Trials of Assimilation

Swan Residence

"COME ON EDIE! YOU HAVE SCHOOL!" Charlie yelled.

"I'm coming!" Edie came down at vampire speed. "I'm ready. Let's go."

"Aren't you forgetting something?" Charlie pointed to his eyes.

"My contacts!" Charlie smiles and thought, 'Three two one.' "Dammit Charlie!" She came downstairs after finding she had PLENTY of time to get ready. "What's the big idea?"

"Next time tell me where you're going when you leave the house."

"Yeah, yeah ok." She sat down to have breakfast with Charlie.

"Since we're on the subject of last night, we need to discuss your grounding. I think three days seems appropriate."

"Ok sure. Can we go now? I don't want another crowd like yesterday." The duo went out the door and saw Jacob with an extra helmet and motorcycle. "Jacob. What are you doing here?"

"On a motorcycle," Charlie added.

"Charlie I was wondering if I could take Edie to school," Jacob answered. Charlie turned to Edie and saw her pleading face.

"Don't you have school?"

"Not until later."

"Fine, but you're still grounded young lady." He saw the two climb Jacob's motorcycle. 'Damn motorcycles. They're fucking death traps. I'm just glad she's indestructible.'

Jacob and Edie rode through the streets like they were on fire. "You doing ok there?"

"Yeah. It's been years since I was on one of these."

"It sucks that Charlie grounded you. What happened?"

"I went somewhere without telling him. By the way what does 'grounded' mean?"

"You serious? It means that you don't get to do anything."

Forks High School

"That sucks." They arrived at the school in no time and of course there was a crowd waiting for them. "Great! The herds have ascended."

"It's like this all the time?"

"Only since I arrived yesterday. Apparently different means cool here." The Cullens arrived seconds later. Four of them fit in Emmett's jeep and were calling to Edie. Edie saw another car pull up; it was a Volvo. Edward decided to come with his siblings to school. There were more interesting things here according to him. He smelled something in the air. It was Edie, but something else too. It was pleasant. It was familiar and intoxicating. It wasn't another Singer. It smelled like Mate.

Jacob saw a guy about his age get out of the Volvo. 'He looks so cute. What the fuck am I saying? I-Am I gay?! No! I just think that guy over there with the untamable copper locks and smoldering brooding face and Adonis-like body is kind of handsome.' "Edie, who is that guy," he asked without taking off his helmet.

"Which one?"

"The one with the Volvo." Edie could smell the arousal. She didn't know whether to feel embarrassed or excited for him.

"His name is Edward Cullen."

"Cullen? Are you kidding me?"

"You have something against him?"

"No but my dad does and the entire tribe. I'll see you later Edie." He drove away in disappointment. The cute one was a Cullen. Even if his dad could get past the whole gay thing, being a Cullen was definitely crossing the line. 'Too bad. Whatever. I need to get back on the Rez.'

Edie went over to meet her new coven. "Hey guys. Edward, you came!"

"Yeah school seemed interesting all of a sudden. Who was that on the bike?"

"That's Jake. Jacob Black."

"Is he a wolf?"

"Not yet. He hasn't phased, but it shouldn't be long. Let's get to class." Edie saw that he was still staring outside the parking lot. "Stop drooling he'll be back."

"Vampires don't drool."

"Yeah, yeah, sure." They entered the school. There were stares obviously and murmurs. "Hey, Edward, what are they thinking?"

He whispered, "They think you're my new girlfriend. The ones further back think we're long lost twins or something and the others well, you don't really want to know."

"What the fuck! (Ahem) Excuse me. That is ridiculous." They walked together for a few more minutes until they reached Edie's Calculus class. "Thanks for walking me, but I can take it from here."

"This is my class too." He walked in ahead of her and sat in the empty seat next to hers.

'No way.' "What's your schedule?"

"Chemistry is next, then Gym, Lunch…"

"Then English?"

"No. I have Study Hall." Edie sighed in relief. "After that I have History."

"You're Empty Seat. All day yesterday I had a bunch of empty seats next to me."

"It's either a coincidence or you're stalking me." They laughed and continued their antics partnering up during Chemistry and Gym. Then, Mike decided to make his presence known during lunch. He was quiet during second period. Wallowing in anger and jealousy.

"Hi Mike. You were kind of quiet during class, what's up?"

"You're dating fucking Cullen? You know he ran his last girlfriend out of town?"

"I'm not dating Edward. We're old friends. We grew up in the same foster home."

"Likely story," he murmured. He turned to Edward. "You're not taking this one away Cullen. I saw her first."

"She has a name Newton," Edward responded. "Why don't you back off?" Edward stared him down with a low growl. Mike walked away grumbling. "I know you can defend yourself," he responded to Edie's thoughts. "I was only doing the gentlemanly thing." 'Thank you,' he heard. "You're welcome." They ate, well Edie ate, their lunch in peace. Although by the time Edward and Edie reached history, his patience or really anxiety was wearing him thin. He needed to ask her about Jacob. Jacob. Jacob. Like music. Better than the richest human blood. The name wants do desperately pour out of his lips and he wants his name to come out of Jacob's. He wonders how it sounds like. Mate. Mate. Mate. 'I need to know.' "Edie, can you show me his face?"

"Whose?"

"The-the…Jacob…Black."

"Ok." She gave him the image of Jacob playing soccer and taking down Jared and then pouring the bottled water on his face, getting his t-shirt wet. She laughed after seeing Edward's face.

"You did that on purpose," he accused.

"Of course I did. By the way you may want to think of something else," she then lowered her voice "and you may want to stop wearing such tight jeans."

Edward, obviously embarrassed, started thinking or un-sexy things, but most of those ended bloody. Thus, his boner grew, so he thought of the only other unappealing thing he could think of: Bella Swan. It worked as well as a needle and a balloon. "Finally."

The bell rung and before Edward and Edie went their separate ways, she whispered so low only he could hear, "He thinks you're cute too."

After that, Edward wasn't without a smile. Mate. Mate. Mate. Over and over again the word went in his head. He waited in the parking lot, hoping to get a glimpse of the native, but he didn't come. He dropped off Edie at the Swan house and still, he didn't see him. Edward knew he couldn't cross the line without inciting a war between the two families. 'This is ridiculous. This isn't some Shakespearean play. We aren't star crossed lovers.' Though as far as forbidden love goes, their situation wasn't far off.

Quileute Reservation

Edward wasn't the only one thinking about their so-called "forbidden love". Jacob had been distracted since he dropped off Edie with the other pale faces. Except for Jacob, the feeling was not only obsessive, it was almost as if he hurt all over. He needed to see the Cullen boy. 'What's my dad's deal with that family anyway? I mean yeah they have those weird eyes, but so does Edie and she's allowed on La Push.'

At the bonfire Quil wanted a seat next to Edie hoping to score, but Jacob made a great buffer. Billy and other elders were at the bonfire. Telling the old Quileute legends. It was there that Edie learned the reason why the tribe shifted when vampires appeared. To protect the village from their last enemy, the Cold Ones. Paul turned to look at Edie, as did Embry seeing as Jared and Sam were distracted by their imprints. During the storytelling, she saw Jacob lowering his head at the mention of the Cold Ones.

"Hey, Jacob. Why don't you show me around," she suggested and stood up.

"Sure," he responded. There were side-view glances by Sam and Billy. Billy suspicious that she was taking him to be seduced and Sam had his own worries; he didn't want the future alpha to stray from the way of his people.

Jacob and Edie walked around the border. "What has you so bothered?"

"I think Dad thinks that the Cullens are the Cold Ones. He's always tell me to stay away and warning me about ridiculous shit."

Edie looked at Jacob and sighed. She stopped and lifted her hand in the air, creating a soundproof shield while simultaneously checking the area for eavesdroppers. There was one, but he wasn't near enough to see clearly what she was about to do. "What if it was true?" He looked at her as if he didn't hear her correctly. "What if the Cold Ones were real?"

"You're buying it?" Jacob raised his eyebrow.

"I'm not buying it, I'm living it." She took his hand and lifted him to her back. Once he was secure, she sped to the top of Mount Stuart. When they arrived, Jacob screamed. 'Good thing I put up the barrier.' "Jacob you need to calm down."

"W-w-why, how are we here?" He tried to crawl away, but the invisible barrier stopped him.

"Jacob please listen. I am about to tell you something you have to keep secret from everyone in the tribe. Especially your dad. He doesn't want you to know until later, which by the way I think is ludicrous."

"You're a Cold One, a vampire."

"Let's start with this, all the stories about Cold Ones and Spirit Warriors your dad told are real. You are part of the select few who will become Spirit Warriors."

"You're saying that I'm gonna turn into this wolf thing?"

"Yes, and it should be soon."

"No! I'm human. I want to stay human. I refuse."

"You're genes made you predestined to phase. I'm sorry."

"Wait a minute, if you're a vampire, why did my dad let you on the land?"

"I'm not your typical vampire. Do you remember my tattoo and the ones on Sam's and the others' arms? To receive the mark is to receive the wolf. It means the ones who have it, have already phased."

"So you're wolf and a vampire. How did that happen?" He sat down on the snow.

She joined him. "I was bitten a long time ago. It was after I already phased and my body took it well. Now I'm immortal."

"How old are you?"

"I'm about seventy. I lived a long time underground, so I'm not sure."

"How old is Edward?" He blushed.

"I don't know. You're gonna have to ask him yourself. He thinks you're cute you know?"

"He does?" Jacob smiled a bit bigger and his blushed spread across his face.

"Yeah," she got up and took his hand to pull him up. "We need to get going. I don't want them thinking I turned you." She picked him up and took them back to the border. Jacob got down and wobbled a bit before standing his ground.

"That was fucking awesome! Will I do that? Or is it a vamp thing?"

"How about we hang more and then I'll tell you?"

"Sounds great."

"And remember not to tell anyone. We can use this time together to strengthen your mind shields. I'll explain later."

Jacob nodded in understanding and they went back to the bonfire laughing about one thing or another. Things that the rest of the tribe didn't understand. When the fire started to die, everyone started going home, "Do you need a ride...Ok that was a stupid question."

"No I don't need a ride. Thanks though. I'll call you." Edie vamp-sped to Charlie's house, but then smelled a wolf. "Is that you Paul?"

"What do you know? Even half-dead, your sense of smell hasn't deteriorated."

"Sam sent you?"

"Nah. He asked us to leave you alone."

"Why aren't you following your alpha's orders?"

"He didn't tell us, he asked. Huge difference. Don't you love loopholes?"

"Is there something you wanted?"

"I want to know your business here. With Jacob. What's your master plan? You fucking parasite."

"I'm a hybrid, not a parasite. You idiot. Listen, just leave me alone. I promise that I only want Jacob to have a happy life."

Paul pushes her against a tree and holds her by the throat, "You better behave or I'll burn you myself."

"If you're going to threaten someone," she grabs his hand pins his arm twisted behind his back, "you better have the muscle to back it up." She threw him on the ground and went straight to the house.

Paul picked himself up and started mumbling about the damned vampires and stupid leeches. "What did you think you were doing?" Sam's feet were in viewpoint of Paul. "I told you to stay away from her."

"You asked not told and I was doing what I needed to protect the tribe. She's dangerous! How can the elders allow that thing on our land?!"

"In case you haven't noticed, I have been keeping an eye on her. She only attacks when attacked. She may be dangerous, but as long as she keeps her powers at bay and we don't threaten her, everything will be as it always was."

"What about Jacob? He's hanging out with that freak. Aren't you worried she might poison his mind or that he might imprint on her?"

"You know our laws. If she did turn out to be his imprint, we can't touch her. Now go back to the reservation and stop threatening her. Whether you like it or not, she's pack. Now go!" After Paul left, Sam looked into the forest toward Charlie's house and silently prayed, 'Please Spirits, tell me what I'm doing is right. This girl, we can't have her as our enemy. She's too strong. Please guide me to the right path.'

Swan Residence

"I'm home Charlie," Edie announced as she entered the house. She got into his liquor cabinet and took out the first thing she saw. "Come to Mama."

"Nuh uh, not without me." She saw Charlie walk in with his is street clothes on. "Rough day?"

"Week. The wolves still don't trust me, not that I blame them," she downed a shot.

"You'll win them over. How's the rest of the mission going?"

"Pretty well, Edward and Jacob saw each other today. What has you hitting the sauce?"

"There was this couple that came into the station. Their son went missing about four or three months ago. Here, I was wondering if he was significant to you in any way." He hands Edie a picture of a young man about twenty years old.

"What's his name?"

"Riley Biers. His folks say he went up to Seattle with a few friends. They didn't notice he was missing until sometime later. The last place they saw him was at a bar."

"It could be a normal disappearance. No vampires involved. What else you got?"

"A few more vanishings, but they're so spread out to be connected to any sort of pattern and a few bodies have been found drained of blood and torn apart like an animal did it."

Edie looks at the evidence. "Definitely vampire, but not an experienced one. They would have known to leave more slash and bite marks that way an animal would definitely be blamed. These marks, they're too human, well as human as one could surmise."

"Great so we have a rogue vampire. How are you going to handle this?"

"I'm not. The Volturi need to come over and do it themselves. It's their job. They can't have any suspicion of our existence. At least not one that isn't on their terms."

"Kid, am I ever going to have a good night's sleep again?"

"Talk to me in a year and then I'll tell you." She refilled her shot and gulped it down. "I've never been around so many people I couldn't take down without anyone batting an eye and I still have to put up with it for another year."

"It'll get better Edie."

"Liar," she smirked.

"Yes I am, but let's just live in ignorance for a while. You will have a completely dull school experience and I'm going to help the state police hunt these totally un-supernatural animals living in the woods."

"I'll drink to that." Their glasses clinked.

Quileute Reservation

Edie spent the next three weeks filling Jacob in on the world he actually lives in. He kept asking about Edward and vice-versa Edward asked about Jacob. Edie had to remind Edward how he couldn't cross the border to see him, at least until Jacob phased. Still, Edward spent his nights hiding in the trees close to La Push just to get a whiff of him. Edie spent her nights with the pack on patrol. For the most part, they didn't mind her, but tonight she was paired with Paul and he was as accommodating as ever. They met at ten at the border in their wolf forms.

'Hey Paul.'

'Freak.'

'My name's not that hard to say.' He said nothing and continued their patrol. 'I'm only going to be here a year maybe more, but no longer than two. Let's try to get along. For the pack, for Jacob.'

'Is he your Imprint?'

'Jacob and I are friends. He needed someone since the pack keeps taking them away.'

Paul lowered his head in guilt. 'It's not our fault,' he barked. 'You know we can't tell him.'

'I know. Come on, I want to check out that spot near the highway. A lot of bodies keep appearing there.'

'You've been reading police reports.' He said with approval.

'Only when Charlie's not looking. There have been a lot of animal attacks. The coven thinks it's a newborn.'

'What's a newborn?'

'A new vampire. They are supposed to stay with their maker during the first year to learn not to raise awareness, but he or she must have been abandoned.'

'Like you.'

'Yeah, but I never liked human blood, the most anyone ever saw when I hunted were a few carcasses.'

They get near the highway and Paul takes a whiff. 'Definitely a leech. That sickly sweet smell is everywhere. Not a Cullen. Theirs is more diluted because of the animal blood.'

'Let's go. Humans are approaching.'

Paul wagged his tail in excitement. 'Good night…Edie.'

'Good night Paul.'

Cullen Residence

Edward was going mad. He could play a million notes of music, but no sound compensated his need to see his mate. He banged his keys. Bang. Bang! BANG! 'Sweet, sweet Jacob take me make me yours.' Edward tried imagining his Jacob's body. His lean and unsoiled body. 'I wonder how warm he would feel under me. In me. Oh how his dick would tear me apart. Or me inside his tight heat. Oh yes! I want him surrounding me.' He began to stroke his hard-on imagining it was Jacob doing it for him. There was a leak of pre-cum on his pants. Edward palmed his erection through his clothes, but soon the pain of keeping his dick caged was too unbearable. He undid his belt and buried his hand under his boxers. He stroke it from base to tip with one hand while the other massaged his balls. Edward kept imagining his voice.

'Yeah baby you like that. You like me touching you this way. Feeling my burning hands against your cold prick. Say it. Say you love it. Go on. Say it.' Edward pumped into his hand faster until he reached near vamp speed. "Oh God!" He moved one hand from his cock to under his shirt and began tweaking his nipples. Pulling them, pinching them. 'That's me baby using my teeth.' He pumped faster than humanly possible and came screaming his name, "Jacob!" He couldn't believe the state he was in.

'What am I talking about? He's not my mate. Yet,' Edward surmised. There was a knock on the door. By the sound of their thoughts, Edward knew it was his brothers. He cleaned up his room and tried to get rid of the smell in vain. He knew everyone left in the house would be able to smell him.

'Baby brother open the door please,' Emmett asked in his most annoying older-brother voice.

'There's no use hiding it Edward,' Jasper teased.

"I don't think he can hear us Jazz."

"Maybe we should break down the door…"

"Stop! I'll let you in," Edward responded. "What do you want?"

"Jazz and I smelled something very familiar. Now it couldn't be us. The girls went shopping with Edie. It could have been Carlisle, but the smell didn't come from his lab and Esme is out working on her secret project. The only other person was you."

"Yes, there was a distinct level of lust coming from your room. Tell me little brother, what were you doing?"

"It's none of your business."

"What's with all the yelling," their father entered the room. "Have the girls come back? Really Emmett, you and Jasper need to control yourselves more around your wives, it stinks up the whole house."

"It's not us Carlisle," Emmett commented.

"Then who… (sniffs the air)…Edward?"

"Yes. Yes, it's me. I'm the one covered in lust okay? Is it too much to ask for a little privacy when all of you have been flaunting your own exploits in this family?" Edward huffed.

"Edward calm down we're only teasing. Don't get your panties in a twist," Jasper said in a more southern accent. "Though I do wonder about the sudden spike in emotions."

"I may have an idea," Edward groaned at Carlisle's observation. "Have you found your mate Son?" Edward answered his creator by avoiding his knowing gaze. "You have! That's wonderful Edward."

"Wait Carlisle. There may be a reason why he hasn't spoken about her. Is she human, brother?"

"Another human! Jeez bro you gotta stop going for these damsel-in-distress types," Emmett interrupted.

"He's not human!" Edward retorted.

"He?" His family chorused.

"Yes, my mate is a man."

"Is it someone from school," Carlisle wondered.

"No."

"Will you tell us who it is?"

"I can't yet."

"Why not?"

"He's still human."

"Edward, do you plan on turning him?"

"No, look I can't tell you. You need to wait."

Emmett interrupts, "does anyone know who you mate is?"

"Edie is the only one who knows," he hesitated.

"You told Edie, but you didn't tell us? Well isn't that a kick in the ass?"

"She was there when I met him and she's the only other person who knows who he is."

"I bet I can get it out of her," Jasper insinuated.

"Good luck, she's the one who advised us of this. She knows how it would be like if his relatives found out."

"She is strangely protective when she's around you. Speaking of which, I believe the girls are back." As if on cue, Alice and Rosalie strolled through the front door. Alice jumped on Jasper to say hi. "I thought you'd be gone the whole day."

"Alice had a vision about the traffic off of Highway 81."

"Not before she practically bought out the entire mall, I've never been shopping like this before. You know Alice made it seem like war," Edie came in with a ton of shopping bags.

"Does that mean I'm going to have to force you from now on," Alice pouted.

"Of course not," Edie stated, Alice was overjoyed and jumped Edie. "I love shopping. I didn't get to do it a lot growing up. Next time we need to work on our battle strategies together."

"Yay! We'll have Jazzy help us. He's a soldier you know?"

"You are," she asked looking up at him.

"Major Jasper Whitlock of the Confederate Army at your service ma'am," he saluted.

"Civil War? That's amazing. Do you still remember the strategies you used or the ones from the Union side?"

"Have all of them committed by memory," he grinned.

"Do want to talk strategy? I mean when you're free. I'm sure you'd rather do something else," Jasper felt the excitement and insecurity pouring off of Edie.

"I'd love too." He responded and Edie looked further up to see that the rest of the men were upstairs near Edward's room.

"What's going on? Edward?" 'Did they find out?' He nodded. 'Do you want to talk about it?' He shook his head. 'Do you want to just leave?'

"Yeah, let's go." They zoomed out of the mansion and ended up in the middle of a field not far from the reservation.

"Did you tell them about Jacob?"

"I couldn't and I wanted to, but I keep having you in my head telling me not to."

"You know why. You would have done the same thing if it were anyone else in the family." She looked at his fallen face. "He needs to phase."

"And after that? He's going to hate me. The moment he sees me, he's going to rip my head off and I'm going to let him if it makes him happy." He felt to the ground with his knees to his chest and one hand pushing back his hair.

"Edward," she sat down next to him and placed a hand on his knee. "He's not going to attack you."

"How do you know?"

"Wolves especially ones like the Quileutes, have this thing called imprinting. It's the same…" Her phone began to ring. It was Jacob.

"Answer it. I want to hear his voice."

"Hey Jacob. What's up?"

"Edie, want to come out to Port Angeles?"

"To do what?"

"Karaoke night at Jitterz. It's a club."

"What's that?"

"Seriously? Jeez you need to live more."

"You know I just finished telling Edward that same thing earlier."

She turns to see Edward very interested in their conversation. "Is it okay if I bring my friend Anthony with me?" Edward was mouthing to her, "What are you doing?" She gave him the "shh" sign.

"Who's Anthony?"

"You're going to love him. He looks just like Edward."

"Sure, I guess." He smiled catching on to what she was saying, "Can you send me a picture of him?"

"Yeah hold on." She turned and flashed Edward with her camera. "For Jacob." She hit the share button on her phone. "You should be getting it in a few."

"Thanks Edie, I'll see you at eight."

"I'll ask Anthony to take me there. Bye." She hung up the phone and faced Edward.

"Anthony?"

"It was my dad's name. Come on we're meeting him tonight and before we do, you need to get rid of that smell and get a hold of yourself." Edie texted Charlie that she was going out that night with Jacob and Edward. It was seven forty-five when she went to the house. She greeted the family and Esme lured her into the kitchen with roasted chicken, but stopped after a few bites and said she'd be back later for the rest. "Is Edward still upstairs?"

"Yes, I have no idea what he's doing, but he won't let Alice or anyone in."

"I'll go see what's taking him so long." It was as Esme said, they were practically suffocating Edward's door. "Excuse me guys." She knocked on the door. "Edward? It's Edie. Open up."

The door opened and Edie was pulled in. "Edie you have to help. I've never been so…Argh!" He paced around with only boxers on.

"Ok first, put on some pants."

"I would, but which pants?"

"Why didn't you ask Alice? She's right outside. She could've helped you." She looked across the room and picked up a white long-sleeved shirt and a pair of black jeans. "Here. Ephraim will like you in these."

"Like?"

"Love! Okay? Just get dressed." The phone rang. "Please tell me you're calling because you're already there."

"Edie, its Seth."

"Seth? Why are you calling me from Jacob's phone? You guys are supposed to be at the place."

"Jacob has gone cuckoo he keeps saying 'no, not good enough' at everything he picks out of the closet."

"Dammit! Ok, I'll be there in like two minutes."

"Did he cancel," Edward asked.

"No he didn't cancel. Can you wait for me for like a few minutes? I have another crisis on the other side of town." She vamp-sped to the Quileute reservation and landed within a few feet from Jacob's front door. Seth answered the door.

"Edie! Great you're here."

"Show me the boy." She entered Jacob's cluttered room. The room itself was small enough as it was, but adding all the scattered clothes just made it tiny. Then she saw something she never wanted to see. "For the Spirit's sake Jacob put on some underwear man! Listen, I'm not going to waste time here. You are going to put on these blue bootlegs and this dark blue V-neck. I want no lip."

"Yes ma'am."

"For tonight, your name is Ephraim. I have to go; Anthony is waiting." Once Edie reached the border, she went full-speed ahead for the Cullen property. "Edward Cullen! You are so lucky I put my hair in a pony-tail." They got inside his Volvo and they ended up at Jitterz five minutes later.

Port Angeles, Washington

When they arrived the place was alive with chatter and there was someone on stage singing a song. She turned to the vampire, "why is she singing and watching TV?"

"That's karaoke. In all your decades, you haven't heard of it?"

"Life underground remember? I wonder where Ephraim is." She looked across the room and spotted four Rez kids near the stage. She told Edward to stay close to the door and went to Jacob. "Hey guys. Can I steal Jacob for a second?"

When they left, Leah started gossiping about Edie and Jacob being a couple. Quil denied it, but she quickly shut him down by pointing out that they had spent most of their time together alone. Seth just sat there not paying attention to their conversation. He was more interested in where Edie was taking Jacob than their actual relationship.

"Hey Anthony!" Edward lifted his head to see Edie and…his mate. "I want you to meet a friend of mine. This is Ephraim. Ephraim, this is Anthony. I'm going to leave you two to get acquainted." It took a while after she left for them to break the silence. Edward only had the images Edie showed him for reference to his beautiful face and body. 'Her thoughts did Jacob no justice,' he thought. Jacob only ever had his memories of Edward's face to keep him warm at night and the picture Edie sent earlier that day.

"Hi" "Hello" They said at the same time and laughed nervously.

"Hi Anthony, I'm Ephraim. Edie has told me a lot about you and your vegetarian lifestyle."

"She has? Um I mean. Hello Ephraim, I'm Anthony. Edie has mentioned you from time to time especially about you're furrier aspects."

"According to her, I don't have long until I'm really furry. It's a shame because she won't let me see this guy I like until I do."

"You have a guy you like?" Edward's voice cracked.

"Yeah, his name is Edward." The aforementioned man gleamed. "He seems perfect; very nice to look at and he hasn't left my thoughts since I saw him almost a month ago. Do you have someone special?"

"Yes I do. His name is Jacob. His name pours out of my mouth like sweet honey, but I can't see him."

"Why not," Jacob asked in sincerity.

"His family and mine are like the Montagues and Capulets. Vampires and werewolves. Sworn enemies," Edward unsubtlety hinted.

"Let's just say your families were actually vampires and his were werewolves. Would that stop you?"

"If you had asked me a year ago, I would say that such an idea was unfathomable. Even now, there is a chance Jacob would reject me and I would be left as barely a husk of a man. However, when the day comes that I catch him, I will never let go." Edward could hear Jacob's heart thumping a billion beats per minute. "What about you?"

"It's kind of hard to top that, but…okay." Jacob could feel his blush creep up on his face. "Werewolves and vampires are basically cats and dogs; they're natural enemies and it's nearly impossible to believe they could ever be together." Jacob saw the disappointed look on Edward's face and continued, "But they're still animals, they both care about their humans. Some are even friends. If two house pets can get over their animosity towards the other, then why I can't I be with Edward? Besides, I happen to like cats."

"I happen to like dogs. Despite their horrendous odor," Edward smirked.

Edie came back to the table where Leah and Quil abruptly stopped their conversation. Seth asked, "Where's Jacob?"

"He's talking to this guy from my school. They seemed like they knew each other."

"I'll go. He may need back up," Quil started to get up.

"No, stay. They didn't look like they were going to fight. Besides you can help me choose a song," she gave him a sweet smile.

"Oh okay," he immediately fell back to his chair. "Is there any one you like? Gaga? Miley? Sam Smith?"

"Um," Edie didn't know who he was talking about. 'What's a Gaga?' She looked through the book and saw a song that caught her eye. The title itself was ironic to her. "I'll do this one," she went up to the MC.

"Hey y'all," the MC announced. "We have a newcomer tonight. She's gonna be singing 'human' let's show her some PA Jitterz love." The music played and Edie started singing.

It was supposed to be just a simple song for her to distract Leah and the rest from looking for Jacob, but the words became real for Edie. She started remembering Volterra.

She thought of Aro, Caius, the guard, Alec, and Marcus. She mostly thought of her time spent in the dungeons. The cuts, the breaks, the needles. It was a past that she never wanted to revisit. After the last lyric, she thanked the audience for their applause and checked herself on the mirror behind the bar. She noticed a bit of the gold was washed away, so she pooled some venom into her eyes and it filled win the little bit it that was missing and then walked off the stage.

"Edie? Are you okay?" Leah could recognize raw emotion when she saw it.

"I'm fine Leah. The song just brought back some memories."

"Alright. Are you sure?"

"Yeah!"

Near the booth at the main floor of the building, Edward was still staring at the stage. "Anthony… Anthony? Edward! You look like you're going to cry." Jacob whispered, "Can you cry?"

"No I can't. It's just her song really moved me."

"Yeah I mean I had no idea that she had a voice like that. She kind of..."

"What?"

"She reminded me of my mom. She used to sing to me every night before I went to bed."

Edward sensed there was more to it. "What happened to her?"

"I'll tell you later Juliet. Friar Lawrence is coming over." Sure enough Edie came to see the two of them. "You were amazing! Where did you learn something like that?"

"My grandma said I got it from my dad. He was this music fanatic. Listen Ephraim, Anthony and I need to go. Seth and Quil are asking too many questions."

"But," Jacob sighed.

Edward saw the disappointment on his mate's face. "Sweet Romeo. We'll meet again." He slipped a piece of paper as he kissed Jacob's hand and then walked away to his car.

"He slipped you his number didn't he, Romeo," Edie smirked.

"I have no idea what you're talking about," he answered coyly. 'He's so weird. I guess it's something he learned growing up.' "I'll see you later." He walked back to his friends at their table. Leah kept looking at Edie.

Edward didn't mention what he saw on their way back to Forks. He put it in the vault until when he felt was the right time.

Cullen Residence

Edward opened his phone when it pinged. The message read: Hello Juliet.

To Jacob: Hello Romeo. I loved seeing you tonight. Even though our time was very short.

From Jacob: Me too. Too bad we can't see each other until I phase.

To Jacob: I want to see you every day. It would bring me back to life to only see your smile.

From Jacob: You're so cheesy.

To Jacob: For you my sweet Jacob, I would lay down all the cheese.

From Jacob: Lol. Where do you get this stuff?

Edward and Jacob talked about many things over the course of a month, but never what really bothered them. All bubblegum things; it was like they were waiting until they could actually talk face to face, so they could talk about personal things. They were both afraid of what might happen after "the thing" happened. Jacob was about to explode. He rode over to Charlie's house fuming. He knocked on the door roughly.

Swan Residence

"Jacob. Watch the door man," Edie answered while Jacob practically ran inside.

"When am I going to phase? I, I'm going insane. I feel like if I don't see him…I'm going to die if I don't see him. You told me it wouldn't take long!" He huffed. "I'm crazy aren't I?"

"You're not crazy." He looked at her suspiciously from the loveseat sofa. She sat down next to him. "I thought you would've phased by now because imprinting happens after you phase."

"What's imprinting?"

"It's basically the wolf's ability to find its soulmate."

"What does it feel like?"

"It's different for everyone, but I saw it. The moment you and Edward met I thought you would have phased not even two weeks later. I don't know why it's taking you so long."

"So, what I'm feeling right now, isn't real?" He was a level under distraught.

"It is real. It's just so powerful, that it had to manifest early."

'Thank God.' "I just want to get this stupid thing over with."

"I know Jacob," she hugged him.

"Thanks," he returned the sentiment. Though he had to ask, "What do you get from all this?"

"Happiness."

Jacob got up and Edie followed suit. "I should get home. I need to start dinner for Billy." Edie followed him to the Rabbit. They waved good-bye and Charlie came up on the driveway as he was pulling away.

"Was that Jake?"

"Charlie, I think I messed up the timeline too much. He was supposed to have phased by now."

"Maybe you did, but you can't dwell on that. Do you think maybe he's too happy?"

"What do you mean?"

They were walking inside as they talked. "You said it took a lot of emotional stamina to maintain the wolf. Wouldn't that mean something really needs to unbalance him so he could change?"

"I can't believe I didn't think of that. Now I remember why I keep you."

"Don't you mean the other way around?"

"No, you keep me around because I can cook and you would be otherwise penniless. Though I may need to cut back." She patted his tummy.

"Hey!"

The Hoh outside the Quileute Reservation

Jacob was pacing all around the forest floor. He was shaking. "I can't believe he-He just-He's so unfair! If he would just get to know them!" His low growl grew louder and louder.

Thirty minutes ago… Black Residence

Jacob arrived at his house and went straight into the kitchen to cook Billy spaghetti. He heard the wheels of his chair on their hardwood floor. "Where were you son?"

"At Charlie's"

"Visiting Evie," he sneered.

"Edie Dad. Is there a problem with that?"

"I don't like you being alone with her. She spends too much time with those Cullen kids," he said their name repulsively.

"What's wrong with that?" He pounded on the raw lunch meat in his hands.

"You know what's wrong with it Jacob. They're abnormal and shifty. Especially that son of theirs Elijah."

'His name is Edward!' "Yeah you keep saying that, but I don't see the problem, they're just like any other pale faces."

"Jacob, I know what's best and I'm telling you to stay away from that girl and them. They're bad news."

He slammed the pot full of water on the stove. "Edie's a great girl. She hangs with us all the time. Everyone likes her here. Even Paul. Why can't you just give her a chance or for that matter, the Cullens?"

"You are meant for big things Jacob and hanging around those people will only poison your mind."

"What exactly are those big things Dad?"

"I can't tell you."

"So, you want me to stay away from my friend because she hangs around people, without me present by the way, who you don't like because you think they might corrupt me for this insane reason that I have this huge destiny and you can't even tell me about it?"

"It's not that simple-"

"Of course it is! Just TELL ME! Tell me about this supposed destiny I have." Billy remained silent. Jacob huffed. "Unbelievable." He looked down at his hand and saw the broken wooden spoon and let go of it. He grabbed his jacket from the kitchen table and left.

Now… Forest outside the Quileute Reservation

"He's such an ASSHOLE!" Jacob suddenly felt really hot. He was burning all over. His insides felt like they were ripping apart.

Not far from him, Edward was finishing off an elk when he felt a strange pull in the place where his heart used to beat. 'What is this? Then heard a howl. Jacob? Jacob!'