Chapter 24

Ashley's PoV

When I next opened my eyes we were in front of my rather large house. I glanced behind us, over Jake's shoulder. Ellie and Embry were behind him, both of their faces set grimly. Suddenly Jake set me down, but before I could move he gave me a bone-crushing hug.

"I'm so sorry," he whispered so quietly, that I wasn't ever sure I had heard him right. I felt safe in his arms. Safe from whatever had sparked their insane behavior. How could a mere woman make… wait a minute… could she be…? I felt all of the blood drain out of my face at this thought. It couldn't be. What was it that Jake had said? 'We exist because they do. The bloodsuckers- vampires.' I suddenly felt light-headed and sick at the same time, spots danced in front of my vision.

The next thing I knew I was laying on my bed. I must have passed out. Keeping my eyes closed, I could hear Ellie's voice.

"-go back. I had no idea that she would follow us-or find us so quickly. We definitely have strength in numbers."

"Yes, we probably should have told Sam about this from the beginning," Embry added in agreement. I felt a cool damp cloth placed over my forehead carefully.

"No," Jacob's voice was right next to me, and I nearly jumped at his tone. It was hard, and defiant. "I'm not leaving her. You two can go and tell Sam, but I'm staying with Ash. I am not going to leave her alone again." It was suddenly deathly quiet.

"I agree." I had expected Ellie to be the one to say this, but in actuality it was Embry. I was not particularly close to him. He was really just my best friend's imprint, and my imprint's best friend. "We are not leaving her here. She's a part of our pack now too. She's also in the most trouble. We can't leave her alone, she's too vulnerable." I was teary at this. His declaration was sweet enough that I could ignore that last part about vulnerability. I also figured now would be a good time to 'wake up' they were, after all, discussing my future, and I'd like to have a say in it. I opened my eyes, seeing the familiar room. My three friends were looking worriedly at each other as if trying to think about what to do- which of the two possibilities would be best. Well, I'd just choose for them.

"I'm coming with you." They all jumped at my voice. Jacob was immediately at my side again shaking his head negatively.

"No," Jake stated, firmly, "I'm not going to make you leave your home, and you still have your senior year to finish up here. I can watch over you- I don't want to force you to leave your life here behind."

"That's sweet and all Jake, but what about me, and what I want? What will happen when the vampire's gone and the three of you leave me? I have nothing here to miss that much. I don't even really have a family. In La Push I do have a family. And what about you, Jake? It's got to be really hard to be away from all of your pack, your family. I don't want you to have to give them up for me-"

"Ash," he interrupted. "I don't matter. I'll be fine, I just want you to be happy, and all I need is y-"

"Cut the crap. Jake, that's sweet and all, but you're not getting rid of me that easily. I'm coming with you. I have to. I want to," I ended confidently. It was quiet for a full minute, and I watched as Jake's face changed as he suddenly came to a decision.

"Okay, Ash." I nodded in satisfaction, before flinging my arms around Jake in thanks. Two hours on the computer and many disagreements later, and we had come to a decision. There were apparently no flights into Seattle until the next day, but there was one into Portland that left in five hours. We were going to fly into Portland and then we'd run the rest of the way to La Push. And by 'we', I mean they were going to run while I evidently was going to ride on Jacob's back. Having never seen any of them in their wolf forms this made me slightly nervous. I've been okay with this whole 'mythical creatures' thing up until now. I think this is because there's still a small part of me that doesn't quite believe that they're part animal. I guess I'll have to cross that bridge when I come to it.

I was now packing furiously. I only let myself stuff one duffle bag full. I was afraid that even this weight would slow us down too much, when it came to running. And this was the last thing I wanted, but I couldn't very well move up North without some clothes. Ellie and Embry were at her dad's saying their goodbyes. And Jake was somewhere with my house in view. This made me nervous, I mean, there was after all a freakin' vampire on the loose! He could get hurt all because of me! When I had voiced these concerns Jake had patronizingly smiled, and shook his head saying that he could handle anything. Right.

I don't think we had much time. From Ellie's tone of voice we had to leave. Now. This 'fleeing-from-California' thing kind of puts a damper on the Christmas spirit.

Bang. I jumped as I heard our front door bang open then shut. I tensed unsure if I should scream, was it the vampire? Then I heard the sound of a female and male arguing. The voices were all too familiar. I took a deep breath before zipping up my stuffed duffle and heading downstairs to confront my parents, bag in tow. I crept quietly downstairs. Standing in the foyer was my mother and father having it out. I came down just in time to hear the end of my father's sentence.

"… or so help me, Natalie!" My mother gave a mirthless laugh.

"Right, like you can do a thing about it. I can't wait for the divorce to go though. I am so tired of your-" she stopped mid-sentence and looked behind dad, and her gaze landed on me. She suddenly paled. Dad turned around and saw me as well, although his face reddened instead of paling.

"Oh, dear, we didn't mean for you to find out like this." Did it really shock me much? No. Hmmm… So this was why mom had insisted on the whole 'family Christmas' thing? It makes sense, now that I think about it; wanting to spend our last Christmas together before I have to 'move between parents'. This makes me want leave this place even more.

"No need to stop this little funfest on my account, I'm leaving." I had left a note in my room explaining everything if my parents would ever care to look.

"We- we have plans for more family Christm-"

"Cut the crap, mom. I'm 18. I'm a big girl. You don't have to keep patronizing me, and tiptoeing around, and lying to me. You're getting a divorce." I stopped for a second and that word seemed to echo in the room.

"Listen for a minute, Midge-"

"Look, I've got to go," I interrupted, not wanting to hear anything they had to say. I tried to step around my father, but he and mom wouldn't let me by.

"Wait a minute. Where do you think you're going? It's Christmas Eve and it's late." It was actually only 9. Before I could answer my mother piped in.

"You're not going out with that Indian boy I met this morning, are you?"

"Native American," I corrected automatically. My mother pursed her lips.

"Well, are you?" I stayed quiet, obviously they got the gist. Both of them frowned.

"Ash, your mother told me about this boy. He doesn't seem – well, he doesn't seem as if he's the best thing for you, right now."

"Excuse me?" was he kidding me? Jake not the best thing for me!? The thought was laughable- except for the fact that my parents' faces were completely straight. They were as serious as a heart attack.

"You heard your father. He's- well different from us. You have no business being around a boy like that."

"A boy like what!?" I demanded, fighting to keep my voice level.

"He's a man who loves me, who wants to be with me, and who won't desert me. Not even you, my own parents can say the same thing." My mom looked as if I'd struck her, while my father looked angry enough for steam to come out of his ears.

"How dare-"

"And," I was on a roll, and couldn't help myself. "You and mom will never know what that feels like, because you both are too selfish to another person." My father looked about ready to explode. My mother calmly put a hand on his shoulder.

"Are you quite finished?" I blew out a frustrated breath, but nodded, knowing that I had already gone too far.

"Good because you're grounded. Now go to your room." Was she serious!?

"No." my heart was beating wildly. The silence that descended over the house felt as if it was smothering me.

"What did you say?" my mother asked in a voice warning me to give the 'right' answer.

"I'm leaving. For good."

"Ashley, what are you babbling on abou-"

"I'm moving up North to live with Ellie."

"Stop being so melodramatic," my father said, rolling his eyes.

"No, I'm completely serious," I contradicted with a frown.

"I never thought you were the type of girl to move, leaving your family all for some boy," she said in a scathing tone.

"He's not just 'some boy' and what family are you talking about?" I demanded, angry past words at my parents. "We haven't been a family for years!"

"What are you talking about; we're your parents! We always spend time with you!"

"Oh really, mom? Okay, what's my favorite color?" I saw their faces cloud up, as they glanced at each other.

"Pink?" It came out as a question, more than an answer.

"Right, it probably was when I was five. What's my favorite movie? Food? Band? Book?" they stared at each other, hoping the other knew the answer. I felt my heart sank as they both were silent.

"That's what I thought, I know people who can answer these questions without a second thought, and none of them live in this house." I spun on my heel, and almost had reached the door, when my father's voice stopped me.

"Regardless, you are forbidden to leave this house; we can talk about this in the morning."

"Forbidden?" I nearly laughed at this. "I'm 18. And you can't stop me. I love Jake and I'm not going to let him leave without me." My parents looked at each other with shocked expressions.

"You've known this boy for all of one day, and you think you love him. You're a teenager- what do you know about love?"

"I've known him longer than that, not that it really matters."

"Oh, so now you've been seeing him behind our backs? What do you know about love?"

"More than both of you," they were both silent. I took this opportunity to leave. I can't take my parents any more, and I hated leaving things between us like this, but I had to go. I ran blindly, tears stinging my eyes, and overflowing down my cheeks. What the tears were for, I had no idea. I stumbled into something solid. Before I could fall, though warm, familiar arms caught me. Cradling me against his chest, Jake was quiet until I had calmed down, considerably.

"So-sorry," I sobbed out.

"It's fine, I don't mind a bit. This is what I'm here for." Hearing his voice made the last tears and the sobbing stop. I took one last deep breath before talking, so my voice would be steady.

"So, where are we meeting the other two?"

"At Ellie's dad's house. Our plane leaves in three hours, so we'll get there in plenty of time." I nodded, and linked hands with Jake, letting him lead the rest of the way. "Do you have everything you need?"

"Yes," and even if I had forgotten something, there was no way that I was going back.

"So, you love me, huh?" Jake whispered in my ear. I felt my face flood with color. I should have known he'd be listening. Did he feel the same? I turned toward him to ask, and found his dark, smiling eyes two inches away from mine.

"Of course I do, are you blin-" he cut me off by leaning down and crashing his lips over mine. My eyes widen in shock, before closing in pleasure.

"Finally," I heard a familiar voice say. I pulled away from Jake, who groaned frustrated. Standing in front of us, hand in hand were Ellie and Embry, both grinning ear to ear, with satisfied expressions on their faces.

"Pay up," Ellie teased, holding her other hand out to her boyfriend.

"What!?" Jake demanded, "You bet against me, man?"

"No," he argued pulling out a five dollar bill. "I bet that it wouldn't have taken you this long."

A/n: I know I say this all the time, but I really DID mean to update a few days ago, but Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince destracted me. I saw it two days in a row with different people, and then went to a showing of 'Brigadoon' a theatre in my community was doing. Needless is it to say that our school production last fall was much better. Anyway.

I know there's not too much action, but the part with her parents was important. Also, I was going to add some Ellie at the end, but my beta advised against it. There will be more action soon. The end is coming up! Do you all like Ash's PoV, or do you like Ellie's better? Or is there someone else you think I should do soon?

Thanks to all of the reviews. I savour each and every one of them. Also thanks to my beta, alicebrandoncullen. Seriously, guys, check out her stories and review for her. Especially the one I'm beta-ing for her. That would be awesome and I'd love you forever.

I love to hear all kinds of feedback. I love repeat reviewers and new ones, so don't be shy! Come on down and join my reviewing train!