Three

April the first arrived and I was sitting up in bed, running a hand through my messy hair when the door was theatrically flung open.

'It's okay, I'm not naked or anything.' I muttered sarcastically. Alice's trilling laugh lit up the room before I even saw her. I don't know why I was expecting them to not know it was my birthday but how they'd figured it out was anyone's guess.

'Happy birthday!' Alice trilled as she skipped to my bed and sat down cross-legged next to me. I was used to her flittering over to me by now, thank god.

'Thanks, um, I need to pee. Be back in a jiff.' I said darting out of bed breezing past Jasper who chuckled at my flushed cheeks. I hurriedly launched myself down the stairs and five minutes later I was running back up the stairs. The constant running up and down the stairs had helped get me fit and I actually had tiny muscles that strained against my skin. Despite Esme's protests, I kept up with it. Heck I was doing forty girly pushups not to mention squats every night before bed now.

Jasper was sitting on the bed when I launched onto it. I must have misjudged the distance because I flew at him and had to throw my hands out at the last second, grabbing his shoulders to steady myself.

'Hi there,' he said in amusement while I plopped down beside him. Our friendship had grown a lot in the five weeks I'd spent here. To my horror, I found myself reaching or calling out to him in my sleep when I had nightmares. If he wasn't home when I had nightmares or night terror's, someone else would take his place. I was glad he started to trust himself more around me. I still didn't understand why he had been very distant with me in the first few weeks but it was like he couldn't help but be near me despite whatever was going on in that head of mine. Maybe it had something to do with the fact that we both empathic. We were so in tune with each other it was difficult to stay apart. Not that I kept my ability on, much. I didn't need nor want to know what the entire household was feeling all the time, thank you very much.

'Did you really think we wouldn't find out about your special day?' He teased.

'How did you know?'

'Charlie, Bella's dad looked at your records.'

'Oh...yeah well, I um...' I stammered trying to find the words.

'We get it,' Alice said softly. 'But you're here now and I say we're going to celebrate, so suck it up buttercup.' She placed the box in my hand and I opened the lid. I picked up the fabric and held it out. I unfolded the dark green dress, stood up and held it against my body. It had a nice flowing action from the waist, stopping just above my knees. It was beautiful but was wasted on my non-existent figure.

'Wow Alice, thanks so much.' I said touching the soft material. Alice beamed. I couldn't help but return it. Jasper shook his head.

'Girls,' he muttered as I folded the dress up and replaced it in the box, sitting back down while Jasper held out his package to me. It was pretty big, not to mention heavy. I tore the paper off hastily and gawked at the Harry Potter books, all eight DVD's and a quilt cover that had all four houses on it. This was going on my bed, now. There were even matching pillow cases. I squeaked in surprise as tears pricked at the corners of my eyes as I hugged Jasper hard unable to form words. I had soooo much reading and watching to do. 'Thanks.' I whispered, hiding my face in his shoulder in an attempt not to cry. He hugged me back, feeling amused but after a few seconds, he pried my hands off and smirked down at me.

'Everyone's waiting downstairs for you.' He murmured. I nodded wiping my eyes.

'Okay, let me get dressed.' I said launching off of him and the bed and ran to the dresser in the far corner. Once he and Alice had made a hasty retreat, I hastily pulled on the dress, pairing it with white stockings, and dashed out of my room, skid-running to where everyone was sitting in the living room. I wasn't expecting too much, it's not like I was family or anything, but my jaw dropped when I saw the small mountain of gifts stacked on the coffee table.

Rosalie approached me first with a box smiling as she handed me my gift. 'Happy birthday.'

'Thanks Rose.' I squeaked, plopping down to the floor to open my gift. It was a little heavier than I expected. I found a tank top with the map of Middle-earth on it and gaped up at her wordlessly. Then I found matching black skinny designer jeans, and sparkly black skate sneakers. I tugged the shoes on straight away. Emmett dropped into a crouch next to me and handed me his gift, too impatient to wait another moment. I tore the wrapper off the heavy bundle and gaped. He'd gotten me The Hobbit and The Lord of The Rings books and movies.

'You know they're making The Hobbit right now,' he said with a wink.

'What?' I squawked. 'Don't you be lying to me.' I resisted the urge to grab him by the collar and shake him like a ragdoll.

'They're filming the first one as we speak.' Edward confirmed from where he stood with Bella and Renesmee.

'Talk about spoilers. Why didn't they just do the Hobbit first?'

'No clue,' Emmett replied with a grin.

Esme sat down next to me and Carlisle appeared with a mountain of presents. I felt so spoilt and tried not to let it get to me. I deserved to be spoilt a little.

After I'd opened a whole lot more presents which included a touch screen phone, which was all the rage these days, a CD player with a docking station for my phone, and my very own silver laptop from Esme and Carlisle, Edward and Bella bought me a whole range of CD's.

'Thanks everyone,' I beamed. This had been the best birthday I'd had in years.

'The day is not done yet.' Esme said as she tugged me to my feet. I was about to pick up the wrapping paper but she gently tugged me away leading me into the kitchen. Seconds later I was digging into a stack of chocolate chip pancakes that were lightly drizzled in maple syrup.

'So, what did you want to do today?' Esme asked as she leant on the bench.

I looked outside at the usual grey clouds which were pretty dark and sighed. I had wanted to go for a hike but I knew if I came home completely soaked Esme would spend an hour fretting over me. Which was nice, but I still wasn't used to her overbearing nature. Yet, I had no clue of what to do and if I didn't say something, Alice would probably breeze in and take over my day for me.

'I don't know...maybe fool around on my phone and download some games.' I said between mouthfuls. Esme nodded to me and drifted away leaving me to eat in peace.

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I had no idea what an online roleplaying game was, but as I played the Lord Of The Rings game on my laptop, I was watching these people talking while deciding whether to participate or not. There was so much to learn, I didn't think I would ever catch up, so I focused on learning first.

'Whatcha doing?' Emmett asked as he appeared silently beside me causing me to shriek in surprise. The laptop went flying and would have crash landed on the floor had it not been for the jerk's reflexes.

'Not doing anything naughty are we?'

'I'm...I...er.'

'Jeez, I was kidding.' He said peering at the game I was playing.

He whistled. 'Wow, those guys are fighting...over a game.'

'Sounds like someone I know.'

'Who, me?' He asked in mock shock.

'If you and Jasper bitch over a stupid baseball team one more time...' I trailed off as I went to check my quest list, immediately freaking out with all I had to do. Deciding I was obsessing a little too much, I left the game and I started playing one of the other games I had downloaded. Emmett sat on the bed and jostled me as he got comfortable. Despite his bear-like build, he was a teddy bear. Using him for a pillow, I played, while he grabbed Charlotte's Web from my bedside table and started to read. With my stunted education, Carlisle and Esme had gotten me back into reading, starting from my favourite children's books. A bookcase on the other side of the room was lined with the books I had devoured. On the floor, the elementary text books Edward had brought for me sat covered in a fine layer of dust. I mostly ignored them, feeling too depressed and dumb to attempt learning.

'What to do now?' I asked aloud. Emmett snorted grabbed the first Harry Potter book and handed it to me. 'Read my mind.' I said getting comfortable.

'Seriously, this is how you want to celebrate your birthday, locked in your room with a book?'

'I'm not locked in my room. You'd just break it down.' I muttered.

'Most kids would want to party.'

'Well look at that, I'm not like them. I'll never be like them.' I retorted turning to glare at him. He only grinned.

'Wait until you start high school.'

I froze. 'Who says I'm going to high school?' I bit out. I hadn't been to school since I was a little kid. There was no way I was going to be able to keep up. He must have sensed my worry and he nudged me gently.

'You're such a Loonytunes.'

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I was beyond lost. I hadn't really left the property since I had arrived, but since the weather had cleared up in the early afternoon, I had had the brilliant idea to venture out into the wilderness. Besides, Carlisle suggested the hike would do me some good. So now here I was tramping north, at least I thought I was going north, through the dense trees, wondering where I'd left the highway. I'd been walking for an hour, touching the mossy trees, scooping up the damp soil in my hands, following the streams, using the energy to give me an extra jump while crossing over but I'd been having so much fun, I'd forgotten to memorize significant places. I climbed up a small hill, looked out but saw nothing but trees.

Whipping out the phone Jasper had given me, recalling how he had taught me how to use it and saw that there were no bars of reception. In the distance I heard a crack and then another one that made me almost drop my phone. A howl erupted from the north-east. I whipped to my left, gulping.

'Oh come, a wolf? Great, Luna, you sure know how to get into sticky situations don't you?' I asked myself as another howl lit up the silent forest. I shivered as I honed in on the sound. There was something wrong with the sound. It wasn't clear, it was fractured, as if whatever was making the noise wasn't able to make the sound properly. Another howl, erupted and another crack went off. Suddenly I realised what was happening. Someone had shot a wolf. Grabbing the walking stick that I'd found along the way, I used my energy to strengthen it and my body, and then I was off, rushing towards the sound. Everything blurred as I ran down the hill and into the trees, yet, my body managed to keep myself from hitting trees as I ran. I surged through the forest, I wasn't trying to keep quiet and I don't know how I managed it but I found out that I was as silent as a jungle cat. I saw a creek up ahead and took a running jump, landing cleanly.

I must have been running for a minute when I heard the sound of laughter up ahead. 'Look at her, she's a looker this one.' A man laughed as stopped at the bottom of a bank, listening in.

'Reckon we'll end up on the cover.' The other laughed while a third one stood apart chuckling.

'Bitch isn't dead yet, are you going to finish her off or what?' A whiny voice asked.

A pitiful howl erupted, it sounded like a plea for help. Darting up the slope I skidded to a stop three feet away, raised my stick and smashed it on his hand. His scream lit up the forest and the gun fell from his hands.

'Fuck!' He yelled, just as I shoved my palm into his chest, sending him into the tree, rendering him unconscious or dead, I didn't really care which, while the silver-grey wolf with the golden-brown tipped ears, whimpered, staring at me in shock, her beautiful light fur was stained in her bright blood. It was nauseating to look at. She let out a yelp, just as two other rifles made clicking noises. I ducked behind a tree not a moment too soon as they fired, but I was already off, disappearing into the darkness. The hunters surged after me, not caring to be quiet as I led them in a semi-circle. Getting behind them was easier that it should have been. Two thuds on their heads later and they were lying face down in the earth.

Running back to the wolf who lay on the ground, bleeding from the chest, and abdomen, I tossed my staff aside-I could always summon it if I needed it, and approached the wolf cautiously.

'Shh, I'm here to help you,' I promised in a low voice, crouching at her side. She lay down whimpering, her eyes started to roll back in her head.

'Oh no, Silver girl, please don't die.' I whispered walking to her. She opened one watchful eye, as I walked behind her, knowing she'd have less chance to bite me. She didn't even growl when I reached out to her fur.

Tearing off my jacket, I wadded it up, pressing it to her chest. She whimpered but didn't bite me, which was just as well. With my body as strong as it was, I reckoned she'd break her fangs if she bit me. I didn't think it was normal, but this wolf was freaking huge.

'There you go girlie, you're okay. You can lick this. You're a wolf.' I said rubbing her ears as I saw the hole in her side. From the puddle of blood, she was lying in, I realized the bullet must have gone straight through.

'Shit.' I whispered. I grabbed out my phone smearing blood on it. One bar kept flickering, so I took a chance.

'Hello?' Alice's voice came in and out.

'Alice, a wolf has been shot.'

'What? Luna...breaking...'

'A woooooolf haaaaaaas beeeeeeen shoooot.' I said slowly hoping she'd get the message. My phone beeped once and was dead.

'Fuck!' I exclaimed tossing the phone down in anger. Noise came from the south and I stared, calling to my stick as Jacob appeared.

'Where the hell did you come from?' I demanded, hoping he hadn't seen the staff magically appear into my hands.

'I heard the shots. Actually, we were looking for you. You never came home.' He said looking at the wolf worriedly. 'How did you get all the way out here? And what happened to her?' He asked jerking his head at one of the hunters.

I smirked. 'All three are out for the count. You're welcome. Isn't it illegal to hunt wolves?'

'Yes.' He said patting the wolf fondly as he tore his shirt off to help staunch the blood leaking from her side. Silver looked at him whimpering softly as two wolves suddenly appeared. One was sandy with the same brown fur while the other was a sleet grey with a white nose and grey nose, both of them were whining and looking at me warily.

'Um we got company.' I muttered.

'It's her pack.' He told me not caring to look at her pack.

The man to our right grunted. Jacob didn't stop me when I got up stiffly, strutted over and kicked him in the head.

'Asshole.' I hissed ignoring the wolves grumble to themselves.

'Luna!' Carlisle called from the south.

'Here.' I called, rushing back to the whining wolf. 'She's in so much pain.' I whispered rubbing her ears.

'She'll be fine. My people will take care of her.' Jacob replied instantly.

'How will they get here? No one knows where we are.'

'Carlisle's a doctor. He'll take care of her.' Jacob said as Carlisle and Jasper appeared. Shock was written on Carlisle's face, he took in the scene, looking at my bloody hoodie. The silver wolf growled low, a warning.

'Luna, let's go.' Jasper said as he approached. The silver wolf growled at him even louder.

'I can't leave her, please don't make me.' I begged.

'There's nothing more you can do for her, come on.' He said softly.

'No.' I whispered, begging him. He didn't care. He walked over and pulled me to my feet. Scooping me up, he held me close and I hugged his neck with one arm. I was still looking over his shoulder as he carried me away. The Silver wolf let out a mournful howl. I bit my lip as he descended down the slope.

'Carlisle will save her, right?'

'Yeah, she'll be fine.'

'She's really pretty.'

'Just like someone I know.' Jasper said kissing my forehead. Staring at her as long as I could, I didn't try to fight Jaz, but it was difficult not to. It was like she was my responsibility or something. I didn't realise I was crying until Jaz wiped away the tears.

'She'll be fine.'

'Yeah…'