I carefully stalked through the wet forest as I watched my prey eat, unaware of my presence. I was getting closer and ready to make my move.

Snap.

My prey looked up quickly. Of course. No time for slow, careful hunting, needed to just get this over with. I lunged forward giving myself a boost to run towards the delicate animal, it started running as well, already knowing it's fate. I didn't even think about it anymore, it's second nature at this point. Edward was always so worried about me being alone while hunting, pressuring that either Emmett or Jasper come with me if he couldn't. I eventually convinced him after many worried conversations that I'd be okay. I know it's because he still views me as the clumsy, insecure human I was and not the immortal woman he made me.

A gust of wind came my way, I inhaled deeply to see where my food went. I instead smelt something that didn't smell like a local animal... or even human. It was awful. I stopped abruptly and scrunched my nose in disgust. The smell could only be described as a musty basement... or an unwashed dog. My natural reaction from my fading human years caused me to gag and feel dizzy even though, physically, I felt nothing. The smell was so distracting it threw all my vampiric instincts off. I was frightened, but had to try and force myself to seem like the scary vampire I was and had to remember I am the main predator here. I shook my head and started to walk back to the house. I'll just hunt later and this time, I'll bring Edward.

As I started to walk back, too distracted and thrown off by the smell still, I heard a low growl come deep from the woods. Whatever that smell was, it found me and was coming my way. I snapped myself out of the trance and held my breath, still as a statue as I listened carefully for the creature's next move. The growls got louder, the creature getting closer. I frantically looked around me to try and sense what direction it was coming from, I tried to look as intimidating as possible because I knew at this point it saw me. I just couldn't see it.

I heard loud, thumping steps come my way. I turned my face facing north again and locked eyes with... a wolf. A huge wolf. I couldn't lie to myself anymore, I was utterly terrified. I tried to furrow my brows or lower my eyes so the wolf wouldn't sense my fear and catch me off guard. It stepped out of the shadow, allowing me to see it's full body. It's fur was a dark auburn with spots of gray and light brown thrown in there as well, for a second I didn't feel fear, just amazement of the size and beauty of the wolf. It looked at me strangely and started to come closer to me, not with intent to hurt me but with curiosity and wonder. It's movements were so... human-like. I've never seen an animal with such fluid motion and eyes that actually looked like they had thoughts, feelings and not just pure instincts that animals usually have.

I let out a sigh, forgetting I've been holding breath for so long. I realized quickly why I was doing that. This wolf smelt awful. I must have made a face in response to it's smell because it huffed, rolled it's eyes, and turned to run away. I still stood there in complete shock and watched it as it took off, only looking back at me once.

I entered the bright home letting out a deep sigh, annoyed by my delayed lunch. My soft sigh alerted my attentive Edward, before I could even step into the living room he was by my side greeting me with a gentle kiss to my temple. I smiled sheepishly at him, happy that my shield was up and couldn't read my mind about my encounter with something unknown.

"You didn't eat," he said, not questioning but observing.

"Yeah," I let out. "Guess it was faster than me." He laughed at my balant lie, even I smirked at my own stupid statement.

"Well let me come with you this evening?" I nodded. His face was full of immediate shock then excitement that I finally allowed him to join me for dinner. He kissed my temple again to show his appreciation and returned to whatever activity he was doing before I came home.

I walked to the unused kitchen to sit at the island counter, playing with my long sleeve. As I sat there I started thinking, thinking about the life I had before. I loved being a vampire but sometimes I couldn't shake the fact that my life will never be the same. Forever. I'll always have to live a lie, that I'm a normal, functioning human who totally isn't thinking about draining the life out of a precious animal… or human. I shuddered. I've gone this far without giving in to my undeniable thirst for human blood, but luckily the one thing that stuck with me is that human blood still grosses me out. I looked down to my pale, almost blue hands and felt a tinge of sadness come over me. It hit me at that moment that even that one human part of me will eventually disappear too… just like everything else. Then what? Before I even had time to dwell on that, I felt a sudden presence coming close to me.

"Bella?" the soft female voice beckoned. Alice. I heard her graceful footsteps enter the room, touching me on the shoulder as she passed by me. I looked up at her and gave her a smile and a nod. Alice has been here the most for me since my sudden transformation, helping me with my thirst, teaching me how to act, how to pretend, everything. I was so thankful for her.

"Hey, Alice," I say. She gave me a puzzled look.

"You didn't eat," she observed, the same way Edward did before.

"The animal… got away," I shrugged. She looked amused, she was definitely not gonna believe my lie. She leaned on the island counter in front of me, putting her delicate hand on her chin.

"Now I know that's not true, considering I trained you. You wouldn't let something get away from you." Yep. She caught me. "So what really happened?" I looked down and bit my lip, trying to find the words to say without sounding like I've completely lost my mind.

"Uh, well… call me crazy if this is but," I paused. "I ran into someone… something. Do you know anything about, uh, giant wolf things? And if they could possibly roam the woods around Forks?" Alice shot up and furrowed her brows at me. I knew it. I sounded crazy. I tried to find the words to excuse what I said, it all came out a stuttering, babbling mess. Maybe I imagined it. Maybe it was a normal wolf. Maybe a bear? But bears aren't close to this area. Well maybe, maybe, maybe, maybe this, maybe that. Alice took a deep breath and held her finger up causing me to stop rambling.

"A wolf?"

"Yes. A huge one, I'm assuming you've seen them too?" She looked down to the floor, her face looked as if she had the answers I craved but knew she, for some reason, couldn't bring herself to say them. She looked back up and walked over to my side of the island then placed her slender hands on both of my shoulders. She gestured to the door, I tilted my head in confusion but got over it realizing she wanted me to follow her to the main door. She walked fast, hurrying to get us out of the house as quickly as possible. The air was moist, as usual, I smelt every mossy tree trunk, every local animal, wet rocks, the rain on pavement miles away… I took another inhale and to my surprise that awful odor was gone. Completely. Although I was relieved it was gone so I could focus, I was angry that Alice couldn't smell so she could understand my reason to suddenly stop hunting.

"It's gone now, Bella." I looked at her extremely confused. "I thought I smelt it's… putrid fur but I assumed I was just imagining things. Or maybe a nearby human was cooking something, such a silly thought. Should have trusted myself and told Edward immediately!" His name in this context made me stiff.

"Tell Edward?" I stuttered. "Why? What is it? I mean… it's just a wolf… thing, right?"

"That thing you saw wasn't just a wolf, Bella. It was a werewolf."

"Uh, werewolf?" I almost didn't believe anything she was saying, if I wasn't a stone cold predator who drinks blood as meal replacements and Alice hadn't been alive for more than a hundred years I'd say she's insane for saying werewolves were a real thing. But I had no reason to not believe her and I always trusted her judgment on most things in my life. Alice looked back at the house then gestured at me to walk with her, I assume far enough so Edward couldn't read her mind and invade our conversation. I know Edward and if anything seemed like the tiniest threat he would be there immediately to put a stop to it. It was something he and Alice got into arguments about so many times, Alice truly believes in my abilities as a not just a vampire but a person, an individual. But Edward would put me in a bubble if he could.

"Technically they're shape-shifters, but they don't shift to anything but wolves. It's an old legend… a long one too."

"I have time," we both let out a faint laugh. "That's an underestimate… but, really, tell me. If it's something I need to know so I could protect our family, myself then I'd like to know." She attempted to give me an earnest smile and we both sat on a fallen tree in the middle of deep woods.

"Well, if I'm honest, I couldn't retell the story the way Carlisle or Edward could. It was long before Jasper and I joined the family. But I'll try?" I nodded to encourage her to go on. She sighed. "It all started when the Cullens moved to this area, after they all finally adapted to the vegetarian diet. They were hunting as normal but unexpectedly ran into humans. Or so Carlisle thought. But they weren't humans, they were… a tribe of shape-shifters who had a very strong dedication to the land. Our family tried to make peace with them and convince them that we could coexist just fine with them but their hatred for our kind was unlike anything Carlisle has ever seen. Full of rage and assumptions, they threatened to run us out of town and expose us to all the humans that lived close by." I let out a gasp. Alice snickered.

"But luckily, our family managed to convince them to form a treaty. As long as we stay off their land, they'll never expose us. And we've held up the treaty ever since… except…"

"Except?" I was already at a boiling point listening to this story of wild werewolves, I didn't like them. I couldn't even explain why, it felt like an instinct I couldn't control. Maybe it was the thought of them almost exposing my family, getting them killed! or their assumptions based on nothing but lies even when we worked this hard to not even need human blood! What more could there possibly be?

"Except," she continued, letting out a sigh. "If one of us bites a human on this land, the treaty becomes void and… a war starts." My eyes widened and I stood up so fast it caused Alice to jolt in surprise. "Bella! Listen! They don't know. And they can't ever know! You were turned so suddenly and," she stopped. The painful memories of my "death" caused us both to shudder. "We covered it up. Really well. So there's no need to worry about them ever finding out." I calmed down a bit, but I couldn't fully bring myself to fully relax.

"I suppose you're right," I said to make her calm down as well. "But, Alice, the creature saw me. What if it recognized me? I mean… can't you see them, their tribe? At all?" Alice shook her head.

"My vision doesn't allow me to see shape-shifters, I have no experience with them. But again, Bella, you have nothing to worry about. Even if they do find out, we're much stronger than you think. Don't underestimate us!" I sighed. She was right but I still couldn't live with myself if anything were to happen to Edward… Esme… God forbid, Alice. "Let's go, I think Edward noticed we're both gone. Let's hurry before he starts panicking." I smirked.

We both got up and walked slowly back home, enjoying each other's company.

When we finally came home, I immediately ran to the shared office space and hoped on the computer to see what I could find out about this local tribe.