Anna POV

My body was tired… My muscles ached and my head felt heavy. Opening my eyes just vaguely, I found myself in a small room with a T.V, small table in the corner, and a mini dresser. Sighing, I rubbed my eyes and stretched.

"Guy's! She's awake," Seth's voice exclaimed excitedly. Looking across the room I saw the three werewolves were across the hotel room looking at me with utmost excitement. Embry's brown eyes met mine and I smiled weakly.

Trying to sit up on the bed, I managed to hold my body up and I noticed I was still in the dress. Warm arms suddenly circled me and I sighed leaning back against Embry. "I love you, Anna," he whispered, kissing me gently on my neck.

Jacob and Seth stood beside us, there's stances way too overprotective. "How are you feeling?" Jacob asked, sitting on the bed beside Embry and I. At once I went to answer but when I tried to speak something happened. My throat closed up and my voice didn't come out.

Immediately I clutched my throat in shock. What just happened? Why couldn't I speak?

"Love… What's wrong?" Embry asked, his hold tightening from worry. Trying to respond again I only felt air escape my mouth as my throat tightened again.

It was all déjà vu… My voice was gone again… I could no longer speak… Did the vampire venom actually have an effect on me after all?

Turning in Embry's hold, I looked at him with water filled eyes and pointed at my throat. He was confused for a moment until his eyes widened with understanding. At once I broke into tears dropping my face onto his chest. He held me hard and I heard Jacob and Seth asking what was wrong in the background.

"It's okay Anna… Everything's going to be okay," Embry reassured, rubbing soothing circles around my back. Shaking my head, I broke into sobs letting my agony out. How was everything going to be okay? I was doomed to be forced into silence again. Doomed to relive those days when I was the outcast.

"Wait… If you can't speak then why do you still have the warmth and smell of a werewolf?" Embry asked, holding me away from him and looking into my eyes questioningly. Shrugging, I stood from the bed and walked into the door that led to the bathroom.

Looking at myself in the cracked mirror I saw that my skin was still the same shade, although there were crescent shaped bites all along my arms. Sighing, I turned and saw Embry stood at the door watching me worriedly. "It doesn't change a thing Anna," he promised, walking over to me and pulling me into his hold. Pressing my face into his shirt I breathed in his familiar pined scent.

In some ways he was right, but in other ways he was wrong. I could still feel my wolf self running through my veins and I knew that I was still able to shift, but now the only way I could speak was through my mind. I'd never be able to talk again, and that really depressed me.

"Why don't you take a shower? Alice packed you some clothes, so you can change into something more comfortable," Embry said, pulling away from me and looking into my pain filled eyes. He brushed a thumb gently across my cheek to wipe a tear and said, "Try not to think about it Love… We'll figure all of this out when we get back home."

Nodding, I let go of his hand and watched as he walked out the door. "I'll get you some clothes," he said, and then he disappeared from my view making my tears only increase. Embry… I love you.

Before I could stop myself I broke into hard sobs and fell to the cool tiled floor. Why did my life have to be so difficult? So many things had happened to me that had caused me so much pain. Being born without a voice, watching my mother get murdered right in front of me, being chased by Kane and then by Lucas, and now I was unable to speak once more.

Embry was suddenly there again, dropping beside me and grabbing me into his arms. "Shh… It's okay Anna," he said again brushing a hand through my hair. Embry was right; I was being a big cry baby. I needed to suck up what was happening and accept it.

Helping me up, Embry handed me a t-shirt and some nice blue jeans. Kissing me softly on the forehead, he whispered, "I'm not going to let anything else happen to you… You're going to be okay from now on."

He then left the room, but as the door closed I began to long for him to hold me more. As long as your with me Embry… I know I'm okay.

Embry POV

Closing the bathroom door I let out a hard sigh. Jacob and Seth looked at me worriedly from where they sat on the one bed.

"How is she?" Jacob asked as I sat down on the bed too.

"She's really upset… I think she's worried we'll no longer accept her because she can't speak."

Seth jumped up from the bed furious. "Is she crazy? She's our family! Why wouldn't we?"

Groaning, I put my hands to my face unsure of what to say. Jacob however answered, "Think of it from Anna's view, Seth… We all were so excited when we could hear her talk. She probably feels that if she can't speak to us then she'll disappoint us."

Closing my eyes tightly, my whole body shook as anger pulled inside me. This was all those filthy bloodsuckers faults. They hurt my Anna; physically and mentally. "Embry… Calm down," Jacob said, and he grabbed my shoulder which I noticed was shaking badly. Taking in a few calming breaths, I felt the shaking stop and I calmed.

"Sorry," I said softly.

Seth hit my shoulder and said, "Don't worry man. Give it a few days and before you know it Anna will be back to her old self."

Smiling weakly, I said, "Yeah. I guess you're right."

Anna POV

Two days had passed since I woke in the hotel room. Now we were on a plane and were approaching the air port in Seattle. Embry was anxious to get me home, still not sure if the Volturi would keep their word. Jacob and Seth kept their eyes on me scared that I would have another break down, but I kept giving them reassuring smiles showing them I was okay.

When we finally landed and stepped onto the arrival deck I was shocked. My father and some of the pack were there all of them looking at me with relief. "Anna!" Father exclaimed and rushed forward grabbing me into his arms. Hugging my arms tightly around him, I pressed my face into his shirt letting tears of joy fall down my cheeks.

"Welcome home honey," he said, kissing my forehead.

"Hey! Stop hogging her," Quil complained, and I turned to see him with the rest of the pack. Immediately I let go of my father and ran forward giving Quil a tight hug. Collin, Brady, Paul, Jared, and Leah immediately crowded around us and I was passed back from each one. It felt so good to be back with my family.

"So what happened? You're still yourself," Collin said, curiosity burning in his eyes. At once I felt my heart beat fast. This was the moment I had been fearing. When everyone found out I was unable to speak again. What would they think?

"The venom had no effect," Embry suddenly broke in, pulling me back into his arms. At once I sighed in relief, thankful that Embry had given me some time before the truth became known. "Let's go home and explain the rest later. I'm sure that Anna's dying to see her brother and Emily."

Smiling, I mouthed 'thank you' to Embry and then began to follow my family and friends outside. Father took me in his truck with Embry, Jacob, and Seth. The three of them kept up conversation with my father so thankfully I didn't have to speak to him. When we got back to La Push I was quick to jump out of my dad's truck and I ran into the house.

Emily and James were seated in the living room watching a kids show when I entered. Emily turned immediately with shock, and then her eyes filled with tears. "Anna! Thank God you're alright!" Sitting James on the floor she immediately rushed over to me and pulled me into her arms. "I was so worried about you sweetie."

Smiling, I hugged her back wishing I could tell her how happy I was to see her too. Father and the rest of the pack entered the room moments later and Emily pulled away. Without hesitation she rushed over to Embry and threw her arms around him. "Thank you for bringing her home, Embry. Everyone was so worried about her," Emily exclaimed, kissing him on the cheek.

As the pack congratulated Embry and my other two saviors, I sat down beside James and kissed him on the head. He looked up at me with wide eyes, and then recognition came to them. Immediately he smiled and held his arms out to me. Picking him up I placed him in my lap smiling brightly. Hey Bro… It's good to see you too.

"Anna… Why don't you tell us all what happened?" Looking at my father with shock, I immediately stood with James in my arms and glanced at Embry pleadingly. Embry nodded and said, "Why don't we save that for later Sam. Anna's been through a lot in these last few weeks."

Jacob broke in too, helping as well, "And I promised Alice I'd bring Anna by the house."

Handing James too Emily, I nodded and made my way toward the kitchen. A warm hand grabbed my hand however making me turn in shock. Dad looked at me worriedly as he said, "You haven't spoken a word since you got home Anna… Is there something you're trying to hide?"

At once I pulled from his grasp, my eyes opening wide with horror. I can't tell him… There's no telling what he'd think.

"Anna," father said, his hand frozen as he watched my fearful eyes. "What's wrong?" he asked, then looked at Embry expecting an answer. Embry stared at me unsure of what to do. Turning away, I nodded and looked down at the floor.

Taking in a hard breath, Embry said, "The venom actually did have one effect…"

As Embry explained how the venom had some how destroyed my ability to speak, I kept my gaze away from everyone too scared of what they'd think. When Embry was finished explaining the whole house went silent and my heart ached.

Say something, I begged, looking over at my father who's eyes were full of pain. Tell me what you think.

Father suddenly turned from the room and walked out, leaving the rest of us speechless. My eyes filled with tears and I did the only thing I could think off. Running after my father, I followed his scent as it went outside, passed the yard, and drifted into the trees.

Stripping, I phased and took off through the forest in my snow white wolf form. Daddy! I cried, running after him as he raced toward the sea. When he heard my thoughts in his head he stopped running and I immediately caught up to him.

Walking around his shaking form I was stunned to see his brown eyes were watering like mine. Daddy… I'm sorry. I tried to fight the venom as hard as I could but-

You think that's why I'm upset, Dad said softly looking at me with pain. Why in the world would I be upset over that Anna? The only thing I'm upset about is the fact that I wasn't there to protect you.

At once I sighed in relief, glad that father actually didn't mind that I couldn't talk. Father looked at me with amazed wolf eyes and said, You think I care about that? He suddenly pressed his nose to my muzzle letting out a breath of air. The only thing I care about right now is that you're alive.

Smiling, I butted my head against my fathers and said, I'm glad I am too.

If only I could tare those leeches apart though, my dad muttered, picturing Lucas and Reuben burning to death. Then maybe I'd have some peace of mind.

Try not to worry about them, I said. Their gone now… At least I think so.

Father sighed and then said, I'm sorry for running Anna… When I found out what those monsters did to you though I just couldn't contain my fury.

I thought you ran because you were mad at me for not fighting harder, I said.

Dad snorted and looked at me seriously. You probably fought harder than any of us ever could honey… And I'd never be mad at you for such a stupid reason.

Nipping my dad in the ear, I said, Thanks dad.

I love you sweetie, he said, shoving me lightly with his broad shoulder.

I love you too daddy.

After that we both headed back to the house and changed back. After getting dressed behind a bush I made my way back inside and was immediately embraced by Embry.

"Everything okay?" he asked, staring across the room at my father who was on the phone now with Carlisle. Nodding, I kissed him on the cheek and then turned to the rest of the pack. They were all still taking in the fact that I couldn't talk and I sighed walking over to them. Smacking Collin in the head, he looked down at me with shock.

"Hey," he complained, rubbing the sore spot where I had hit. The whole room broke into laughter and before I knew it I was being hugged by everyone in the room. If this was my reunion with my family then there was no telling how the Cullen's would react.

Third Person

Carlisle hung up the phone, his eyes wide at what he had heard. The whole Cullen family was circled around him, and they all looked eager for the news; though Edward already knew.

"Well?" Alice asked, jumping up and down with excitement.

Carlisle looked at her with a guarded look and said, "She's home…"

Alice at once hugged Jasper shrieking in relief. Turning to Bella she said, "We have to invite her over immediately! Maybe we can throw her a small party too! She deserves-"

"Alice," Edward said, his eyes sad. "There's more."

Alice already seemed to know before Carlisle said it and she gasped. "Oh! Poor Anna!"

Esme and Bella looked at her questioningly, and Edward said, "Anna just got back home, but the venom effected her."

Emmett seemed to be excited, thinking she was a vampire now. "Great! Tell the pack to send her over. She can have Jacob's room."

Carlisle gave Emmett a stern look and said, "She's not a vampire Emmett."

The room fell silent and the vampires and fully grown half-vampire girl looked at him with shock. "Then what's wrong?" Bella asked.

Taking in a hard breath, Carlisle said, "Anna's werewolf genes must have fought so hard with the venom that they damaged certain parts of the body. I'm guessing that her vocal chords couldn't with stand the war in her body and they busted. It was probably weak anyway being that Anna was born without the ability to use it. The werewolf genes left her vocal cords most likely, causing damage once more."

"So what your saying," Emmett muttered, "is that the venom caused her to lose her voice."

Carlisle nodded, and at once Esme gasped saying, "Good heavens! That poor child!"

Alice and Edward gave each other a long look and then Alice nodded after a moment. Edward sighed and said, "I guess I have no choice then."

"What?" Esme asked, looking at her son curiously.

"Alice wants me to ask Sam if we can borrow Anna for the day tomorrow. She's scared that Sam may not agree if she asked him because of that sneak out shopping trip her and Anna went on a while ago," Edward muttered, glaring at his sister who smiled innocently at him.

"Oh! We could all watch a movie with her. That way she doesn't have to speak and she can also relax," Renesmee suggested, jumping up and down with excitement.

Edward smiled at his daughter and said, "I'll ask Sam. He might be a little resistant but I think Anna deserves a day of relaxation. She's been through a lot these past few days."

Alice screamed and ran forward hugging her brother. "Thank you, Edward! I know Anna will love hanging out with us!"

I wanted to finish this chapter for you guys because I'm going to camp for eight days. Review and tell me what you think. And thanks to those who reviewed. It means a lot. ~Faith