Chapter 2

Strange Things Did Happen Here

Bella

"I could probably explain it to yah Bells."

My eyes shoot open, looking for the source of the voice. Of course I recognize it, how could I not know my own cousin's voice? The real problem was why I didn't notice him standing so calmly in the corner when I walked in. In response my head shoots another electric bolt across my brain and I stop worrying about everything to scream.

"What's going on Jake?" my voice is raspy, my throat burns worse than the rest of me.

"Well I mean it's kind of complicated and to be honest you'll know soon enough."

His voice is too calm and my rage grows tenfold. How dare he be so calm right now? So collected? I'm probably dying of a stroke right now and he just stands there smirking, playing guessing games. Guessing games!

"Jacob." I all but growl. "Explain." The words are hard to get out, it feels like my throat is closing.

"Well," he starts with a sigh. "You know the legends Bella, you grew up half on the rez, you know C-" a pause as he eyeballs me. " You know your dad is..was half Quileute so I mean this should be an easy jump for you."

I squeeze my eyes shut tightly and try to control my breathing. Legends. Quileute legends. Pale faces? No, not that. Wolves.

"Girls don't turn." It comes out as a snarl.

"Now that's not necessarily true. We just believed that for a long time. But Leah Clearwater turned 3 weeks ago. Times are changing Bells." He chuckles lightly at the end and for some reason the sound burns in my ears.

Before I realize it I'm standing, facing Jacob with my fists balled tightly at my sides. He takes a step back.

"Whoa now Bella, you don't wanna do that inside. Trust me."

I'm long past caring though and I'm sure Jacob can see it in my eyes. I feel like I'm unravelling, my body is shaking so hard I'm surprised I don't just collapse to the floor, didn't just shake apart like an earthquake splits the ground. Jacob slowly began to move towards the back door, my eyes follow him, my body twists with them. He moves with his hands up in front of him, likes he's trying to come off as innocent, not a threat. For some reason that makes me angrier. As Jacob's hand reaches the door handle and begins to push it open, I lunge. We fly through the door together and with a flash of heat I crash directly into the ground and then everything changes. I slam my eyes shut. There's an angry sound echoing around me. A growl? Who's growling?

That would you Bells.

The voice is cautious sounding, even in my head. It makes me jump. The voice sounds like a nervous Jake, but why is it in my head? Why is he in my head?

You're one of us Bella. Open your eyes.

I think to myself that I'm taking all this rather calmly. I mean voices in your head are never a good sign right? Even if it's just one and one that belongs to your cousin, practically your brother at that. Still, it's probably not great and I think that opening my eyes probably won't do much more damage to my sanity, so I do it. Everything looks different, clearer, sharper some how. The colors are all so much brighter, the air is so much warmer, and the pain has momentarily left my body. I gaze around in wonder until my eyes fall upon Jacob, standing a considerable distance away, his russet colored fur standing up almost straight.

Why has he shifted? Why can I hear him?

Because you have too. Look down.

So I do, because I'm not feeling particularly combative anymore. I look down and see fur. Fur. I'm covered in chocolate brown fur.

How? Why? The thought is barely a whisper.

That's a long story Bells, might as well sit down.