Lycaon Dusk
Disclaimer: I do not own the twilight Saga or the original characters. Inspiration on werewolves belongs to their original owners, Authors, Movies and cultures/legends. If werewolves are mention I shall put a disclaimer on dedication to whom and/or where they came from.
Chapter 10
After school, Jake arrived early and refused to look at me knowing the reason why. Charlie's house was acceptable but going the Cullen's house wasn't. I mean, last night Leah called, follow by Paul and Jared on how I betrayed them. Okay, rewind and freeze! First off, I had no choice! Second, I was injured and not wanting to explain to a normal doctor how I sprain my left wrist and got punch in the abdomen. And finally . . . okay, so I don't have a third reason, but give me a break. If not, then sue me!
Bella and Jake surveyed the house, sniffing for Riley scent. They should know, but my instincts tell me no for some reason. So I waited outside with Edward, as he continued to stare at me thoroughly. As if he founds a new species.
"Quit it," I growled.
He shook his head, "I can barely read your mind,"
"Barely?"
Edward nodded, rubbing his neck anxiously, "Are you thinking of a song, because I keep hearing music over and over again?"
"Music?"
"Yes, some English song sounds familiar." he said, as he started humming the melody. My mouth dropped forming into an 'o' and shyly rubbed my arm. Is it a bit cold out here? I know that song, well a lullaby my mother used to sing to me when little. A song that was from Scotland, yes my mom was half scottished and lived there most of her life in Caledonia, until she met my father. So she expresses her life through the song.
Remembering the lyrics brought a question. "Do you love her?"
Edward turned to face me, seeing the love for Bella in them, "Yes."
"Will you protect her?"
"Yes."
"Would you let her see me in the late future?"
A smiled crept up his lips to form a smile, "Yes, you'll be her only family left, even if our species are mortal enemies."
I nodded in relief shaking his hand," Then you have my consent . . . Hurt her though and I'll shall rip you to shreds and let you choke on the recent blood you drank." I growled, using a bit of my rage state force into the hand gesture. Edward gulped nodding, dually noted if not secured into his permanent memories.
Jake and Bella came out, my heart exploded in excitement to see Jake again. I don't know why, but when I see him, I'm excited. When he's gone I worry or when he talked about Bella in a romantic way my heart drops. I know I wasn't in love with him, except my body acts differently even when we kiss, it was like fireworks.
"Whoever it was left his stink behind. It wouldn't be hard to miss if we cross it again. We'll handle it from here." Jacob said arrogantly. Why does he need to sound like a jerk?
"We don't need you to handle anything," Edward replied. "Or anyone."
"I can care less what you need," Jake growled in challenged.
"We're done here," Edward said rolling his eyes. He was about to leave when Jake grabbed his arm.
"No, we're-"
"Stop," Bella interrupted, pushing them aside from sudden strength, "I'm tired of this, and from now on I'm Switzerland okay?"
I examined both boys' eyes to see their mental disagreement on this un-pronounced alliance. Hell, I'm the werewolf not Jake and yet Edward agrees to be my future cousin-in-law. But that doesn't matter, for it wasn't about rivalry anymore. It was about Bella, Uncle Charlie, and my safety.
.o0o.
I looked out the window from the kitchen doing dishes to see two wolves out behind the bushes. Impossible to tell who at late hour, but I had a hunch Paul was out there. I smiled a little and waved at them, in exchange for a nod from the two. In the days that follow, Bella's idea got them to at least try to work together. The pack took over so the Cullen's could hunt.
It wasn't exactly an easy alliance.
My cell phone buzzed, it was a text from Orion asking if he could pick me up around four since something came up. Texting back sure, I finished up the dishes and a glass of water heading up stairs, till stop. My fist clenching into a death grip: that the glass shattered. I stared shock into my shaking hand to see the wound heal slowly. It wasn't a full moon except the beast inside me wanted to get out. I already lost track of how many moons were left. Only that mid-September shall be D-Day.
.o0o.
"So let me guess this straight," Orion started as we walked along first beach taking photos. Turns out he was a photographer who likes taking shots of sceneries and theme modeling. It was a lovely day with some clouds but no rain. "Your cousin Isabella is in love with a vampire… who loves her back, while your friend Jacob is in love with her too and he's a wolf. Also she may have feeling for him as well?"
I leaped off a boulder fixing balance, "Yep!"
"Well isn't this reverse Midsummer's Night Dream . . . you also said your body reacts to Jacobs presences . . . . If I may assume: in a sexual way?" He takes another picture.
I glare at him, "No, I just feel happy, worry, or hurt when around him. It's not a crush either. I discussed this with my friend Angela about it."
Orion backed away arms raised in defenses. "Easy love, I'm just confirming and besides, you're too young for sexual behavior. From all the facts you'd given me, I absolutely don't know what it is ...this thing of a connection. Maybe your beast made familiar with Jacob? It's common for Lycans to bond with certain organisms. Doing the math, you two did discover what you are on the same day."
A bit confused, not the connection but another word he said, "Lycan?"
Orion took another picture of the cliffs, "Yes, it's our breed unlike the actual werewolves the Volturi mistaken those who hold an ape shape. They're being hunted down."
"Strange and us," I asked.
"Why do you think America is our territory," He bluntly announced. Only zoned into his memories, probably met or known an actual werewolf that caused the war. Though, if they hold an ape appearance wouldn't they be called were-apes? I chuckled to that thought then blinded by a flashed. Blinking a few times to daze at Orion, who stared at the camera screen while chuckled? "You have a lovely face, have you consider modeling?"
"No," I breathed, walking ahead. It was impossible for me to model with these scars like a crack porcelain doll. A hand stopped and turned me around to face their owner.
"Why not, sure there are scars but other models have them too. For example Pandma Lakshmi, she has a scar and mellow with it."
I sighed, pulling my arm away. Did he just used, the host from Top Chef as an example. I chuckled, "It's not that, and you can say I'm a critic when it comes to fame since people change afterwards."
"There is more to it than fame, Diana." He explained taking my hand as we continued to walk, "Unlike those people; I've search for a story, search for natural beauty."
I blushed feeling his eyes on me, was Orion actually flirting with me or was it his nature?
"I hope we can find our soul mates someday?" Orion murmured, stopping and pulled me into his embrace gently forcing my chin up for our eye's to connect. To see the emotion of curiosity, "Legend says a kiss can reveal a true mate . . . may I?"
Speechless I was to such suggestion before I closed my eyes to feel chap but warm lips on mine. They were soft as he licked my bottom lip, though I didn't feel anything whatever the soul mate supposed to feel. It wasn't there. So I rejected his request. Orion sighs and pulled away with a pout as he tucks a strand of hair behind my ear.
"Guess we're pack mate."
I smiled, pack mate. I like the sound of that. We chuckled as we continued to walk. Taking pictures, posing in some, even took a picture of drift wood. Until it was time to help out with the bonfire. I looked out across the sea and sigh, something about the sea attract you to stare out for hours nonstop.
"Legend tells the moon had a lover who was part of the ocean. Separated they maybe, they held a special bond; a push and pull against each other." Orion explained taking a picture, "Someday, I shall find my moon and you'll find your ocean."
.o0o.
When we reached the Black residents where we suppose to meet for the pack bonfire! Well, technically a council meeting, but I didn't dare mention that to Orion. When we got there, the fire was already roaring brighter with many colors that challenge the cloud obscure sunset. Orion couldn't resist and took a dozen pictures.
"Hey Diana!" Seth greeted cheerfully.
"Seth holy sh- you grown," he was now my height five-six feet tall; not by my shoulder anymore. Another foul word was going to be the word, however, Sue stood beside him. After Harry's death, Sue took Harry's place, a tribe council member. Seth laughed loudly, picking me up and spinning us around after his little fun he put me done. Then Emily and Sam joined in, Sam with a serious face. I took a deep breath, thank god for my blessing and prey to the moon for strength.
"Orion, I want you to meet the Pack's Alpha, Sam Uley and his fiancée Emily Young. Also my friend Seth and his Mother Sue Clearwater," I introduced while the tension was in the air.
"It's nice to meet you," Orion greeted offering his right hand to Sam. Silence and a very long pause, oh moon, I brought a pale wolf to a pack meeting, worst mistake ever!
Suddenly Sam laughed shaking the Lycans hand. "It's an honor to meet another Lycan, call me Sam. You're welcome to our land, for our tribe is indebted to your people long ago."
Oh my god, is Sam being formal? Shoot me now. As I released a breath I didn't know I held, Orion nodded, "Yes, I remembered coming here a long time ago."
Wait what? Sue smiled and shook his hand and left along with Emily to fetch food. Sam bewildered from that statement lead us to the bonfire. Everything was silent everyone was here except for Billy, Jake, and old Quil. Leah won't even look at me or Paul who gave the stink eye muttering 'leech traitor'.
That struck a nerve.
"ALRIGHT I GET IT! YOUR'E FUCKING ANGRY WITH ME, BECAUSE I WENT TO THE LEECHES! WELL FYI, I GOTTEN HURT BY A DAMN BLOODSUCKER. HOW WAS I SUPPOSED TO EXPLAIN THIS," I lifted up my shirt to reveal, a now yellowish blue bruise. In which some of the gasp or mouth dropped, "SO SUE ME! BUT I'M NOT GONNA TAKE THIS SHIT FROM YOU. NOT YOUR PHONE CALLS OR COLD SHOULDER'S. IF YOU WON'T ACCEPT ME ACQUNTING WITH VAMPS, FROM TIME TO TIME, THEN FINE BY ME!"
With a huff, I stormed off running into the forest about a hundred feet before climbing a tree. Too angry to think or speak. I thought they were my friends, now low and behold, they treated me like crap. Except for Seth, Embry and Quil, Sam already forgiven me for understanding my situation, do to family relation along with Emily. However, not my best friend Leah, not Paul, Jared, or even Jake! I growled and watch the stupid sunset. Maybe a loner life fits well for werewolves? Just think, in a year after high school, I'm out, going to college and get a degree in arts and communication or whatever. Away from the Quileute's, away from vampires, and away from this supernatural world! Try to at least act normal. Whatever the hell that is?
"Dia, come down from there," called a female voice. I looked down three stories below to see Leah, holding onto a blanket. "Get your sorry ass down now!"
I rolled my eyes and lifted my middle finger before leaning back down on the branch. While hearing Leah snarled, "Don't be such a drama queen!"
I scoffed, "Excuse me? I get a damn call on how I betrayed you and the pack."
"Look, it's complicated. You try and have a one track mind and share it with seven guys?" Leah sighed.
"Oh, and this from Miss. Wise," I spat.
"Diana, look, please come down," She asked.
"Not by the hair on my chimney chin, chin." I muttered.
Leah laughed. "You always make jokes through dramatic moments. I'm sorry Dia, the temper got to me. After your, cursing demonstration and showing the bruises, I saw the tattoo. I remembered how you were there for me."
Flash back
Two wolves were huddle together, afraid what was happening to them. I got the instant call from Emily to come over and help out the pack to calm them, since they were the Clearwater's. I cursed and stared at Charlie as he was about to leave for works. I told him Leah and Seth is having a post-traumatic stress episode, which was kinda true if the phased can be cause by emotions. Charlie bought the lie and let me ditch school. I drove fast as I could to the Clearwater's house to see a devastated Sue.
"They're out back," She panted. I nodded and ran around the house to see Sam in his wolf form trying to communicate with Leah and Seth to calm down, to explain to them what's happening. However, the guy's weren't saying the right word to persuade Leah to calm down. Mentioning she won't bear children and have to cut her hair.
"Get the fuck away from me" Leah yelled.
"Leah, please calm down. I can explain everything…" Sam Said.
"Screw you Sam you and those bastards." Leah snarled.
"Leah," Seth whimpered, scared as he scurried behind his sister.
'Harry, please give me strength.' I thought as I walked closer, summoning courage with my inner beast to release my rage form.
'You always have, now help my daughter.' Whispered Harry's voice; ignoring logic I took a step forward. Embry and Quil turn around shock to see me.
"Dia, get back, it's not safe" Quil called out, but I ignore him walking towards to Leah in her beautiful silver pelt. She glares at me with hate and confusion, wondering why am I here? Until someone stopped me! I turned around and a warning glare towards Jacobs.
"Dia, go back to school. We got it here." Jake said.
I shoved him off me and grabbed the hunter's knife he had to cut ropes, for they were about to tie them down. "They aren't animals Jake! They're scared, and telling them like this won't help. We need them to think positive, know their still human on the inside." Jacob was caught off guard by my words, looking at his brother's action. "Seth looks up to you, Jake. Prove to him what a role model you are."
"And what are you going to do, you can't phase?" Jake replied.
"I can still communicate, please Jake. Leah is like a sister to me. I was there for you. Let me be there for her?" I said.
Jacob thought about it then sighed, saying I better know what I am doing. With a sigh, I approached Leah with caution as she growled at me. My heart rate crease ten folds, as I walked towards her starting to sing a child nursery rhyme we use to sing as children with Seth when he was a toddler.
The sandy color wolf that I assumed was Seth stood up and came up to me. I rubbed his neck and told him to go to Jake. The wolf nodded and walked to Jake as he fazed afterwards Jacob explained what's going on in a fun calm way. With a sigh I stared at Leah while she glares at me.
'What the hell is going on? Did you know about this?'
"Yes, I know about the tribe history. But Leah, you need to calm down," I assured her.
"Your eyes, are you a cold one?" She panics in thought, "Wait, you can understand me?"
"Leah, you're not the only female werewolf here. I am one and I'll be by your side."
". . . They say I can't bear children. Their thoughts, Sam, Emily that asshole! Why, why is this happening to me?" as she shake her head everywhere. I took a glimpse in her head to see the romantic position of Sam with Emily. How he kisses her, hugs her, and touched her behind closed doors. I shook that thought aside.
"Its fate, born into us in seems of thread that's the fates tapestry of untold reason. Leah, ignore those idiots and listens to me. Harry wouldn't want you to deprive in such pain. Who gives a fuck what those ass's say? You can bear children; you just need to find your soul mate or when you stop phasing? Prove to them you're stronger than what they think. Prove to them, us girls are more than meet the eye." I murmured, moving closer now to wrap my arms around her neck, and hugged her shaking form, "I'll be right beside you in this hell."
"But I don't want to cut my hair." She whimpered into my shoulder.
I smiled and pulled back unsheathing the hunter's knife. Then grabbed my hair all together close to my shoulder, she looked at me like I was nuts, to cut years of patients of corn silk. I smiled, with one strong pull of the knife two feet of blonde hair fell to the ground.
"We'll do it together." Was all I could say as I held Leah as she try to calm down and phase back to her human form, clinging to me for dear life. I held her and told her, I'll be right beside her through this hell.
End flash back
I leaned over to see her still there as she continues to speak, "How you ditch school when I phased for me and Seth. Spending the weekend: to help me calm down including when you cut your hair right in front of me. You were there for me when I got this damn pack tattoo, even you, gotten one as well . . . all that for me. Including when you took me out to Seattle . . . . Great, I'm sounding sappy. I'm sorry Dia, I thought of myself and not you."
I sighed and jumped off the tree with easy landing on my feet, right in front of her, and a glare with amber eyes not speaking a single word. Leah gulped hesitating and stepped back, "Um, Sam gave the Alpha command on Paul and Jared to do push-ups, till you return and they say sorry."
I crossed my arms acting serious ready to kill, until a laughed, laughing out hard to calm down.
"Apology accepted," I breathed, Leah chuckled in relief. "How about we walk slowly to torture them some?"
Leah soon boomed into a fit of laughter, as we walked back to the bonfire. "Um, Dia, is Orion your boyfriend?"
"No, there's no chance for us, he's like a brother," I answered then look at her, "Why?"
She blushed, "Well, I might've imprinted on him, except it's not like Jared or Sam's. I feel . . . I can't describe it: unlike wanting to protect him, I want him to protect me."
Thinking about it over from what I learned with no avail, I sighed rubbing my neck, "Wait until next spring, Orion said something about animal behavior is common to wolves. And the lunar cycle affects the spiritual connection, and that crap."
Leah nodded, though little disappointed, but then grabbed my hand, "Hey, isn't the fourth moon coming up. What do you think it is?"
"I don't know . . . Orion said five out of the seven moons is about the body accommodating with the transformation in slow metamorphose. A confrontation between me and my wolf," Suddenly, my curse hand started shaking that I reacted and slammed it to a tree hard.
"Diana!" Leah jolted out of fear or surprised of my action. Why, why, is this every time I think of my inner beast; my hand shakes to seizures motion. Leah cautiously approached me as she took my hand, "How long does this happen?"
"Rare occasionally," I breathed, then took my hand back to lick up the blood. Instead of tasting a rusty copper, my blood tasted sweet causing a purr to rumble in my chest! Realizing what's going on, I forced my hand down. No, I can't think that, I'm not an animal. Not yet at least.
Without looking at Leah, we headed back to the bonfire to see Paul and Jared doing pushups at the count of 517. Sam looking down at them while Orion with a notepad and kept tallies of their efforts. The rest of the group either laughed or commented rhetorical remarks on the two's manners. There were a few new faces as well, some I never met. For starters, a girl around my age holding out her cell phone recording Jared work out? Her appearance seem simple to the normal human eye: for she had a wide face, mostly cheek bone, small doe brown eyes, and flat black hair that was thin and wispy in the wind. After watching Jarred doing pushups, embarrass doing it in front of her. I notice the love in his eyes when he stares at her, like he saw the sun for the first time. Guess her inner self beautiful to attract the imprint. So, this is Kim that Jared talked about? The second stranger was an old man around his late sixties, maybe seventy, staring to the fire in an alluring trance, like he was listening to someone who wasn't there. Quil sat next to the elder man, so I'm guessing that's old Quil III.
"530," the cadets cried in unison doing down the up position.
"531," I said as they looked up, "Hello jerks, now down, up."
"532," Paul growled.
I crossed my arms, not amused, ready to go drill sergeant, "Oh, I'm not done with you soldier! Do you hear me? I want you to eat dirt, kiss ground, and learn to think straight! Am I clear soldiers?"
"Sir, yes sir," Paul and Jared yelled, doing another push up.
"Are you blind, soldier? I am a woman!"
"Sorry ma'am," they exclaimed.
"So you're gonna give me twenty push up, soldier. Do you hear me?"
"Ma'am, yes Ma'am!"
"NOW, DOWN AND UP!" I bellowed, while everyone laughing. After twenty more pushups, Sam gave the order to stop. They collapsed panting hard already cover in sweat as they rolled on their backs.
"Sorry Dia," Jared panted.
"At ease soldier," I chuckled; they nodded jumping onto their feet. But I wasn't finished with them yet, as I grabbed both of their ears, "Now listen, all of you, do to my circumstances of relative association with vampires. I get diplomatic immunity. So in this immunity, I have privileges to walk on either side of the treaty, and conversation with the Cullen's. All in all . . . Dare accuse me of being a traitor and you'll be treated like an actual dog, and be neuter or worst."
Paul and Jared gulped, placing their hand over their family jewels while nodded rapidly. The others were shook their heads, though I glared at them, "That includes all you other mutts, friends or not."
I smack the two idiots hard on the head and join Orion on the log, as he handed me a can of Sprite.
"Feeling any better?" Orion asked.
"Yeah, peachy as ever," I answered, taking a sip of Sprite.
.o0o.
An hour later, Jake and Bella joined the bonfire. Odd, she's no longer part of the pack? Anyway, Paul was about to eat his tenth hotdog when Orion joked on him being a pig. Paul was about to protest his anger until he stared at Orion rage state, eyes that were actual amber- golden color, while curling his lips to reveal enlarged canines! Paul gulped and put the wiener down, everyone laughed at that when Bella sat down next between me and Jake.
"Hey Bella, I want you to meet my new friend," I started to introduce. "Orion, Bella, Bella Orion."
They shook hands, "Nice to meet you."
"The pleasure is all mines, Isabella." Orion replied that Bella blushed though Jake gave a caution glare, one that said 'don't even try'. Orion then smirked, "Ah, you must be Jacob," as he offers him a hand though Jake stares at it.
"Sure, sure," was all Jake could say. I scowled, what got his tail in a knot? After a few chats and introducing Orion to Leah. I notice how his green eyes shimmer in the illuminated light by the fire when their hands made contact. I mentally snickered; oh this is going to be good. Before Orion could speak, Billy started to tell the tribes histories, about the tribe's spirit warriors and the cold ones in his deep wise voice; that could put anyone into a trance.
"Quileute have been a small tribe, for the beginning, and we always have magic in our blood. We were Great Spirit warriors, shape shifters that transform into the powerful wolf. This enable us to scare off our enemies and protected our tribe. . . one day our warriors came across a creature, it look like man but was hard like stone and cold as ice ….. Our warriors, sharp teeth finally tore it apart but only fire can completely destroy it. They live in fear that the cold man was not alone. . . .They were right. She took her vengeance out on the village.
"Our elder chief Taha Aki was the only spirit warrior left to save the tribe after his son was killed. Taha Aki third wife have seen he would lose, the third wife was no magical being with no special powers but one . . . courage. The third wife's sacrifice distracted the cold woman long enough for Taha Aki to destroy her. She saved the tribe, over time our enemies have disappeared but one remains . . . cold ones.
"Our magic is awakening when they're near and we sense it now, we feel the threat in our blood. Something terrible is coming and we all must be ready. All of us even those from afar."
After Billy finished telling his story I dazed into the fire, absorbing it all in about the cold ones, the Quileute wolves, and their tribe, imaging it all in my head, of the beautiful vampires terrorizing the villages. Every single detail, till a hand tapped my shoulder. I jumped to see Orion smiled amused as he handed a spear with a marshmallow on the end. I chuckled and accepted it, roasting over the fire to be golden brown. Still in thought, of the third wife who held most of the attention, how she sacrificed herself to distract the cold woman in order for Taha Aki to eliminate her. She used courage, bravery, the opposite of cowardice and fear. Would any of us do such a predicament; to end one's own life? Sure, soldiers do it to fight for their own country and their values on freedom. The pack guarded La push, but would anyone willing to sacrifice themselves on purposely compare to kill in action?
"Diana!" Jake yelled.
"Huh," I snapped out of my thought. "What Jake?"
He pointed at my marshmallow on fire, my marshmallow!
"Crap," retracting the skewer, blowing on the burnt marshmallow till thump. Those on our side of the fire pit looked down to stare at a piled of chard sugar on the ground. Instantly, everyone laughed while I pouted, "My marshmallow."
Jake chuckled and handed me his already made smore, "Here, take mine. It's a Jake specialty."
"Thanks, Jake," I said, taking a bite out of it and hummed. Somehow Jake stiffened for a moment, a twinkled of light in his eye spark then fade. Guess it was the fire for he shook his head.
"Sure, sure."
"Hey Diana, why not sing to us?" Seth said aloud, that everyone stared now curious.
"I don't know," I said sheepishly.
"Please," Seth, Quil, and Embry pleaded with the puppy dog eyes.
"Fine," I muttered, thinking of a song to sing, and then I thought of mom. How she used to play vocal music from England and Scotland, or some English land, "Okay, I got one, Scarborough Fair."
"I know that song, anyone got a flute or a pipe?" Orion asked, which old Quil replied, pulling out a carved wooden flute! With a thanks you, Orion gave a few blows then played the melody of Scarborough Fair.
"Are you going to Scarborough fair?
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme
Remember me to one who lives there
He once was a true love of mine
Tell him to make me a cambric shirt
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme
Without no seam nor needlework
Then he'll be a true love of mine
Tell him to find me an acre of land
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme
between the salt water and the sea strand
Then he'll be a true love of mine
Are you going to Scarborough fair?
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme
Remember me to one who lives there
He once was a true love of mine"
Once done, everyone applause and soon it was time to leave, it was almost midnight including Bella was asleep. She had a ride home, thanks to an overprotective Edward. I said good night and Orion and I left toward his Camaro though he linger a bit to stare at Leah till I grabbed his arm. The walked was silent but comfortable; when he wrapped his arm around me in a brotherly way. When we got to the car Orion spoke again, "Even us."
"Pardon," I yawned.
"Even we have to prepare for our adversaries." He explained starting the ignition, "Something is going on, huntress? From what I've been told, and Danger is just around the corner."
That I agree.
