LPOV

Amber sat next to me in the truck fidgeting with a strand of her hair. Twisting it around and around while she stared out the window of the slow moving truck. I was taking her up to meet the Cullen's so she could make her final decision. "You scared," I asked.

She shook her head then finally turned to look at me, "More nervous really. I don't want to let anyone down. I know this is to separate me and Tawny, but I also know that you have to really know what you are doing to be in Jacobs pack. I don't know if I'm ready for that."

I threw her a quick smile before returning my eyes to the road, "That's why you'll be patrolling with me. I'll be there to keep you out of trouble. Plus you won't have to deal with the boys as much. Let's just find out if you can handle being around the Cullen's without phasing. If you can control that everything else will be a cake walk."

Amber smiled back at me nervously, then looked at the fairly new radio in the ancient truck curiously. I laughed, "that is a long story. If you want to listen to something go ahead."

She flipped through the stations until she found a news station. "You want to listen to this?"

"Yeah, I don't really like pop music and that's all that's on most of the stations. Besides I like to know what's going on in the normal world," She said with a laugh.

I had to grin, knowing exactly how she felt. Our world did seem separate from the rest of the world. We were the fictional characters of legend and lore. Werewolves and the vampires weren't supposed to exist but here we were. Only we didn't follow the legends. We werewolves were more like shapeshifters, imagine our surprise when we found out there were real werewolves. And we happened to be allies with some vampires, the ones who didn't drink human blood. Boy we were a mixed up group.

I turned my attention back to the road and the radio as Amber and I rode along in companionable silence. Then something caught my attention on the news report.

"There has been a third missing person report filed in northern Oregon. Another small town, another teenager walking home from school. Her name is Rachel Rider, blond hair, green eyes, five foot five inches, 115 pounds. Last seen wearing a green t-shirt, jeans, white tennis shoes, and a black hoody sweatshirt. This one was closer to the Washington state border. Now both states are on high alert for anyone unusual. Make sure children walk together in groups if they must walk. If you see someone of that discription contact authorities immediately. Now on to sports."

"Hmm," I said thinking to myself.

Amber looked up at me, "What?"

I shook my head, "probably nothing but I'm going to need to talk to Carlisle just in case. It may just be some psychotic but sometimes things like this come from our world."

"Oh, like that group in Seattle a few years ago?"

I nodded, "Yeah."

When we finally reached the Cullen's place I looked over at her with a warning glance, "They are meeting us around back, so we'll be outside. If you feel like you are getting overwhelmed hold your breath and back off."

She nodded with a worried look on her face then took a deep breath and stepped out of the truck. I saw her stumble backwards for a second when she got her first full wiff of the smell surrounding the house. "Wow, that's pretty powerful," she said shaking her head but she seemed to keep herself calm.

"Take your time and get used to it. When you're ready let me know."

She took a few minutes then nodded her head at me. I walked in front of her in case she phased I could put myself between her and the vampires. Only the males were outside, minus Barnabus, none of them wanted the women to be around a young wolf who hadn't really been tested yet. Not that any of them couldn't handle themselves, but the men seemed severely over-protective especially Edward.

We could see Esme just inside the glass French doors waiting for a sign that all was safe. If she was going to tutor Amber she'd need to be able to get close enough. Carlisle was the first to walk to us. "Hello Leah, this must be Amber. It's very nice to meet you.

Amber stayed back, "It's nice to meet you too. I don't mean to be rude but I think I'll stay back here for now."

Carlisle smiled, "I understand, I'm Carlisle. These are my sons, Edward, Emmett and Jasper." He pointed to each one in turn.

Amber nodded and looked at Edward, "Ah, you're the mind reader?"

He gave her his crooked smile, "Yes, but I try not to use it unless I have to."

Amber grinned, "I could say something but you already know what I'm thinking. So I'll just quit."

Edward cleared his throat and looked away. If he could have blushed I'm sure he would have.

I turned around to Amber and gave her a warning glance, "unless you want all of us to know what you were thinking; I'd stop now."

Amber giggled, "It wasn't intentional. Just an uncontrolled reaction." Then she faced Jasper, "you're the mood control guy, right?"

Jasper nodded and quietly said, "Yes, ma'am."

Amber looked at Emmett, "So what is your gift?"

Emmett got an evil grin across his face, crossed his arms and laughed, "I'm not allowed to say."

Jasper rolled his eyes and Edward shoved Emmett, "Cut it out." They both said, "Quit being crud," Edward added.

Carlisle cleared his throat, "Boys there are ladies present."

Amber blushed at this point having figured out what was being said. I let her get her composure together and asked, "are you okay? Can Esme come out?"

She nodded, "Yeah I'm better. It's not as bad now."

Esme heard this through the door and stepped out with a smile but stayed within the range of the doors, "Hello, Amber. I'm so glad to meet you."

But as usual, where Esme was concerned, no one could resist her smile and charm. Amber smiled back, "Hi, It's nice to meet you Mrs. Cullen."

Carlisle walked to Esme's side, "Let's not push it any further today. We'll let you get settled in at the Bunkhouse."

Edward raised a hand, "I think Leah has something she needs to say."

I frowned at him, "Yes, well, since you already know I'll let you fill everyone else in. I'll take Amber down and talk to Jacob. I'm sure he'll stop by to catch up with you all later."

Edward shrugged, "Sorry, but it did seem important and honestly I was wondering the same thing when I watched the news this morning."

Emmett grumbled, "That will always be annoying. Can you please tell us what you are thinking?"

I smiled and waved, "Bye, we'll see you later." Then a thought stopped me, "Wait, where is Barnabus?"

Esme smiled, "I have him inside working on a design for a green house."

"Okay then," Vampires growing plants, that's a new one.