Thank you so, so much for the reviews. Here is the longest chapter yet, I hope I've done this part of the story justice, I always find the 'Reveal' can be so awkward to read so I hope this feels okay!

KPOV:

It had taken me hours to fall asleep following my evening with Jared. My skin tingled at the memories of his fingers on my hand, his dark eyes flickering as we had stared at each other. Mom had returned just before 10pm and we'd chatted for a few minutes before she'd gone to bed.

She had asked me briefly how the last few weeks of school were going, how Tokala was. When I said simply 'Fine,' she'd nodded once and didn't press it. She was gone before I'd woken this morning and I was left with the quiet emptiness of the house.

I was so nervous about the bonfire this evening, I can't even fathom why I'd said yes at this stage. I didn't want anyone else to know I was going which meant I couldn't even call Bly to see what she thought. I knew she had my back over T's, but I still think she would judge me. Hell, I was judging myself.

The way he had looked at me, as if his heart would break if I had said no, had compelled me to agree to come. I don't know why he wanted me there or how that would answer any of my questions, but at least he'd promised me some sort of an explanation.

I hadn't thought too much about who else would be there until now; he had said elders and friends. I took that to mean the small group of overgrown men he hung around with and shuddered. They gave me the creeps, the way they interacted with others, the possessiveness over their partners, it was everything I didn't like about our community.

To make things worse, Tokala had messaged me this morning, simply saying; 'Can we reschedule dinner?'

I had forgotten all about the fact we'd decided on a date night tonight and typed back. 'Sure.'

I didn't ask why; I honestly didn't care. It would be something to do with his friends, with a game perhaps. A few minutes passed before my phone buzzed once more, 'Great. Thanks.'

He was annoyed. Annoyed with me for not being annoyed with him for cancelling our plans. I literally felt like I couldn't win with anyone right now, no matter what I did someone was getting pissed off. I sighed and decided not to reply again, I wasn't going to walk into another argument willingly.

I spent the rest of the day finishing the last bits of homework I had, baking a loaf of bread to kill some time and then took a long bath. The hours before the bonfire seemed to pass both too quickly and too slowly at the same time. I was nervous about what I was going to hear, how Jared was going to be around me, how I was going to be around him.

I spent almost an hour getting ready, which was considerably longer than I usually did, as the anticipation was making me question everything. I had considered texting Jared three times with an excuse of why I couldn't attend but something stopped me each time.

I settled on a pair of dark grey jeans and a dark green, long sleeved top. I left my hair down and rolled my eyes at myself when I started putting make up on. Why the hell was I trying so hard? I chucked on some dark brown boots and grabbed my bag and a jumper and started to walk down to the beach.

I took my time walking along the front, squinting to see if I could see any sign of a bonfire. There was nothing that could be seen from the town, they were clearly trying to keep it hidden away.

It was just after 7 when I made my way around the corner of the Tribal School and onto the little cove of sand tucked to the corner of First Beach.

A small bonfire was crackling away a few metres from the shoreline, the sun starting to set over the water. There was a table set up to the side, sheltered from the wind by rocks and trees, with food piled high. Emily and Rachel were stood by it, chatting and laughing as they uncovered bowls and plates.

A small group was sat closer to the fire, blankets over their laps talking quietly. I scanned further along the spit of sand and saw a group of guys laughing and jostling, drinks in their hands. I made out Jacob and Quil and was shocked. They'd both been out of school, leaving abruptly just like Embry and Jared had done, and yet here they were joking about and seemingly fine. More than fine. A closer inspection showed that they too had grown, both in heigh and stature, and had cut their hair, sporting the same cropped styles as the other guys.

Quil was focused on chasing a young girl who was running back and forth between the fire and the sea. She was squealing with laughter as he caught her and tossed her high above his head. I smiled, slightly confused, I wasn't aware of Quil having a sister so much younger than him, but then again, we barely hung out anymore so I wouldn't know.

I'd come to a standstill closer to this strange group when Emily looked up and noticed me.

'Hey Kim!' She smiled warmly at me, waving me over to the table, 'I'm so glad you decided to come.'

I took a deep breath and smiled back, slowly picking my way across the sand to where she and Rachel were stood. I looked at the group of boys and saw Jared whip his head round towards me when he heard Emily. Our eyes connected and he broke out into a grin that seemed to split across his whole face. His teeth were sparkling as his whole body lit up. Was he really that happy just to see me?

He started jogging towards us and stopped as I reached the table.

'You came.' He breathed, his eyes dancing as they roamed over my face.

I shrugged, fighting the blush that I knew was starting to spread, 'I said I would.'

He nodded happily and moved as if to hug me then stopped himself, his hand instead reaching out and brushing the side of my arm for a millisecond. We stood looking at each other for a minute before Rachel cleared her throat.

Jared shook his head slightly then stepped to the side as Rachel leant forward and enveloped me in a hug of her own. I laughed slightly; I wasn't big on physical contact. I hadn't grown up in a touchy feely household and I certainly wasn't used to hugging people I barely knew.

She drew back and shot a look at Jared, smirking, as she teased, 'You can go back and play, boy, we'll make sure she doesn't run away again don't worry.'

He narrowed his eyes at her as he drew his gaze from my face, 'Piss off Rachel.'

I laughed again, enjoying the attention being off me so quickly. I had always remembered Jacob's older sister as sarcastic and snappy and merciless and it was reassuring to see she hadn't lost all of it despite becoming a housewife overnight.

Emily chuckled and moved around the table, reaching out her hand she touched my elbow softly, 'We should introduce you to the others.'

I nodded and swallowed. I was sure that the Elders knew of me, they knew everyone in the town, but I didn't know what they'd think of me or my family, knowing that we barely interacted with the community in the way most people did, didn't attend gatherings or spiritual festivals.

I let Emily lead me to the four people sat by the fire and I smiled and held their outstretched hands as they greeted me. Jared was hovering close behind us and I blushed when Chief Black winked at me, 'It's a pleasure to meet you Kimberley, we've all heard a lot about you from your number one fan over there.' He nodded to Jared who simply smiled further, seemingly not embarrassed in the slightest.

'Christ, Kim! Jared, I seriously thought you were lying when you said she was coming tonight.'

I turned and was met by Embry who was stood next to Jared, an arm slung jokily over his shoulder. Jared rolled his eyes and shoved Embry off, 'Yeah, yeah' he muttered, 'We all get it. Kim was ignoring me, now she's not. Let's move on.'

I blushed again; I hadn't realised he'd told everyone about what had been going on.

I saw Quil saunter over, the young girl sat on his shoulders as Jake joined us as well. 'Hey Kim,' he smiled warmly, 'It's great to see you here.'

'Hey Quil, Jake.' I nodded at them, 'Aren't…aren't you supposed to be off sick?

Jake started laughing and rubbed the back of his head sheepishly, 'Yeah…about that…all will become clear don't you worry.' He threw me a wink and headed to the table of food.

The little girl suddenly started fidgeting and pulling on Quil's hair. 'Quilly, let me down now!'

'Yeah Quilly, let her down.' Paul had made his way over to the group, his hand holding Rachel's as he poked Quil in the side and grinned at me.

Quil said nothing just happily swung the girl over his head and placed her on the sand gently. She shook herself off and marched up to me, standing in front of me as she held out her hand.

'Hello, I'm Claire, I'm five years old.'

I smiled gently and shook her little hand in mine. 'Nice to meet you Claire, I'm Kim and I'm eighteen years old.'

She nodded approvingly and then looked up at the large men surrounding us, completely unfazed. She pointed at Jared and then looked back at me, 'So is Jared your wo…' she was cut off by Quil grabbing her and tickling her upside down as the same time as Embry yelled 'I need food!' so loudly I jumped backwards.

The group dispersed suddenly, quickly and loudly as I was left alone with Jared. He cleared his throat and shoved his hands into his pockets. He was still wearing shorts despite the considerably cooler temperature this evening but had at least put a T-shirt on this time. Though it did little to hide the muscles that stretched the fabric tightly across his broad shoulders and taut arms. Kim, behave.

'Sorry about them, they get a little over excited at meeting someone new.'

I smiled softly, 'Everyone seems really nice.'

Jared's eyes sparkled as the corners of his lips pulled up, 'Pretty nice for a gang that's for sure.'

I rolled my eyes, 'It was a cult, actually.'

He laughed and fixed his gaze on my face. He was looking at me the way he looked at me yesterday. His eyes digging into my soul, my skin heating under the intensity of his stare. I felt warm all over and struggled to catch my breath. The more time I spent with Jared, the more undone I became. It was like my body was reacting to him before my mind could catch up.

'Seriously though, I'm really glad you came.'

I nodded and looked at the sand before looking back up at him, 'I mean, you said you'd explain why you've been acting so…weird.'

He looked pained for a second as his brow scrunched up. He let out a sigh and looked over my shoulder, 'I know. The stories will start soon and hopefully you'll understand a bit more.'

I looked at him quizzically, 'Stories?'

He nodded and started to walk towards the bonfire where people had begun to sit, 'Yeah, Billy is going to tell the stories of our people, our tribe and what they mean to us today.'

I was confused, how was hearing the Quileute legends going to explain why Jared was suddenly pursuing me around La Push?

He saw the look on my face and grimaced, 'Yeah I know, it's weird. That's why I'm not explaining it myself, I want you to hear it from the Chief, because its…weird.'

I didn't say anything, starting to get nervous again. Jared very gently nudged my shoulder with his arm, 'Want to grab some food? It will all be gone soon if you don't.'

I shook my head; I didn't feel hungry I suddenly felt sick. What am I doing here with a bunch of strangers and the Chief of the tribe, about to listen to age old legends with a group of guys known for being shady, who all look like they've overdone it on the steroids?

I didn't have much time to think because Rachel turned from the log she was sitting on next to Paul and called to me, 'Come sit over here Kim.'

I turned to Jared who just nodded at me and headed to grab a plate. I sat gently next to her, enjoying the warmth from the fire as everyone slowly took a seat. Paul had finished shoving food in his face and pulled Rachel onto his lap, wrapping his long arms around her and dropping his face to her shoulder. It was surprising to see him being so affectionate and gentle, given the way he was normally swearing and messing around.

I felt movement on my left side and expected to see Jared, but instead Jake had sat down next to me and chuckled as I stared at the heap of food on his plate.

'What is it with you guys and the over-eating? Do you not get fed often enough?'

He laughed with his mouth full and then swallowed, 'Something like that.'

His eyes twinkled as he watched me looking around the fire. The elders had stayed in their seats, but Billy had removed the blanket from his lap and was now stretching and cracking out his neck. Quil was sat on another log the other side of Paul, with Claire wrapped in a blanket and curled into his chest. It was cute seeing how attentive he was with her, I had always wanted a big brother growing up, and Quil seemed to take his role seriously.

Emily was next to him, tucking the blanket further in around Claire, her fiancé Sam beside her. He had one hand on her knee as he leant across and seemed to whisper something to Embry who was crouched next to him.

Embry nodded as his eyes flicked across to me briefly before looking back at Sam. He stood and wandered over to Jared, still stood at the food table, nodding his head at another boy I'd not noticed before, who was hanging back slightly from the group.

As he stepped towards the fire, I recognised him as Brady, a kid who went to our school but in the year below. He looked at me for a second too before taking a seat on the log directly opposite me. A moment later Jared lowered himself next to Brady and Embry took a seat on his other side. Jared seemed to be sandwiched tightly between the two other guys and didn't look impressed.

His eyes searched for mine across the flames and I offered him a quick smile. These men seemed to communicate in ways unknown to me. Constant glances between each other, heads moving almost imperceptibly, hands clenching and unclenching.

As if on cue, everyone fell silent as Billy cleared his throat.

He started by welcoming me as several eyes turned towards where I was sat, reassuring me that he was delighted to have the honour of teaching me the ways of our tribe properly for the first time. The way he said it wasn't a dig, wasn't to make me feel bad, but as if he genuinely meant it.

His voice was hypnotic. I have never heard someone tell a story like Billy Black was doing. As he begun talking about our ancestors and the first tribe, his words seemed to spin colours in the flames. It was as if I could hear the splash of their oars when he spoke about the great long-boats, I could almost smell the mixture of spices and oak when he told us about the spiritual healers and their powers, their abilities to heal wounds inflicted in battle. He spoke about the Quileute knowledge of the earth, the animals, how nature and man lived hand in hand.

I was being drawn into the world he was creating. I became less aware of those around me, my eyes focusing on the flames and the shadows they cast across his face as he told his story. I believed every word he spoke, intrigued by the tales of how our ancestors fought neighbouring tribes, how we quickly became known as great warriors. He continued his tale, telling us how over time the tribe grew, gaining new skills, venturing further afield and helping other tribes overcome enemies.

It was here that I first noticed a shift in the atmosphere around us, ever so slight and I wouldn't have picked up on it had Jacob not put his plate down and rested his arm next to mine.

The story continued however, and Billy began to speak about the Cold Ones, those who had died but somehow remained alive. Who had bodies of stone and venom in their veins. He explained how the Cold Ones terrorised reservations, how they tore families apart and killed and murdered young and old alike.

Out of the corner of my eye I saw Paul shift Rachel in his lap, holding her tighter somehow as his knuckles turned white against his hands. At the same time, I felt Jake tensing, he seemed to sit up straighter, pulling his chest back.

Billy seemed to be looking at no one and everyone as he continued to talk, creating images that sent a shiver down my spine as he spoke about the death and destruction of so many of our forebearers.

He pressed on, explaining how suddenly warriors had been able to shape shift into animals, into wolves. How they had been heralded as spirit warriors, at one with nature. United with all creatures to kill those who threatened all of humanity, our whole existence, the Cold Ones. Billy described how Taha Aki had saved the tribe, how the Third Wife had made the ultimate sacrifice and a rein of terror had been ended.

Billy concluded by saying a joint thank you to the spirit warriors, to the shape shifters who kept our people safe. The way he spoke set my hairs on end, it was as if he knew this was all real, that we were still being protected this way.

When he had finished there was silence. I couldn't think straight, my head was still spinning with images of tribesman, wolves and warriors. It was as if I had been there.

I looked across the fire and met Jared's gaze. His jaw was clenched tight as rested his hands on his knees. He was looking at me head on, the reflection of the flames dancing in his eyes. His cheekbones and nose were chiselled, his dark, messy hair blowing slightly in the wind. I could see Billy's warriors, their image, in his face. It was as if I was looking directly at someone who had been part of it, who had lived through it.

I shook my head slightly, shivering, as everyone had begun to murmur to each other, conversations picking up slowly. Jake wrapped a long, hot, arm around the top of my shoulders and squeezed gently. He looked worried.

'Kim, are you okay?'

I nodded and swallowed. 'That was amazing.' I croaked out. 'It all felt so…real.'

His breath caught in his throat as he held my gaze. His eyes darted across the fire and back to me again. 'Kim, come and speak with my dad for a little.'

I looked up at him, still held in this trance-like state. He appeared to me like Jared had just done, as if he were one of them, as if I could see back hundreds of years through his eyes. I allowed him to lead me over to a log next to Chief Black and felt him gently push me down.

Billy reached out and took one of my hands in his. The charms in his braids rattled slightly in the wind as he spoke slowly to me.

'Kim? Did you understand what I was telling you?'

His voice was floating towards me, as if coming from far away but also in front of me. My ears were ringing as I felt the blood rushing through my veins. He was speaking to me, or was he singing?

Someone very large was suddenly next to me, crouching down, peering at my face.

'Kim?'

'Jared.' I whispered.

'I'm here, Kim. Are you okay?'

I was aware of him touching me, ever so gently on my forearm, his huge chest blocking me from the wind that felt like it was suddenly howling in all directions, throwing sparks from the fire onto the sand. His face seemed to come and go as he watched me, yet his dark, deep eyes stayed still, fixed on mine, securing me to the earth. I was aware of his mouth moving but his voice was distant.

'Shit, I think she's about to faint. Billy! What's happening?'

Billy suddenly squeezed my hand, his voice sombre and low. 'It's the Spirits. She's reconnecting.'

I don't know how long I sat there. It felt as if I was half conscious, partly awake but partly dreaming, being lifted and carried as images of spirits and boats and women with long hair danced across my mind.

Finally, it all stopped, and I was able to focus, I sucked in a long breath and looked around. Billy was sat in front of me, Jared still on his knees next to the log I was perched on, a terrified look on his face. I wanted to reach out and touch him, dance my fingers across his cheeks, stroke them through his hair.

Instead I took another deep breath and asked him a question I already knew the answer to.

'You're a spirit warrior?'

He reached out slowly, painfully slowly, and ran his finger along my jawline as I closed my eyes for a second, centring myself to his touch. When I opened them, he met my gaze and nodded once.

I felt all the air leave my body with that one, simple gesture. I spun around and picked them all out, Sam, Paul, Jacob, Embry, Quil, Brady. It was as if absolutely nothing made sense, but everything made sense at the same time. I looked at them in the fire's light, tanned and hard and sturdy, muscles rippling as if ready to pounce, ready to protect.

'Kim,' Billy spoke again as I turned back to him, 'They're protectors of the tribe, they will never ever hurt you, they're here to keep us all safe.'

I looked from him to Jared and back to Billy again. I couldn't form any more words. I understood they were protectors, warriors, but the Spirits? The shape-shifting? Was he saying they could do that to?

As if he could read my mindJared whispered, 'We can shift into wolves, Kim. It's why we disappeared from school, why we are so much taller, so much bigger than everyone else. It's why we all suddenly stick together all the time, we're a pack.'

With that word my head suddenly started to spin again as my heart began to hammer against my chest. I started sucking in air as quickly as I could, feeling as if it wasn't reaching my lungs quick enough. Black spots started to appear at the corner of eyes as I vaguely heard Embry behind me.

'This time she's going to faint, for sure.'

There was growling from my side, and I winced, when suddenly smaller, softer hands were clutching at mine. Rachel.

'Kim, breathe. Listen to me, just breathe, in and out, in and out.' I focused on her and managed to do what she was asking me, slowing my breathing down gradually.

'I know it's mad, it's totally crazy what you've just experienced, but you know it's true, you know it makes sense. You can feel it can't you?'

I nodded dumbly as I felt tears begin to form. Everything I thought I knew about the world, everything I had been told, was wrong. It was as if I'd been let in on the worst secret, one I'd have been happy without ever knowing, but at the same time I felt in awe that I'd experienced this, that I'd felt connected to something for the first time in my life.

I could feel everyone around me, I knew I was safe, but I needed to leave, I needed to get away from this magical fire and Billy and his hypnotic voice and Jared's eyes. It was too much.

'I'd like to go home now.' I whispered, looking at the ground.

Jared reached for my hand, 'Of course Kim, I'll take you home.'

I jumped away from him before I had even registered what had happened. 'Not you,' I breathed.

I tried to ignore the pain on his face, how his shoulders seemed to crumple in on themselves at my words. He said nothing, just nodded dejectedly, his eyes never leaving my face.

I jumped again when I felt another warm figure next to me, Paul.

'Rachel and I will walk you back, Kim. Would that be okay?' He was staring at me softly now, almost as sweetly and as gently as Jared had been. Rachel was still holding my hand and squeezed it, smiling at me. I didn't say anything but let her gently tug me up the beach towards and along the road. They didn't say anything as we walked, and Paul stayed a couple of feet behind me the entire time.

I focused on putting one foot in front of the other and when we reached my house Rachel stopped me before I opened my door.

'Kim, you're very safe you know. Jared will never allow anything to hurt you.'

I looked at her blankly and flickered my gaze to Paul. He was stood by my gate and he nodded in reassurance. 'We're not monsters Kim. We're here to look after you.'

I swallowed and turned back to my door; I was almost through when Rachel spoke again.

'Try and sleep tonight Kim, and tomorrow please talk. Talk to Jared, talk to us, talk to the guys, okay?'

I held her gaze for a minute and nodded slightly before shutting the door. I stood there for a second before allowing myself to slide to the ground as the tears finally came.

Please keep reviewing! I will try to get the next chapter up tomorrow or on the weekend.