A week had already gone by and I was happy to say that I was a fast learner! Though apparently, I hadn't been the only one… The only thing that was still a little hard to control was the awkward anger phases, I'd taken to meditating to help with that but I wasn't entirely sure it was helpful. I'd been out on a few short patrols already and they were only going to get longer as I got more experience in the field. So far, the patrols I'd been on had been unexciting which I guess was what we wanted, it meant the leech that had been roaming around wasn't in our territory but it also meant that there weren't any chances at ending this whole thing. My chance finally came on my next patrol…
I was running with the pack, Sam was at the lead, Jared and Paul on either side of him while I took the rear, as we had discovered I was the fastest runner but I was also the most inexperienced. The boys had spent a lot of time trying to explain the thrill of the hunt to me once you'd found a scent to follow, the way the adrenaline rushes through your body, making you give it your all to get to one goal, destroy the prey.
The first time I was told how exciting the chase was, I couldn't help but be a little disgusted by the thought of killing someone, even though that someone was already dead. Even seeing it from the packs minds I didn't like the thought of it, but now that it was happening it was different. My natural instincts were taking over.
I was the first to catch the prey's scent in the forest on our side of the border separating our land and the Cullen's, Paul who was on patrol with me called to Sam and Jared immediately, the stench was only seconds old, meaning she'd heard us coming and had started running. Paul and I had started after her before she could get too far, it wasn't the first time that she'd made herself known, the incident in the clearing had been proof of that but she was getting cocky, each time we seemed to be getting closer to finally catching her.
It wasn't long before we caught sight of her, her long red hair was a great give away of her position, we were slowly gaining on her when Sam and Jared joined us. As we took formation I could finally understand what the boys had meant about how thrilling it was. My instincts took over my body, my strides got longer, more graceful, my hearing seemed keener to every sound she made and my eyes grew sharper seeing every movement of her body.
'Anne stay behind and stand guard in case she decides to engage in battle, Jared flank her on the right, Paul on the left.' Sam gave out his orders and I watched as Jared and Paul ran faster on either side of her, we were almost there. She wasn't the fastest of bloodsuckers but she was definitely crafty, Sam had said she could use anyone and anything to her advantage, getting the pack frustrated with each other when she'd maneuver them to hit into each other, giving her enough time for escape. But this time it would be different I decided, this time I'd catch her myself if I had to, Bella's life was on the line and I wouldn't let her get away with it.
'Anne! Concentrate!' Sam bellowed in my head, he must have seen that I was getting a little too excited to get to this leech that threatened my friend's life. Every time my emotions got away from me was when the pack could read everything in my mind, I realized I had to focus on my part of the chase and as much as I hatted back up duty I was going to do my part well. 'Sorry Sam, it won't happen again' I answered him. With that I was back on track.
Just as Paul and Jared made it to each side of the leech she decided to strike, she was able to land a good punch to Paul's head, as he stumbled to the side Jared lunged at her while her back was turned but she'd been expecting him. She jumped to a nearby tree and launched herself into Jared's side Sam finally go to them with me right on his heals he made to grab her but only caught the bottom her shirt in his jaws. Sam yanked her off of Jared with a great shake of his head; she went flying in to the same tree she'd just used as a launching post.
Sam lunged once more for her, Paul who'd regained his balance was right behind him. 'Ugh...' Jared groaned in my head I could feel that his ribs ached. I raced to Jared 'Are you alright!?' I asked him, sniffing his side for any trace of blood. 'I'm fine, go help the others… I'll be right there' he panted, she'd knocked the breath out of his lungs.
I turned just in time to see Victoria slip out of Sam and Paul's reach both tangled in each other's limbs. What I did next was entirely stupid and irrational, but I couldn't help it. As Victoria made to run I got angry and lunged after her. I snapped my jaws in her direction, missing her heal by an inch, then the chase was on. She kept running into the woods and I kept up to her, I could see the aggravation on her face as she realized I was still on her tail. I could hear Sam yell at me to turn back but my instincts had completely taken over, I was going in for the kill.
It only took one little mistake on my part, one tiny slip of the mind as I heard Sam getting closer to our position, my concentration waning for a split second and that's when she striked. I didn't have time to think, I was suddenly lying on my side with her on top of me as I tried to struggle out of her grip like I'd seen the others do. It was too late, she'd already grabbed a good hold of my left ankle.
'ANNE!' I could hear all three of my pack mates cry for me as the images of Victoria zoomed through their heads. Just as Paul burst through the trees Victoria gave a sickening twist to my ankle, the sound that came was horrifying and the pain that followed indescribable. I couldn't help the cry that left my mouth, and then she was gone. I laid on the forest floor thrashing around, my left ankle was on fire, and no matter how much I struggled the pain just wouldn't stop, it only made it worse but my mind didn't seem to comprehend that. Paul in a last attempt to stop me from moving laid his weight on top of my body to hold me down.
Fear struck me when I felt the weight thinking it was Victoria again. 'Anne! You need to stop moving! You're making it worse for yourself, you need to calm down.' Sam's voice was commanding yet at the same time oddly soothing. I was able to calm down enough to stop my useless struggle. 'It hurts…' I whimpered pathetically. Sam sighed 'I know but you brought this onto yourself' he replied, his eyes showed how worried and anxious he was even if he looked calm on the outside. 'Sam! That wasn't...' Jared started to protest when I interrupted him. 'No Jared, he's right, I disobeyed orders…' I looked away from them.
The pain was very slowly fading away, for once thankful about our fast healing abilities, once Sam realized that I'd calmed down he got Paul to get up off of me as he went to inspect my ankle. By the hiss that came out of his mouth I knew something was wrong. 'What is it Sam?' the fact that he was blocking away the picture of what he was seeing was getting me frantic all over again. Sam sighed and looked over to Paul and Jared, 'It's almost completely healed already…' I sighed in relief as he said that. 'But, the bone didn't set right…' he continued.
My head whipped in his direction 'what does that mean Sam?!' I exclaimed, Sam looked away and Paul was the one to respond 'It means were going to have to re-break the bone at some point to reset them…' I could already feel myself start to pant, there was no way I was going through that pain again, Jared sighed clearly, he'd heard me 'There's no other way Anne, the bone won't set itself back in place on its own…' He looked over to Sam in defeat not at all liking what he was about to say 'Fuck… I hate the thought of it but we need a real doctor… I think Carlisle should have a look at it.' If Sam hadn't been the alpha the statement would have been final.
Unfortunately, Sam seemed to agree, I'd never met any of the Cullen's and it made me nervous to think of meeting them, knowing Jacob was probably there and he had no idea that I'd become part of the pack. 'If it has to be done I don't want Jake to know…' I said in defeat, nothing I could do on my own would fix my ankle. 'Why not?' asked Paul, 'he's your best friend!' he continued, exasperated by my constant refusal to be in contact with Jake.
Fact was, I was still mad as hell that he'd completely cut me off from his life, like Embry hadn't been enough although he had definitely made up for it and even Quil had kept in touch via text. In my mind, he could have made more of an effort, seems like our friendship just hadn't been strong enough. Paul groaned as my thoughts entered his mind 'not this again… You need to talk to him! Ignoring him isn't going to help.' Coming from Paul this was something, considering he was just as good if not better at keeping grudges. He barked a laugh 'At least I wouldn't be scared because he's in love with Bella!' he sneered. An angry growl ripped from my throat; that was a low blow.
'That's enough! Both of you stop it!' Sam interrupted 'Paul head back and tell the others what happened' at Sam's orders Paul left towards the rez while Sam turned his attention back to me. 'Do you think you can stand?' Sam asked 'I think so…' I replied as soon as I tried to stand I made the mistake of putting weight on my paw, pain shot through my leg and I collapsed to my side once again. Once the pain had ebbed away I looked to Sam and Jared 'I think I'm gonna need some help' I admitted. Jared made his way over to my side, and with his help, I made my way up to stand on three legs.
Sam faced us 'Now were going to need to head to the Cullen's place' he stated slight disgust slipping in. I started to protest knowing that Jacob might be there but Sam was quick to cut me off 'Paul is right Anne, it's about time you stop sulking!' I looked to Jared for some help. 'I have to agree with them Anne… I'm sorry but you can't keep hiding like this, if we're to help the Cullen's you're going to have to learn to deal.' Well, Jared was no help, I heard both of them sigh and that only made me groan.
'Sorry, I know you're right…' I answered, and I knew they were, I'd tried on many occasions to try and call but I always disconnected the line before he'd answer the phone, to be honest the thought of being around the Cullen's also made me nervous now that I'd had my first reaction to Vamps, I knew they were the good guys but when Victoria had made her appearance my instincts to kill had taken over and I wasn't able to stop myself, my currently aching ankle was proof of that.
'Don't worry, they might smell just as bad but even our instincts aren't quite as bad when we're around them.' Sam said trying to console me a little. But maybe they were right and this is what I needed to finally get this out and hope for the best that Jake would at least give me the time of day. I knew he was busy with patrols around the Cullen's territory if what Sam had said was correct, which it usually was. I made my resolve and looked at the boys 'Let's get this over with' I turned to the direction I knew that Cullen house to be in and started the slow trek to our destination.
It took the three of us a while to get even remotely close to the Cullen's house, and the closer we got the more anxious I became about the whole situation, seeing Jacob, meeting the Cullen's and having my bone reset. I shivered at the thought of the pain I'd have to go through again, Jared stood on my left supporting me off of my bad leg while Sam walked a few yards in front of us. We'd all been quiet during the walk; seem we were all anxious to get this over with.
When the trees started to clear Sam stopped in his tracks 'we're going to stop here, I don't want Bella to see you like this' he said and then made his way to what I assumed was a house. I let out a small breath of relief; I hadn't wanted Bella to see the condition of my leg. I'd almost passed out when I'd snuck a peek earlier on our way here, Jared had used most of his weight to keep me from falling all over again. 'Hey Jared,' I asked, 'Yeah? What is it?' he looked to me 'Can you help me down?' I asked a little embarrassed that I had difficulty doing such a simple task. 'Sure,' he chuckled as he helped me keep my weight off the ankle.
I'd just finished settling down laying my fluffy tail over the wounded appendage when we heard people coming our way. It didn't take long for Sam to reappear, and this time he was accompanied by four of the Cullen's, all of them were extremely beautiful just like Bella had described them in one of our meetings. The first to approach was tall and lean with blond hair, out of all of them he seemed the wisest, by the mental picture Jared was sending me I assumed it was Carlisle, as he approached I couldn't help but notice that all four of them had honey colored eyes, 'wonder why their eyes are that color, not that I'm complaining…' I thought. I would be lying if I said Victoria's red eyes didn't bother me.
I took in a deep breath when Sam and the man stopped a few feet away from me, and to my surprise their smell didn't bother me one bit, it was definitely not the best of smells but better than Victoria's by a long shot. My instincts also stayed low while as soon as Victoria's scent had entered my system not too long ago had sent me into a hunting frenzy, unable to control most of my movements, all that had mattered was the kill.
Sam came over to my side "Anne, this is Dr. Cullen, he's just going to take a look at your ankle…Okay?" he said and I looked at him 'Do I have to?' I tried to ask even though he couldn't hear me I whimpered at the thought of someone touching my sore limb. At that moment, the second male came over, a small smile played on his lips, he seemed to be the youngest out of the four, his hair was in disarray yet it suited him. 'Edward?' I thought, he definitely fit the description that Sam and Bella had shown and told me.
His smile widened "Yes. It's nice to meet you Anne, although, I wish it were under different circumstances; Bella and Jake have told me about you" he stated, I looked at him clearly confused, 'You can hear me?' I asked and Jared sighed behind me 'He's the creepy one that reads every ones minds' he was looking at Edward not pleased by the fact he knew how to communicate with us. Carlisle looked to Edward then turned his attention to me once more.
Sam stood next to the man wearing a pair of jeans slightly too small for his frame, the Cullen's must have lent him a pair. "I'm going to have to take a look at your leg Anne. I promise to do my best to fix it" With a sigh I pulled away my tail from my damaged limb, as soon as it came into view a hiss came from one of the females, her face contorted into a grimace, she didn't seem to like the looks of it and I couldn't blame her. Carlisle slowly walked closer looking to me to make sure I was alright with him being there, he seemed hesitant to make sudden movements until I made eye contact with him 'You can come close… I won't hurt you…' I whined laying my head to the ground as Edward conveyed the message. When Carlisle finally got to me he crouched near my leg and went to grab it, he looked to me once more for the okay to touch it, and I nodded.
After examining my leg a few moments, he looked to me then to Sam "It wasn't a bad break but the bone didn't have time to reset itself before it healed. In a normal case, it would have re-aligned in time… But with your healing it had no chance…" Sam nodded in understanding a frown starting to make its way to his face "What do we do now then?" he asked. Carlisle sighed and looked to me just by the look in his eyes I knew what he was about to say "We have to set it back in place… this means we have to re-break the bone. Edward and I will fix the leg, Alice and Esme you'll have to help Sam and Jared to hold her down." He'd turned to the others as he spoke. My ears drooped down and Jared whined, he didn't seem to like the Idea any more than I did.
The smaller of the two women made her way next to my head, her pixie cut hair bounced with every graceful step, she stopped next to me and smiled "Hi there, I'm Alice! I'm sorry we have to do this but I'll hold your mouth shut, just in case… alright?" She tilted her head to the side; I just blinked at her dumbly and nodded. How could someone so dangerous be so darn cute? I heard Sam sigh in my mind, he'd phased back to help hold me down. The last one to come near me was whom I presumed to be Esme, the one who hadn't liked the look of my leg, she stood next to Alice, and she explained she'd be holding my neck down.
A few moments after that everybody was in position, Jared was draped over my torso while Sam took up my rear end and free leg, Alice and Esme had a good grip on my muzzle and neck to stop me from snapping at anyone. The panic only set in when Edward and Carlisle took their position at my leg, Edward gave me a sympathetic look before concentrating on the task ahead. From all the fuss of holding me down I knew it would hurt and they seemed to think I'd lash out. The moment came all too soon and another painful crack was heard, pain shot through my mind a high-pitched yelp ripping from my throat and nobody expected what happened next. My head lolled to the side in a dead faint, the pain too much to handle for a second time.
We'd gotten to Sam's house after Dr. Cullen had deemed my leg well enough for light travel; it had taken us a little over half an hour to get here. I was currently sitting on Sam's living room couch with my leg propped up on a pillow, while he walked circles in front of me; he'd been doing so for about a minute. Jared and Paul had left when they'd deposited me on the couch; they seemed to know what was coming. I didn't dare say anything, I had a feeling I was about to get yelled at judging by Sam's facial expressions.
After a few more rounds Sam finally stopped his pacing and glared at me "Do you know what your irresponsible actions could have done? Do you have any idea what you were doing when you just up and left like that chasing a deranged vampire!?" His pacing started all over again, "What would I have told your dad if she'd done worst damage than this? She could have killed you Anne! Do you understand that!?" He yelled. I'd never seen him loose it like that… "Look I get it! I just wasn't thinking, I got caught up in the moment or something…" I looked down, ashamed of what I'd done. Sam sighed "Look, I'm taking you off patrol for a while, but I want you here with Emily to help with whatever the others need." I looked to him shocked "What!? But that's not fair! When the others make mistakes, they don't get thrown off of patrol!" I exclaimed "That's because none of them have gone as far as you have Anne, you completely disobeyed me! The next time it might just get you killed!" Sam replied. With that he left the house to talk with the others, Quil and Embry were sure to be pissed when they heard about my run in with the leech.
As soon that the door clicked shut Emily came out of the kitchen, a plate of fresh blueberry muffins in hand "You know he's just worried about you right? It pained him to have to tell the others not to tell you anything; it's just the way it has to be; only parents and Imprints are allowed to know our secret. And now you're like a little sister to him and the pack, they'd all be devastated if you were gone especially Quil and Embry." I laughed "Yeah I know, I deserved it anyway, I understand why it has to be secret but it doesn't make it much better…" I looked to her "Guess you're stuck with me for a bit! Just a warning though, my cooking skills are a little lacking!" The answering smile made me feel better from the talk I'd just had with Sam "I guess I'll have to teach you all I know! I'm sure we'll have some fun Anne, and don't worry about patrol I'll talk to Sam about it." With that she left the bowl of muffins next to me and went back to the kitchen, no doubt to make some more.
I was just about to eat a third very delicious muffin when Quil and Embry burst in the room, both were red in the face and I could only assume they'd heard about my little incident. "YOU IDIOT!" Both boomed at the same time 'Yep I'm definitely in trouble…' I mentally sighed. "You could have died! Then what would we have told Jake when he decides to come back!?" Quil said his voice still above normal. I became angry at that "It's not like he cares anymore!" I huffed and looked away "Of course he still cares and when I tell him what you did he's going to flip and you know it!" his glare lightened a little as he saw I was becoming upset. The boys walked over and sat on either side of me, I could still see how tense they were, and obviously they weren't going to let this one go very easily. "Look, Sam told us he already punished you but we're both worried you're going to do something stupid…" Embry said as he looked at me, Quil finished what Embry was trying to say "Because of this we asked Sam for permission to follow you around until you're let back on patrol." I stared at them in disbelief.
"You're WHAT?!" I exclaimed, clearly, I'd heard them wrong. Embry sighed "Look, we just don't want you to be sneaking around patrolling on your own when no one's around, it's that or you stay at Emily and Sam's until you can get back on patrol." Quil nodded his head showing his agreement, "And Sam approved of this!" Both nodded this time. I sighed 'I guess I deserve it… still not fair though…' I thought.
The next day the whole pack excluding Embry and Jared who were out on patrol met up at Sam's, all of us had agreed that the leech was getting a little too comfortable coming into our territory and something had to be done about it fast, before one of the civilians got hurt, or worst… I wheeled Billy towards the house since I'd gone over to pick him up; he and old Quil were both going to be there to discuss our next plan of action.
As soon as I walked in I was met with Emily's usual warm smile and after situating Billy in the living room I walked over to help her and Kim get some snack ready for everyone, I can honestly say I was guilty of stealing a few bites of everything before it was served, I couldn't help it if my stomach could take control over my actions… right? At least Emily didn't mind, I'd just have to make sure the boys never found out… Once the food was done I brought most of the dishes over to the coffee table that sat in the middle of the living room surrounded by more chairs than was really comfortable for such a small space but with the size of all the boys in the pack it couldn't be helped.
Once every one was settle the atmosphere in the room turned dark, the seriousness of the meeting was finally taking its toll on us. Billy was the first to speak "You all know why we're meeting; it's time for us to find a means to finish off the cold one that is threatening our people. Any and all ideas will be considered, anything that will give us a chance of finally getting this over with, not only are our people at risk but also the towns folks of Forks." I knew at that moment that he was thinking of Charlie. Paul was the first to rush in suggesting to get rid of the Cullen's and in turn getting rid of the red head; of course, I refused as soon as the Idea was vocalized.
On and on it went, hours went by, many cups of coffee were drunk, much of the food eaten and we were still at a standstill every suggestion so far had a fatal flaw in it. I'd been running over an idea in my head but, in my mind, it just seemed stupid to even think about… Considering what everybody thought of the Cullen's but… My thoughts were interrupted by Sam who had somehow noticed my lack of attention the past couple of minutes "Did you think of anything Anne?" he asked, everyone got quiet and I could feel my cheeks heat with embarrassment "It's nothing, it's stupid anyway…" I shifted in my seat thinking it would be the end of it but of course Sam had to be persistent "Come on Anne, can't be worse than anything else we've thought of!" With a sigh, I steeled myself for the strong opposition that I was about to hear "Well, I was thinking, every plan we make won't work because we need more numbers or because we wouldn't be able to get to her in the trees or water…" I looked around but no one interrupted "I was thinking if we somehow joined forces with the Cullen's we'd have numbers and people able to go through the trees…" Of course, I didn't get a chance to go any further when the whole pack erupted into a whirlwind of curses, yelling and the few who actually seemed to somewhat agree with my idea 'Mainly Emily and Kim' I sighed 'I should have just kept my mouth shut!' I thought.
On and on this went until late at night, people came and went as patrol shifts changed and then we came to the conclusion that maybe speaking with the Cullen's may be one, if not the only answer to end this chasse of cat and mouse or in this case Wolf and Leech. It was agreed that we'd make a meeting point with the aforementioned Cullen's in a couple of days, after all they had helped the pack… mainly me… for now we'd keep watch over the territory.
