The Jaguar Versus the Wolf
Chapter 7 - Alone Time
Orbiting Satellites Book Two, Chapter 7 - Mating Questions companion
It was just my luck. The Cullens had moved to the other side of the country to attend a particular college, Darmutt, or something. I didn't see the point. Vampires had exceptional minds and had no need for institutional learning. Boxes like these were set up to have humans regurgitate information en masse. Surely the Cullens could come up with better ways to entertain themselves.
Last year it left Renesmee unattended by her bodyguard. Rarely had I seen them apart, but Esme was kind enough to inform me that his schooling was a requirement insisted on by Edward and Bella.
Unfortunately this year it seemed that the dog made arrangements for her to be guarded by members of her family at any point he was not glued to her hip.
The first time I attempted to talk to her I found Renesmee and Rosalie doing each other's hair. I didn't think much of it at the time, but the next day she spent playing the piano with Edward. Then she and Carlisle were engaged in a discussion on some new microbes she had read about online that had just been discovered. The day after she and Bella spent cooking the dog a four course dinner. Then there was shopping with Alice and recovering chairs with Esme. I thought it was a string of bad luck that I was always trying to get a chance to talk to her while she was already engaged, but when I saw her being followed by Emmett while she picked flowers I realized that it was the dogs doing.
Two could play this game. If he wasn't going to let her be alone with me then I would just have to insert myself into her day. I didn't care if three's a crowd, from now on it was going to have to be three's company. Her, me and whoever her assigned protector was.
The next day I found her playing chess with Jasper.
"Check," there was doubt in her voice, but she took her finger off the piece anyway.
Jasper smirked and quickly moved is knight.
"That's an interesting set," I said as I picked up one of Jaspers captured bishops. The pieces looked like they were the Cullens instead of traditional Chess pieces. Edward and Bella seemed to be replacing the king and queen pieces so I assumed one of them made it. Edward, probably, his ego seemed large enough to do something so narcissistic.
"Nahuel, hello!" Renesmee exclaimed. I guess she hadn't noticed me until now. That was disappointing. At least there was a smile on her face. "Jacob made it for me, carved it himself. Isn't it amazing."
"Yeah." The piece dropped from my fingers as my heart sank.
"Do you play," Jasper asked.
"I've played before, but would not consider myself an expert by any means." Chess never interested me before, too much sitting and staring.
"Would you like to join us? I've been teaching Nessie the finer points of the game, she's getting quite good. I would be happy to give you a few pointers as well."
While the idea of being around Jasper was less than appealing. Just looking at him, I knew he could take me in an instant, but it would mean I would be able to be around Renesmee more. "That would be wonderful," I said as I sat down next to Renesmee.
For the next week, anytime Renesmee was not with her dog she could be found with me (and whichever member of her family the absentee guard dog had assigned to look after her). But it seemed (with the exception of Rosalie) they were not as vigilant as him, and while Jasper kept up with our lessons the others merely maintained their presence in the room, hovering over us, more or less. And eventually one day, instead of her weekly piano duet with her father, Renesmee asked me to go on a walk with her. It was surprising and joyful that Edward didn't make a move to follow us.
She said that she had the perfect spot, and wanted to run there, but a sudden thought occurred to me and I needed a little time. "Do you mind if we walk? It's a beautiful day."
She agreed and we mostly walked in silence as Renesmee led the way while I got lost in my thoughts.
I was trying to figure out the gifts each of the Cullens had. I know that not all of them were gifted, but they were an unusual coven. Not only did they consider themselves a family, instead of a coven, but they were larger than any coven I had ever heard of, other than the Volturi.
The Volturi's size was due to two main factors. One was the prestige that came along with being a member and the other was a forced comradery resulting from one in their ranks having powerful gift.
I didn't think anyone in the Cullen family had a similar power. But then again I wasn't sure what all their powers were. I hadn't wanted to be rude and ask, but if I was going to make Renesmee my mate it seemed like it was something I should know, if only to avoid any complications in the future.
Perhaps Carlisle had something similar. He was the one that brought everyone together originally. But it did seem contrary to his personality to force others to live a life that he chose. Maybe they were all drawn to him for some other reason. I'm sure I would find out the reason eventually. I only had to wait long enough. There were a few gifts I had figured out, at least a little. I knew Renesmee's gift. To put her thoughts and emotions into others minds. She had shown it to me herself. And her mother, Bella, she had some sort of shield that she had used against the Volturi. The others I was a little more shaky on.
I knew that Edward and Alice were some sort of psychics. She being able to see and he could hear the future, or something like that. Alice's mate, Jasper I think was affected by others emotions. It seemed horrible, and could not really be called a gift, more a punishment, if you ask me. I didn't think Esme had any sort of gift. Nor did Emmett, other than his imposing size, but his mate must have had one. How else could Rosalie have turned that wolf into Renesmee's guard dog? I wanted to, but couldn't blame her for her misguided attempt to protect Renesmee. Rosalie loved her niece almost as much as I hoped to someday.
Before I knew it the sun began to set. "Is it much further, this place you had in mind?" I asked. We must have walked five or six miles.
"There is a clearing up ahead, just through there," she pointed past some thickly settled brush. "It's out of range of my father's hearing."
"He has a range? You mean he can't hear everything that's going to happen?"
"No," she looked at me weirdly. "He can only read minds up to five miles out, less if he doesn't know the person."
So that's the extent of his gift. He wasn't psychic. In some ways that was better. At least I saw what caused my confusion. He must have been able to hear into Alice's head while she would have a vision of the future, and being the egotistical being that he was, was the one to relay the information to his family.
More importantly Renesmee wanted to come all the way out here so her father wouldn't hear her… us. This was good.
"Renesmee, have you asked me out here because you have come to a decision about us?"
"Actually I had some questions regarding how Half-Vampire mate."
I didn't mean to hurt her feelings but couldn't help but laugh. "You're not that sheltered are you? Surely you know how sex works?"
She rolled her eyes. "Yes, I'm aware of how it works. That wasn't what I was referring to. I was wondering if you knew if we were more or less similar to humans or Full-Vampires?" Huh? "Are we capable of choosing one mate for life, forever, like my family? I know some of our cousins in Denali, Tanya and Kate, use to have many... um, partners over the centuries but never found a permanent mate, until Kate met Garrett, that is. Now the two of them are mated together forever. Is it the same with us?"
If we were to become mates, my past would come up eventually; I may as well tell her now. "I too, have had many temporary companions over the years, none of whom resulted in becoming my mate, but from what I have heard from my sisters, once we find our mate, it is permanent."
That seemed to make her happy. "Thank you, you don't know how good that is to hear."
"Did you have any more questions for me?" Or can we get on with this?
"Not at this time, but it's nice to know I have someone to go to if I do."
"You can always come to me, Renesmee. Just let me know if you need anything."
"Thank you, Nahuel," she smiled again.
"Well then, now that that's settled, shall we begin?" I grabbed her hand and stepped forward to close the gap between us. She was young… inexperienced. I knew I needed to go slow. Just a simple kiss to start.
After I closed my eyes, the next thing I knew she pulling away and her hand came up to block my kiss. Did she want to start this some other way? A hug? Cuddling? My arms wrapped around her and I went to try again.
"Nahuel, I think I gave you the wrong idea. I realize I'm the only other Half-Vampire that's known to exist, but I can't do this. I'm not ready for this yet, with you or anyone else," she said as she wiggled out of my arms.
Then right on cue her dog appeared, growling at me as usual.
"Jacob, calm down. I'm fine," she said to him.
I forgot how large he was in his hairier form and took a step back. I knew I could take him, but I didn't want Renesmee to get hurt in the crossfire.
"I'm sorry, Renesmee, when you asked me about us mating I assumed you meant -" I tried to apologize if I acted too fast, but the dog started advancing, growling louder and louder with every word he spoke.
"JACOB! Stop that, and phase back now. You're not helping. Nahuel is not a threat," Renesmee yelled at him.
Despite her earlier hesitation it seemed she did want to be with me. Now her dog just needed to back down. He was back to his human form which was good, and it meant he could talk. Not that I cared what he said.
"What EXACTLY do you think you're doing?" he screamed at me. I should have been paying more attention but I assumed Renesmee would have yelled at him again, so I wasn't prepared when he got in a cheap shot and knocked me over. He was bigger but I had a hundred and fifty years of knowledge and fighting experience on him. He wouldn't be doing that again.
Getting up, and moving right into his face I yelled back at him, "This does not concern YOU. This is between Renesmee and me."
"EVERYTHING regarding Renesmee concerns me! And I heard your little chat with her. I don't remember her EVER saying she was interested in doing anything with you."
Renesmee stepped in between us, and told her dog that she wanted to talk to me. Ha!
It took some convincing, but he finally caved.
"Alright, if you're sure, but I'll be right over there," he said, pointing to a nearby tree. "But if you even try to lay one hand on her," he pathetically attempted to threaten me, "remember that I'll be back in an instant and bite it off."
Yeah right!
"Nahuel, I'm sorry if I gave you with the wrong impression," she said to me once he was gone. Wrong idea? "I only meant to speak with you in order to see if you had any answers to my questions. I needed to know what to expect regarding my choices for the future. But as has been pointed out to me, repeatedly, by my family and Jacob, I'm only three, or fifteen years old, depending on how you look at it, after all. Both are too young to choose to mate and begin that part of my life."
"I do not think you're too young. I do remember being your age, you know. And I have noticed the change in your aroma. You smell even lovelier than you did before." The change meant she had started menstruating, which meant she could bear children. With the speed at which our kind aged it told me that she was more than ready, at least physically.
The face she made next was a dead giveaway that she hadn't realized I knew. How could I not? Her new scent was so strong, it overpowered me. It was all I could do to keep my hands off of her.
"Yes well... also," she took her eyes off of me and hid them behind her hair, "as Jacob pointed out, I didn't exactly say I wanted to start anything with you right now. We don't actually know each other very well after all."
"Renesmee, we have forever to get to know each other, but the time before you stop aging is dwindling quickly."
"Not that quickly. I still have four years. Is that the only reason you're interested in me?"
"No, I genuinely like you, and believe we can grow to love each other someday. You're a fascinating young woman, Renesmee."
"How can you say that? You barely know me."
Was she serious? "I think I know you pretty well. What did you think I was doing coming all the way here, and to Washington before this, for your birthday every year. I wanted to spend time with you, to get to know you, so I could become your mate as soon as possible."
Her dog started growling; I guess he didn't like what I had to say, not that I cared. And Renesmee glared at him to shut him up. Good. He needed to start learning his place.
"I'm sorry to disappoint... your visit."
My visit?
"If you do not believe you're currently old enough then I must respect your wishes, for now." I was starting to think the same thing myself. Renesmee was as sheltered as I originally feared. While she was physically capable, emotionally she needed to grow up some more. But at the rate she learned, and grew, she might only need another few weeks, possibly as much as a month or two. That was easy enough. Any longer and it might be a problem. "But please keep the time constraint in mind. I know we would be good together. I think, right now it would be best if I gave you some space." Fighting her dog, just to get closer to her would not make things easy. "I shall be in Carlisle and Esme's guest room. Please come find me if you change your mind. I do not believe I'll be too welcome closer to you, presently," I said eyeing her guard dog. It would create unneeded tension between us, slowing our progress. Her dog hadn't taken his eyes off me since Renesmee sent him away. "Not until your… protector has had a chance to cool down. But Renesmee, as the deadline approaches I will be more persistent. Please think about what I have said."
I hope that wasn't too forward. But I couldn't let her deadline slip by. This was too important.
I jogged back to the house, ready to begin making plans for our future but was stopped by Edward. He didn't look happy.
Argh, I forgot that I should have begun guarding my thoughts at the five mile mark.
"Edward, I want you to know-" I tried to explain my intentions as soon as I saw him. I was still a mile away, but knew he could hear my voice, not just my thoughts, but as I got closer I saw that he had my bag at his feet.
"Your Aunt must surely miss you, Nahuel. Don't you think you should go home to her?"
You want me to leave?
He smirked when I only asked my question in my head, not out loud, letting him know I had learned the exactitude of his gift. It quickly dissipated.
"My daughter might be more amiable to continue your discussion next year, when she's older. I also suggest you think about what it will mean to becoming a part of this family and our way of life. It's a serious commitment that includes not only dietary restrictions but also… more importantly the necessity for you to respect my daughter."
Commitment and respect? Apparently it wasn't only Rosalie's dog I needed to maneuver past.
Speak of the Devil. She and her husband were already waiting in their car to take me to the airport. Edward said that he had already booked my flight. I would be back in the Amazon in less than twelve hours.
A. N. Well Nahuel got the boot... for now. Find out what he does in the Jungle until he can return to Nessie, Jake, and the Cullens. Does he listen to Edward? How is he going to handle needing to commit to the Cullen way of life? Can he give up Human blood and other women? All for Renesmee? And when he comes back what will Jacob do?
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