Disclaimer: Twilight is the property of Stephenie Meyer
I'd like to dedicate this chapter to all my reviewers, Nikki, Minschen, Noble Korhedron, LordXeenTheGreat and Rickmer, thank you very much for taking the time to R&R.
I'd also like to dedicate this to everyone who's been reading from the start, thank you for continuing to read.
I hit my head hard on the rocks in the brook sixty feet below and as the air rushed out of me I saw stars, and I heard a bass growl nearby…
I tried to get up but I couldn't, had I broken my back? Was I just stunned? It didn't matter, if I couldn't move that wolf would soon finish me off. I needed to get up and be moving in order to defend myself.
Start on something small. The other me hissed. Wiggle your toes.
I tried this and I managed to wiggle them. Ok, so I hadn't broken my back, in that case I could get up. As the realisation hit a wave of pain from my left shoulder hit me and I was aware of the cuts and bruises I'd sustained in my fall.
I used the edge of my pain and the full force of my Essie stubbornness to find the strength I needed to push myself up out of the shallow water and I turned baleful eyes on the mottled brown wolf. My head was in pain and I reached behind feeling sticky warmth. I brought my hand around to see that it was coloured bright scarlet.
A low warning growl erupted from my chest as I brought my head up to glare at the wolf.
"You've done it this time Timmy." I hissed as I let the heat explode from me and I launched myself at him, phasing in mid-air and opening my jaws wide as I aimed for his throat, I missed but I did graze his shoulder and he yelped slightly as he backed away.
Adrenaline was coursing through me and I was only slightly aware that my front left leg was lame because of my shoulder injury and that I was shaky all over as a strange electric current zinged up and down my spine. I ignored my own pain and sought only to cause it as Timmy decided to charge me once more.
For a while everything was a rolling confusion of teeth, claws and flying fur as we fought for dominance. Part of me was scared to death because I didn't know how far he was willing to go with this. Was this a fight to the death for him? I was afraid to pry into his mind because I needed to concentrate on where his teeth were heading next.
When it was clear that he wasn't going to give in any time soon I knew I had to knock him out or get Jake to Alpha him or something. I saw my best opportunity and I flung him into the rocks where he was momentarily stunned, I used that moment to howl out my alarm.
Only Timmy wasn't as out of it as I would have liked and I felt him sink his teeth into the exact same spot he got earlier. My leg went from beneath me and I slumped to the floor as I let out a yelp of pain. I was up in time to fend off Timmy's attack on my throat, but now he knew my weak spot and he attacked it again and again until the brook ran dark with my blood.
Uninjured I could have taken Timmy out in a heartbeat; I still could if I wanted to kill him. I didn't want to kill him, I just wanted this attack to end, but I knew he wouldn't stop until one of us was dead. I took a warning snap at his throat, but he paid no attention and again I felt those teeth in my shoulder. I slumped to the ground as my leg no longer supported me and he gave a triumphant snarl of victory as he prepared himself to finish me off. I had no hope in defending myself so I turned to watch him instead in the hope that it would haunt him for the rest of his life.
That was how I saw the dark blur tackle him to the ground and then the russet blur land on top of him and growl threateningly until the brown wolf lay still.
I whimpered, I was in pain and I'd lost a lot of blood. Through my delirium I was aware of being human again, perhaps it was because someone was draping a blanket over me to spare my modesty. I felt a cool hand take my uninjured right hand and I looked up into gold eyes.
Tobias? You're not supposed to be here!
"You're father asked me." He murmured.
I was hurting and I'd lost a lot of blood. Suddenly I was ravenous.
"Tobias!" I gasped, clutching at his hand.
"As soon as." He promised and suddenly I was bourn aloft.
I was only slightly aware of the brief conversation he had with Jake before we were flying through the forest. We were well into vampire land when he stopped and attempted to put me on my feet, but I was just too weak. He gave an exasperated sigh of despair as he lowered me to lie on the ground.
"I hate to leave you my love but I can not hunt with you in my arms." He whispered, before kissing me on the forehead.
I nodded in my blanket cocoon and I was aware that he moved away from me. It seemed moments later that I sensed that warm body nearby and Miss Vampire surfaced to feed. The blood of the deer was just enough to start the healing process, but at the scent of the fresh kill Miss Wolf decided she wanted to play and I found myself suddenly in wolf form, tearing chunks of raw meet from the carcass and swallowing it in big gulps.
Soon the deer was stripped bare and I found myself shivering in my human form. Once again I felt that blanket engulf me and Tobias took me in his arms, cradling me gently against his chest as I sobbed unashamedly over my near death experience.
He held me without a word while I tried to regain control of myself, it took a while but finally I managed it and I could breathe almost normally as he held me tightly.
"He really wanted to kill me." I whispered.
"I should never have left you go." Tobias replied.
I gasped and looked up into his eyes when I realised he was blaming himself. I placed my good hand on his cheek and willed him to look at me.
"Nobody could have predicted this." I told him. "Timmy's a jerk and I hope he gets exiled. I don't want you to think of him, just think of me." I whispered as I brought my lips close to his and kissed him.
I felt an odd thrill that I was naked if it weren't for this blanket as his hands brushed my sides, but as he did so I hissed in pain and every injury in my body made itself known.
"Marlin should take a look at you." Tobias said firmly and without another word he lifted me and we were ghosting toward the house.
Not that I was aware enough to pay much attention. I was floating on the edge of consciousness and I wondered if I would fall prey to the darkness. Everything got a little fuzzy then. I was aware of voices around me and a bit of prodding and poking, but it seemed like days when I finally surfaced to find Renesmee, Jake and Tobias looking hopeful as my eyes fluttered open.
"Finally." Renesmee said in relief.
"What day is it?" I found myself asking foolishly.
"Still Sunday." Renesmee informed me.
"Although it is nearer Monday now." Tobias added. "You have only been gone mere hours this time."
I nodded slightly, not quite able to take his words in.
"Do you remember what happened love?" He asked.
"Timmy attacked me." I said. "What happened to him?"
"He's awaiting trial." Jake said solemnly. "Attacking a fellow pack member is a serious offence."
"Stupid asshole." I murmured, then I gasped as I felt a twinge in my shoulder. "He just kept biting me in that exact same place."
"It'll heal." Tobias whispered and he kissed me just below the throbbing, which earned him a warning growl from my father despite the fact that it was only my arm he kissed. "If not, at least you'll have a bad-ass scar." He added and I snorted at his words.
"I really could go join a biker gang then and show off my war wounds." I remarked in a light-headed way.
My parents laughed at this but I could hear the worry beneath and it made me wonder how bad I looked. I risked a glance through Tobias eyes since he appeared to be the closest and I almost hissed at myself. I looked real beat up and the wound on my shoulder was still gaping, I hated to think how bad it had been when first inflicted. I tried to lift my left hand but it was no good.
"Well Timmy better hope my arm heals by the morning or we're gonna have a re-match, and this time I won't try to hold back." I grouched.
"Hold back?" Jake asked.
"Jeesh Dad! Did you think he could have got me like this if I hadn't gone easy on him?" I demanded, feeling slightly offended. "I was trying not to kill him, otherwise I would have had him in the very first moment I was wolf."
"He really wanted to kill you?" Nessie gasped.
"Yep. And I didn't even have to read his mind to know that." I replied darkly.
"Oh, my baby!" Nessie gasped and she stroked my face. "My poor little lamb."
"Mom, I'm ok. Timmy's just a loser who needs to get laid. Maybe then he'll stop obsessing about the rest of us." I said, brightening at the thought.
"Esther Marie Black!" Renesmee snapped. "You nearly died today. This is no joking matter."
"Yeah Mom, I nearly died. I'll joke about it if I want." I said, "Because the alternative is black despair and I'd rather not go for that right now if you don't mind."
"Esther!" She exclaimed in exasperation.
"Mom!" I exclaimed in the exact same tone, but then sighed before I reached my right hand out to touch hers. "Mom I know this is scary, but I'll heal. It's not like he was a vampire so his bite's not infectious. You watch, in a couple of hours I'll be up running around the Res again."
Nessie looked unconvinced.
"Look." I said glancing down awkwardly at my wound. "It's not even as bad as it was when I woke up. See." I said, meaning to point at it, but I poked it instead and I hissed, as the pain seemed to vibrate through my body.
"It's never a good idea to poke one's wounds." Marlin observed as she entered the room carrying a tray. "That's why I'm going to dress it for you. To remove the temptation." She observed as she placed her tray on the small table.
"Thanks." I said, as my shoulder began to throb.
"You two out." She commanded Tobias and Jake.
The two men left the room shutting the door behind them.
"Nessie, will you help me?" Marlin asked my Mom and they positioned themselves on either side of me. "Now we're going to help you sit." She informed me.
"I don't need your help for that." I said, and attempted to push myself up until I got a warning twinge from my shoulder.
"We don't want you to undo the healing that's already occurred." She said as she pulled me to a seated position with Renesmee's help.
As the blanket began to slip off me I understood why she'd told the men to leave. I caught it with my right hand and held across me as Marlin pushed my hair out of the way and began dressing my shoulder.
"Your bones appear to have healed now." She said conversationally.
"My bones?"
"He broke your collar bone the amount of times he bit you. He very nearly had your arm clean off."
My stomach rolled with nausea at the thought. That seemed worse almost than the thought I had nearly died. He hated me so much that he didn't just wanna kill me but tear me limb-from-limb in the process. What had I ever done to him to deserve this? In fact out of all the older Res kids he was probably the one I bugged the least growing up. He just seemed too much of an easy target.
"Do you think it'll heal by school tomorrow?" I asked.
"Maybe if you rest up and stop fidgeting." Marlin chastised.
"Sorry." I said and tried to hold myself still.
Marlin finished by carefully placing a button up nightshirt on me. First she slid my left arm in then I manoeuvred as carefully as possible to put my right arm through the other sleeve. Then Marlin buttoned the top up for me quickly.
"There we go." Marlin said, "Now I suggested you try to sleep and we'll check on it when you wake."
I nodded my head, "But can I have something to eat first?" I asked.
"What would you like?" Nessie asked.
"Is there any steak? Extra rare?" I asked hopefully.
"I think there maybe some in the fridge." Marlin said with a frown. "I'll bring you up a feast, perhaps food will help fuel the healing process." She said as she propped some pillows behind me so that I could rest against them but still remain seated.
"Your guess is as good as mine." I said with a shrug, which I regretted.
"Try not to do that." Marlin remarked before leaving the room.
"Very direct." Renesmee observed.
"She was trained when nurses were nurses and there was such a thing to fear as the Matron." I informed her.
"I guess." She conceded as both Tobias and Jake entered the room around about the same time.
"Look." I called cheerfully. "It's all gone." I said, pointing to my healing shoulder.
Tobias gave me a look and I rolled my eyes. Jeesh! Some people have no sense of humour.
"I thought I'd lost you today so please forgive me if my laughter is not forthcoming." Tobias replied.
"Did I project again?" I asked, feeling slightly embarrassed that he'd heard that aside.
Tobias nodded.
"Great. Now my injuries affecting my special abilities." I smiled and went to shrug but remembered not to. "No use dwelling on it. So what's gonna happen with Timmy now?"
"That depends on a few things, but mainly the grievance you feel over this. We're gonna meet tomorrow night to discuss this, hopefully you'll be healed by then so you can come too." Jake answered.
"I'm coming even if I'm not fully healed. I deserve to have my say." I declared.
"Of course you do." Jake said.
I nodded my head and we lapsed into silence for a moment.
"You know, I had so many plans this evening and now Timmy's gone and spoiled it all." I said feeling slightly annoyed by the fact.
"What plans?" Jake asked.
"Well, I was gonna take my pack for a run, get the Twins used to their wolfy side and embrace the new instincts that come with it and then I was gonna suggest to Miss Pikehunter that she tell Will all our legends." I replied, not really thinking it through.
"Why?"
"So he could work out what we were and there'd no longer be secrets between us and he could finally be a proper part of our gang." I admitted in one long breath, realising too late my mistake.
"So you want Will to know that you're a werewolf?" Jake asked.
"In so many words, yes."
"Why don't you just tell him?" Jake said in a defeated voice.
"What?" I asked carefully.
"It'll save all the running around if he's just gonna find out anyways, and he already knows about the vampires so it'll only be a matter of time before he figures out what we are. So it's better you tell him the truth than have him come to his own conclusions. But make sure you do it somewhere private and also, try not to freak him out."
"He didn't get freaked out when Marlin told him about vampires." I pointed out.
"Then you got something to work with." Jake said with a shrug.
I smiled.
"Thanks Dad. I'll tell him tomorrow after school." I said. "It'll be good to finally have him know and not have to keep watching what we say about him. Don't you think?" I directed the last part at Tobias.
"Yes." Tobias replied, before taking my good hand and kissing it.
Marlin returned at that point with one of those trays with the little legs and placed it across my lap. There was steak and potatoes and salad on the plate. There was ice cream and a selection of fruit for afters. She had made a feast.
I picked up the steak knife and attempted to cut the steak, but it was clear I'd never be able to do this one handed, especially since it was my off hand as well. Before any of them could baby me by offering to cut it up I picked it up whole and ripped off a chunk with my teeth. As the juices spilled over my chin I placed it back on the plate and picked up the napkin to wipe my chin as I chewed what was in my mouth. I looked up as I chewed to be met with aghast looks from all except Jake who was laughing. I chewed quickly and swallowed so I could talk.
"I'm embracing my inner wolf." I said, skewering a potato on the fork and ate that also.
I continued to eat ignoring them for the most part until the plate was empty, and as I gulped down the glass of milk I felt a lot better and I could almost feel the acceleration in the healing of my shoulder. As I watched my right arm the cuts and bruises started to speed through their healing and disappear. My shoulder felt warm and tingly now and I was ready for sleep.
I informed everyone of this and they said their goodbyes. Marlin took the tray from me and Tobias kissed me on the forehead before wishing me pleasant dreams, although I was wishing he would stay with me. My parents left last, making sure that Tobias had gone first.
I settled down in the darkness of Tobias' room and fell asleep quite quickly, but I should have known better than to expect a peaceful night after the events of today…
…I was walking in the woods with the sense of something following me. Stalking me from every shadow. Now and again I would catch a flash of brown fur and then another time wild red hair whipping like a flame on the wind.
Teeth came at me from the darkness. Wolf teeth dripping with saliva as they tore into my flesh only to come away bloody and red. Vampire teeth that left the sting of venom in their wake as they raked across my skin. I struggled to get away from the onslaught but wherever I ran I was met by some enemy or other. Human nails that raked me, a lamp swung in a heavy hand toward my head, the teeth, the claws, they were all after my blood.
I fell into a sobbing ball as the attacks continued, how long could I endure this?
"Essie?" I heard the voice and I reached toward it…
I opened my eyes and looked up into gold.
"Essie?" Tobias asked anxiously.
I didn't say anything, just threw myself into his arms and sobbed.
He stroked my back and hair, soothing me gently as he rocked me back and forth.
Everyone wants to kill me. I said silently.
"No they don't." He said.
"Yes they do. The Volturi, Holly, Brad, Olivia and now Timmy…"
"That's not everyone." Tobias pointed out.
"It seems like everyone." I murmured.
"But it's not. Those who love you and would protect you outnumber them greatly. Do you think we would let them kill you?" He demanded.
"Timmy came so close today." I said mournfully.
"But we were in time thankfully. They will never get you Essie for I will stand in their way." He declared fiercely.
"I don't want that. I face them alone or we face them together, but I won't have you face them for me." I said as a horrible thought flittered through my mind. "Promise me, together or not at all."
"We will face them together." He promised and kissed my head. "Although I find it hard to agree after seeing how fragile you are today."
"That's only cause he got the jump on me. If it had been a fair fight I would have taken him out like that." I said, snapping my fingers.
There was a twinge from my shoulder, but it was merely sore now.
"Hey, my shoulder healed." I said with a smile.
"Yes, but it is only two in the morning, we have many hours before school begins, I suggest you try to sleep again this night."
I nodded my head and moved out of his arms to lie back on the pillows. I caught his hand as he went to leave and he gave me a cautious look.
"I should leave you to sleep." He said.
"Yeah. I plan to sleep, but we face them together." I said firmly.
Tobias nodded his head and came to lie beside me. I curled around him with my head on his chest and drifted to sleep as he stroked my hair. I didn't dream after that and I felt grateful for it when I awoke the next morning in the arms of my beloved.
I smiled up at him before I sat up and stretched out my arms. Except for a bit of stiffness, my shoulder felt as good as ever. I felt up to writing in school and was actually happy to be going back there.
"Good morning my Essie." Tobias whispered, before kissing my cheek.
"Morning my Tobias." I replied in a slight singsong voice.
"I must go change for school." He said and flittered out of the room.
Marlin entered the room with a selection of clothes over her arm and clean bandages in her hand.
"And how is the patient this morning?" She asked.
"A lot better thank you Matron." I said with a smile.
Marlin smiled back as she deposited everything she was holding on the foot of the bed.
"Come on, let's take a look." She said, motioning for me to remove my top.
I did so and she seemed happy that I was using my left arm as well. I slid the top off and held it to me as she began to remove the bandages she'd applied only hours before. As the last of the dressing fell away she gaped.
"How bad is it?" I asked, closing my eyes because I didn't want to look if it was too bad.
"Bad?" She exclaimed. "It's nearly gone. Just the slightest scarring as if it's been there for years."
At her words I tilted my head down to look.
"Wow." I gasped. "That was fast healing."
"Well you won't be needing these." She said, picking up the bandages. "I went to get some of your clothes from the cottage. Feel free to use the shower. We will be leaving in an hour." She informed me, before flitting out of the room.
I pulled my top back on and buttoned it quickly before I went to investigate the pile of clothing. They were jeans and T-shirts mainly, but much more designer than I was used to. I picked out a pair of dark jeans and a dark long sleeved T-shirt before I went to have a shower.
I washed my hair with Tobias' shampoo, which was a brand I didn't recognise but it sure looked expensive, so I tried to use it sparingly. I didn't use his shower gel since it smelt too much like a man's one and I didn't want to go to school like that, but the soap was a basic generic one so I opted for clean.
After I finished I wiped quickly and dressed. I towel dried my hair as much as possible and used the hair brush on the counter to get out as many of the tangles as I could. My hair was knotty since there hadn't been any conditioner, so once I had got it relatively tangle free I brushed it back and braided it, but then I had the problem that I had no elastic to place on the end.
I placed the braid behind my back and did a quick tidy around before I left the confines of Tobias' room and flittered down to Marlin's door. I knocked lightly and she answered the door as she was pulling on the cardigan of her twin set.
"Have you got an elastic?" I asked.
She frowned a moment, then beckoned me in.
"Come on." She said. "I'll pin it up for you." She added as she guided me to a chair.
"An elastic will be fine." I protested.
"It'll take seconds." She said, loosening the braid before I had chance to protest.
Five minuets later my hair was pinned on top of my head and I rose from the chair in a slight daze.
"Thanks." I murmured.
"No problem. Now go put your shoes on, Layla has them in the living room."
I nodded my head, which felt slightly odd with my hair up like that, and I ghosted down to the living room.
"Sister Essie you're alive." Layla gasped as she embraced me.
"Yep. It'll take more than a half crazed wolf to stop me." I assured her.
"I'm glad you're alive and well. I've got your shoes." She said, holding up my red convers.
"Thanks." I said, taking them from her.
"And socks." She said, handing me a pair of plain black ones.
I pulled on the socks and shoes as Layla hummed a tune I vaguely recognised. Once my shoes were on I stood up.
"Here's your jacket." She said, handing me my leather jacket. "It's good you left some of your things here on Saturday."
"Very." I conceded.
"Well I must be off dearest sister." She said, before kissing me lightly on the cheek. "Masen is giving me a ride this morning."
"Good for you." I encouraged.
"He received news last night from one of his contacts. They have located Holly in South America, if they can catch up to her she will be served with the papers soon." Layla informed me.
"I hope it's real soon so you and Masen can get to being happy." I said.
"Thank you sister." She said solemnly as she held my hands as if she were bestowing a blessing. "I will see you in school." She announced before she flittered out the back door.
I sat back down unsure of what to do. I wasn't really sure of the Hannigan's morning routine and now I'd been left alone.
"Breakfast?" Tobias asked from the doorway of the kitchen.
"What?" I asked looking up.
"Do you want some breakfast?"
"That sounds great." I conceded as my stomach rumbled.
I rose once more and entered the kitchen where Ebony was sat at the counter eating a big bowl of cereal as she read the morning paper.
"Morning Ebony." I said cheerfully.
"Good morning Essie. It's nice to see you up and about. You were in such a dire state when Tobias brought you home yesterday." She said conversationally.
"Thank you Ebony." Tobias said rather sternly as he slid a bowl of cereal toward me. "Only cereal this morning I'm afraid." He said.
"Thanks." I said as I began to wolf down the cornflakes.
Tobias watched me eat as Ebony turned her attention back to the paper. It was while Tobias was removing my bowl for the wash that something occurred to me.
"I haven't got my bag." I gasped.
"Masen met your farther at the border this morning." Tobias said, placing it on the counter.
"I'll have to thank him later." I said, as I rose to my feet and checked the contents of my bag. Everything I needed was there.
Marlin appeared in the kitchen as I pulled my bag on my back and it was clear that we were ready to go. Tobias took my hand and led me out to his Land Rover with Marlin following closely behind. I liked riding in the Land Rover, it was different from the other vehicles I'd been and I didn't even mind that I wasn't the one driving.
On the way to school Marlin and I chatted about our Trig homework, comparing answers while Tobias made the odd remark of how he never could understand it. We pulled into the school parking lot and no sooner had the car stopped than Marlin was out the door and making her way over to Will who was just parking up.
"I hope she knows what she is doing." Tobias murmured.
"Will's not Tom." I said, patting his hand.
"But she is my sister. I worry about her." He said as he watched the couple embrace and kiss.
"Worrying's fine, just don't get all up in her grill about it." I replied guiding his chin lightly so he'd look at me. "So you ready to declare us as a couple my love?" I asked before placing a kiss on his cheek.
Tobias smiled then kissed my lips briefly.
"Let's give them something to talk about." He whispered as he stroked my cheek.
I grinned before I got out of the passenger door. We met around the front of the Land Rover and he took my hand. We walked across the parking lot, our eyes drifting to each other again and again. I smiled whenever I caught his eye and he would smile in response. After the privacy of our weekend it seemed strange to be displaying our affection in front of everyone. It seemed like something too sacred and personal to lay bare before the thoughtless crowd.
At the same time I wanted to shout out to everyone that Tobias was the man I loved and if they didn't like it, tough! I wanted to show everyone just how much of a hot couple we were. But then I thought of the Cullens. Other than Rose and Em, they all showed decorum when it came to public displays of affection. There was no showy hot-lipped kisses, just looks and handholding and embraces that spoke volumes more of true affection than a breathless kiss ever could.
We reached the point where we had to separate for our first class. Well I guess this was where we decided the intensity of our PDA. All my passion was for him and him alone, I didn't need to show it to other people. I wanted to keep it all for our private times when we could let go.
With that in mind I turned to him and smiled, before giving him a closed mouth kiss on the lips, although it was lingering and I told him all my thoughts silently. Tobias was in agreement and he smiled at me when we pulled apart and he stroked my cheek.
"See you in Biology Miss Esther." He said, with a wistful grin.
"See you in Biology Fang Boy." I responded grinning back.
He gave a little laugh before he took my hand and kissed it. With a quick bow of his head he turned and disappeared into the crowd.
I sighed with contentment as I watched him go, then I headed for English.
Masen no longer had English with me, or any other lesson come to that. One of the other reasons the guidance counsellor had wanted to speak to him that day was to sort out the 'mix-up' with his schedule that had landed him in a full Biology class. To compensate he had to take other classes instead. Since then I had mostly sat alone in English so it surprised me when I heard the scrape of a chair and Hannah sat beside me.
"Morning." She said.
"Morning." I replied with a frown.
We were silent for a while as she brought her things from her bag, but it was clear that she was dying to ask me something. Finally she plucked up the courage.
"Is it true you're dating Tobias?" She asked.
I wondered whether she wanted to know out of curiosity or whether Olivia had put her up to it. Either way it didn't matter, it was the truth and it was bound to get back to Olivia anyway.
"Well we haven't strictly speaking been on a date yet, but if you mean are we a couple, then the answer is most definitely yes." I confirmed.
"Cool." She observed, and didn't pry any further.
So I guess it was simply for her own curiosity.
"How are you and Colin?" I asked.
"We're going great. It's coming up to two years since we got together. We were thinking of doing something special, like going back to the Diner where we had our first date. Something sentimental, not flashy."
"Yeah, that sounds great." I said with a smile.
Hannah looked as if she was about to say something but Miss Hannigan called the class to order.
As I was walking to Biology with Hannah, Tobias slipped his hand into mine and I turned to smile at him as I entwined my fingers around his.
"Hey." I greeted him.
"Hello." He said before kissing my hand. "How was English?"
"Good." I said. "How was French?"
"Très bien ma belle fille." He replied as he gazed into my eyes and I felt a shiver down my spine. "And how are you this morning Hannah?" He asked glancing at her briefly.
"I'm good Tobias, and you?"
"Better than you could ever imagine." He informed her as he regarded me with an intensity that sent flutters through my stomach.
"You guys are so cute together." She mused as we neared the lab. "What do you think Col?" She asked Colin as she took his hand and kissed his cheek.
"So you are a couple?" He asked us.
"Yep." I answered.
"For once the rumour mill was right." He observed before winking at us.
"Depends on what it's saying." I replied smoothly, before leading Tobias into the lab where we took our usual seats.
We sat through the lesson holding each other's hand as we took down notes on Dr Chaney's lecture. The stiffness in my shoulder was nearly gone and my writing was more or less back to normal. It was comforting having Tobias there holding my hand, I felt complete when he was near and I didn't like to think of the fact that I wouldn't see him for a whole hour once this lesson ended. Was it wrong of me to think that school was getting in the way?
Of course it was wrong for me to think that. I needed to do well in school to help with my future. Even if I did have eternity with a vampire I should at least have some good qualifications. I suppose that's why I found the strength to sit through that class with my imprint at my side and I concentrated for all I was worth.
When the lesson ended we walked out together and we kissed once more before we parted. I was halfway to Trig, feeling the depression of separation, when Marlin joined me.
"What's wrong?" She asked.
"I'd like to be with Tobias now rather than sitting through Trig." I replied truthfully.
"Do you really love my brother?" She asked.
"Do you doubt me?" I demanded.
"No, but it's just so sudden." She remarked.
"That's how imprinting works." I explained the simple truth.
"Would you love him if you had not imprinted?" She asked.
"I…I…I can't even think of not loving him now. I can't see any path where I don't love Tobias. I can't remember a time where I didn't love him with all of my being. I love Tobias and we belong together and I wish I was with him right now."
"I welcome you my sister." She declared as she pulled me into an embrace.
"Thank you?" I said uncertainly.
"I'm glad you came along, maybe Tobias won't be so grouchy anymore." She said with a giggle.
"Tobias is grouchy?" I asked with a frown.
"Not when he's around you." She said with a smile. "You seem to bring out his fun young side that he lost about two hundred years ago after the first waves of euphoria for our new found freedom had dissipated. So thank you."
"Glad to be of service." I said with a lazy salute.
Will caught up with us as we neared the block and he took Marlin's hand. After we said our greetings he gasped as if he suddenly remembered something.
"Y-your D-dad asked me t-to g-give you a l-lift home tonight after school." He informed me.
"Oh." I replied, unsure what to make of this. Obviously Jake was giving me the opportunity to talk to Will but at the same time he was making sure I returned more or less to the Res without making any detours to say the Cullen house. "That's great, I thought I'd have to hike home." Which was true, I'd just planned to run from the House, not school.
"Cool." He said with a grin as Marlin gave me a questioning look.
I risked something I'd never tried with her, I spoke into her mind.
I think Jake's just making sure I go strait home without being distracted by my imprint. Besides, this gives me the chance I need to tell Will the other side of the story. I informed her.
She frowned.
If you want to reply, think it at the top of your mind and I can read it without prying into your thoughts.
Like this? She asked.
Just like that.
Great! I'm glad that Will will finally know the entire truth. She replied as we walked into Trig.
Marlin sat next to Will and I sat at the next table. Today Liz came to sit by me and I immediately felt suspicious and I clammed up in defence. I merely smiled politely at her before turning my attention back to the work before me. She was definitely an Olivia spy and I was sure not going to give her any details.
I heard her take a breath as if to speak but before she could I turned my attention to Marlin and asked her what she thought of the homework. Of course Marlin and I had already had this discussion, but Marlin only glanced briefly over my shoulder before she started giving me her opinion and then I gave her mine. Will chirped in that he'd actually understood it this time thanks to Marlin's help and we managed to keep the conversation going until Mr Tucker started the lesson.
As we were packing our things at the end of the lesson Liz said, "So you and Tobias huh?"
"Yes, me and Tobias." I said with a smile before swinging my bag on my back.
"Since when?" She asked.
"A while." I said vaguely, I didn't know why but I didn't want Olivia to find out that Tobias and I had hooked up at the Halloween party. I didn't want her to think it was in response to finding her with Harry.
"So how serious are you?"
"Come on Ess, we'll be late for lunch." Marlin said, hooking her arm through mine and rescuing me from Liz.
"Gotta run." I said as Marlin and Will whisked me away to leave Liz standing there speechless.
We made our way to the lunchroom and Tobias was walking ahead of us. I removed my arm from Marlin's and walked a few paces ahead until I was level with Tobias and I slid my hand into his, entwining our fingers as I did so.
"Hey Fang Boy." I said with a grin.
"Miss Esther." He replied and kissed my hand. "How was your lesson?"
"Great." I answered. "Apart from the spies." I added as I noticed Liz and some of the other members of Olivia's gang watching us.
Tobias frowned and followed my eye-line until he caught sight of them.
"I see." He murmured as he turned back to me. "Shall we give them something to really gawp at?" He asked with an impish smile.
"Why Mr Hannigan, are you trying to corrupt me?" I asked with a grin as we stopped and I turned to face him.
"As always my dear girl." He replied as he stroked a loose strand of hair behind my ear.
"Don't ever stop." I said as I moved my face close to his and we kissed slow and sweet.
Well so much for my limited PDA theory of earlier.
"Everybody's watching you." Layla murmured.
"Let them." Tobias said, moving away from me. "It is only a kiss. Have they never seen one before?"
Layla giggled.
"I don't think they have." She chortled and I couldn't help but laugh too.
Tobias frowned so I kissed him on the cheek before pulling him along to the lunchroom. We took our place in the queue and as we moved along we could hear the whispers around us. It was damn annoying that was for sure. It was like they'd never seen a couple before.
We paid for our food and went to sit at our usual table and our friends soon joined us as I tucked into my food, enjoying the lasagne knowing that it would help me heal further. Will was eating as well and I could see him watching the others carefully trying to figure out how they were pretending to eat. Now he knew what they were he was watching them all with a new sense of awe.
Every now and again he would exchange a look with me as if to say, can you believe it? Real life vampires, and we're the only humans who know. Well he was in for a shock this evening when I told him and maybe tomorrow I'd be the one under his scrutiny. Unless of course I scared the crap out of him and he never wanted to speak to me again. It was funny really, some people found it easier to accept vampires than they could werewolves. I put it down to bad press.
The whispering was starting to get on my nerves and I was aware of Olivia constantly staring at me. I'd had enough, I'd just have to go over there and lay these rumours to rest. Give them the truthful version and leave nothing to speculation, just like Jake had said about telling Will.
"That's it." I said, slamming my fork on the table and rising to my feet. "I'm just gonna tell her everything."
Four pairs of shocked gold eyes turned to look at me with caution.
"About Tobias and I." I corrected. "Sheesh, what do you take me for?" I said with a snort.
"I will accompany you." Tobias declared, rising also.
"I think I can handle this." I said with a shrug.
"Together or not at all." Tobias reminded me.
"Ok." I said and we held hands as we walked the length of the lunchroom to the popular table.
"Can I help you?" Olivia asked.
"Come on, out with it." I said.
"Huh?"
"Whatever it is you're dying to ask. You have ten minuets to ask whatever you want, after that you'll have to keep on guessing."
"So you guys are dating now?" Olivia asked.
"Yes we are." I answered.
"So how long have you been dating?" She asked.
"A while." I answered.
"So you didn't just hook up at the Halloween party?" She demanded sceptically.
"We have been an item for two weeks now." Tobias answered, lying smoothly, "Since we all went on a camping trip. There had been something brewing between us for a while, but out in the wilderness it just seemed to boil over."
"You weren't this cosy last week." Olivia observed.
"We are not answerable to you." Tobias snapped.
"We wanted to see how serious we were before we went public. You've done so much to tarnish my reputation that we thought it was for the best, but at the Halloween party, well you know what parties are like." I said with a shrug. "And since you all know now there's no point in hiding it."
"So this has nothing to do with a certain hot blooded Indian boy?" Olivia said scathingly.
"What? You think I got with Tobias cause I saw you making out with Harry? You're deluded. I love Tobias, Harry is free to date whoever he wants."
"But you…" She trailed off with a frown.
"Laughed at the sight of the two of you? Honestly, it was pathetic of Harry to choose you. He was just trying to hurt me cause I turned my attention to Tobias. Everyone thought that me and Harry would get married some day, even I did, but I hadn't counted on meeting Tobias." Which was as truthful as I could be with a human.
"But…" She looked confused and also slightly angry.
"But what?" I prompted.
"He was using me?" She gasped.
"Well duh!" I stated. "Just like you were using him to try and get at me. Only it didn't work. You should have tried hitting on Tobias instead."
She glared at me but I saw the quick shift of her eyes.
"You already did, but he turned you down. That explains a lot." I said with a laugh.
"Why do they all want you?" She asked suddenly.
"What?" I asked, taken aback.
"Why do they all want you? It should be me they want, not some wild child from the Res." She said, looking at me with disgust.
"How should I know?" I said with a shake of my head. "Maybe if you didn't just give yourself away then they'd want you, but how can they want you if they've already got you?"
"It was so much better before you came here." She spat, and I didn't know whether that was directed at me or Tobias or both.
"Well there's nothing we can do about that now, besides your ten minutes is up." I said lightly. "See you later."
"Good day." Tobias said and we turned and walked back to our table.
When we sat down I resumed eating my lunch.
"You sure gave her some food for thought." Marlin observed.
"I only told the truth." I said defensively.
"And what a horrible one it was."
"Not my problem." I said. "I could have told her an even worse truth about herself, but I chose not to."
"That's true." Marlin observed with a smile.
After lunch Tobias and I made our way to History and it was as I was walking through the door that I remembered I'd ditched Friday. God, that had only been four days ago, look how much had happened since then?
Luckily Mr Wilcox didn't call me out; he seemed to satisfy his dislike of me by ignoring me now. I didn't mind so much but it was annoying when I needed to ask a question about the work assignment and I had to get Tobias to ask for me.
Olivia noticed this and smirked, as if she'd personally arranged this state of affairs. I rolled my eyes and went back to my work determined to show her that it didn't get to me. Not that Mr Wilcox ignoring me had anything to do with her.
I was glad when the lesson ended and Tobias and I made our way to the gym. Marlin joined us when we were halfway there and she looped her arm through mine again as she started informing us of some of the rumours she'd heard since lunch.
It was shocking the things people made up, such as the one that Harry and Olivia had done more than make out in that closet. That it had got more intense and the removing of clothes had been involved. Then there was the one where they reckoned that Susie and I had got into a catfight over Tobias, which was just laughable.
PE went by without a hitch and afterwards I walked with Tobias to his Land Rover while Marlin went to get Layla and probably steal a few moments with Will at the same time.
We stopped by the Land Rover and looked at each other sadly. We had to part now and in all likelihood I wouldn't see him until tomorrow morning. I placed my hands on his shoulders as he placed his hands on my waist and looked up at me solemnly. I looked down at him and smiled sadly, which he returned before placing a hand on my cheek and bringing his lips up to meet mine.
It was another of his slow kisses, full of the promise that it could last for eternity. It sent the inevitable rush of pleasure through me that made me wish we were somewhere alone and not in the middle of the school parking lot. Our kiss was interrupted yet again by someone clearing their throat.
Tobias and I broke apart with a groan and turned to look upon the perpetrator with annoyance. It was Marlin who was smiling at us with a wistful edge.
"Sorry guys, as cute as you are together, we really should be getting home." She informed us. "Besides, you're drawing a crowd." She added in a whisper.
A quick glance around confirmed this.
I began to laugh, and Tobias did as well. It was only soft laughter but it was infectious none the less.
"You'd swear kissing was a new concept." Tobias mused, loudly enough for the informal audience to hear.
"Maybe it is to them." I replied as I stroked a stray curl of his hair back into place.
"Then they have a lot to learn." Tobias said as he stroked my cheek.
"Then maybe we should teach them tomorrow." I said and we both sniggered.
"That would certainly be an education." Tobias observed.
"See you tomorrow Fang Boy." I whispered, before placing a light kiss on his lips.
"See you tomorrow Miss Esther." He replied before kissing me back.
We stood there for a lingering moment; I really didn't want to leave him.
"Come on guys, I want to go home." Masen complained.
I pulled away from Tobias and scowled at Masen.
"And I think Will does as well." Masen said, pointing at Will who tried to look small and nonchalant at being singled out.
I gave in with a sigh.
"You're right." I said sadly. "Goodbye Tobias." I whispered, stroking his cheek.
"Goodbye my Essie." He whispered back as he stroked my cheek then kissed my hand.
We smiled sadly at each other before I forced myself to turn away from Tobias and I followed Will to his car. I got into the beat up old Laguna and I caught Tobias' eye as I was fastening my seatbelt. He smiled slightly and waved to me. I waved back as Will started the engine and pulled out of the parking lot.
"You g-guys are intense." Will observed as we drove through the town toward La Push.
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"You'd s-swear you've been dating for years not d-days."
"Yeah, that's cause…there's something I need to tell you Will and it has a lot to do with what Marlin told you on Saturday."
"About her b-being a vampire?" He asked.
"Yep. It's about why I already knew. Why quite a few of us down on the Res know what they are and why they're not allowed down there." I said quickly. "I would have told you the other day only it's not just me, I had to check with the others first. Well mainly my Dad, but he can speak for them on matters like this. Besides, he knew I'd let you know somehow so he said I should just go ahead and tell you, save all the hassle."
"T-tell me what?" He asked, frowning at the road.
"Not while you're driving." I stated.
"Ok." Will said and he pulled over to the side of the road and turned off the engine. "Wh-wh-what is it?"
"Ok. Have you heard the legend of Taha Aki and the spirit warriors?" I asked.
"A l-little." Will confirmed.
"And the bit about the wolf letting him take its shape and how his sons could also do this and how they fought the cold ones?"
"Yes." Will said, frowning now.
"What if I was to tell you that the story is true and that the descendents of Taha Aki can still turn into wolves to this day if the tribe is threatened by a cold one, or even if a group of vampires settle down close by. It triggers something inside them that allows them to make that transformation." My words were a tumbled rush and I hoped that he could understand them.
"Into a wolf?" He asked, proving that he was keeping up.
"Yes." I answered.
"S-s-s-s…" He broke off, took a deep breath and tried again. "S-s-so wh-what y-y-you're t-t-trying to say is that…"
"I'm a werewolf." I said. "Although for the sake of argument let's just call me a shapeshifter whose alternate shape happens to be the wolf."
"Why?"
"Cause a werewolf is what the vamps refer to as the Children of the Moon and are a plague that needs to be eradicated. Whereas we Quileutes are protectors." I explained.
"So you t-turn into a w-w-w-wolf when the moon is full?" He asked.
"If I want to, but I could turn into one now as well. I can turn into a wolf whenever the fancy takes me. Or when I get mad and I can't contain the rage anymore, it builds up like heat until whomph, I fursplode."
"B-but y-y-you r-r-really t-t-turn i-i-i-into a w-w-w-wolf?" He demanded, his stutter a lot worse than it had been of late.
"Yep. A big, big wolf. Know all those old hiker tales?" I asked. "That's us." I added proudly.
Will snorted, "I w-wonder wh-what they'd d-do if they realised they were sh-sharing the w-woods with a bunch of werewolves." He said with a snort, he seemed to be warming to the idea now.
"Well they should be more concerned over sharing the woods with a hunting vampire." I said, determined to show we weren't the dangerous ones.
"S-so what has th-this go to do with T-Tobias? And wh-what are you doing kissing him if he's the enemy?" Which was a good question from what I'd said so far.
"What this has to do with Tobias is that he's me imprint." I answered, figuring it would explain everything.
Will looked at me with confusion. Of course he didn't know what that meant.
"It's this weird wolfy thing that allows us to find our true mate. The one who's truly meant for us and is the most likely to insure the wolf gene in the next generation. When you find your imprint you can't even imagine being with anyone but them. I don't even fancy other guys anymore, there's only Tobias." I explained.
"B-but if h-he's a v-vampire and this imprinting is f-for f-finding your p-p-p-perfect mate, wh-wh-wh-wh…?" He trailed off, unable to finish the sentence.
"Because I'm part vampire myself." I admitted as I pulled my knees up to my chest and rested my chin on them.
"What?" He demanded.
"That's right Will, I'm a crazy mixed up kid." I said with a snort.
"But…" He looked even more confused now.
"My Grandma was human and she came to Forks in her Junior year to live with her father after her mother remarried. At school she met my Grandfather who was drop dead gorgeous. You've seen the Hannigans so I think you can guess why." I said, giving him a pointed look.
"He w-was a v-vampire." Will stated.
"Yep. There's a long story about how they got together but to cut it short they got married when Grandma was still human and they did what all married couples do on their honeymoon. Only they didn't count on one thing. Mostly they assumed vampires were infertile because vampire women can't have children, but vampire men can father them in human women. It just wasn't discovered before then by most of vampire society because, well, it's really hard for the carnivores to be around humans and even with the veggie vamps it can be hard to maintain control while giving into their instincts. But Grandpa managed it and my Mom was the accidental outcome.
"Everyone thought she was the first, but Auntie A discovered one down in South America who had a load of half-sisters as well. It turned out there was some vampire down there 'experimenting'. Of course he had no love for the women, they were just a means to an end because he left them to go off and have the children by themselves. Half-vampires kill their human mothers when they are born. It's unavoidable." I said gravely.
"S-so your G-grandma d-died?" Will asked solemnly.
"No. Bella was lucky. Edward was there for her and changed her into a vampire just in time. Although it was touch and go for a while, he saved her. Then my Dad imprinted on my Mom and they got married when she was twenty-one and three years later I was born, the Uncertainty. I'm the only one of my kind and if the Volturi ever found out…" I run my finger across my throat.
"They'd kill you?" He asked shocked.
I nodded.
"Why?"
"Because I'm a mixed up little freak and no one knows how I'll turn out. They're all about protecting the secret. Do you know if they ever found out that you knew about us Marlin would either have to kill you or change you? It's the law. If they ever come here though we're gonna try and use the fact that you're Quileute to protect your right to a human life." I added the latter to let him know we had a back-up plan.
"While they're k-killing you?" He asked doubtfully.
"Well, they might not find out. I guess it depends if Aro's with them or not. He's the only one who could find out without us telling him." I said with a shrug.
"How?"
"If he touches your skin he can see every thought you've ever had." I answered.
"Seriously?" He asked with a disbelieving snort.
"You've seen Marlin's power." I pointed out.
Will nodded.
"Some vampires have other gifts." Like I do. I spoke the latter into his mind.
Will looked at me shocked.
Yes, I am speaking into your mind. I can also read your thoughts if I let myself.
"That's h-how you knew!" He gasped.
I didn't have to ask or read his mind to know what he was referring to.
"Yes. I caught it from your mind. I saw it all." I confirmed darkly.
We were silent for a moment while we contemplated this.
"W-w-was you in my dream?" He asked after a while.
"Yeah. Sorry about that. I don't even know how I did it, I was sleeping and the next thing I knew I was in your head." I explained. "Sorry I didn't admit it at the time, but I couldn't really come out and tell you the truth could I?"
"I p-probably wouldn't have b-believed you anyway." He said with a shrug.
"I wouldn't have believed me." I admitted. "If I hadn't grown up knowing all of this."
Will nodded his head but said nothing.
"So, now you know the big secret. I'm a wolf and so are half the elders. Mainly it's the ones who look in their twenties, but a few of the older ones were wolves but they stopped phasing so they began to age again." I said, rounding my confession off.
"S-so you won't g-grow any older than you are now?" He asked, latching on to that new piece of information.
"Nope. And with me I don't even know if stopping phasing will help since I'm part vampire. But my imprint is a vampire so I don't have to worry about that anyway. We have eternity together." I said with a smile.
"D-do you know h-h-how old they are?" Will asked suddenly.
"Didn't Marlin tell you?" I asked with a frown, unsure how to proceed if she hadn't.
Will shook his head.
"Then I can't I'm sorry. Vampires get a little touchy about their age, they feel it's their tale to tell." I explained.
"So what, is she l-l-like f-fifty or something?" He said, trying to coax it from me through the process of elimination.
"You'll have to ask her." I said, putting an end to that matter.
"I-I d-don't want to offend her." Will said, looking shy.
"You won't offend her. Do you want me to ask her for you?" I prompted.
"I-I'll do it myself." Will conceded. "I g-guess we should b-be going now."
"Yeah. I got me some Pack business to attend to this evening." I said with a sigh.
"What b-business?" He asked.
"Timmy tried to kill me. Believe it or not but this time yesterday I was locked in a fight to the death in which I didn't want to kill. He nearly had my arm off." I said, pointing to my shoulder.
"It l-looks ok now." Will observed.
"That's cause being a wolf has its perks." I said. "Watch now." I declared and I reached for my keys.
By exerting a little force I managed to push it through the skin of my right hand and I gritted my teeth against the pain as I drew it across my palm.
"Are you fricking crazy?" Will exclaimed grabbing my wrist, trying to stop me.
"Relax." I said, holding my bleeding palm up for inspection. "Watch." I commanded.
I wiped away some of the blood and the wound was already closing. Soon it was just a red line across my palm.
"Wow." Will gasped and he reached out to run a trembling finger over it.
"We heal quick." I stated. "Shall we get going? We can talk about this some more in my garage if you want. Meet my Pack, now you know that they're wolves."
"A-a-are all your g-gang wolves?" He asked as he pulled off.
"Yep. But the Twins have only been doing it since Saturday."
"That's w-when they g-got bit?" He asked, trying to keep up.
"No!" I gasped, "And don't even say that to them. This is just something that happens to some of us when we reach the right age and there are leeches nearby. It just triggers something in us, and the heat builds until it can't anymore and then we can turn into wolves. I didn't think the Twins would have fursploded quite yet, but Saturday night was a bit stressful."
"Why?"
"Let's just say somebody wasn't too happy about my imprinting on Tobias." I said pointedly.
"H-Harry took it bad huh?" He said knowingly, which made me wonder just how obvious Harry and I had been before Saturday.
"You could say that. He was going to do something foolish and I went to stop and my girls wanted to help me, and they fursploded. But that's something else you'd better not mention, I haven't really had the chance to speak to Harry about it yet after what happened with Timmy yesterday. So that's still a touchy subject." I said wrinkling up my nose.
"So wh-what c-can I talk about?" Will asked dryly.
"What we usually talk about, only us wolves won't have to watch what we say in front of you anymore. We won't have to watch ourselves either, you know, speed and strength wise." I explained.
"Will the others be m-mad you told me?"
"Nah. They already consider you part of the pack, this just makes it more official." I said, brushing his worry aside.
Will gasped slightly at my words and I had to review my sentence to see what had shocked him.
"Don't worry, you won't turn into a wolf. The Pikehunters are not descended from Taha Aki. I just meant that you're like family to us and that's what the pack's about. It's just good now that you know." I reassured him.
Will looked relieved.
"Although there's nothing wrong with turning into a wolf. It's quite liberating, running the deep forest with the wind whipping through your fur as the moon sails silently overhead. You can really feel your place in nature. Although running as a vampire has its perks too." I conceded.
"Which one do you p-prefer?" He asked.
"You can't ask me that. It's like asking a parent which of their kids is their favourite. I could never chose between them. They're both me and I am them and if I ever lost one of them I'd never be complete." I said, feeling mortified by his question.
"S-s-sounds like you have a s-s-split personality." Will said with a snort.
"You know, sometimes it feels that way, but each personality is me. Weird I know, but then, that's just me. Weird all over." I replied with a grin.
"N-n-nothing wrong with that." Will said as we reached the first houses in La Push. "Where shall I p-p-p-park?"
"Park outside yours if you don't mind the walk to my house." I said. "We can knock for the gang on the way."
Will nodded and he turned the car toward Miss Pikehunter's house. Once he was parked up I climbed out and waited for him to take his bag inside and explain to his aunt where he was going. Then we headed to my house, which was more or less on the other side of the Res, right up against the deep forest.
We passed Harry's house first and since I wasn't sure what terms we were on I thought it was best to knock. I knocked on the door and his little sister Portia answered. She scowled at me and crossed her skinny arms across her chest.
"You hurt my brother." She said sternly.
Great, I was being chastised by a six year old!
"Is he in?" I asked.
"He's been crying all night." She stated.
"Gee thanks Porsh." Harry said appearing behind her looking mortified and angry. "I really needed people to know that."
"Well you have." Portia said defensively. "She broke your heart by dating someone else."
"Portia, get lost." Harry said in exasperation.
"But I was only…" She said, her lower lip trembling.
"Whatever. You don't know what's going on. Go play with your dolls or something." Harry said in aggravated tones.
Portia scowled at him and stuck out her tongue before disappearing back into the house.
"So I take it this is a social thing." Harry said as he glanced at Will.
"No. Official." I said pointedly.
"You told him!" Harry exclaimed.
"Shhhh! Not here." I warned and I glared at Portia who was peeking around the living room door.
She gasped and pulled her head back quickly when she realised I'd caught her.
"Mom! I'm going over to Essie's." He called and shut the door as he stepped out of the house.
Without saying another word we began to walk toward my house, Harry looked so forlorn that I wished he had imprinted on Olivia so he wouldn't be feeling so bad. No, that wasn't a nice thing to wish on anybody. There was someone out there for Harry and he would find her, soon. I just knew it.
We reached the Twins house and I knocked on their door. It was Sammie who answered.
"Duty calls." I declared.
"Suse, we're needed." She called into the house and Susie was there with her immediately.
"What's going on?" Susie asked as she looked at Will.
"Let's go talk in the garage." I said.
"Yes boss." Susie said with a salute and a grin.
"Come on." I said with a chuckle.
The Twins told Daphne that they were coming with me and then we made our way to my house. As my friends made their way around to the garage I dropped my bag in the house.
As soon as I entered Renesmee had me in her arms and she pulled me in close to her.
"Mom?" I asked.
"Oh thank god you're ok." She gasped.
"Yeah Mom." I said, "All healed up now." I declared.
"That had me worried, but I knew you would heal. I was more concerned over the fact that Timmy has escaped." She said, not beating about the bush.
"What?" I gasped and I felt as if the earth shifted beneath my feet.
"Earlier today he managed to break free from where the Pack was keeping him and they can't track him. He went in his truck, that's why we can't get a scent trace on him and since he's human they can't track his mind. We were worried that he might try and attack you in school. Why is your cell phone switched off?" She asked the latter sternly.
"My cell? I don't even think I got it on me." I said, sliding my bag off my back and rummaging through it. "Nope I ain't got it."
"Oh Esther, you must keep it on you at all times." She gasped.
"At all times?" I asked doubtfully.
"Yes." She said in commanding tones.
"So what, you want me to carry it in my mouth?" I asked.
"What?" She asked, looking at me as if I was not taking this as seriously as I should.
"When I'm a wolf." I pointed out.
"We'll work something out." She said firmly. "Until then you're not to go in the woods."
"What?" I gasped, I was gonna be Res bound when I hadn't even done anything?
"Not unless there's somebody with you and when you need to go hunt you can take your phone, you'll just have to make sure you wear something with pockets." She said in tones that made it clear that there was to be no argument over this.
"What if I want to go see Tobias?" I asked, feeling my stomach swim with worry that I wouldn't be able to.
"Then you drive up and you drive back down and you don't make any stops along the way." She said.
"Ok." I agreed since it was entirely reasonable.
"You tell your friends to be careful too."
"Which ones?" I asked.
"All of them. How Timmy is at the moment he's likely to attack anyone associated with you. So you must all be on your guard."
"We will be. I'll go tell them now, but maybe I should ring Tobias first." I said, going to the phone.
"You do that." Nessie said.
I nodded and dialled Tobias' cell number from memory. It rang five times before he answered with a cautious voice, obviously he didn't recognise my home number.
"Tobias, it's me, Essie." I greeted him.
"Essie." He breathed and immediately his voice sounded warmer.
"Yeah." I replied.
"What a pleasant surprise, I was thinking of you." He said, his voice wistful.
"Yeah, yeah that's great. But I rang you for a reason." I said quickly, trying to get to the point before I became distracted by his words.
"What's wrong?" He asked his voice sounding immediately worried.
"You can't go into the woods alone. None of your family can. Timmy's gone rogue and we don't know where he is." I said as clearly as I could manage.
"Timmy is the one who attacked you." Tobias stated.
"Yeah. And since he's got a grudge against me, Mom figured that he might just target those I love. So you need to be careful. Especially you! Oh my god! Promise me you won't go running the woods alone!" I was starting to sound hysterical by the end, even to my own ears.
"Esther, calm down. I won't go into the woods at all if that is your desire." He promised.
I breathed a sigh of relief.
"And I will tell my family likewise. We will go further afield to hunt for the time being." He reassured me.
"I think that's best." I murmured feeling sad that a wolf was causing all this trouble.
"Will you promise me that you will not run the woods alone?" He asked.
"I won't be doing that. I'm promising you now, but I already promised Mom." I answered.
"I'm glad to hear of it. I would truly die if I were forced to witness you in such a state again." He said with a haunted sadness in his voice.
"Was I really that bad?" I gasped.
"I thought I would lose you barely hours after you had recognised me. It hurt to think of such a thing."
"I'm sorry." I gasped as I felt the tears threaten.
"It was not your fault that cur decided to attack. If only I had been there sooner…" He began in angry tones.
"I wouldn't want you to tarnish your soul in that way." I cut him off. "I don't want you to have to think of him ever again. To tell you the truth I think we'll never see him again. I think he's put himself in exile rather than have the Pack do it."
"I hope you're right for I should hate to have to kill one of the Quileute, even if he is a deranged monster." Tobias said with true regret in his voice.
"You won't have to." I said firmly. "If I ever come up against him again I won't hold back. I'll tear him apart; show him just how effective I can be in a fight to the death. Next time I won't be afraid to kill him."
"NO!" Tobias yelled down the phone. "You will do no such thing! My soul, if I have one, is damned already so one more death will not matter. You are clean and innocent, I will not have you obliterate that."
"If I have to I will kill him." I said sternly.
"Together or not at all." Tobias whispered and I felt humbled by his words.
"He's probably miles away by now. I think he legged it for the Canadian border myself and we'll never see him again. But still, be wary of the woods." I said, adding to my earlier theory.
"I will inform my family." Tobias promised.
"Will you let Masen know as well?" I prompted.
"I'm sure Layla will delight in the chore." Tobias said in slightly amused tones.
"Good." I replied. "So…I guess this is goodbye." I said sadly.
"Yes." Tobias replied. "I will see you in school…Miss Esther."
"See you in school Fang Boy." I said. "Bye."
"Fare thee well my love." He murmured before hanging up.
I replaced the receiver in the cradle and turned to meet Renesmee's scrutinising look.
"What?" I demanded, more abrasive than I meant to be in my embarrassment.
"It's just hard to believe that my little baby has gone and imprinted." Renesmee said as she hugged me.
"Aw, Mom. It was gonna happen eventually." I said, trying to fend her off. "Besides, I need to go warn my other friends now."
"Then make sure they know the severity of the situation." Renesmee said sternly.
"Of course I will." I said, before escaping out the front door.
My friends had already settled into their respective seats when I entered and I sank into my armchair not knowing quiet how to tell them my news.
"What's wrong?" Harry asked.
"Timmy escaped." I said, thinking it best to go with the most basic.
"What?" He gasped.
"He broke free from the Pack and now no one knows where he is. We've been banned from going into the woods alone." I said, trying to sound my most authoritive since I was technically being the Alpha now.
"Typical." Susie said with a snort. "This would happen when we finally start phasing."
"We can still run the woods, but only as a Pack and we keep tabs on each other." I reassured her. "We'll go out later if you want."
"Ok." She said. "I just want to feel that rush again. It's better than I ever imagined."
"I like how you can tell so much from scent alone." Sammie said, "It more than makes up for the loss of colour."
"So you l-like being wolves?" Will asked.
All four of us agreed at the same time and we fell about laughing.
"M-makes me feel b-boring." Will said quietly.
"What does?" I asked.
"Well you lot are w-wolves and the H-Hannigans are v-vamps, and here's little old human me." He said forlornly.
"Hey, we're human too." Susie protested.
"We just have a little extra is all." Sammie added.
"But we're mostly human." Harry concluded. "Except for Fang Girl over there." He said indicating me. "She's a race all unto her self."
"There's nothing wrong with being unique." I said, brushing Harry's comment aside.
Harry snorted and I threw a cushion at him which he caught absentmindedly.
"Wow. G-g-great reflexes." Will said.
"It's a wolf thing." Harry said as he threw the cushion back at me and I plucked it out of the air.
"And a vamp thing." I added as I tucked the cushion back behind me. "I mean you've seen how fast Marlin can run."
Will nodded his head as a look that was a mixture of terror and awe crossed his face.
"I can run like that too. But these can't, at least not on two legs."
"We're still fast though." Harry pointed out.
"But not as fast as me." I said primly.
"No one's as fast as you Ess." Susie said with a snort.
"That's cause I'm the best." I said smugly.
"You're a b-bit of a b-big head." Will remarked.
"And don't you forget it." I replied with a grin.
We all laughed at this and it was nice to be able to laugh and joke with my friends again, although I was getting a little tension from Harry. We'd have to talk at some point. That was for sure.
When you're ready we'll talk. I thought toward him.
His nod was barely perceptible.
With that promise made we carried on with our conversation and joking, finally making Will a fully-fledged part of our gang now that he knew the secret.
Thank you for reading, please review,
Gemma x