Thanks to all who reviewed. I love reading feedback! Also thanks to those who add this story, and me to their various lists.

And to those who can't remember; Nathan is Ellie's Mom's boyfriend, and a vampire.

So, no long author's note to start, just enjoy!

Chapter 19

I awoke from, probably, the most vivid nightmare I've had. I reflexively reached next to me, but Embry wasn't there. I then remembered that he had patrol tonight. Another glance at my digital clock told me that it was 4 in the morning.

This was about all I was able to observe in the scant seconds I had when my mind was free of the nightmare, before it came rushing back.

The same bloodsucker that has been haunting my nightmares was there last night. She has been absent for weeks, but came back with a vengeance. She actually was able to bite me this time, I thought, shuddering. I awoke, feeling as though I was burning to a cinder. I now knew why she looked so familiar. This is what prompted me to leave my house in the middle of the cold December night, or rather morning.

I went to Port Angeles. I drove down the nearly silent streets, stopping at his apartment. He had to be up; he doesn't sleep. And he was home; his smell was fresh. I held my breath as I reached up to knocked.

"Nathan?" I called through the door in a low voice; knowing he could hear me. The door was opened in the next second. If he was surprised to see me, he hid it well.

"Well hello Ellie. What can I do for you?" His smooth, calm voice asked.

"Do you have a sister?" I demanded, I had to be right, right? His marble brow crumpled in confusion, and then smoothed a split second later.

"Yes."

"And she's a vampire, too?" I had no time to be polite. I was cranky, and agitated.

"Yes," now his voice was strained, filled with anger. Thank goodness I wasn't crazy, but that still doesn't explain why Nathan's sister was chasing me. Maybe it was just a dream and I was getting worked up for nothing. Wouldn't that be embarrassing?

"Have you seen her recently?"

"She stopped by about a month ago, but I haven't seen her since. Usually I see her once every few years."

"Wait," I interrupted. "She doesn't stay in one place like you?"

"No," the anger was back in his tone. "Kassandra had fallen into 'the wrong crowd' I guess you could say. If there's a worse crowd than vampires already are." I cocked my head to the side, wanting an explanation.

"When I was turned," he shuddered in memory of the painful process. "Kassandra was the only one I told about what I had become. She saw a romantic aspect to it, and wanted to become what I had. I refused; I didn't want her to become the monster I had become. I refused to attack people, running far away from them in fear of what I might do. I began to run north and kept running. I became very weak and eventually I was found by an all-female coven somewhere in Alaska. They took me in, and showed me many things. One was that I didn't have to be a monster, and I could become a 'vegetarian'.

"I returned home, finally able to visit my sister, unafraid of attacking her in thirst. I went back to the apartment we had shared, only to find it filled with another family. My sister had disappeared. She didn't work at her job at a hotel anymore; she had vanished. About fifteen years ago I found her again, and she was now a vampire. I was shocked enough as it was, but to see her soft blue eyes turned to the vivid scarlet of a hunter-" he broke off, shaking his head in disgust. "I tried to convince her that killing people was not right, but after tasting human blood I believe it's much harder to change, then just to never have it.

"She also met her mate, Alejandro, a Spanish vampire. He was visiting the Americas, when he met my sister. He also has not chosen my way of life, and hunts humans." I froze at the word 'Spanish'. What were the odds that A Spanish vampire was here, so near to Nathan, and I was having dreams about his sister hunting me. He also attacked me about a month ago. The thing is; the odds, they're really good.

Did Embry kill this Alejandro? I could never forget that sinister Spaniard, who had been so close to killing me. His pitch black eyes thirsting for my blood. I shuddered slightly I would never forget him. Could this be why Kassadra was chasing me? In my dream, I added quickly.

"You're sure you haven't seen your sister recently?" I pressed, breaking our silence.

"No," He was looking at me strangely. "Why all these questions about my sister?" What should I tell him? I suppose the truth would be best, even if I sounded crazy.

"Well, I ran into a Spanish vampire in the woods a few weeks back, he was hunting. I think… I think he may have been Kassandra's mate. And…" should I tell him the rest? "And I think I've been having dreams about your sister hunting… me." Nathan was silent for a moment. Then he slowly let out a pent-up breath.

"It could be just a silly dream," I added, but that seemed less and less likely. "I was just wondering, if you heard from her, could you tell me?"

His eyes held mine, for ions, as he read the sincerity in my gaze. His face was unreadable. He was still for a long time, until finally he nodded slowly. I waited a few seconds, and then took that as a dismissal before turning to leave.

"Ellie?" I turned back around impatiently. Frankly I was exhausted and I was also getting light-headed from the poignant scent that filled the apartment.

"I only wanted to say that I'll help out in any way I can. I don't want you to suffer because of my sister." He nodded, having said what he needed to.

"Thanks," I didn't really know how to respond to that, he had caught me off guard.

"It's the least I can do."

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Leah had told me that she could keep certain thins from the pack. Personal things, female things she wouldn't want her pack brothers to know; if you catch my drift. All she said she had to do you concentrate really hard on something else.

I had the next patrol at 7 am, and I didn't want Embry, or anyone else in the pack, for that matter, to freak out over something that may or may not happen.

Thank Goodness Leah was the one who was my 'patrolling partner'. Since were the only girls in the pack we were lumped together all of the time. Not that I minded. Leah and I got along fairly well all things considered.

She suggested that I tell Embry, but I brushed that off immediately. There's no reason to worry Embry.

This proved untrue two days later. When Embry and I came home from school and saw Nathan's Cadillac in my driveway. This sent me into an instant panic. I almost didn't catch the low growl next to me.

"What the hell is he doing here?" I had a pretty good idea, and I began chewing my bottom lip, something I always do when I'm nervous. Fortunately Embry was too busy trying to control his temper to see this.

As we walked up Nathan got out of his car, and approached us slowly. Embry immediately shoved me behind him.

"I won't hurt her, mutt. I just want to talk, with both of you," Nathan stated calmly. Embry snarled and stayed planted in front of me, not giving an inch. I placed my hand on his shoulder gently, stepping around him, whispering 'It's fine'.

I then stepped closer to Nathan, and was slightly startled to see that his eyes were more black thank gold today. I realized that this was probably why Embry had been so defensive and why he had over-reacted.

"She's coming, Ellie," he said, urgently.

"What- how- when-?"

"She came to see me, just like you thought she would, about an hour or so ago."

"Who are you talking about," Embry interrupted. He was still uncomfortable, but his curiosity got the better of him. Nathan looked at him strangely.

"Did you not tell him?" He asked, turning to me, and shaking his head.

"I didn't want to worry you," I defended under Embry's scrutinizing gaze. He looked downright irate.

"Worry me about what?"

"Ummm…" I looked at Nathan helplessly, but he just shook his head again.

"You're on your own." He handed me a thick envelope before turning around and entering his car. I wanted him into the distance until he wasn't visible through the trees before turning back to the waiting werewolf next to me.

"Well, there's kindofavampireafterme." Embry froze in place I watched his face carefully the anger was still there, but now his face seemed to pale in panic.

"When… exactly… were you going to tell me this?" His voice was slow, and calm. This was not a good sign.

"I didn't think I was right. I had some dreams, but I didn't think they were real. I would have told if I had known for sure, but I didn't want to make a mountain out of a molehill.

"I have to talk to Sam." His face was still unreadable. No, this was definitely not a good sign.

"I'll come with you," I suggested, although it sounded more like begging. He shook his head.

"No, you stay here, I'll be back." He turned to leave. I instinctively grabbed his arm to stop him. But when he looked at me I couldn't think of anything to say. I was at a loss for words.

"Would you be willing to leave early for San Diego?" he asked. I had forgotten about our planned trip to visit Ash and Dad for the holidays.

"Sure, do you want to ask Jake to come?" It was common knowledge in the pack that Jacob was dieing without Ashley. He tried not to show it, but there were no secrets. He nodded in agreement.

"Okay, we'll leave on the next flight out. Tell Steph our flight's been moved up. Be ready to leave when Jake and I get here."

I watched him as he left without another word. I knew he was angry, but how angry? I hadn't meant any harm, I thought desperately. I just hadn't wanted to shove any more things on Embry's plate. He had enough, having to tote me around everywhere, especially since he found out who his father is.

Last week he found out who his father is. Almost the whole pack has been thin king of nothing but that. The Elders don't know that we've discovered it yet, only Sam. He hadn't meant to find out, he was going through some of his Mom's old baby books and such. There it was plain as day.

Billy Black was not only Jacob's father, but Embry's as well.

A/N: So, I actually planned to make this chapter to be longer, but I really wanted to update sooner, so I cut it down. I'm sorry if there are a few typos, I'm tired, and I didn't want to read it through again before posting it. And like I said, I really wanted to get it on the Internet tonight.

I may have lied to you guys last time; this story may be longer than 4 more chapters, not sure. Some may be overjoyed at the news that this story will be longer, while others may wish that it was over already. Oh well, I can't make everybody happy, although I try.

And for all interested I have a sneak preview of a new story in the works. It is in fact another imprint story, I can't help it, I love the La Push boys! It's just a little snippet and I would really appreciate anyone who would go to my profile and check it out. I want to know what you all think! (It's at the bottom of my profile) Please please please tell me what you think in a review or PM me.

As always suggestions, comments, concerns, praise, CONSTUCTIVE criticism, are all welcome and encouraged for both this story and the sneak peek.