I stayed full time at the Cullen's homestead for the next four days, as Carlisle requested for my recovery. I alternated between working upright in bed and carefully walking downstairs to eat and talk and work some more. I kept in touch with my mentor and clients and even called my family just to make sure they didn't suspect something was wrong. I still feel like a stranger in their home, and though everyone is so welcoming and kind, I kept my distance by waiting to be invited to places.
Emmett took the initiative to watch Alaska, who he quickly grew a liking to. Since there is still a danger for me to be abducted by the Volturi, Emmett, Alice, Jasper, Edward, and Rosalie alternated between their typical schedules and being home to protect me. Emmett uses one of the garages as his own workshop anyhow, and I ended up joining him yesterday for a conversation and to spend some time with Alaska. For their comfort, I kept Alaska outside or in the garage. My worst fear is to upset them with her scent. In a way I began to develop feelings for Emmett because of his kind and innocent nature towards myself and Alaska.
Carlisle went back to the hospital to work the day after I woke up since I'm stable medically, and have shown to be a cooperative patient. When he returned home he showed to be a very attentive father and husband, making light conversation with everyone and relaxing. I was so used to my father coming home to either lecture me or isolate himself, I would wait for his mood to quickly change from good to bad. But Carlisle is very down to earth. Even when he is upset, he doesn't take it out on his family like my family did.
Esme was so present for me and her children. Although her age is somewhat strange to be a mother to five adults, I quickly came to conclusion that Esme has deep trauma rooted in motherly figure. I never asked her about it, but the way she was eager to tend to myself and everyone else showed that she feels an absence of caring for others in the past. Being a caregiver fulfilled a void for her. If it was up to me to guess, I think that Esme lost a child of her own when she was human, and that trauma followed her after Carlisle changed her.
My mobility got better since I got used to the soreness. I stopped taking morphine and went for extended release anti-inflammatory drugs instead. I kept my walking to a minimum as to not upset any stress fractures. Esme, Alice, or Rose helped me shower every day, and Carlisle would check on my ribs when he got home from work.
"Wolves!" Alice cries, and the family runs outside out of the side door as I lay on the couch downstairs working on my thesis. My human anatomy doesn't let me move as fast as them, but a quick shot of adrenaline to my brain from Alice's cry makes me jump up and tensely walk towards the window to see. Of course it is late evening and the outside is pitch black. But from the reflected light, I see the wolves from the reservation. What are they doing here?
I stagger down the corridor to the door, and I hold onto the wall for balance. My legs work just fine, its the soreness that makes it difficult to walk normally. I hold my breath as a I walk to prevent more discomfort.
Right as I open the door, Carlisle sternly says to me, "Alex, go inside."
The wolves growl and snarl at the Cullens, and they hiss and growl back. I've never seen them act so animilian. But then the spirit dogs didn't talk in human language.
"Alex!" Esme cries at me.
"What do you want?" I yell at the wolves. If its me they're after they can try to take me. I don't feel in danger at all. If anything, I won't put the Cullens in danger if someone wants to fight over me.
The darkest one comes at me. I remember him from the reservation. Carlisle, Emmett, and Esme run to form a shield around me.
"Its ok, lets me talk to him," I tell them. They step to my side, and I place my hand on the wolf's snout.
-We came to check on you. You're a spirit like us. I hear a low voice mumble through my hand.
-I'm alright. Recovering. The Volturi came for me and they won't stop until I'm one of theirs.
-We want you to come with us. We can protect you.
-The Cullens are watching over me. I feel protected.
-They suck blood. They want you too.
-They won't hurt me. They warned me that you'd want me to come with you. I've made the decision to be with them. If you want to help protect their property from the Volturi, I don't think they'd decline.
-We don't work with their kind.
-Don't do it for them. Do it for me if you care for me. I don't want any conflict between our kind. Maybe you'll see the good in them soon.
"Alex?" Alice asks.
"You were right. They want me to come with them. I told them I'm staying here but if they want to protect the homestead I don't think you'd decline," I answer.
-Please, spirit. Come with us.
-Why?
-You are our kind, and we need to stick together.
-I'm not sure what I am. The chief couldn't see my powers. If I don't get changed or protected, the Volturi will come for me to do it themselves. I show powers as a human, I'd be a valuable vampire.
-We can protect you.
-And that puts you in the middle of my mess, and I cannot allow you to do that. It puts you in danger.
-Are you going to let the Cullens do it then?
-As a last resort, yes. I know about the treaty. I know you don't like each other. But I didn't choose this and neither did they. Show some understanding.
-Tell them we'll watch the house whenever they go feed.
"They said they'll watch the house when you go hunt," I convey to the family.
"That's it?" Carlisle asks.
I turn to him and nod.
The wolves bow their head to me, then turn around and leave. Esme helps walk me back to sit down. I can feel my adrenaline rushing through me. "Are you in pain?" Carlisle asks, concerned.
I shake my head and bury my face into Esme's shoulder. I'm honestly just panicked. Esme comforts me. "I'm glad that went well," I say.
"I've got to be honest, I want to knock some wolves out," Emmett answers.
"Fighting makes you feel powerful, doesn't it?" I ask him through Esme's shoulder.
"Pretty much," he answers.
"I wish they came in human form so we could have had an adult conversation. They came prepared to fight," I say.
"Its clear they came to talk to you," Esme answers. "And only you can talk to them."
"Well, they're hanging around because I can still smell their stench," Jasper says.
"Does their scent mask other things?" I ask.
"Its much harder to see the future," Alice answers.
"What is the best course of action?" I ask the family.
"Stay here, Alex. When you're more mobile, maybe go to the reservation and talk with Billy and the pack," Carlisle answers.
"Why is this so complicated?" I ask rhetorically.
"Welcome to the world of the supernatural," Alice answers.
They kind of all go back about their day, and its approaching ten in the evening. I've been working for most of the day and I'm ready to stop.
I end wanting some companionship from Emmett and Alaska.
"Hello there, human," Emmett says as I open the door to the garage. He jumps to his feet and offers me his hands to help me walk over, which I gladly accept.
"Hello, big mosquito," I reply lightly.
"That's a first," he chuckles.
Alaska hears my voice and runs over playfully. She looks very happy.
"Dude, she's such a good shop dog. She just stands and watches. Can I train her to hold tools or something?" he asks.
"I've been trying to get her to bring me her leash and stuff, and she's just not very good," I answer.
"Oh darn. At first she would try to climb under with me but its dirty and messy and I don't want her to get hurt. But then I said 'back up' and she did!" he exclaims.
"I taught her that way back when for when she's following me in the kitchen when I'm cooking or sitting down sewing. She's a very curious dog and wants to sniff everything," I answer.
"What did you come here for?" he asks lightly.
"Chill and hang out. I'm done with my work for the day," I answer.
"Yea? How's that going?" he asks.
"I'm very much caught up and more," I answer.
"Alex, I want to tell you something," he says.
I turn to make eye contact with Emmett.
"I like you. In a romantic way," he says.
I turn to stare at him in surprise. "Thank you," I reply.
He looks at my sadly. "That's it?" he asks.
I respond to his reaction with sympathy. "I've never thought about you as a romantic partner. I have to be upfront, I'm asexual. I don't experience sexual desire, and that's a big no-no for 99% of people," I answer.
"Then you should be thankful I'm not human," he responds with a smirk.
"But...you just said last week that vampires still have sex," I say, confused.
"I've been single for well over a century. My whole life, actually," he answers.
"Emmett, I really appreciate your gesture of telling me how you feel. I like you a lot, I think you're freaking amazing," I finally say.
"What's the 'but'?" he asks.
"I can't commit to you right now. I never even considered that you would be interested in me like that. I've just always seen you as this big puppy," I answer.
"I am a puppy. And I would never in a million years ask you to commit right away. I just wanted to tell you how I feel. Your kindness and passion caught my attention when I first met you. And it doesn't help I'm the last single in the family," he says.
"Thanks, Emmett," I respond.
"Will you think about it?" he asks.
I nod. "Absolutely," I answer.
He stands up, his tall body almost towering over me. "Can I give you a hug?" he asks.
I run into his body and embrace him warmly. "Ouch," I blurt out. My chest begins to throb.
Emmett pulls away. "Are you alright?" he asks.
I look down to my chest. "Yea, my chest started to throb really badly just now," I answer.
"When did you take pain pills last?" he asks.
"A few hours ago," I answer softly and try to hug my torso.
"I'll go get them," Emmett says and rushes out, leaving me in the garage.
Carlisle pops in and walks to me. "Your pain is coming back because your adrenaline is running out," he explains.
I sigh. "That makes complete sense," I say.
"Would you like to be go lay down?" he asks me.
I nod. "That will probably help," I answer.
Carlisle helps me back into the house, where Emmett is running vampire-speed to me with a bottle of ibuprofen. He opens it and slips me three pills. Carlisle helps me lay down onto a couple throw pillows on the couch so I'm still upright. It helps take some pressure off. Emmett sits next to me and rubs my hair gently. I'm surprised that it helps distract me from the pain.
"You look like you're in pain," Emmett says.
"It'll go down in an hour or so," I answer. "Thank you for your help, Carlisle," I add. I feel like I can never thank him enough for what he does.
"You're always welcome, Alex. Please let me know if the pain doesn't subside," he answers with a smile.
I look up towards Emmett. I smile at him.
"Are you alright?" he asks.
I nod.
"It is quite late by human standards. Want to go up to bed?" he asks.
I smile and nod. "I don't want to move right now," I answer.
"I'll carry you," he offers.
I shake my head. "Even if it's not me doing the moving, it'll hurt. I'll pass out right here if that's ok," I say.
"Oh course, honey," he answers.
"Are you going to go back to working on your Jeep?" I ask.
"No, I'll stay with you. Now that you know how I feel towards you, I don't really have to keep my distance, now do I?" he asks.
I hear Alice squeal from upstairs. "Does the family know?" I ask.
Emmett smiles. "Oh yeah," he laughs.
"Was that Alice reacting to you?" I ask.
He grins. "We've talked about a few times. Its hard to keep secrets in this house. But we do our best to respect each other's privacy. Alice and Esme have been dying to tell you about me," he answers.
"That's so considerate of you all," I say.
"Alex?" Emmett asks.
"Yes?" I answer.
"I really like you. I think you're great," he says.
"Thank you. I like you too," I answer.
Alice squeals again and this time runs down to us to give me a big hug. "Now you're definitely my sister," she says.
"Alice, ribs," I yelp out.
She jumps back. "Sorry!" she exclaims.
"Guys, wolf!" Jasper yells and runs downstairs to us. Carlisle and Esme join us.
"Alice?" I ask.
"I can't see their movements, their scent masks all of it," she says.
"Well fuck, I don't want to move," I huff, blinking hard from pain.
"I'll go," Carlisle says. I give him a thankful nod. Jasper follows him.
"We won't leave you," Esme reassures.
"I honestly wasn't doubting it. Especially with love puppy over here," I answer with a grin.
Carlisle and Jasper return inside with Matthew. He's wearing nothing but boxers, telling me that he switched from wolf to human since human clothing would rip when his form change.
"Can I speak with you in private?" Matthew asks, looking straight at me. Emmett and Esme are right by my side, almost protectively.
"To be quite honest, this is as private as it gets with vampires. You've got a mind reader and a psychic, plus super-hearing," I answer as kindly as possible. My pain is making me less tolerant of bullshit right now.
"The elders and the pack are upset, and I came in good faith to tell you," he starts after taking a deep sigh.
"Upset with what?" I ask, confused.
"That you didn't come back with us for protection. We don't like bloodsuckers," he answers.
"I'm aware of the feud you all have," I say.
He nods. "There's one more thing," he says, quieter, his gaze pointing down as he spoke.
"What is it?" Alice asks.
"The elders have matched me with you, Alex," he huffs out.
"Matched...as in marriage?" I ask.
Emmett stands up tall and puffs his chest out.
"Sit down, Godzilla," I tell him.
"Alex doesn't belong to any of us. She's a demi-spirit, and a lone one at that," Carlisle says.
"I understand that, and I respect your autonomy," Matthew answers, still talking to me. I can tell that he's afraid of Carlisle, even more so than of linebacker Emmett.
"Thank you for telling me," I say.
"I don't know if you're aware that spirit wolves imprint on their mates," he begins.
"Oh hell no, get outta here with that bullshit," Emmett starts. I slap him in his rock-solid chest with my hand.
"Will you let him finish?" I demand.
"When a wolf imprints, that's it. You are imprinted on them for life. Its like having an ex you can't get over," Emmett exclaims.
"Since when do elders match-make?" Carlisle asks.
"Its been around for centuries. We usually imprint by the time we turn eighteen. I'm twenty-two, so they made a match for me," Matthew answers.
"Why me? Why me all the time? I'm a nobody," I ask.
"Alex," Esme warns.
"Billy sees you as a sign from the ancestors; he thinks that they sent you our way to show that there are more of us spirits out there. For all we know, you're a reborn spirit of our ancestors," Matthew answers.
"You can definitely pass along to Billy that that is very thoughtful, but I have yet to make a decision about what I'm going to do-" I start before getting interrupted.
"I like Alex and I want her to be with me," Emmett blurts out.
Matthew stares with a shocked expression.
"My intention was, and still is, to go back on the reservation and have a talk with Billy and the pack and whoever wants to talk with me. I'm here recovering from what the Volturi did to me. And it helps to have a family of vampires to help keep me safe," I explain.
"They'll be back, won't they?" Matthew asks.
"We think so, yes. Possibly with more manpower," Esme steps in.
"You can't turn her, that's what the treaty says," Matthew says.
"Its either that or the Volturi turn me themselves," I blurt.
"You do understand I'll have to tell Billy what you just said, right?" he asks.
"You do what you have to do. Quite frankly I'm pissed off at how the Ute treat the Cullens who have been nothing but amazing," I answer.
"Its a long history, Alex," Carlisle says cooly.
"Anyhow, I came here to tell you that Billy still wants you back and that the elders have matched me with you. I have not imprinted on you yet, but there's never been a known case where a match didn't end up so," Matthew restates.
"Thanks. As long as I'm still welcome on the Rez I'll go back and talk with you all," I thank.
"Great, I'll show myself out," he says, and walks out through the storm door. I hear a growl and assume that was him changing back into a wolf.
"The beginning of a love triangle," Alice says sarcastically.
"I might make history with an imprint reversing itself after he learns of my sexual orientation," I laugh.
"That would be absolutely hilarious," she says.
"I'm absolutely beat, I'm going to bed," I announce and begin to stand up.
"Alex, you need to know that vampires almost destroyed the Ute tribe a long time ago. They aren't upset for no reason," Carlisle says.
I turn to him. "Have you personally done them any harm?" I ask.
"I did, when I first came by here. Before I became a vegetarian," he answers.
I nod. "They haven't been able to trust your kind," I interpret.
"Our blood thirst never quite goes away, Alex. We have a learn to control it, and it is not fool proof," he explains.
"I would understand why they wouldn't want a newborn nearby then," I say.
He nods. "I've done what I can to be as respectful to them since that treaty was made. But I can't blame them for teaching their offspring to fear and hate our kind. In a way we are monsters because our instincts are to hurt others to survive," he answers.
"How long has it been?" I ask.
"One hundred and twenty-some years I'd say. We just came back to Wyoming a few years ago," Carlisle answers.
"I feel their attitude doesn't justify the risk," I say.
"Well a part of it is just being different. Just like spirit wolves, we look human on the outside but are something else inside," Esme responds.
"Perhaps I simply don't understand it," I give in.
"It would be nice to be accepted, but we understand why they don't. This home is the only place we can truly be ourselves," she says.