Author's Note: I got so many reviews this weekend, you guys are awesome! Love you all oodles, the story will pick up now i promise, had to get through the mud to get to the exciting stuff!
Seven
My face flushed bright red, I spun around hands covering my face.
"Lettie?" the boy called out.
"Pants, please?" I begged not able to get the image out of my mind.
He chuckled and I dashed back into the house. Emily looked at me started.
"What's wrong?" She asked concerned.
"I just saw more of Paul Lahote that I ever needed or wanted too." I mumbled.
I sat at the kitchen covering my face. A few seconds later the back door opened, peeking through my finger's I saw Paul standing there, now wearing a pair of jean shorts. His hair cropped short, his copper skin bulging with muscles, he looked more man than the boy of sixteen I knew he was. Emily looked between me and Paul and sighed.
"She saw?" she asked.
Paul actually looked embarrassed when he nodded.
"You'd better get Sam over here then," Emily said resigned.
Paul's face paled slightly but he spun around and went back out doors. Emily pushed the hot chocolate in front of me, I sipped in, I knew my face was still red.
"I'm sorry you had to find out this way," she said apologetically.
"That was Paul?" I asked to clarify.
She nodded.
"Sam will likely be on his way, to explain it."
Paul returned and sat across from me, Emily gave him a smack on the arm, and he just gave her an impish grin.
"Boss man is on his way, and Jacob."
I perked up at that, suddenly it all made sense. No sooner than I made my epiphany the front door opened and Sam Uley and Jacob Black came into the kitchen. Sam looked at me warily and Jake looked at me and glared at Paul. Sam looked at Paul.
"Out, less distractions the better."
"But cookies!" Paul complained.
"I'm not going to eat them all," Jake said straight-faced.
"I might though," I quipped.
Paul grinned.
"I like her," and with that exited the house.
It was silent for a few moments before Sam pulled up a chair, Jacob hot on his heels beside him.
"So you saw,"
"More than I wanted to," I added.
Jake snickered. I threw a napkin at him and he caught it easily.
"So the legends are true?" I asked looking at Sam.
Sam nodded.
"Have you guys always shifted?" I asked.
"Only when we come of age, or if the need arises." Sam said slowly.
"The need?" I asked confused.
"We're created to do one thing, destroy vampires…"Sam explained.
"You had the treaty with the Cullen family," I argued.
Sam nodded.
"Yes, we do. But there have been vampires in the area we're not familiar with,"
I swallowed hard.
"Others?"
"They're kind of creepy with red eyes," Jacob asked.
"Blood drinkers…" I whispered.
Sam and Jake looked at me confused.
"The Cullen had gold eyes because they drank from animals, the other have red eyes…"I trailed off.
Recognition lit in Sam's eyes.
"I see, we came across a male, he was after your sister,"
My head jerked up at that. Sam looked at me in surprise.
"She didn't tell you?"
"Isabella and I aren't close." I murmured.
Jake frown and looked away.
"He is no longer a problem, but there is a female that has been eluding us. She has red hair, small…"he began.
"Wild looking?" I offered.
He nodded.
"Victoria," I breathed out.
My heartbeat increased, I felt the room spin slightly. I could vaguely hard my name being called.
"Lettie,"
The voice was sharp and in my face. I blinked and Jake had my head between his hands, he gave a small smile.
"There you are," he teased. "Just follow my breathing…you're safe here."
I copied his breathing pattern, and I was aware of Sam and Emily's eyes on me.
"I'm sorry," I apologized.
"Don't apologize, it's not your fault."
"You know who this vampire is?"
I nodded slowly.
"She's not a friend by any means," I said slowly.
I looked at Jake.
"Remember last spring, in Phoenix? The car accident?" I asked Jake slowly.
Jake froze, turning to stone.
"Chief Swan said you had been in car accident in Phoenix." Sam said frowning.
"Not entirely the truth," I said weakly looking at Jake's reaction.
Sam leaned back on the chair and rubbed his hands over his face.
"You better tell the story from the beginning."
A cup of coffee and several chocolate chip cookies later, Sam looked distressed, Jake…Jake looked angry. But to be honest I wasn't sure if he was angry with me, or with the situation.
"Let me make sure I have this right…" Same said tiredly.
"James is after you and your sister because the Cullen's killed her mate, the same mate that kidnapped you both?" Same asked to clarify.
I nodded. I had left out the bit about what James had actually done to me aside from tossing me around and breaking my leg. I was keenly aware of Jake's body that was vibrating when that part came up. I was certain that he'd likely explode if I had told them the rest.
"It explains why she's been around then," Jake said.
He had taken up a chair beside me.
"Why did the Cullen leave?" Sam asked.
I frowned, my heart tugging at the memories.
"There was an incident on our birthday that caused Edward to over react and I got hurt in the process. Edward wanted to leave to give Bella a chance at normalcy." I said softy.
"They left you too," Same said eying the ring on my finger.
I smiled softly, though it was painful.
"Yes,"
Jake frowned.
"Jasper's ok, he's not a bad guy." Jake offered to Sam.
"You think anyone with a motorcycle is ok," Sam teased.
Jake rolled his eyes but grinned. I shook my head.
"Isabella isn't stupid, she's going to figure out what's going on," I said changing the subject.
"She digs too much for her own good." Sam muttered.
"Ain't that the truth," Jake muttered.
"She already thinks your guys are a cult, or gang or something,"
Sam grimaced.
"We've been trying to avoid that perception of us, but it's small place and people talk."
It true, gossip was what this small town thrived on. Sam sighed, looking tired and worn.
"For now, you're more than welcome to come study here as Emily offered, the pack will know by sundown that you're in the know. Plus it'll give you better protection here."
"What about Charlie?" I asked worried.
I honestly did not put it past her to go after Charlie.
"We got some people keeping an eye out for him, I'm sure Billy will keep him busy with fishing trips up here too." Sam assured me.
I nodded.
"Well now that the serious stuff is out of the way do you want help me whip up some stuff for the boys? Charlie isn't off till 8 right?" Emily asked successfully distracting everyone.
I nodded.
"I'll give you a lift home," Jake offered.
I nodded.
Things were still awkward between Jake and I it seemed, I watched with sadness as he walked out of Emily's front door. Emily kept me busy enough. Before long pasta was steaming on the stove, cookies were in air tight containers on the counter, and clock read 8:15 am. Then it was 8:30 pm, and no sign of Jake. Looking around everyone was preoccupied and happy. Not wanting to bother anyone I headed outside onto the porch. It was a nice night out, and figuring I could always call Charlie from the road, or worst case scenario – Bella – I set out into the night.
The walk was quiet, but it was pleasant. The wind blew slightly keep the air cool and kind. It was after I stepped foot off the reservation when I felt I was being watched, shivers wracked my spine, that had nothing to do with the chill of the air. The trees and bushes rustled, my anxiety climbed with each passing second. When I faced the road towards Forks, there was a man – a familiar man – standing in the street. His stance was laid back and unthreatening, but his eyes unsettled me. His hair was white blond, it was down to his shoulders, but pulled back in a ponytail by a hair-tie. He wore a dark blue sweater and blue jeans, boots adorned his feet. He looked at me curiously.
"Not safe to go out after dark missy," the man said slowly.
His voice carried a southern accent just like - .
"Peter, right?" I asked.
A grin broke out on the man's face.
"Major been talkin about me?" he asked.
I felt myself relax.
"Might of mentioned you a time or two," I said softly.
His teeth were very white and gleamed eerily in the moonlight.
"Good to know, I was wonderin if I'd ever meet you, Major talks on and on about you. Never shuts up. Nice to put a face to the name,"
I smiled shyly, but I felt my heart tug painfully talking about him.
"You miss him," he stated.
I didn't answer.
"Well things always work out in the end, you'll see him again soon." He said.
"How do you know?" I asked softly.
His face took on an impish grin that reminded me so much of Jasper.
"I know shit,"
His face fell, but I turned around and saw a large russet colored wolf behind me growling at Peter.
"Jake, no…no. This one is a friend. Jasper's friend."
Jake stopped growling but he kept his eye on Peter. Peter didn't looked too bothered, interested but not bothered.
"It's not safe being out here with that red head loose." Peter said, his voice serious.
I swallowed hard.
"She's around?" I murmured.
Peter nodded.
"I'm not the only thing around here at night. Major asked me to keep an eye on you, I keep my word. Don't go off by yourself. It's not safe," Peter said.
I nodded. Peter looked at the Jake-wolf.
"Keep her safe, I don't need to tell you Jasper would have both our hinds. Me and my mare around, don't go tearing us apart too."
Jake-wolf nodded and Peter's face took an easier going look.
"Stay outta trouble little bear,"
A blink later and Peter was gone. Turning back to the Jake-wolf, he gave me an unimpressed look and grabbed me by the back of my sweater and dragged me into the woods. He left me a half a second and the next an angry Jacob came out of the bushes the wolf disappeared in wearing jean shorts.
"What the hell is your problem? We tell the red-haired leech is out there and you go gallivanting out in the woods in the dark by yourself?" he yelled at me.
I flinched and looked at the ground.
"You're lucky the blonde haired leech was out there looking after you." He said, his voice harsher but not as sharp.
I didn't respond, I fiddled with the hem of sweater, I knew the idea was stupid, but I also knew I wasn't on my own.
"You were preoccupied, you guys don't need to babysit me, and you've enough on your plate."
"You're not a throwaway Lettie." Jake said shaking his head.
I didn't respond, he sighed.
"Come on let's get you home. "