as far as she could reach. Bane's pace became a steadier walk. Sam stiffened slightly.

"Just for you," Emily urged. "I won't hurt you. Trust me."

Bane stopped when she was just within reach of the cupcake, pausing at Emily's last words. She blinked. This time, I could clearly see her gaze trail down the vivid scars on Emily's body. Sam gritted his teeth. Jacob frowned, reaching over to grip his shoulder.

"I'll show you mine if you show me yours," Emily said quietly. "But take this first."

Bane was frozen for a long moment. Then, she leaned forward, and the tiny dirty fingers of her free hand gripped one side of the cupcake and slid it off of Emily's hand. She sniffed it once, and I licked my chops as I smelled the sweet rich chocolate. Colin nudged me, his thoughts filled with humor.

And then, both of us were outright laughing. Bane had dropped her blankie, taken the cupcake in both hands, and stuffed it into her face with absolutely no grace or delicacy, tearing it apart exactly the same way she did with all of her food. Her face and hands were now completely smeared with chocolate and gooey crumbs. Emily and Leah laughed along with us. Sam was smiling for the first time. Jacob was just rolling his eyes, clearly disapproving of the fact that Bane had just wasted most of the cupcake coating herself with it. But he grinned when he and Seth exchanged a glance.

"That is something we are definitely going to have to work on, Leah," Emily said through her chuckles. She pulled a rag out of her pocket and stepped forward. "Come on, Bane. Let's get you cleaned up."

Bane was so distracted by licking her fingers, she didn't notice Emily getting closer until she was kneeling in front of her and starting to wipe the mess off her face. Bane instantly balked, letting out a high-pitched yelp as her chocolate covered hands swung forward to clamp down around Emily's fingers. I gasped and lurched to my feet. Sam and Leah both bolted forward.

"Wait!" Emily said quickly, raising her free hand to stop us. "She's not hurting me."

Bane's hands still gripped Emily's, but she had frozen once more. Her breathing was ragged as she stared into Emily's eyes. Emily slowly rested her other hand over Bane's.

"You can trust me too," she said gently. "I will not hurt you. See?"

Very carefully, she freed her hand from Bane's grip, and slowly began wiping the sticky fingers with the rag. Bane watched, her frightened expression slowly melting to one of cautious curiosity. As Emily worked, she stared at her scars again.

"That's right," Emily said with a chuckle, releasing Bane's hands and raising the rag again. "Just like you. Now come on. Let me see your pretty face."

Bane blinked, very clearly confused. But she allowed Emily to resume wiping her face. Sam stiffened slightly again, but only when Emily's fingers were rubbing the cloth across Bane's lips, dangerously close to her teeth. When she was done, she let her hands drop.

"Ah, there is a pretty little girl under all that chocolate," she said teasingly.

"Pretty?" Bane murmured.

Emily nodded. "Beautiful."

I was sure Bane didn't have any real idea what Emily meant by pretty. But it seemed to at last be doing for her what Sam's words and Nessie's visions had done. It was allowing her to trust.

Emily suddenly raised her arms, beckoning gently. Bane hesitated for a moment. Then, she reached down and picked up her blankie, and slowly walked into Emily's embrace. Emily gathered her in her arms and rose to her feet. Bane was still such a tiny thing, despite the weight she had gained. Emily had no trouble lifting her.

For a second, there was no sound at all. Then, Leah let out a quiet laugh.

"Good girl, Bane," she said triumphantly. "Emily's going to help me take care of you now. Will you like that?"

Bane nodded once, blinking tiredly. Emily gently rocked her as she turned to look at Sam, who had finally relaxed completely.

"What do you think?" she asked slyly, grinning at him.

"I think that was very anticlimactic," Sam replied, resting a hand at the small of her back.

"Care to push our luck while the going's good?" Jacob offered. "I know Rachel is dying to meet her too."

Paul started to growl, but Leah suddenly shushed them both. A second later, I knew why. Bane's head had dropped against Emily's shoulder, and her eyes had slowly slid closed.

Only Bane could pass out after eating chocolate, Colin commented.

The atmosphere was much more relaxed now. The rest of the pack was coming forward, expressing their happiness and relief at the success of the experiment. Emily handed Bane's sleeping form gently to Leah, but deftly managed to slip the blankie free. Behind me, I heard Embry grumble something unintelligible, and heard Quil and Seth laugh in response.

"I'll clean this up while she's asleep," Emily promised. "Are you taking her back tonight, Sam?"

"Yes. Let's save introducing her to a house for another day," he said, kissing Emily gently. "You were wonderful."

"Bane was wonderful," Leah interjected. She wasn't looking at Sam or Emily anymore. Jacob was patting her on the back. "It won't be long now. Soon, all this living in the woods nonsense will just be a memory."

"One day at a time, Leah," Jacob said.

I gave a soft whuff, trotting forward and nudging Bane slightly with my nose. Leah looked up at me, raising an eyebrow.

"She passed her test," Leah said. "She can have her life back now. We can give her that."

"With time," Emily added softly. "And patience."

I nodded. Bane was getting her life back. I had to be happy for her for that. Although none of us had a real choice when it came to the lives we had now, at least we had a reason for existence. Bane was just…just…

A monster. Paul finished for me, saying what I couldn't.

But at least she's getting over it, Colin said. Werewolves normally can't. That's why there aren't very many left. I think that's how Dr. Cullen described it.

Hell, are there any left? I asked gruffly. Maybe that's why that bloodsucker she kept talking about was chasing her. Maybe she is the last one. Maybe she's all alone. I sighed. It is good that's she's learning to be human again. I'd hate to be alone in this. As long as she's human, she won't have to worry about it.

She'll never be alone, Jared said. You made sure of that, Brady. You were her first real friend. Leah can never claim that.

And looking back over at Bane's peaceful expression as she slept, I did feel a little better. Maybe I had been looking at it the wrong way. Leah had taken over being the most important person to her, but I would always be her best friend.

And as long as Bane stayed happy, that was all that mattered.


He had the cell phone ready in his hand. It was flipped open, the number was blinking, waiting only for the push of a single button. But for the first time, Demetri hesitated.

His report on the situation with the werewolf was overdue. He knew Aro and Caius were getting impatient. They wanted to know why he had nothing to report. Why he had not been able to come to them with the news they were waiting for.

But there was nothing to report. No news worth giving them. Everything in the Olympic Peninsula was perfectly normal. No mass slaughters, no major sightings. No sightings at all, in fact. And every member of the Cullen family was still alive and well. They had not experienced the ferocious and brutal attack that only an enraged transformed werewolf could bring. Five months had passed. Five full moons. Demetri was starting to get worried.

He knew for a fact that Bane had reached the Quileute wolves. He had tracked her carefully south from Alaska. He had watched and listened, made absolutely sure she never strayed. And once she had reached them, he had remained vigilant, staying just out of range of all detection, moving with the upmost care. He had been in the perfect position to hear the news as soon as it happened. The news that Bane had transformed, and done exactly what all werewolves did. That she went on an uncontrollable rampage, killing everything and everyone in her path.

But Bane had failed. Clearly, she had not lost control. Somehow, somewhere, she had harnessed her ingrained instincts. She had adjusted…become docile. How else could he explain the emptiness that lay in every newspaper he read?

Demetri growled softly. Bane had failed. And he was not looking forward to having to report that. He had to think of something to salvage this. There was no such thing as a tame werewolf. There had to be a logical reason for Bane's failure to give in to her instincts to kill.

At that moment, his phone rang. He didn't have to look to know who it was.

"We are waiting for news, Demetri," came Aro's very calm voice as he answered the phone. "Has our Bane made a nuisance of herself?"

"No, master. I'm afraid she has not."

"I beg your pardon?"

"Master…I have heard nothing. All is quiet. There have been no killings, no attacks. In five lunar cycles."

There was a long silence.

"Are you sure?"

"Positive, master."

"Very well. Come home now, Demetri. We will need to rethink this."

There was a bitter cold in Aro's tone that made Demetri uneasy. But as he placed the phone back in his pocket, he gave a small shake of his head. It was not his fault that this was not going to plan. He had done his job.

But it was clear now that Bane could not be counted on to cause the chaos on her own.

If Aro's plan was going to work…they would have to find a way to interfere.