DISCLAIMER: I'm tired of writing this...I do NOT own Twilight. Please don't sue. You won't get much.

AN: Don't kill me yet! No…we're not going back to Emmett QUITE yet. There are still some other matters that need to be handled. Oh, and, sorry for switching POV's so much! I considered cutting this chapter in half this time around, but decided to leave it as it was.

Talia POV

I didn't remember falling asleep, but I awoke an hour later alone. It was no big surprise. I wasn't Edward's mate. He wouldn't feel the need to stay after he comforted me. I was grateful, though. I stretched and stripped out of my clothing before I jumped into the shower. I sighed. Everything about this house had memories of Emmett, even the damn bathroom.

I felt heat pool in my center as I remembered exactly what Emmett and I did in here. My hand traveled into my folds seemingly of their own accord and I thought of him as I massaged my clit. It didn't help. I added two fingers to my pussy. It didn't help. By now, I didn't even realize I was sobbing. I was hurt and hurting and horny and it felt as though my emotions were spinning out of control. I didn't know what was going on with me. Was I losing my mind? Was the venom and the wolf blood going to fight with one another until they drove me mad?

I sank to the floor, the cold tiles feeling refreshing to my skin and I cried as the water rained down upon me. I'm not sure how long I sat there attempting to sort through my feelings. Being the accountant type, I started a list in my head.

Fact one: I was hurt, sad, and truthfully? Angry at Emmett for leaving me. I knew I could have Dominic and Alice tell me when he was coming back, but that felt like cheating to me. I was obviously supposed to go through this and learn something. I just didn't know what.

Fact two: I was horny. Everything around here with a cock, my own flesh and blood excluded, turned me on. As I had mentioned before, I was a sexual creature without the vampire blood. And only the knowledge of Emmett's whereabouts from the prophet had prevented me from acting on those impulses. It was hard to be a twenty two year old virgin. The boys, my brothers, they didn't get it, even after I explained it, but then, that was just them. Boys are stubbornly irritating creatures.

Fact three: If I didn't get out of here soon, I'd end up needing a gang bang to get me over this.

So I did the only thing I could. I showered at my half vampire speed, dressed, and threw my stuff into my suitcase. Alice would have seen my decision for us to leave now and had gotten everything else ready.

Sure enough, her bag was already sitting at the door and she was coming out of Lina's room with a bag as well. "I was going there next," I told her.

She grinned. "We won't need much. March your little self back in there and put away half those clothes. Look in the back of your closet. I have you a new bag already packed with what you'll need for Cali."

My eyebrow rose and she smirked, "I'm Alice. Don't look at me like that."

I laughed and nodded. I sat my suitcase back down on my bed and searched for my new bag. Of course it would be a Kate Spade original. I ran my fingers over the fine leather and sighed. You're definitely not in North Carolina anymore, girl. I shook off my thoughts and dashed back downstairs.

"Where is everybody?" I asked Xander as he ate his peanut butter toast on the couch. I had the feeling Esme wouldn't be thrilled, though, she was rather lenient with the children.

He grinned. "Outside, Mama. There's a surprise for you."

I blinked. "For me?"

He nodded. "Uh-huh."

I couldn't imagine what it could be. I sat my piece of luggage down next to the door and walked outside. Everyone was standing in a line, clearly hiding something from my view. I put my hands on my hips. "What are you guys…?"

"Surprise!" they all called as they moved away.

It was a car.

But not just any car.

It was a Mustang GT.

Convertible.

Chromed out.

Customized.

In a beautiful silver color.

With the words "Silver Bullet" emblazoned on the windshield.

And flames going down the side.

It was everything I'd ever wanted, dreamed about, longed for. "How did you…?" I managed.

Jake blushed. "I, uh, I saw it in your head. When we were out in the woods."

I swallowed. The woods. When we had…yeah. I blushed as well even as I walked forward.

"Edward and I have been working on it," Jake added softly. "They wanted to get you something sportier, but I told them this was your dream car."

I ran my fingers over the sparkling silver paint job. I smiled. "Silver bullet?"

"Inside joke," Jake chuckle, causing me to giggle. Everyone knew that silver bullets were supposed to stop werewolves. Not that they hurt us. Well, I think a bullet might hurt, and it would probably kill one of the wolves if it was directed into our hearts, but that's a discussion for another day. Carlisle would have to do some tests before the coming war. We had plenty of time to worry about that.

"Alice is repulsed by the fact that you wanted a Ford, Talia, just so you know." Edward put in.

I looked at him. "You and Jake did this?"

He nodded. "It turns out the mutt and I enjoy working on cars. We can actually do it together without wanting to kill each other. We just have to leave the doors open so the smell wasn't too much."

"For either of us," Jake threw out.

"But it was Carlisle's idea," Edward added.

I turned to Carlisle, who smiled. "You are a Cullen by all but name now, Talia," he told me. "You deserve to drive in a Cullen approved car."

I didn't know what to say. I was speechless that they would be that generous to me. "Thank you," I told them all softly.

I received a round of smiles and Alice said, "Well, even though I don't like a Ford, per se, let's drive it to Cali! I need to get a few things done and then we'll be ready to go!" And with that, she skipped, literally, back into the house.

I rolled my eyes. "Is she always like this?" I asked.

Jasper chuckled. "Alice and shopping? Uh, yes. She is." He turned and walked back into the house as well.

"I need to get my suitcase and Renesmee's, I'll be right back," Bella murmured before walking away also.

I bit my lip and opened the door to my car. I'd never had a new car. My parents had never even had a new car. Ever, that I recall. "I just can't believe this." I was awed. I ran my hand over the leather. It even smelled new. "What did you guys do?"

"We tweaked the engine a little bit," Jake told me.

"And customized a few things," Edward added.

"You guys…who knew cars would be the thing that drew you together?"

Edward winced. "Well, I had to kind of take over the car maintenance…"

My breath caught. "That was Rosalie's job, wasn't it?"

He nodded.

"Sorry, Edward."

He shrugged. "There is nothing you can do about it and it isn't your fault anyway."

I nodded, and deciding not to dwell, popped Jake on the arm. "You shouldn't be roaming around in my head!"

He snorted. "Like you don't? I feel you in there when we're in wolf form."

"I was checking to make sure secrets remained where they should be," I replied softly.

Edward let out a snort. "You told her that? I didn't actually think you'd tell anyone. You seemed pretty adamant about not telling."

Jake shot him a look and I gasped. "You mean it didn't work?"

"Tally…" he started.

I turned to Edward. "I'm so sorry, it just happened, I didn't mean…"

His eyes narrowed. "What are you talking about?"

My brow furrowed. "What are you talking about?"

"I'm talking about Jake and Leah. What are you talking about?"

I rounded on Jake. "What does he mean, you and Leah? What is he talking about?"

Jake held up both his hands. "Talia…now, just…wait, just a minute…"

My mouth fell open. "You son of a bitch! I thought I'd taken something from you!" I lunged at him and Edward managed to catch me about the waist.

"Talia!" Jake cried. "I'm sorry! I should have told you! It just…it just happened and…"

"It just happened? It just happened?! Like us? It happened just like us?"

"Y-yes."

"Let me kill him, Edward!" I snarled. I couldn't believe it. My alpha lied to me. He never told me about him and Leah having a…tryst also.

"Would you calm down?" Edward asked softly. "Don't make me hurt you."

"You won't have to. Jake's done that enough," I stated softly.

Jake hung his head. "It was a one-time thing. I made Edward swear not to tell…"

"Will one of you explain what is going on?"

I looked Jacob dead in the eye. "I release you of your promise."

He groaned and clutched his head. I knew that it would work to have him let go of the thoughts that were hiding in his head.

"No…" Edward moaned. "Oh, God. Jake!" He let go of me in that instant and walked over to Bella, who was just returning with her suitcase. "Gah…Bella. Quick. Shield me. Jake, Talia, wolf…please? If you love me you'll protect my poor brain."

It would have been comical if I wasn't so hurt at the moment. "Give me one good reason why I shouldn't pummel you to the ground, Jacob Black," I snarled.

"Talia…"

"What's going on here?" Jasper called, sprinting back toward us. "The emotions out here are more out of control than Talia normally is." He looked at me. "No offense."

I shrugged. "None taken." I narrowed my eyes at Jake. "Care to explain to Bella what is going on? And furthermore, how could you, Edward? How could you keep that secret?"

Bella, who had been rubbing her husband's arm, turned to him. "What secret, Edward?"

"Hell…" he muttered. "See? This is why this whole sharing thing is a bad idea."

"Only if you keep it hidden," I shot back.

He sighed. "Jake, you'd best just own up to it and take the punishment coming your way."

Jake looked at him with something akin to horror. "Do I have to?"

Edward smirked. "I think it would be best, yes."

Jake cleared his throat. "Ummm…okay…well, see…after the un-war with the Volturi, we were all kinda flying high because we were alive, ya know?"

He ran his fingers through his hair. "And, well, Leah was kinda feelin' down cuz she didn't think she'd ever find somebody. And I was feeling kinda down because I didn't get to kill anyone. And, well, one thing led to another and…"

Bella let out a growl. "Jacob Black!"

He winced. "Bells…I just, I mean it just…it wasn't…"

She walked over to him and punched him in the face.

"OW!" he roared as he rubbed his face. "Damn it, vampire. That hurts!"

She smirked. "Finally. I get to hit you and it hurts. How could you? How could you do that to Nessie?"

"I didn't!" he cried. "We were in wolf form. I swear I'm still a virgin as a human. It doesn't count if you're a wolf!"

A look of disgust crossed her face as she turned to me. "And you? You did this with Jake, too?"

I swallowed and nodded. "We were drunk. Not that it matters. I…I'm…messed up, Bella. Without Emmett here I'm kinda like a ship at sea. I have no anchor to hold me. I'm just drifting."

Her eyes softened. "I believe you. Besides…" Her lip turned up. "I believe with…dogs, it's usually the male that has all the control and power."

"I submitted," I confessed. Even though I was pissed at Jake, he was still my alpha. I would protect him from an angry vampire.

"It doesn't matter. He knew better." She turned back to him. "Just because you have a cock and can't have your mate for a few years does NOT give you the right to go out and fuck every female wolf under you, Jacob. You disgust me." And with that, she stormed back toward the cabin.

"Bells! Bells! Wait!" Jake called, running after her. I didn't want to be privy to that conversation.

"Edward, if I were you, I'd skedaddle and be there to keep Bella from killing Jake," Jasper said softly. Edward took one look at me and ran after the other two.

I sighed. "Great. Just…fan-fucking-tastic."

Jasper chuckled. "It could be worse."

"How?" I asked.

"At least Bella's not pissed at you."

"Yet."

He shook his head. "She's just mad it wasn't her. Ever since you told her that she couldn't have Jake before Nessie, she's been mad."

"I didn't say that. I said it would be better if they waited and gave themselves to each other first. There is a reason why the bible states that marriage should occur before the sex."

Jasper snorted. "I think that's a bit outdated, don't you?"

I shrugged. "I don't claim to know everything. I only know what I'm taught and told."

Jake POV

Great. Can I screw this up any more than I already have? Shit. "Bells! Come on! Please?" I ran after her and she managed to slam the door in my face. I blew out a breath. "Come on, Bella. You know I'm going to come in anyway."

"Go away, Jake!"

"No," I growled as I walked into the little cottage, stooping as I did so. This place was so not intended for tall people.

She glared at me. "I have nothing to say to you, you horrible…animal!"

I winced, but really? Okay. I deserved that. I'd lied. Lied to everyone except for Edward, who could read every damn one of my thoughts. That shit still irritated me. "Bella…okay, I know you think I'm some kind of monster, but just…hear me out, alright?"

Her answering glare would have killed a normal person, because surely if looks could kill, they'd be digging my grave now. "I'm waiting," she stated impatiently, and damn it if she didn't start tapping that foot. I hated that. I think girls knew that and just did it to piss men off.

I ran my fingers through my hair. "Okay, see…when you're a wolf, your body is tuned in to the base needs and functions. We're truly animals when we shift."

She nodded.

"And, well, when you're connected to someone like we're connected when we're wolves, we see things."

Again, she nodded.

"And, well, Leah sometimes would relive some of the things she'd seen and done as a human. She and Sam were…well, I don't like thinking about him like that, but I couldn't help but be attracted to her thoughts at the same time. It was like watching a porno, you know?"

Bella's eyes shot daggers at me. Clearly she wasn't getting this. "I saw her fucking Sam as she thought about it. Naturally, in my wolf form, I got excited. Baser nature, remember? And, well, I just, I was teasing her and said if she needed to get off, I could help her. She laughed at me, it was funny."

I sighed. "But then, well, time went on, and the shit with the Volturi happened and we were all so damned glad to be alive. All of us except for Leah. She was so miserable. She felt unloved. Hell, she was unloved. Leah is a total bitch in the worst sense of the word. She knows this. She's bitter. And she has every reason to be bitter. I of all people understood exactly how she felt."

"Jake…"

I held up a hand. Bella had to understand this. "So, after everyone else had phased, after I helped you put Nessie to bed that night, I decided just to take a stroll. I wanted to make sure the Volturi held true to their promises. I canvassed the area and found nothing but their fading scents. It was then that I found Leah. She was just mopey and depressed and I just hated it for her so much."

I closed my eyes, remembering that night. "She wished there had been a war so she could have died. It was awful to see how depressed she really was. I tried to cheer her up. It only irritated her further. I drove her to a play fight and we were rolling around and I managed to best her. I had her under me and had her pinned to the ground and her mind touched mine and I saw all the times she and Sam had been together as humans and I…I couldn't control myself."

I took in a breath. "She didn't fight it, only encouraged me. It was…good. It gave me the release I hadn't known I'd needed. Because what I said to you was true. I am all but asexual when I'm with Nessie. I don't think of her like that. At all. I promise. But when I'm in wolf form, I can't control my more animalistic tendencies."

She sat like stone. I waited with bated breath and she asked, "And with Talia?"

"Talia…happened much the same way. Factor in alcohol and it reminded me of that release. It reminded me of how good it felt to be buried in Leah. Talia didn't instigate it, I did. You don't…you shouldn't be mad at her. It's all on me."

"Jake…" She sighed. We were both quiet for a few moments before she said, "Why can't I stay mad at you?"

I smiled. "Because you love me?" I offered.

"You know I do. I just…I think maybe…"

I waited, because I just had the feeling something was about to happen.

She shook her head. "I think that I am…jealous."

I held in the smile. Finally. She was going to admit it. "Of?" I prompted. I couldn't help myself.

"Of them. That they can be with you like that."

"And?" I knew there had to be more.

She bit her lip. "I can't say it."

I moved to her then. Whatever happened down the line, no matter if Nessie and Edward were in our lives, we would always be bonded. "It's just us, Bells. Tell me." I gently wrapped my arms around her.

She laid her head on my chest and whispered, "I'm jealous of Nessie, too."

Bingo. Score! Jake! You stud! I was grinning on the inside, trying to remain calm on the outside. "Why?" I was genuinely curious, but I was gloating a little bit. I couldn't help it. I needed to hear her say it all. To spill it out loud for me to hear.

She looked up at me and her eyes, though they weren't the brown I had loved on her, were sad and sweet. "Because she'll have something I have no right to ask for."

I sighed. "Bells, do you know how much it means for me to know that you want it?"

"Why Jake? Why are we like this?"

"I think that there are a lot of things factored in. I do love you, Bella. And I do want to be with you. And I will be with you. But I do owe it to Ness to stay pure for her, at least in the human sense."

She let out one dry sob and I pulled her to me tighter. "I'm sorry, Bells."

She shook her head. "I'm the one that should be sorry. I'm jealous of my own daughter. What does that make me?"

I grinned. "One killer MILF?"

She swatted my arm and it was funny, because it hurt now that she was a vampire. Well, only a little bit.

I hugged her tighter and she let out a little squeak. "Thank goodness you can't smush me now, Jake."

I grinned again. "Yeah. I might enjoy you being indestructible now."

"Edward does," she countered.

I couldn't help the growl and she smiled. "I'm glad to see I'm not the only one that's jealous."

"Bella…a hundred, no, a thousand years could pass and I will always be jealous of him. You have been, and forever will be, my first love. And I'll always hate part of him for taking you away from me, even if he did give me the gift of your daughter."

"Jake…"

I looked down into her eyes once more. "Bells…do you think…can I…?"

She didn't answer. Her body answered for her. She wrapped her arms around my neck and pressed her lips to mine.

Her breath was sweet, like cotton candy, the flavor most vampires smelled like to us. Sure, her freesia and strawberry scent was there too, but the vampire smell was all over her. And yet, I couldn't turn away if I tried. My arms tightened their grip on her as I opened my mouth. Our tongues touched tentatively and I was very cautious of her teeth as I deepened the kiss.

Her hands moved into my hair and fisted there, bringing a bit of pain with the pleasure. I let out a tiny whimper and it spurred her on, gripping me tighter for a fraction of a second before she pulled away.

I smiled at her. "That one was way better than the one you gave me at the tent that morning," I commented as I thought of the morning before we fought against the newborns and Victoria. It had been so hard for me to be in that tiny sleeping bag with her and not drive Edward insane. Of course, I did somewhat anyway.

She smiled. "Maybe I've been practicing."

"I know you have, obviously. I may have to thank Edward on my way out."

She stiffened, because I knew she smelled him just outside as I did. I smiled. "Don't worry. I think he knows how we both feel. It's okay. When the time's right, right?"

She nodded, licking her lips. "When the time's right."

I stepped away from her. "I, uh, I think I need to go. I'll see you guys when you get back?"

"Yeah. I'll see you then."

I turned and opened the door. Edward was standing there, trying not to growl. I held up a hand. "She's all yours, Edward. You know that."

"You both still want each other."

"You know what Talia said. It would have been great, but you're still her mate. Don't forget that because you're mad at the situation. She loves me. She just loves you more."

He looked at me and smiled. "You know, I think you're finally starting to grow up, pup."

I smirked. "Yup. Weird huh?"

He shook his head. "I knew it would happen some day."

"Smart ass Vampire," I muttered before walking away. I had to do something about this hard-on I was sporting.

Talia POV

Jasper and I walked into the house and I decided a snack was in order before we hit the road. If we leave, I thought. I hadn't heard anything else from the cabin, and wasn't sure I wanted to know what was going on. I had the feeling Jake had some serious groveling to do.

I checked on the girls, they were playing dress-up and makeup with Alice, who winked at me and said, "I saw it all from the window. We're going to stay here and play until Bella is ready, but don't think I don't want details."

I let out a snort of laughter and shook my head. "Okay."

I walked into the kitchen and made myself a big club sandwich and grabbed some chips and a pickle. Yum. The only thing missing was some sweet tea. I got out all the ingredients and set the pot of water on the stove with teabags in it. I let it come to a boil and put two cups of sugar into a pitcher. Then the tea went in it and I stirred it up. It smelled good, reminding me of home.

"Now that's a smell I remember," I heard from the doorway.

I whipped around. "Jase?"

My brother smiled at me. "Tally. You're not too vampy, are you?"

"Jase, what are you doing here?"

He smiled. "I'd have been here sooner, but Dad wanted me to finish my last classes."

I bit my lip as two tears traveled down my cheek. He came over then and scooped me into his big arms. Though he was three years younger than me, he was huge by comparison, built similarly to Jake.

"Are you okay, sis?"

I shook my head. "No. I'm not." I looked up at him. "But I will be. How long are you here for?"

He smiled. "The long haul. I've gotten my transcripts forwarded to U Dub."

I smiled. "Jase…"

"Thank you, Tally. Leah told me you led her to me."

"Are you happy?"

"Leah's everything I could ever want. She's such a special person. She's bright and sarcastic and funny and…"

I smiled again. "And she's perfect for you?"

"Yes. She is."

"Is she here?" I asked.

He shook his head. "No. She went home to find her mom. She wanted to break the news to her first…"

"What news?"

He blushed.

"Jason Michael Grayson. What did you do?"

He winced and said, "WekindawenttoSouthCarolinaandelopedandnowshe'spre gnant."

My mouth fell open. "WHAT?!"

He grimaced. "We went and eloped. We didn't tell Mom and Dad. And, well, she's pregnant."

I whistled low. "Damn. You move fast."

"I'm a Grayson," he stated proudly.

I chuckled at that. "I guess you are." I looked him over. He looked wonderful. He had grown a tiny bit more since I'd seen him last. I had left while he was still deep in school going for his degree in animal science. He said it was a nod to our heritage. Plus, he had this amazing ability with animals anyway. "So…are you going to complete your degree?"

He shrugged. "I'm not sure. I enjoyed the Animal Science, but I don't feel it's my calling. You know it was you that was interested in medicine, whether it was animal or human." He looked me up and down. "Or a combination of the two."

I flipped him off and he grinned. "I've got the whole summer to think about it," he added. "Besides, I need to find a job."

I snorted. "No shit, Sherlock. How could you knock her up already?"

"I don't know. I mean, she told me about how her cycles had stopped, ya know? And, well, I didn't think everything would be, ya know, working that soon after meeting me."

"So you jumped in, married her, fucked her and knocked her up? It didn't even occur to either of you to, you know, wear a condom, Jase?"

"Look. It happened. We don't regret it. Things will be tight." He looked around. "Not all of us can land a rich person, Tally."

"Don't you dare criticize me, Jason." I shot back.

He sighed. "Sorry. That was a crappy thing to say."

"Damned right it was," I growled.

"Can't you just be happy for us?" he asked, hurt thick in his voice.

"I am, Jase. I really am. But the life you've chose in going to be long and hard."

"And happy. Mama and Daddy are happy and we never had a lot. Just cuz you find yourself in the lap of luxury doesn't mean we all do. And that's okay. We'll be fine."

I sighed, because we Grayson's were a stubborn lot. "Did you meet Sue?"

He shook his head. "Leah thought it would be better to ease her into this thing."

Sue was scheduled to be turned the next day. She knew she wouldn't be allowed onto Quileute land again once she had venom running through her veins, even if she weren't a full blooded vampire. "That's smart." I could only imagine what Leah would say when she found out her mother was slated to become a blood-sucker. Maybe Jase had mellowed her out a bit? One could only hope.

"So…are you going to stop phasing?" I asked.

He shook his head. "I don't know. Leah told me I should join Jake's pack."

"Yeah, that's smart. I'm a member as well."

"You're a wolf now, too?"

I nodded. "Very long story. I'll tell you all the ins and outs of my transformation sometime."

He nodded. "I'd be interested in hearing about it." He sniffed and stiffened.

"Talia, I…" Bella trailed off, just barely holding back a snarl. "Who is this?"

"My brother, Jason."

Bella smiled then. "Pleasure. Bella Cullen," she said as she held out a hand.

Jason looked at her like she was going to strike for a moment before he smiled and shook her hand cautiously. "Wow. When you told Dad these leeches were friendly, I didn't think you actually meant it."

I winced at the slur, but Bella laughed. "Oh, Jason, I think you'll find we are nothing normal. Come, let's visit a few minutes. Alice seems to think we need to wait an hour or so before we leave so that we won't run through any sun on our way to Modesto. A rainstorm is supposed to roll in giving us the cloud cover we'll need."

Jason blinked. "You're leaving?"

I nodded. "Going on a trip. There's a lot you need to know, bro."

We gave him an abridged version of the events to come. He, like most shape-shifters, had issues being shut up in the house with a bunch of vampires, especially once all the family started piling in to meet him, so we traversed out to the front porch where Alice and I told him most of what was to happen.

"So…there's gonna be a war? And you want us to help?" he asked after we finished our tale.

I shook my head. "Jase, you are more than welcome to stay out of it if you want to stop phasing and raise your child. We'll understand."

He shook his head. "I need to speak with Leah about this."

I nodded. "Do. You go on and meet Sue and talk to Leah. I'm going to find someone we'll need and I'll be back in a few days."

He seemed uncertain if he wanted to leave now. I smiled. "I'll be fine, okay?"

He hugged me. "I love you, Tally-Wally-Doodle. Don't forget, okay?"

I sniffed back a tear. "Never. And call me that horrid nickname one more time and you won't have to worry about getting Leah pregnant again. I'll rip your balls off."

He smiled. "There's my sister. Love ya."

I rolled my eyes. "Love you, too, Jase."

I watched him drive away in Leah's car and sighed. I was tired now, drained from all the emotions. I needed to get some of my shit straightened out.

"Ready to go?" Alice asked.

I put on a smile. I had the feeling I wouldn't anything straightened out until Emmett came back home. "Sure. Let's get the girls and let's get out of here!"

Emmett POV (Finally, right?! LOL)

I closed my eyes. What a shitty way to go out. Without turning, I said, "Say, I don't suppose you'd let me get away with a warning, would you?"

"Give us one good reason, leech," a man's voice said.

I turned, ever so slowly. There before me were three wolves and a man dressed in cutoff sweats, the kind Jake wore when he phased so he could talk. But there was something about this man that almost looked…familiar. I scanned through the thousands of faces my vampire memory conjured, but I couldn't place who he reminded me of.

"Uh…well, I'm a vegetarian, so, you know, I don't eat from humans," I started.

"Prove it."

"My eyes are gold."

He walked a bit closer to me. Thick black hair, trimmed short, a strong jaw line, and honey brown eyes looked at me. Huh. He almost looked like that dude from Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The vampire. Angel. I snorted internally. I'll bet his pack gave him shit about that, too.

"Your eyes are not gold. But they aren't red either. They're almost an orange color. Which shows you've eaten both lately," he stated offhandedly.

Shit, shit, fuck! I had drank from Talia when she and I…my shoulders slumped. "That was…I mean, it was…okay, you're right, sort of. I have no excuse." How would I explain to him that I drank from my half-wolf, half-vamp mate who is immortal and has venom and blood running through her veins? Yeah, like he'd believe that.

He stepped just a bit closer, as did the wolves and he…sniffed me? Dude, that's just weird. His eyes grew wider and he said, "No, you can't be. What are you doing here?"

I blinked. "Huh?"

"You are Talia's leech."

My mouth fell open. "Yes. I am. How did you know that?"

"Her smell is on you," he said sadly. "Did you kill her?"

I shook my head rapidly. "No. Of course not! She's still…I mean, well, she's kinda…I mean, I did sort of…but not…" Fuck. I was a damned vampire. I should NOT stutter.

He smirked before turning back to the wolves. "False alarm, boys. I don't want her killing us for taking out her mate. Go on, scan the northeast quadrant now." I watched as two of the wolves left, but the one, a dark brown one, whined and stayed behind.

The man sighed. "Fine. You can stay. Phase as well, okay?"

The wolf let out a little bark and ran behind a tree, coming back quickly as a boy no older than Seth. If he were of driving age I'd be surprised. He was big, as all the wolves were, but I could definitely tell he was young.

The man turned back to me. "So…how is Talia?"

"Forgive me sir, but, well, who are you?"

He chuckled and held out a hand. "Aaron Grayson. Talia's father."

Oh shit. I'm so screwed.

AN2: Hehehe...I do love being a bit evil. Until next time!