"Eat human."

The vampire threw some food at me through the van door and shut it quickly. Just like I was a fucking dog. I was too hungry to care. I'd gone almost a whole day without food, just lying in the back of the van. When we stopped about an hour ago, one of them cut my hands free of the duct tape. The release caused my broken fingers to throb painfully. I realized that I'd never got a cast for it.

I unwrapped the food hungrily. It was a sandwich and water bottle. Not that I was complaining. I shoved the sandwich in my mouth, finishing it in three bites. I'm pretty sure it was peanut butter and jelly. Next, I chugged the water, feeling some energy coming back. That's when the idea of escaping came to my mind. I peeked out the tinted window of the van. It was parked at a gas station and my captors were nowhere to be seen. Taking a deep breath, I climbed into the front seat and unlocked the door. Holding my breath, I slowly pushed it open. Cold air hit me and suddenly I was free. The second my feet touched the ground I started to run. There was a small diner not fifty feet away. I really thought I could make it.

I was almost out of the gas station parking lot when cold arms wrapped around me, stopping me in my tracks. Suddenly I was being pulled backwards. I kicked and flailed and screamed, trying to get some sort of attention.

"HELP ME! PLEASE SOMEBODY HELP ME!" I screamed in a bloodcurdling tone, "HELP ME THEY KIDNAPPED ME!"

I'd grabbed the attention of some people at the gas station and some of the people at the diner had run outside. But all too soon, his hand was over my mouth and we were back in the van, speeding down the highway.

NATHAN'S POV

Right now, I am really missing everybody! Come visit me soon! Hopefully, i'll be settled in so i can see my Loving family and friends! And you can meet all my new friends. Night time is so pretty here, i just love looking at the stars. Don't worry about me, everything's great!

I shook my head, trying to understand this stupid postcard. Samantha has really never been one with words. The card had a picture of a random restaurant on the front of it with no name. Sighing, I handed it to Brady, who'd been reading it over my shoulder. He has been collecting them for the past month, ever since she started sending them. That's the only reason he came around anymore.

"Hey Nathan," Brandon said, coming through the back door.

"How was patrol? Did you pick up anything new?" I asked.

"Nothing," Brandon sighed, flopping down on the couch. He'd been pretty down lately, ever since he had to break up with his girlfriend. I felt bad, but it was only for the best. I suggested he go see her, just in case he did imprint, but he said he didn't want to be disappointed.

We sat together in the living room, watching some kidnapping story on the news but not really paying attention. Eventually, I got bored and turned it off. Chase was patrolling, now, but I wanted to be sure everything was okay.

"I'm going out," I told Brandon.

"I'll be here," he mumbled, lifting his hand and then setting it back down.

Hey boss, what's up? – Chase

Don't call me boss. And I was just antsy I guess- Me

Still worried about those vampires?- Chase

Yeah. It's just odd that Brandon phased, but there's no new vampire scent anywhere around La Push- Me.

Unless he left La Push before he phased- Chase

Chase that's it!- Me

What's it?- Chase

I howled loudly, signaling for Brandon to phase with us. It was only a minute before we felt the shimmer in the air, indicating that he'd phased, too.

What's going on?- Brandon

Have you left La Push recently?- Me

Um… I went to Port Angeles with my mom a few weeks ago… why?- Brandon

Before you phased?- Me

Yeah, I think so- Brandon

So that's how he came intact with vampires. There weren't any in La Push! I breathed a sigh of relief knowing the reservation was safe. At least for now.

Good thinking, Chase- Me

Thanks boss!- Chase

I rolled my eyes and phased back to my human form. Brandon did the same and Chase went off to finish patrol.

"So I had to come all the way out here just to tell you I left La Push a few weeks ago?" Brandon asked.

"Yup."

"Great. Well, I'm going to head home. See you later I guess."

When I got back to Sam and Emily's house, I could hear baby Lily crying from upstairs. Pretty soon she was quiet, though, and I knew Emily must be feeding her or something. Things in the Uley house had been pretty peaceful ever since they brought her home from the hospital. I knew Sam wanted to stop phasing so he could spend more time with his children. I'd been thinking a lot about the alpha position, and I really believed that it was the right thing to do.

"Sam?" I called, walking into the kitchen. Sam was pouring juice for Hannah, who jumped up and down in excitement.

"What's up?" Sam asked, handing her the juice cup.

I sighed and leaned against the counter, crossing my arms, "I was thinking a lot about the er… alpha position and… I think I'm ready."

Sam stayed quiet, taking in what I said.

"You're sure about this?" he asked.

I nodded, "Yes."

"This is a very serious thing, you know? It comes with a lot of responsibility."

"I know," I nodded, "I'm not taking this lightly."

"Well," Sam said, smiling a little, "If you really think you're ready, then congratulations!"

"T-thanks," I laughed.

"I'm going to give you three months of training before I officially give up my wolf. You can be alpha of your own pack for now, but when I stop phasing and the guys need a new alpha, I believe that the packs will just merge. I'm sure Paul, Jared, and Quil will want to stop as well."

I nodded enthusiastically, taking in every word he said.

"Oh Sam," I interrupted, remembering something, "We got another postcard today."

"Anything new?" he asked.

I shook my head, "She just talked about nighttime and stars and said not to worry, like always."

Sam nodded, "Well, as long as she's okay."

I sighed, "Yeah, I guess."

"Do you miss her?" Sam asked.

I shrugged, "Yeah, but she needs this. She needs to get out there and see the world without me breathing down her back."

"I understand."

"So… three months?" I said, raising my eyebrows.

"Trust me, you have a lot to learn, son."

The doorbell rang, interrupting whatever Sam was about to say. The baby started to cry and Hannah spilled her juice all over the floor.

"I'll get it," I told Sam, who looked relieved.

I opened the front door, looking down at the sight before me. A teary eyed girl stood on the doorstep, sniffling loudly.

"Can I… help you?" I asked awkwardly. Samantha never cried. I don't know what to do when girls cry.

"Y-y-y-yes," she cried, "I-i-is B-Brandon here? I'm his e-e-ex-girlfriend."

00000

Juliana, as I learned her name was, sat on the couch drinking some tea Emily had made her. Apparently she'd heard from a friend who lived close by that Brandon was spending a lot of time here and she was determined to talk to him in person. I'd called Brandon in a panic, telling him he had to get over here as quickly as possible because tears sort of scare me.

"What happened?!" Brandon asked, as the front door flew open. He looked around the room, taking in the scene. His eyes landed on Juliana, who was rubbing her eyes with her hands. He looked to the ground as soon as she looked up.

"Brandon!" she gasped, getting up immediately.

"What are you doing here?" he asked.

"I-I wanted to s-see you," she whispered, waking his hand. He just let it go.

"You shouldn't be here. Just go home," he sighed, turning away.

"How could you say that to me?" Juliana asked, hiccupping a little, "After all these months! I thought you l-loved me!"

"I did love you," he grunted, "But… things change."

Juliana touched his face, "Why won't you look at me? Please just look me in the eye and tell me you don't love me anymore. Then I'll leave. Just look me in the eye and say it!"

Brandon sighed and looked down at her, straight into her eyes, "Juliana I-"

But he didn't finish. He just stared into her eyes and she stared right back. Juliana smiled, squeezing his hand.

"That's what I thought," she smirked, walking by him and out the door. He looked a little shocked and then turned around and followed her.

Wow, some people have it easy.

Without giving too much away, I'm just going to answer Yes! to the reviewer who asked about Leah turning up again in the present storyline with Nathan and Samantha. That is all I'm going to say though, for now;)

So likeee... reviews?