The next week that followed was better for everyone. I continued to spend daily time with Leah, and continue working on house renovations. I had also started working at the local diner a couple days a week to help pay for the renovations. The last two days Steve and Billy were away fishing. Jake hadn't been home for days and it left me alone.
The second day that they had been gone, I finished the living room. I had torn the 70's-looking wood panels from the wall and covered it with a fresh coat of paint. Before they came home today my father's new LAZ Boy was being delivered with the massive sectional and the rest of the updated furniture. The walls were a soft cream color with a dark green wall to accent it. On the dark green wall hung a massive new flat screen television hung the wall. I had deep scrubbed the fireplace and changed the pictures that sat on top. It looked like a different house.
I left for work around noon and came back at four to a still empty house. A thunder storm brewed overhead and all I wanted to do was sit in my sweatpants and read a book. I locked the screen door, allowing the fresh rainy breeze to roll through. I walked into my bedroom to change, just as someone pounded on the screen door. It was Sam, I could hear his thoughts. I threw my lazy sweats on and stomped out into the living room. Seeing him on my front step pissed me off and I didn't want to hulk out in the new house. I kept my cool.
"What do you want, Sam?"
"Unlock the screen, Joanna."
"What do you want?"
"Look, I'm sorry. Okay?"
"Oh, yeah. You sound really sorry."
"I am, Jo! I am really sorry for everything. I wasn't myself."
"What do you want, Sam?" I knew there was a reason he had come to beat down my door and it wasn't to apologize. I was suspicious it was about vampire stuff. Sure enough, I could read his mind before he spoke aloud.
"Sam! No. This isn't my fight!"
"Your last name's Black, isn't it?"
"What's your point?"
"It is your fight! Whether you like it or not, you're a wolf now! Please, I need you to stay. We think there is an invasion of vampires coming to Forks. We think they are after Bella." I shut the door in his face, rolled my eyes and went to my room. Angrily stomping up the ladder and plopping down onto the loft's mattress. I closed my window, put my headphones on and opened my book. I read maybe four pages before passing out.
Later that night I woke up the overwhelming sound of howls and barks from outside. Something was wrong and Paul was upset. I jumped out of the loft, landing on my feet below. I sprinted out of the bedroom, noticing the boys passed out on the couch. They didn't move a muscle as I stampeded through the house, leaping off the front porch, transforming mid-air. I landed on all four white paws and chased after a few of my siblings, into the woods.
What's wrong?
It's Victoria, she is here! My stomach dropped and I fell back some as I heard Paul's thoughts. Steve watched the wolves run into the trees. I lifted my muzzle into the air and took a deep inhale. Victoria was close. I picked speed up, blending into the pack. Just then, I saw her. Her red hair sticking out vividly in the black forest. She hopped from tree top to tree top. There was no way we were going to catch her up there. A few jumped up, attempting to snap at the tree branches but with no luck. Victoria leapt across the river that divided our land from the Cullen's territory.
Sam let out a lone howl as we chased her along the riverbank. The overwhelming smell hit me all of the sudden. I had never smelled so many vampires in one place at a time. One of the stronger men picked up speed, closing in on Victoria. She turned back to see him, getting within reach of one another. Suddenly she flew back across the river, to our side. Suddenly, something came over me. I picked up speed, emerging from the center of the pack. I towered over her as I nipped at her back. She leapt across the river again and stared at me for a long time. I wondered if she had ever seen a wolf so big? Either way, I had rattled her.
She leapt back to our side once more as one of the smaller vampires got too close. Paul chased after her this time, determined. He wanted to shred her apart. As Paul snapped at her she jumped across the river, Paul still chasing her.
'No!'
'Paul! Stop!'
We all howled and barked, calling out to our brother. The strongest looking vampire also had her locked in his sights. Both monsters running into each other in the middle of the river. Victoria got away as the two smacked into each other and then ended in an aggressive standoff. Sam called Paul off first and I left. I knew that was going to bring drama and I wasn't sticking around for it.
I was pissed off that they had been so careless. This was a game of endurance and we failed. I beat everyone back, streaking through the house and diving back into bed. My freezing cold naked body rubbed against Steve and it woke him up. He sucked in air, scooting away from me at first.
"I'm sorry. It's freezing outside."
"What happened?"
"We were chasing a vampire."
He mumbled nothing at me, rolling towards me and wrapping an arm around me. Instantly he fell asleep again. It didn't take long until both of us were perfectly warm under the covers. When I almost fell asleep, he moved. I opened my eyes again. We were both awake.
"What happened to the vampire?"
"She got away. Paul and one of the Cullen's got into a standoff."
"That's not good…" He drifted back to sleep. I nodded, agreeing with what he had said. I worried about his safety. I honestly worried about all of our safety. I thought more about what Sam had said. About an invasion of vampires coming to Forks. The thought made my blood run cold. What would happen to all of the people of Forks? People were already being mysteriously murdered around here with just three transient vampires. They could take out an entire city.
Around three in the morning a storm moved in and I was finally able to fall asleep. All night long having dreams of what happened at the river. I woke up every couple of hours catching my breath and the thunder lulling me back to sleep. Steve slept like a rock. By the time morning came the sky was bright and clear and sunlight poured through the window in my room. I was exhausted. Regardless, I woke up alongside Steve. He smiled at me, looking well-rested and we climbed out of bed.
We took a shower, brushed our teeth, got dressed and he kissed me good-bye. He walked into the kitchen where my father was waiting for him. I followed behind, starting myself a pot of coffee. My father pointed to a box of kolaches and I took two. I stuffed them down and went back for a third one before either of them had finished one.
"Wolf appetite…?" Steve looked at me a little shocked and sick to his stomach. I was three times smaller than he was but I ate like someone 200 pounds heavier than him. I poured them both travel mugs of coffee with a vegan creamer I had gotten them to accept into their diet. I suddenly thought back to my first night home, staring down that massive steak. I snapped back, putting the lids on the mugs. I handed one each to my father and Steve.
"When will you be home?"
"Maybe like, three or four. Could be as late as five." Steve said to me as he packed the rest of their fishing equipment. They were going deep sea fishing today before it became too cold. It would be nice to have the alone time, again, today. All I really wanted to do was clean Jake's room, see Leah and maybe take a walk through the woods. I needed to be more comfortable in my fur. Considering an army of vampires may strike at any given time.
I finished with Jake's room around one in the afternoon, with only two or three hours before they came home. I knew I needed to see Leah today. On cold days like this we enjoyed taking a quiet walk through the woods, listening to how quiet everything seemed. I was on my way over by 1:30 and outside her house not five minutes later. I had already shape-shifted, letting out a soft howl. I sat outside her front door and let out another little howl. The door opened and my wolf-sister stepped out. I jumped up, bowing down in a playful position letting out a small whine.
Want to walk through the woods with me?
"Not today, Jo. I think I have a cold. I'm going to the doctor later. I will call you later." She closed the door and I let out a long whine. Sometimes Leah got into funks even I couldn't fix. I had lost my mother when I was young… I knew what it felt like to lose a parent. Some days you didn't want to talk to anyone.
I stood up and turned back to the house, sprinting across the family reservation. I changed back and walked inside. I turned on the fireplace and parked myself on the new sectional, turning on the TV.
Two hours later I woke up, having realized I fell asleep on the couch. I looked out the window and it was dark. The sound of a car door slamming shut brought me to. I got off the couch and walked to the front door. The boys were home. I rubbed my eyes and smiled as I let Steve into the house. He picked me up in one arm and gave me a kiss. Jake came out of his room when he heard everyone. I looked at him shocked, I didn't even know he was home.
Thirty minutes later they were all settled into the couching, having a beer. Just then Jake and I could smell someone. Someone we didn't know. Just then we heard Sam crying in the distance and we jumped to our feet.
"Lock the doors and windows!" I shouted at them as Jake and I burst out the front door. We morphed mid air and took off into the dark woods. When we came to our usual meeting spot everyone was there.
'Whoever was at our home, left quickly. An unfamiliar vampire.'
'Where did he go?'
'Into the sea.' Everyone fell silent at Jacob's question. I could hear him thinking about going to the Cullen's. I couldn't take the thought I had to get back to my family. Sam realeased me and I took off to the house. I came crashing onto the porch and Steve quickly unlocked the door. He pulled me inside, wrapping me in a blanket. My father had passed out of the couch.
"What happened? Are you alright?"
"Steve, listen to me. Someone was here. We don't know who, but it was a vampire. It looks like he came from La Push and left from La Push."
"Like… through the water?"
"I think so."
"What the fu-"
"Listen to me! I need you to take my father somewhere for the weekend. Along with Charlie. Take them an hour from here. Somewhere!"
"How am I supposed to explain a trip in the middle of the week to Charlie?"
"You wont have to. The man's a sucker for hunting and fishing. Tell them it's the end of the season and you and my father want to go."
"Well, no shit. The season has been over for a while, Jo. It's cold for fishing."
"It's either that or be eaten by vampires. Your choice."
"Touché... I will figure something out tomorrow."