A/N: Italics is Chinese.

If there had ever been a perfect balance between beauty and terror, the woman that stood in the doorway of the kid's house was the perfect example. Tall, thin, elegant, there was an inhuman air of grace and control.

This stranger was a pure feline. Undoubtedly lacking the smallest ounce of human blood. I had no idea how I knew, but I knew without a doubt she was perfection. Proud, flawless, confident. This must have been what the age old ancestor felines were like. Like Greek gods that held themselves with such power- demanding respect and admiration. She wore a white beaded blouse and black pencil skirt with heels. Her hair was wrapped up in curls behind her head, with carefully parted ebony bangs above her eyes. The woman's skin was flawlessly pale, without even the smallest imperfection or blemish. Her lips were full and eyelashes dark, but under those lashes was such an inhuman regal shade of golden brown.

A part of me wondered how far from humanity her bloodline was, and more importantly, how on Earth she could have had any relation to Yin.

It took a minute to turn and walk over, especially under her gaze. It was powerful- surely enough for the ancient humans in villagers to succumb to whatever these pure felines wanted. The new instinct of submission made me scoff inside, although I couldn't deny the odd feeling was there. I wasn't about to back down on account of her appearance.

I swallowed and stood before her. "I guess you're the last to arrive, then." I smiled.

My informal Chinese left her focused eyes narrowing at me. Wow. It was strong enough to make me feel like dirt. She lifted her head a touch. "My name is Xue Yin." She stated, softly, but clear and effortlessly.

I bit back my internal hackles rising. Instincts didn't always mean they were right…right? "My name is-"

"Lei Ross." She interrupted, continuing to stare down at me. "My father told me plenty during his research."

"…father?"

It was like I had asked a revered college professor a first grade question. Like I had been expected to know better, her eyes fell half shut, unimpressed. "My father is Yin. Grandfather to these children by unfortunate human factors."

"Excuse me?!"

I was surprised by Jaio's lighter voice breaking the tense conversation. The twelve-year-old stormed over, staring up at the woman in disbelief. "Don't you dare speak ill of my mother! She may have been human but my father loved her with everything! None of us here are unfortunate!"

Xue's eyes stared down at her, indifferent. "You are all…diluted?"

No wonder that other wolf pack wanted to rid these guys. The ego of pure blooded felines was ridiculous. Jaio's pigtails bristled until Emily eased her back, warily keeping her eyes on the newest arrival. The room was dead silent, all eyes watching as Xue took note of those in the room.

She turned her head away, raising her lip. "Worst of all, you live with these things." She bitterly murmured.

"These things are my family, and husband." I spoke in clear, tense English. At least now the others could grasp what was being talked about. As Xue's wide eyes looked over, I continued. "And if that's a problem, by all means, you can leave. You seem old enough to be able to handle yourself just fine."

Both Paul and Sam had settled their eyes on her, expressions hard and at the ready. Even cautious Stormy warily was watching the woman, having backed away with Feng and Emily to the back of the room. Xue looked at me, raising her brows.

Then she covered her mouth with a dainty, manicured hand and began laughing. "You think I need you? Yin was foolish to think I needed the company of others, as if it would enrich my life somehow." The fact she could speak of her own father that way, a man I had come to care for extremely quickly, sent fire through my veins. She continued. "Unlike his ideas of 'peace and reconnection', I haven't shamed my blood unlike others." Xue's eyes did a sweep of both Chi, Jaio, and myself. "I came here to see if you have, which apparently is clear." Her lips pulled upwards, eyes challengingly lingering on my own. The smug air of contempt left me wondering how close I could've been to being like her if my own dear mother's lines were less human...

I decided I'd rather be a mutt.

"But on the bright side," she sighed, "I found I can do my favorite pass time here." Xue's golden eyes fell half shut. "There are many small dogs to put down around here."

Jaio was the first to screech and lunge forward, if not for my arms holding her back. "You get the hell out!" She screamed, livid. Aside from Chi the others weren't sure what was said, but they came up behind Jaio and I defensively enough. Xue 'hmphed' and started walking off.

"You band of mutts should learn your place until my fun is done. Wouldn't want this to be a wasted trip."

I underestimated Jaio's love for Brady at that moment. The pre-teen elbowed my gut and made a dash for Xue. The sweet, kitten-like Jaio was furious as she brought her arm back. Every one of us started out to stop her, shouting, but it was too late.

Xue spun on her heels and backhanded the girl to the ground.

If it weren't for my concern for Jaio and pulling her away, I would have shifted on the spot. It didn't stop Paul and Sam though. The two circled the woman, furiously baring their teeth and raising their hackles.

"Jaio!" Poor Chi cried from the porch, falling from his wheelchair as he tried to get over. Emily ended up pulling him back, leaving me the only one to speak while Jaio cried quietly.

"What is your problem?!"

"My problem is my father thought he could reform a hunter by crossing his fingers and hoping for the best." She spoke in cold, calculating English. "He and his dementia-ridden hopes that our kind could find a way. As if your type are anything worth saving. But don't act so innocent." A smirk pulled at those plump lips.

I knew she knew. And it was at that moment, ice ran through my blood.

"You're just as much a killer as I am. According to my research, you must have hated your father more than I did mine."

An arrow had torn through my heart. Each carefully woven stitch to heal throughout the years since I was fifteen was being ripped open. Paul stopped to stare at me, ears flickering uncertainly. Jaio lifted her head, tears shining on her face. "W…what…? What is she talking about Ross?"

"Oh, they don't know?" She cocked her head.

"Don't." I blurted, heavily. It was taking all my strength to breathe. To not cave in to that horrid, lonely dark place. Where ten years ago I did everything to escape before painful time healed me. But Xue's startling intelligence knew precisely where she was going. Because of our vast differences, she was delighting in this.

"They don't know how little control you have?" She mocked.

My hands fell over my face, shaking my head. "Please," my voice cracked, feeling tremors of that night violently swarming my head, "don't-"

"How that pitiful amount of feline blood you have was just enough to slaughter a human on your first shift?"

At that moment, it sprung out of me. The very beast from my first shift, ferocious and without a rational thought, tore through my clothes savagely and kicked Jaio away from me. Perhaps the last sane thought I could have. Something a fifteen-year old could barely handle, was something I still had no restraint on ten years later. A screech left my monstrous fangs, whilst Xue only smirked and began unbuttoning her blouse.

I had clearly fallen into her trap, and was beastly enough without the sense to realize it.

.

.

.

At this point, was she even herself anymore…? Was there anything left of Ross Lahote, anything that could be reached deep down that was still sane…? There must have been. As the ebony jaguar tore at the ground, eyes blaring and livid, Xue Yin tossed her blouse aside and smirked.

Everyone realized where that smugness came from.

Ross's paws skid to a halt from her charge, eyes widening.

She was enough to make Sam, the biggest wolf there was, look like a puppy. The fear that steadily grew in Ross's chest had her taking slow, hesitant steps back, and almost thankfully that fear was enough to replace her white hot rage.

Vibrant orange fur, and thick black stripes. Muscles thicker than a tree, and, of course, taking the form of one of the largest big cats to exist. The shape-shifting tiger let out a beastly roar and charged with purpose and agility. Ross had no time to brace herself.

It was like a train that tackled her into the dirt, and jaws that latched into her shoulder. No sooner could the jaguar scream did both Paul and Sam jump the beast. Much like their fight with Ross a long time ago, it did little to get through the thick muscles. Only, there was far more on Xue.

Felines truly were monstrously deceiving. A rumbling roar leaves Xue as she throws her head back. With her weight tipping back, she throws herself on the ground, leaving the wolves to narrowly avoid getting crushed. Ross sprang to her paws despite the burning pain in her shoulder. Hastily she ran around the trio, making a bee-line for Jaio who was still in harm's way. Ross snagged her teeth around the girl's shirt and threw her towards the front door, where a horrified Emily was struggling to keep Chi back. But he couldn't even move his body without excruciating pain.

Pain was quick to return to Ross when not a second later, Xue plowed into her like a bulldozer. Ross gasped and saw she was being charged towards a tree, with Paul and Sam literally helpless to tear through her muscle and stop her. Ross couldn't stay conscious for a blow that strong. With a grunt and held breath, she ducked under the charging beast and pushed her hind legs up. It was enough for Xue to go flying into the tree instead, leaving Ross rolling through the grass.

The two wolves had since jumped back, with Sam sparing a moment to howl to the sky.

They were in trouble. Big trouble.

A laugh echoed in Ross's mind. One she didn't want there at all. The tiger pushed to her paws, glaring golden eyes over.

'I already killed that Alaska pack. You really think five or six more is going to make a difference here?'

Horror spread through the jaguar's frame. That massive pack…of forty plus wolves…all gone because of her…?

Sam was right. They were way in over their heads. This hunter, that hunted just like the Alaskan pack, was a lone murderer far beyond her skills. Whereas even alone with Sam, he could give Ross a run for her money. Rational instincts deemed to back off. To run.

But…what then? Was she to leave everyone to die under this monster?

Ross bristled, baring her teeth. 'Now that I think about it, I'm glad our kind are going extinct. If it means less monsters like you out there.'

Xue's eyes flared angrily. 'You know nothing-'

'I think maybe it's time you went extinct, too. You're not laying a claw on my family.' Ross warned, tail swishing behind her. 'This is your last chance to leave.'

Xue was furious and bared all her sharp teeth. 'HOW DARE YOU!'

As the wave of orange and black flew over, Ross became aware to the much smaller silver mass tackling Xue away.

'Paul!' Though, it only came out as a frightened screech from the jaguar.

And then, in one swift move, Xue's jaws came down. The wolf whimpered as he was thrown aside like a doll. Both Sam and Ross charged at once. Xue lifted her heavy paw, and all Ross could see was red as they were swatted aside.

'You just don't get it.' Xue mocked. 'Wolves kill vampires. And cats kill wolves. I am above you, and every other pathetic creature here. I should have been the one to teach my father's pathetic grandchildren!' The tiger roared.

With a heavy breath, Ross jumped to her paws. Sam was busy dragging a dazed Paul away. No doubt he and the others were debating their options right now.

Ross tore her eyes away to the beast before her. 'You wanted to make them into killers!'

'As if you're so different!?'

'I lost control once, but you're a murderer! Don't you dare compare yourself to me!'

Apparently for a 'lesser' feline to say such a thing, there was no stopping Xue's fury. Only, this time Ross met the tackle halfway. The tiger still had a few hundred pounds' worth of muscle on Ross, so she went flying back with the tiger. Muscled arms grappled around the other, and jaws snapped and bit beyond the muscles and fur. When Xue's arm suddenly shoved Ross's head away, the jaguar realized how open her neck was.

A feline always went for the neck.

A sharp inhale was all Ross could manage…

And then a mountain lion sailed over her head, latching onto Xue's humongous head with a furious shriek. Pinned down, Ross watched with wide eyes as Stormy sank his teeth into Xue's head. A fang must have gotten close to her eye, because the tiger shrieked and reared up on her back legs. It gave Ross a chance to get to her paws and jump for the neck. Her jaws didn't even reach halfway around it, but Ross trained her grip. She wasn't letting go.

Xue shook savagely, causing Stormy to go tumbling aside. He panted hard, anxiously concerned for his struggling owner. Unfortunately, he was still just an animal. He had no foresight to expect Xue to swing around and swat him aside. But taking his place immediately was Paul and Sam, putting a sudden ferociousness into their attack.

Ross had no doubt Chi had done some mental translating back there.

Blood dripped down onto the jaguar's face, but it wasn't her own. Little Stormy apparently had done the most damage by shredding Xue's left eye. The other though blared wildly down at Ross.

And then Xue let her weight fall to the ground, trying to crush Ross. The jaguar felt her grip lessen, but she grabbed a mouthful again hastily and flung her muscled arms around the tiger's neck.

She mustn't let go. She couldn't. Weight was suddenly added to these drops when the remaining pack arrived- those who weren't recovering from yesterday.

Chi's desperate voice shouted from nearby. "Get away from them! She's using your weight to crush Ross!"

They were like toothpicks to a metal wall. Absolutely nothing could bring Xue down. Paul was the first to charge when Ross began struggling to keep her grip with Xue's overpowering drops. Each wolf locked onto the tiger's limbs and pulled. Obviously, with the thinner muscle, it caused the tiger pain. She distracted from Ross enough to grab each one with her long fangs and toss them aside.

Ross couldn't bear to hear Paul's pain. Her dear wolf was already struggling- she couldn't handle anymore-

And then a gunshot went off.

From nearby, Billy loaded another bullet from his porch. Xue dropped her grip on Embry and locked her eyes on the old wheelchair man. With each heavy step, dragging the wolves, Ross frantically tried to slow her down. The wolves realized who the apparent new target was and attacked with newfound ferocity. Xue buckled and swatted them away, before finally dealing with her greatest annoyance who was still latched onto her neck. Arching her paw, claws slammed down over the jaguar's face.

Blood steadily seeped between the claws until Ross screeched, painfully being thrown back.

And then the non-stop beast was charging again- apparently having taken all Ross's strength just so she could wheeze.

All that for nothing.

So what now?

Would everything everybody fought for be lost to this monster? They had all come so far-

These despairing thoughts lingered in Ross's mind till a growl became more clear in her ears. Another feline growl, shaking into a roar, became more audible to the area. One that wasn't Stormy, nor Chi and Jaio as neither could currently shift.

A wall of white put space between an aching Ross and the brutish tiger.

Ross's blue eyes widened at the snow leopard before her.

'Get the hell up Ross!' Yan-mei's voice demanded in her mind. 'What, I'm gone for a few days and you give up on life because I'm not here?! Don't you dare back down to this oversized b*tch!'

How Ross's heart missed that headstrong, bold attitude dearly.

The jaguar pushed up to her paws, feeling her body throbbing in protest, but she refused. Yan-mei was right.

There was too much worth fighting for. Even if it took all her lives, she had to do what she could when the others couldn't. As Xue backed up, surprised by the furious new addition, Ross's eyes glanced at Chi. The anxious teenager shouted from Emily's arms supporting him. (Though more like restraining so he didn't try something stupid.)

"Everyone get back! None of you guys can hurt Xue!" he translated the thought.

A series of growls shook the air-but it was true. If wolves killed vampires, and cats killed wolves, then dear God, what could kill one of the biggest cats to exist?

Yan-mei's voice reached her mind. 'Ross, you told me once what we should do if we ever have a problem. Now that I think about it, it's the best advice I've ever gotten. We do need to be stronger than whatever is making us think we need help." Sharp, pale blue eyes glanced over to the pained jaguar at her side.

'I'm with you.'

Ross stared at her a moment before the two took their stances. The two smaller felines approached Xue, who bellowed out an angry roar in challenge.

'I'm starting to think brute strength isn't everything.' Ross grumbled, watching as Xue was torn between watching her and Yan-mei. The tiger swiped out a furious paw, but Ross hastily jumped aside. 'Shifting has taught us how to be inhumanly strong, but I'm starting to think there's a perk to humanity than being a complete monster.' She met Yan-mei's ready gaze from across the tiger. 'Something you'll never understand, Xue.'

The tiger slammed a heavy paw into the ground but wouldn't dare keep her eyes away from both. Every wolf surrounded the fight, readily and bristling.

Ross bared her fangs and crouched. 'You'll never understand the power of a family!' With that final screech Ross led the assault onto Xue. Yan-mei was immediate to tackle her other side, shaking her head vigorously with her fangs lodged into the tiger.

It didn't stop the wolves from doing what they could. Although their teeth could rip through a frozen vampire, it was never enough to pierce the thick muscle of a giant cat.

But it was enough for the less protected areas, in addition to their unbridled fury. Wolf after wolf latched onto the beast, who still kept Ross as the biggest threat. All the sudden, Xue shifted all her weight to the side, pushing past the sheer amount of wolves trying to stop her.

The tiger's mouth flew open wide and clamped down onto the black jaguar's side. Ross's shriek of pain echoed across the area, prompting Yan-mei to bristle and wildly scurry atop the beast's head. Her muscled white arms wrapped around Xue's neck, fangs diving into her forehead.

'GO!'

Amid the wolves feeling entirely helpless, despite the blood staining their faces, a surprising addition returned to the fight. With Ross being shook side to side, the smallest feline came rushing to his owner's defense once again. Stormy Ross ducked through each massive wolf's struggling body, zipping around the monstrous flailing paws of a giant tiger, and skid in front of said beast. Xue barely had time to notice the small tanned lion before he jumped her.

Blood whipped up into the air and she shrieked, dropping Ross to the ground.

He had gotten her other eye ferociously. Yan-mei acted quick to remove her jaws, grabbing Stormy's scruff before he could be swatted aside. She pulled him to safety while Paul darted around the screeching creature. Hastily the wolf bit Ross's scruff and dragged his wife away. Ross sputtered out a few gurgled breaths, wheezing and disoriented. One by one the wolves jumped away as Xue now blindly thrashed around, screeching to the skies angrily.

It was over.

The monstrous tiger morphed away into a disheveled naked woman holding her bleeding face.

"I'll kill you! I'LL KILL ALL OF YOU PIECES OF DIRT! JUST LIKE THOSE ALASKAN WOLVES YOU WILL ALL DIE-" The screaming continued, though all eyes drifted towards Ross. Barely able to sit up, the groaning jaguar managed to focus on the pack looking at her between their angry spared glances to Xue. Ross glanced towards Chi and gave up her strength, leaning back into her husband who tucked himself around her body protectively.

Chi grit his teeth from the porch.

"She says Xue is all yours guys."

There was no stopping the vengeful wolves from heaping onto the woman. Ross didn't listen to the brief screaming which was quick to die, filled with nothing more than snapping jaws and savage growls. She only focused on the brown eyes of the wolf next to her. Ross nudged her head over, letting her head collapse over his paws. A slow, uneasy breath ached from her nose. Paul's head settled over hers, and a warmth curled into the jaguar's side. Stormy curled against her, but kept his eyes on the bloodied mess before him.

He wasn't letting anything else near his owner.

Although the sounds were gruesome to listen to, Ross couldn't resist falling into a deep sleep. She could only hope she would wake and this horrible nightmare of these past few days would be a distant dream.

.

.

.

The walk to the Lahote house was a bit slow, but the girls didn't mind walking a little slower for Chi. The eager teenager was without his wheelchair and more than happy to walk again- even if he did stumble occasionally. Yan-mei kept close to his side, offering an arm to balance him now and then.

"Y'know, it's been a week since all that drama." Chi mused. "It shouldn't have taken that long for Ross to heal."

Yan-mei raised her brows. "I think it affected us all differently. It's not every day we meet some…some sort of crazy super cat."

Chi gawked. "Hey, Ross is super cat! But… she did handle Xue more than anyone, so I guess that makes her crazy too."

"I'm just glad she's OK." Jaio piped up, carefully holding a pot of soup she cooked special for Ross. So they had another reason to walk a bit slower. Surprisingly though it was a beautiful day, so they didn't mind the walk. To see blue skies and feel the warm air brought some life to their souls again. Enough comfort to know everything was alright again. They were learning to live normal again.

"No kidding." Chi leaned his head back, stretching out an ache. "Some of the guys looked like they'd been dragged under a bus, now they're long since being themselves again."

"You should know we heal differently." Yan-mei reminded, poking his arm. "But… I have to admit, Stormy was pretty impressive. He was as brave as any of us."

Jaio pouted. "I was so worried when he went out there like that. Twice, too!"

"What am I, chopped liver?" Yan-mei grumbled. She regretted it when Jaio used her free arm to tightly hug her sister. "And I'm so glad you came back too!"

Chi blinked over. "What made you come back, anyway?"

Yan-mei gazed off down the road. "I knew running wouldn't help anything. Honestly I really didn't go past Port Angeles. But I… had a weird feeling, so I'm glad I came back."

"Tell me about it." Chi furrowed his brows. "I wanted to take that-" He spared a glance at Jaio and cleared his throat, "that bully down myself. If only that stupid vampire the day before hadn't grabbed me." He sighed. "But Sam made quick work of her so I can't complain."

"You can't complain about broken legs?"

He grinned over. "I like Doctor Cullen. He gave me the good stuff."

She rolled her eyes. "Seems I just missed all the fun…"

"I wouldn't call it that, especially around the pack. Jacob recovered in half the time I did, plus I heard he's pretty ticked off right now. Brady told me he took off- something about that Bella girl getting married. He's taking it pretty hard."

Yan-mei crinkled her nose. "I don't get the appeal-but OK… He's coming back right?"

Jaio leaned over. "I heard he is. Where else could a shape-shifter go? He needs his pack."

"Speaking of which…" Chi nodded ahead. They had reached the Lahote house and noted the sleek black car parked in front of it. Yan-mei arched a brow. "The pack must really be thankful if they're letting them here."

Jaio knitted her brows. "Should we wait?"

"Nah man." Chi hurried, his limp a little off. "I'm going in- specially if he's got medicine."

Yan-mei murmured about him being a 'drug-head' and followed the two inside. Inside, the couple were sitting on the couch with Carlisle sitting nearby. He politely smiled at the group. "Hello." His eyes shifted over, eyes warm. "Chi. How are you feeling?"

"Well, just an ache-"

"He's fine." Yan-mei rolled her eyes.

Carlisle chuckled. "That's good to hear. Much like Ross you seem to be healing up nicely."

"Thank you." Paul quietly spoke, eyes on the vampire. It stunned the teenagers to hear, and caused the resting woman at his side to smile. Carlisle nodded. "And Ross," he began, "when you're feeling up to it, please swing by the hospital. We can further discuss your health there." With a polite nod, he said his goodbyes and left.

Ross, looking very relaxed from some apparent medication, looked towards the trio. She opened her arms, smiling lazily.

"Kids!"

Of course, Jaio and Chi wasted no time falling into her arms. Yan-mei smirked and looked at Paul. "He gave her the good medicine, didn't he?"

Paul sighed, struggling to relax as he leaned back into the couch. "Her lungs were a little bruised, but she's better since that first day… You guys are tougher than you look." He smirked. "Glad you're back."

Yan-mei waved her hand at him dismissively and pushed the two aside. "Move it, you big babies." Though surprised, Ross all too happily welcomed the hug from the eldest teen. Yan-mei's hug lingered, and Ross felt the girl swallow hard.

Yan-mei would never say it, but Ross knew how she felt. Ross pecked the girl's cheek. "Welcome home Yan-mei."

Luckily Yan-mei's hair fell over her eyes. But the sheen in them was there.

Chi's voice rang out. "So can we eat this soup or not Jaio?"

"Hey! That's for Ross!"

As the trio of kids argued and playfully fought, Ross leaned into Paul's open side. His warm arms settled around her, squeezing gently. Like a dream come true, things were peaceful again. Feng was adorably trying to teach Stormy to talk as best he could, while said tan lion tilted his head curiously and crooned. Under his neck, his neon green collar had a new metal tag added to his nametag. He'd been given an honorary tag that remembered his service in helping protect the La Push pack. His owners couldn't have been prouder.

Ross breathed slowly through her nose, feeling peace finally settle.

Sweet, beautiful peace.

"Y'know," Paul began, lifting his hand to fiddle with a few of her locks between his fingers, "I wonder what the bloodsu…I wonder what Carlisle meant by discussing your health." He pressed a kiss to her nose, slowly.

"Are you feeling OK?" he asked.

Ross looked at him a moment, filled with wonder. Paul smirked, playing his change of words off. "I feel fine…but…"

"What is it kitten?" He pressed, worriedly.

Ross closed her eyes, smiling innocently. "This medicine is pretty awesome. Let me know when everybody is going to look for Jacob. I wouldn't mind hunting the puppy down."

Paul scoffed and pulled her closer. "One thing at a time. Jacob can handle himself. I'm more concerned about you."

Ross only smiled, paying no mind to the arguing teenagers behind them.

"Maybe I should sleep this off for a few days… Then I can visit Carlisle."

"We." He corrected, letting his head fall atop hers'. Ross had no qualms being snuggled to her blazing warm wolf- even better as Jaio served them her delicious food. Only, despite the excuse of being a little out of it in her recovery, Ross kept her little secret to herself.