Hello all, so this is another chapter. So soon right? Yay. Okay so on my blog one of my readers gave me a challenge. I had to incorporate a top 40s chart song into a chapter all the while finding a way to make sense with my story line. So Twiholly I accepted and complete your challenge. I think I kick it's ass personally, but Ill let the audience be the judge.

Chapter 21: Making a choice

Being part human has given me a lot of advantages in life. For starters, appearance; My eye color isn't forced to be either red, gold, or black based on my diet— or lack there of. My skin holds only the slightest of shimmers, unseen by the human eyes— ergo sun exposure minus the disco ball effect. For finishers, can sleep; I'm going to live an eternity filled with ups and downs, and when I'm bored I can close my eyes. When I'm tired, I can rejuvenate myself. And during that rest I can exist outside of real life— I can dream. Something that my family has gone without so long that they forget what it's like.

Now, being part vampire my knowledge of the world expanded so rapidly in such a short amount of time, that my mind always knows when it's dreaming. But who cares? I'm existing somewhere else, wherever I want, out side of real life; even if it's just for a little while. Who else in my family has that luxury?

This dream was no different. My subconscious pulled me into my own lucid dream— a memory. One of my favorites.
— — —

"We're baaack," Asima called as we let ourselves into my family's house. Putting our bags down from our 'ladies day out'.

Every few months, when the weather was just right. The kind of weather that lead to cloudy skies from Jennah to Cairo; the day where no one was limited by the sun. Mom, Asima, Alice, Rosalie, Esme— and occasionally Leah when we could pull her away from Jabril— and I would spend a day out on the town. We would shop, see a movie, got to a cafe and pretend to eat, and end it all with a 'ladies only hunting party.

But on this particular day, my aunt miscalculated; the sun beating down on everything ruining our plans. Everyone was disappointed that we had to cancel, but Rose, and Esme insisted that Asima and I not waste our day indoors all the same. After practically being forced out the door we decided that it couldn't hurt.

We saw the movie that we'd been dying to see and spent the rest of the afternoon shopping. We brought patterns and fabric for Alice, paints for Esme, and a necklace that I just knew Rosalie wouldn't be able to resist if she were with us. We decided to skip the other activities we planned and head back early to cheer up my family— maybe even have a late night hunting party.

"Hi mommy!" Rosabella squealed jumping up from the piano to hug me.

Asima put her hand on her hip tapping her foot when Ciyan and Phillip didn't run to greet her, too enthralled with the elaborate five board chess game they were playing against Emmett and Jasper. "Geeze, did no one miss me?" She deadpanned sarcastically.

"You know we miss you mom," Ciyan assured peeking her head up for just a second to wave; because their moves were timed. "We're just playing."

"And we can't look away, Emmett cheats." Phillip reminded.

Em leered at everyone's laugh, "Do not."

"You know you cheat," Jasper corrected making a move.

"Oh, let them be kids," Esme pardoned coming from the back. "Hopefully they'll tire themselves out and I won't feel bad about leaving them behind to hunt."

"Wait— " Jasper paused looking up. "Are you talking about Ciyan and Phillip or Emmett and me?"

Esme turned back around giving them a cynical smile. "My son's naturally." I couldn't help but giggle, she didn't razz them often, but when she did it was adorable.

"That's cold, mama." Emmett broadcasted shaking his head but still unable to afford looking away. "We wanna go to Sudan too." It was the closest place with a surplus of carnivorous wildlife— which meant better blood.

She ignored him turning her attention back to us, "So, how'd the day find you?"

"We had fun, saw a movie, went shopping." I drew the word out, shaking the bags.

"We got stuff for everyone," Asima promised.

My mom was still disappointed about having to stay home. She loved her vampire life, she loved where we lived, and she loved being around our friends; but every now and then, she missed the freedom of being in the sun. Today was one of those days.

She was curled against my dad reading a book, her feet curled up in the chair. She usually would lie on her back with her head in his lap if she were relaxing, this was her sulking position.

"The fabric for the dress I want to make." Alice beamed, coming to claim what was hers; knowing exactly what it was before we could hand it off.

Rosalie groaned with humor in her voice, "You know what that means."

"That as soon as it's finished she'll find some reason to throw a party to show it off?" My dad chuckled running his hands though my mom's hair.

Alice poked her tongue out, but didn't fight the accusation. She sat back down on the floor Indian style, "When you're jealous of my dress and want me to make you one, I'll remember this Rose."

"But you'll do it anyway," My mom pointed, her voice sounding duller than everyone else's teasing.

I frowned looking up at Asima who just shrugged. "Rose this is for you."

"How is it that you guys always know the way to my heart?" She grinned putting it on right away, going to the television— which was turned off— to catch her reflection; hefting her hair up to examine the way it fell on her neckline. The bluish green stone of tourmaline stood out well on her skin." What an odd color stone, I don't think I have anything that will watch this."

"No, no, no." Alice protested folding her arms. "I won't help, not one bit."

"Allie." Rose started, and they bickered in good nature back and forth while we gave Esme her things.

"So how was the movie?" Alice insisted once they settled their qualms.

Asima rolled her eyes, "It's definitely one of those movies that you're going to be forced to like it whether you want to or not."

"She loved it," I corrected. "It was like, Glee and Bring it On mixed together."

"I don't like either." She reminded, "But I laughed a lot."

"And the love story was soo sweet." I went on, "But not in that cheesy kind of way."

"Ohhh, don't tell me." Alice demanded covering her ears— like that would work. "I want to see it. Bella we should go catch a late show this week."

"Sure." she shrugged frowning at the word late.

My dad looked down at her, "You okay?"

She looked up at him and nodded, "Yeah, I'm fine. Sorry guys, I was just really looking forward to today."

"That's why we brought you something special," I grinned handing my bags off to Asima so that she could shove them in a corner somewhere.

My mom perked up. "What?"

"Entertainment," Asima smirked sliding Esme's oak coffee table from the center of the room more to the front.

Esme pulled the vase of flowers off before it could spill over. "And you need my antique coffee table to do so?" She asked nervously.

"No, we can use the floor." I promised taking a seat where the table once was. "We picked this up from the movie."

Alice perked up when she saw a flash of what we were going to do. "Oh! Me too!" And before we could protest she zipped into the kitchen coming back with two red plastic tumblers and one yellow one.

"I don't know Alice, we practiced this for like twenty minutes." Asima eyed her warily taking the cups from her.

Alice crossed her legs on the floor next to us anyway, "And I saw it, ergo perfect recollection of what to do."

That got everyone curious. Emmett, Jasper, Ciyan and Phillip stopped playing their game, Rosabella got up from the piano and hopped on the other side of my dad. "How bad can it be?" I shrugged. If anyone was going to mess up it would most likely be me, but after a few tries with Asima and a popcorn bucket I think I got it.

My mom put her book down and straightened up in her seat. "You have the floor."

We made sure everything was perfect before starting. Asima handed me the yellow tumbler and sat a red one in front of herself. "Ness you'll take first, I'll take second, Alice third— "

"I know, I know, and we take the rest together," Alice finished.

And then we started.

Clap, clap
tap, tap, tap
clap
up,down *thud

Clap
flip
pop, thud*
tap, cross, down *thud

Clap, clap
tap, tap, tap
clap
up,down *thud

Clap
flip
pop, thud*
tap, cross, down *thud

And just as we repeated the set for a third time, I started to sing. "I've got my ticket for the long way round. Two bottles of whiskey for the way, and I sure would like some sweet company; and I'm leaving tomorrow what do you say?"

We continued to tap, and they both joined in."When I'm gone, when I'm gone. You're gonna miss me when I'm gone. You're gonna miss me by my hair, you're gonna miss me everywhere, oh. You're gonna miss me when I'm gone."

Clap, clap
tap, tap, tap
clap
up,down *thud

Clap
flip
pop, thud*
tap, cross, down *thud

This time during our flip and crossover I extended my arm farther to sitting my yellow cup in front of Asima while she passed her down infront of Alice. My aunt already knowing to toss her's over our heads so that I could catch it and continue our tapping.

Asima having the yellow cup took the lead enjoying the smile on Ciyan's face. "I've got my ticket for the long way round. The one with the prettiest of views. It's got mountains, it's got rivers, it's got sights to give you shivers, but it sure would be prettier with you."

We drifted into the second round of chorus and I looked up at my mom, thoroughly amused the first smiled I'd seen on her face since she found out her plans had to be canceled today. I caught the cup after the crossover, Asima giving the yellow tumbler to Alice.

I couldn't help but grin when I noticed Carlisle leaning in from the kitchen doorway, our singing bringing him downstairs. When she finished her part we continued to tape the final chorus, no longer sticking to the original way, using a bit of our supernatural speed to toss the cups back and forth tap a rhythm, clink our cups together, and pass them again, never losing the rhythm and ending with a flourish. What was the point of being vampires if we couldn't have fun with it right?

Rosabella clapped, and I tossed her the cup getting a bit more applause.

"Okay, I feel better." Mom grinned clapping her hands together.

Asima rolled her eyes, "Good, because that's the only time I'm going to do it."

There were several protests and groans at her statement.

"That was delightful," Esme praised.

Rosabella handed the cup back to me, "Will you show me?"

"Of course, baby." I promised motioning for her to sit in front of me. "Okay first we're going to clap twice, and then tap the cup three times, like this."

She mimicked me perfectly. "Is that right?"

I nodded, "That's perfect, now we're gonna—"

"Mommy!" Rosabella gasped looking up at me wide eyed, backing away.

I watched her back up to my dad, who stared at me just as wide eyed."What is it?"

My mom panicked picking up Rosabella actually shielding her away from me? "You're eyes Renesmee."

"My eyes?" I asked going to my purse and pulling out a compact. "What's wrong with my—"

I couldn't be looking at myself correctly. I blinked a few times to refocus, but sure enough there it was. In the set of my face were a pair of bright crimson eyes where my chocolate color used to be.

"How did this happen?" I asked turning around to my family for explanation.

None of them were talking to me. They all just looked away. Phillip took Ciyan by the hand and escorted her out of the house. I turned back to my best friend and could tell by her face that it was her mental instructions that told him to do it. "Guys, I don't know what's going on. My eyes are never red."

"What did you do?" Asima accused crossing her arms. Her green eyes livid, I think I would have preferred afraid at that point.

I didn't know what she was talking about. "I didn't do anything. They were fine just a second ago."

"They didn't get that way from doing nothing." My dad accused handing Rosa off to Esme to take upstairs.

I felt a tug in my heart, my eyes pricking, and I felt like I wanted to cry. "Guys.." I couldn't find my voice enough to say anything. I didn't know what to say, I didn't know how to explain it.

"What's going on?" Jacob's firm voice demanded behind me. I turned to the front door to see him standing there.

If anyone could calm me down it was him, I needed him to make everything better. I got to fall in his arms without hesitation. "Jake, something's going on. Somethings wrong with my eyes and everyone's accusing me of—"

Before I could touch him he pulled away, backing out of the doorway and phasing. His fur was standing up on the back of his neck, his front paws lowered so that he was leaning in, ready to jump at any moment.

"Jake, it's me." I went towards him again and he pounced.

—

"No!" I screamed, shooting up in bed.

Zach was at my side before I could really comprehend where he came from. "Reenie! Reenie I'm here," He promised looking as panicked as I was. "You're having a bad dream, it's alright." His hands held both sides of my face securing my eyes on his so that I would know he was with me.

I don't know how to explain it, but staring into his eyes did calm me. He did a few deep breaths and I mimicked his actions. "Is that better?"

I nodded after my heart slowed a bit. He checked to see if I was really okay, letting me go when he was satisfied. He took a seat on the side of the bed, giving me some space. "Good, now talk to me Reenie."

Instinctively, I fell back into him. "Oh, Zach," I wept burring my face into the collar of his shirt. "it was horrible."

Zach wrapped his arms around me, rubbing the top of my head trying to console me. "It's alright Reenie, just tell me."

I didn't want to tell him, I didn't know how to explain what upset me. So instead, I looked up at him as best I could. He held me close, but I managed to snake an arm up between us and rest my fingers on his neck.

I watched his eyes widen as the images flashed in front of his eyes. When I finished he looked down at me in amazement. He wasn't surprised by my talent, after all he knew everything about me; more surprised that I was willing to show him.

His expression held so much gratitude. It was still dark, but I could see with crystal clarity. There was something about that hour of the night that was both late, and early. When the sky was completely empty; so sun, no moon, even stars. Those brief hours hours between days were always the most intimate, just you and whoever you were with.

Our connection overwhelmed me with a feeling that he was debating whether or not to kiss me. Torn between continuing our conversation or letting my head fall back on the pillow and furthering our connection and making me forget my dream all together. Or maybe those were my feelings and I was smothering him. That was the problem, you never could tell. The only thing I knew for sure was that we were both affected, and one of us was going to have to make the choice which side of the scale to add the last grain of emotions.

He cleared his throat, my nightmare taking priority, "I can see why you would be upset."

"That wasn't how that memory went, that part on the end, I don't understand." I confided. In reality I spent the rest of the daylight showing Rosabella, and when Jacob came to retrieve us she showed him. We had our ladies hunting trip and stuff ourselves with as many wildcats as we wanted, overall still being a good day.

"I think that your subconscious is talking to you. If I had to guess, I'd say your change in diet makes you feel somewhat guilty. And since I refuse to reprimand you, you sought out punishment in the most hurtful way possible." He theorized casually still rubbing my hair.

I buried my head back into the crook of his neck. "I fed again didn't I?"

"On the way home," He confirmed, so naturally that he didn't see a problem with it.

I started hyperventilating again. "What? Why didn't yo stop me? How many?"

"Whoa, whoa Reenie calm down," He requested tightening his grip again. "When we landed our last jumps you caught a scent of something you liked and said you were hungry. I waited for you to finish and drove us back here. You fell asleep in the car and I brought you upstairs and dressed you for bed."

"You dressed me?" I deadpanned looking down at my clothes for the first time.

Zach just rolled his eyes, "Reenie, we're past all of this. Now you're just getting upset because you think you should be. You've accepted that you're my complement. Does it really matter that I've seen you in your bra and panties in light of the connection we have?"

I kept my head down trying to hide my pout. It was small in comparison, but I still didn't like it. "I'd still like to change myself."

"Then I'll accept your wishes," He sighed, hiding the amusement that I didn't argue with him. "Now what I want to know is, do you always black out after you feed?"

"No, maybe my mind is just trying to make me forget." I thought aloud, the hours before coming back to me. "What I don't get is why I was hungry again? Usually when I feed I'm set for a week or so."

Zach knew the answer, "I can shoulder some of that blame. The more that you let go of your inhibitions the more you want to indulge in them." He could tell I didn't understand. "Okay, let's try this. Pretend you only ate once a day. It's how you were taught, it's all you know. You fought hunger for an entire day and when dinner time came you ate. Then woke up tomorrow and did it again. Then let's say one day, you're hungry and waiting for dinner time and someone introduces you to, I don't know—fast food, and you realized for the first time that you could snack in between meals."

"That man wasn't a Big Mac, Zach." I deadpanned hating the fact that he made sense sometimes. "Wait a sec, how did you get to me so fast anyway? When I woke up afraid."

He gestured to the sitting chair in the corner of the room. "I was asleep just over there."

"Is that where you always crash or did you just fall asleep that way?" I asked with concern. The chair was oversized, no doubt a comfy spot to cuddle up with a book but to sleep?

He tucked my hair behind my ear so that he could meet my eyes. "You're my complement Reenie. I can't bear not being close to you, even when you don't want me to be. What's sleeping in a chair a few nights when I know you're safe?"

Why did he always have to do that? How many times could he realistically render me speechless without even trying? Scooting back under the covers giving us space so that I could clear my head. He gave me silence and privacy as best he could. Once I was sure that it wasn't under his influence; I opened the covers on the side that he was sitting. "Not anymore."

He made sure that I knew what I was offering before taking me up on my offer, sliding in beside me. I abandoned my pillow choosing his chest as a substitute, he more then willingly obliged wrapping his arm around me once we found our nook.

"How do you feel?" He asked breaking the silence when it reached an uncomfortable plateau.

I didn't even have to think about the answer. "Safe."

"Well I'm glad," He chuckled deeply in my ear.

I ran my hand along the buttons of his shirt, noticing it wasn't the one he was wearing earlier. The linen too crisp to the touch. "You were leaving?"

"I was going to do some things with the other four, but they can manage without me."

Though I didn't want him to leave, I felt bad that I was keeping him away from his priorities. I felt bad. Surely him neglecting the others would slowly but surely lead to them all resenting me.

He felt it too, he could understand the emotion I felt perfectly, the only answer missing was why. "What's this about?" He crooned down at me.

"I just don't want to take you from your responsibilities," I whispered honestly. "You've been with me almost every moment since I got here. At the same time, I don't want you to leave, but it's bad for me to—"

"Reenie, what did I tell you about good and bad?" He lectured softly.

I took a deep breath and repeated his words. "That there is no such thing."

"That's right," He praised just as softly, "there is no good or bad, there just is. You want me to stay with you, and you shouldn't feel bad about it. Don't reprimand yourself for being selfish, because we're all selfish."

I let out another deep breath, he didn't understand how difficult it was to throw twenty plus years of morals and rules out the window. "I just don't want anyone to hate me."

He released an unrestrained laugh and it echoed through the room. I nudged him to calm it down, I didn't want to wake up the entire castle."No one hates you Reenie, it's impossible to ever hate you."

"You didn't see the way everyone looked at me when I got here." I argued returning our conversation to a whisper level. I wasn't sure how good werewolf hearing was.

He lowered his tone to meet mine, but shook his head, "Reenie, none of them hate you. They're curious about you. You're the first of your kind that anyone has ever seen and the closest thing to a vampire to get anywhere near these halls since I was a child."

I could understand curiosity, even in the vampire world I caused double takes. "So they don't hate me?"

He chuckled low this time, "No they don't. In fact the 'women' are going to keep you company today while I'm a have a meeting."

The women, I heard Nina mention it before but she wouldn't explain right away. Maybe today she would. "I like Nina." I admitted snuggling into him, feeling tired again.

"She likes you too. Trust me, she'd tell me if she didn't." He assured. And it lead me to believe that she didn't like a complement or two in his past; but I didn't want to think too long on the subject since it's only lead to wanting to know exactly how many complements he's had.

I could tell he felt my uneasiness from the way he shifted so I had to give him a why, "And the other four, what do they think about me?"

"Ray is supportive, a little worried, but accepting all the same. He's worried that the vampire half makes you more resistant to being my complement. I laughed and told him, it's your own stubbornness that's been fighting me." He chuckled at some memory.

I wished he'd share it with me. "Oh."

"Oh don't worry, when I told him about today his worry went away completely. Considering you're drawn to me before any type of consummation, he thinks what we have may be the start of something much stronger." He added.

"You told them about last night?"

He nodded, "I share everything with them for the most part, they've been my friends forever, Reenie."

"I know." I didn't want him to think I didn't want him to share things with his friends. But I don't think I could look the blue banged Egyptian in the face knowing he knew all of my secrets just because Zach did. "It's just, how can I trust that you'll—"

He knew where I was going with it, "I'll never tell them anything you don't want me to. They all understand the bond of complements is the first priority."

"What about the twins?" I went on.

He let out another chuckle, "Peter and Daniel are anxious."

"Anxious?" I repeated quirking an eyebrow.

He nodded, "They can't wait to know you."

"Why haven't they been around?" I contradicted.

He frowned, "Because they're pranksters, and I don't trust you alone with them until you're comfortable enough to not take it personally. They'd lose both of their arms if they ever hurt so much as your feelings."

"Your violent tendencies aren't very healthy Zach, maybe you should seek a therapist." I joked, darkening when I realized I left one out. "Jinny definitely hates me."

He didn't argue, but I could sense his eye roll. "Ignore Jinny, Reenie. Something's just up with her, she's been odd for a while now."

"Because of me."

He protested as much as he could. "No, she's being weird with all of us. We've tried to talk to her about it, but she refuses. So we've given up, it's for the best."

"You're never supposed to give up on the people you love." I disagreed. "Bridge the gap."

"It's probably just the stress of everything else. Don't worry about Jinny, I don't."

"Do you really not know what's wrong with her?"

He looked down at me, and tilted my head up so that I could look at him. "Reenie, I promise you I haven't the slightest idea why she's acting the way she is. I'd tell you if I did."

There was no way you could doubt his honesty, so I believed him. A dim light shown through the curtains telling me that the sun had rose. If I listened hard enough I could hear the tapping and shuffling of feet from others getting up to start their days. Shutting it all out I snuggled back into Zach, I wasn't ready to start my day.

"Do you have to go?" I hoped trying to push the fact I didn't want to leave in his head without saying it myself.

Zach shook his head, "I'm not going anywhere. Sleep Reenie." And I did just that.

—

"Wake up!" Nina's cheery voice demanded, making my eyes shoot open.

"Nina!" Zach groaned trying to sit up. "Really?"

She walked past the bed shielding her eyes heading towards the closet, " I know, sorry to interrupt but no need to be bashful, I've seen it all before." She dropped her hand after realizing that we were both in fact fully wearing clothes. Her eyes widened, and I could see in them disappointment and fascination at the same time. " So I actually didn't interrupt anything? Wow you guys are going to erupt."

"You did interrupt our sleep," Zach clarified peeved, "so there better be a damned good reason you've decided to let yourself in so early in the morning."

She rolled her eyes at her brother and pushed open the curtains that blocked off the doors and windows that lead to the balcony. "Actually— it's one o'clock. You've both slept through breakfast and I do have a good reason. I've come to fetch Reenie for lunch."

"Yes, heaven forbid she misses lunch with 'the women'," Zach muttered sarcastically. "You don't have to go if you don't want to, Reenie."

Nina disappeared into the closet, pulling out a pale pink dress, hanging it on the divider. "Oh yes she does, Clara spent an hour setting it up. Besides, Reenie would love to go; girl talk, boy talk, wolf talk—it'll be fun."

Zach ignored her, clutching an arm around me. "Reenie, you don't have to go."

Making decisions was getting harder and harder. Part of me didn't feel comfortable roaming around without Zach with me, but we were like magnets and I knew the more we were together I'd never want to roam around. The thought of staying in bed was tempting, but I fought that feeling because I knew the longer we stayed in bed together the more likely other things would occur. Not to mention I really wanted to know about 'the women'. So I put on my best smile for him, "We've got to get out of bed sometime."

He gave me that seductively suggestive, dangerous smirk again, "Actually we don't."

I smirked back but slid from off the covers and off the bed.

Nina smiled, proud that she won, "I'm going to get dressed, I'll meet you downstairs in twenty." She turned to her brother who was still stubbornly sitting in bed. "Looks like I won."

"Out Nina." He glared at her pointing towards the door.

She shrugged completely unfazed, "You're such a sore loser brother." And with a musical laugh her and her red curls bounced out the room.

I hurriedly bathed and sorted out my hair before throwing on my dress. The yellow garment was brand new but had a 50s vintage look to it. The sleeves stopped at my elbows before cuffing, I buttoned down the length of the dress and tied the belt off. Once again another piece that fit perfectly.

I walked back out into the room, "I've got to stopped being impressed by this wardrobe. Did you pick out all of these?"

"Every last dress." He boasted from the closet, coming out changed in a fresh shirt. The pale melon color looked good on his tan, and I had trouble pulling my eyes from the spot he left open at the chest. He caught me staring, "See something you like Reenie?"

I adjusted, "Did you get me some normal things, you know like shorts and jeans, t-shirts and what not?"

"I haven't gotten around to jeans yet, but I did get you shorts. T-shirts," He frowned at the word, "don't do you justice."

"We'll I can't walk around dressed to the nines all day." I countered putting my hair up in the mirror, examining my eyes. They were still brown like I knew they'd be, but not the chocolate I was used to, it was more vibrant and bright. It's the first time I looked at myself and didn't see pieces of my mom or dad. Just my own face; and I liked it.

This time it was Zach that was caught staring. "Aren't you a vision..." He complemented pulling me into his arms to put his lips to forehead. "Are you sure you want to go?"

"I can't just sit around and wait for you," I smiled, trying to convince him and myself that I wanted to go. "Besides you look like you're going out."

"I'm going downstairs to meet with the others, then I very much plan to 'wait around for you.'" He mocked giving me one last kiss before releasing me. "Now go before I change my mind and lock us in here."

I hurried out after that. I followed directions and headed downstairs walking in on Peter, Ray, Daniel, and Jinny having a conversation. The four of them looked up the minute my foot left the stairs.

"Good afternoon Reenie." One of the twins greeted me, cheerfully.

I wasn't sure if I had interrupted something important, or me being around in general was an inconvenience for Jinny, but her look made me apologize. "Hello, I'm sorry I didn't mean to interrupt. I was supposed to be meeting Nina and the others downstairs, I thought this was the right way."

"You're joining 'the women' today?" Jinny choked in horror, then her expression turned back to anger.

Peter and Daniel grinned at each other mischievously but didn't say anything.

Ray nodded in understanding, "Of course, there's nothing to apologize for. You just took the wrong staircase. Just follow that hallway down and you'll find them at the side entrance."

"Thank you," I blushed disappearing down the hall as quickly as I could.

Nina was standing there with two other women staring up the staircase I was supposed to come down. Got a second she looked irritated, but perked up when she noticed me down the hall. "Oh, there you are."

The other women were taller than Nina, but just as pretty. One was blonde and the other brunette both of them radiating refinement in no way giving off the vibe of 'wolf girls'. They were the type of women that you found intimidating.

The brunette walked up to me with a smile on her face, and extended her hand. "Hi, I'm Penelope, it's nice to meet you, Reenie."

"I'm Melanie," the blonde offered after she was finished. "We've been looking forward to today, are you ready?"

I tried to hide my surprise at their genuine warmness. It's not something you expected from women that looked like young Debbie Reynolds, and Elizabeth Taylor in the flesh. "Yeah let's go."

Nina seemed pleased. "Good. We're gone!" She called down the hall before shutting the door behind us.

Once we were in the car Penelope started shifting through the radio. "I hate it when Daniel changes the stations."

"We're not listening to techno." Melanie agreed trying to reach from the backseat to take over.

Penelope smacked her hand, "It's not your turn."

"So where are we going for lunch?" I asked when I noticed we were going on the highway.

Penelope and Melanie looked at Nina, the three of them pausing for a second before bursting with laughter.

Nina sobered up and explained. "We're not going to lunch. Besides, you don't eat, how rude with that be?"

"Oh, then where are you going?" I asked, wondering why Nina said lunch.

Penelope found an alternative station and set it to a conversational volume. "Were in the half moon phase. It's the time where our tension starts to build."

"Physical activities can take the edge off. You should feel it too since you're connected to him."And she was right, my emotions were on edge. I was more aware, easily frustrated, less patient. " Trust me, being one of 'the women' we need it."

I nodded, "Okay, I have to ask, what do you mean 'the women' there are other female at the castle, what makes you three different."

The three of them looked at each other, wondering how to explain it to me. Penelope volunteered, "We probably should have introduced ourselves better than just our names. I'm Daniel's wife, Melanie here is Peter's wife, and Nina is Ray's wife. We have the hardest roles you could imagine."

Well that explained it, they were married to three of the first four. Before she could elaborate we pulled into a gym parking lot. "Boxing?" We were hardly dressed.

Nina smiled eagerly grabbing a duffel bag, "It's the only time of the month we aren't too strong."

We walked in and I was hit with this overwhelming scent. It wasn't just sweat from athletes like I expected, it was something else. "Whoa..."

"I know right." Melanie elbowed me conspiratorially.

A heavily muscled man in a polo greeted us at the door. "Nina, ladies, it's been too long."

"It's only been a month Anthony," Nina grinned back standing on her tiptoes to sign in.

The physical trainer eyes me with delight, "I see you brought a new friend."

"Yes, this is Reenie. She'll be training with us from now on." Nina introduced.

I just gave him a wave from left to right. He nodded in acknowledgment. "Well go ahead and change out, and your room is upstairs with everything you need."

"Thank you Anthony," Melanie grinned giving him a wink before we disappeared.

Nina tossed me a matching sports bra and workout shorts she brought for me, and I changed clothes without questions taking the sneakers and socks as well. I listened to the girls catch up on werewolf gossip, following them back into the gym being hit with that weird feeling again as we passed two guys fighting.

"Whoa..." I breathed again. "What is that?"

"It's the testosterone they're giving off, you're more sensitive to it the closer you get to the full moon." Melanie explained. "It's great right? It really pumps you up."

Great really wouldn't be the word I chose.

Penelope sympathized, putting her hair up, "It's a bit uncomfortable at first, but you'll get used to it."

"The ability to sense pheromones and testosterone is a blessing and a cures. It'll drive you crazy in a week or so, my suggestion stay to yourself as much as you can." Nina added running up to a bag and landing a punch so hard Mike Tyson would probably envy her.

"Don't be stupid cover your hands, I'm lying for you if you come home with a bruise." Melanie warned going over to a mini fridge that you would expect to be filled with water, but she pulled out a bottle of vodka and lime.

I held a bag in place for Nina, while she worked her combos, surprised that she had such a good technique. She'd switch with me and guide me as best she could and they were right, the more my fist connected with the bag the more edge I lost. I had to remember to control my strength though.

The four of us talked, worked out, and took shots. They shared stories about the four. How they survived for so long. How long each of them had lived. Nina told the story about how Zach being only seven cared for her mom while she was pregnant with her after losing their dad in the slaughters. How he carried her to safety and never left her side. They all razzed each other like sisters, letting me in on their inside jokes without hesitation.

Nina accused as she punched and kicked away. "So, you and my bother are getting closer."

I felt my face get hot so I kept my head down. "Yeah, I guess we are."

"I heard you spent your first night together." Melanie teased backing away from the bag, stretching backwards until her palms touched the floor. She kicked her feet up and balanced on her hands for a while.

Penelope let out an unrefined howl. "How was it?"

"Be nice P," Nina ordered, "They didn't do anything."

Mel was still upside down, "Yeah, I think we would have heard it if they did. We always—"

"Melanie!" Nina hushed looking back at me nervously.

Melanie dropped back to her feet, "Shit, I'm sorry Reenie."

"It's okay." I forgave. "It's not a big deal."

"It's really not," Penelope agreed. "Who cares about the past when you know you're that person's future right? Zachariah adores you, and you're never going to have to deal with any complement drama. You're lucky." I could tell what she was trying to say was a compliment, but it only confused me.

Nina abruptly changed the subject, "So, tell us about where you're from."

I told them what I could, about Jennah and my family and friends. They were really interested in my birth, so I told them as much as I could remember and the stories I was told.

We finished up, showered and changed back into our clothes doing a bit of shopping so that we could fully complete the lunch date rouse. It was nearly six when we pulled back up to the castle. A little dark haired boy, and a teenage boy greeting Melanie before they could get out the car.

"Mom, you won't believe what Terry did today!" A the teenager greeted.

The little boy defended himself, "I didn't do nothing."

Melanie looked back at us amused, "I'll hear you both out inside. Girl's it's been great, hopefully we'll see you at breakfast Reenie."

"You will." I promised. "Thanks I had fun today."

Penelope said her goodbye and followed her in. "She has lovely children." I noted taking my bags from the trunk.

Nina paused, letting out a sigh. "Reenie, would you be up for taking a walk with me?"

She obviously wanted to talk to me, so I accepted. We didn't go far, just into the trees beyond the land. There was a trail there.

We walked in silence for a while, but before I could ask her what was up she spoke freely. "It's okay to miss your family."

"Why—"

"I know how you feel. A part of you is happy here, and you're scared of what that means. Like you might not want to leave, but you feel you have to." She theorized putting her hands in the pockets of her dress slowing our walking pace.

I didn't know how to answer her, so I chose truth. "I can't just forget about them. I have a daughter, a husband, friends and family and none of them are giving up on me. I belong there."

"Do you?" There was no sarcasm, after a long silence she continued. "I'm just saying, it's okay to love them and not choose them. From what I've gathered, you've spent your life living how they want you to, and here you get to let your hair down and live a little. No expectations, just living."

I didn't want to talk about my family. "Why did Penelope say I was lucky? What complement drama?"

He forehead wrinkled, and she stopped walking, choosing to take a seat on a fallen tree. "It's... a hard life being one of the women. Ray chose me and I chose him, and we love each other very much. He's my partner forever, my best friend, my everything."

"His complement." I deduced taking a seat with her.

She smiled up at me, but it was a sad smile that didn't reach her eyes. "No, I'm not his complement. That's the problem. He's my everything, but, I can never give him what he needs. Female werewolves are genetic dead ends. We can't have children."

My eyes widened when I got what she was saying, "So those children—"

"Are from previous complements. We raise them, care for them, and love them as our own, but we can never be mothers. We have to carry on the genetic line, so we must make scarifies and accept the one thing that would seem ludicrous to someone on the outside." She didn't take her eyes off the leaf at her feet as she spoke.

"I can't imagine—"

"—Watching the man you love fall in love with someone else every few years?" I nodded a lump in my throat making me unable to form words. "It's hard. The only way we really cope is by reminding ourselves that we're the person they chose permanently, that it's only temporary."

"How do you take that? Why don't you leave?" I tried to reason logically in my mind something completely illogical.

"Leave?" Nina repeated like the words were foreign. "Okay, ask yourself this, why haven't you left? You've had plenty of time. Being exposed to all changes you. You don't leave because deep down you know there is nothing for you anywhere else. Not like this. I'd rather bear a few months of pain then to spend a day anywhere else but by his side."

The conviction in her tone made me link fingers with her. The three women had to be the strongest I'd ever met, because there isn't a person I could think of that would be able to live the life they chose for someone they loved. "I'm sorry."

She gave me another weak smile. "Don't be sorry for me Reenie. It's an easy choice. A day in the phenomenal is worth a thousand years in the mundane. Just be happy. You aren't a genetic dead end, you and my brother are all each-other needs."

I looked up at the sky, it was getting darker. "Speaking of Zach..."

"You need to get back to him," She agreed letting go of my hand.

We walked back to the house, and it was weird. The minute her feet crossed the threshold, she was back to her normal exuberant self. "Ray, I'm home." He picked up and threw her over his shoulder and she squealed a little. "Stop, it's rude." She giggled.

Ray didn't sit her down, but he did turn around. "Hey Reenie, I hope you had a good day. Zach's upstairs."

Nina shimmied down herself but he didn't let her go, the looks they gave each other were the same looks my parents gave eachother, and I had no doubt they really were in love. Head over heels.

"Well I'll head up." I waved going to give them privacy.

He picked her up again and she was giggling before she could even respond. I let myself into Zach's room, but he wasn't in there. Instead of going to look for him I walked onto the balcony letting the night breeze cool my face.

I thought about my dream this morning, and what it meant. Zach thought it was my own mind wanting to punish myself for feeding on humans, but after time to think about it, I had to disagree. I think it was my subconscious telling me that I wasn't the Renesmee they all knew and loved anymore. Whether I wanted to or not being with Zach changed me. Not bad, but enough to where I didn't fit anymore.

The realization of that made me want to cry a little. I couldn't be the Nessie that my family needed and wanted me to be even if I did go back, so my only option now was to embrace the changes. To not choose my family and choose myself.

"So, was your day out?" Zach asked joined me on the balcony.

I didn't tell him about the boxing but I did tell him what I could, "No food, just shopping, girl talk, boy talk, wolf talk."

He shook his head at the wolf talk. "As long as you had a good time." His smile made my heart race, confusing me. The way I felt for Zach went against everything I once knew and I honestly didn't get it. But all the same I linked my fingers with his and lead him back inside with me. Maybe that was the magic of being in the werewolf world, maybe you didn't have to.

Scene! i'm waiting for the recoil for this one. just remember I have a yarn spinning for this so dont judge me too hard. I think I liked this challenge thing though. If anyone wants to give me another feel free to shoot me a line. Thanks for reading.