CHAPTER 1

MOMENTOUS MINUTE

Disclaimer: no infringement intended, blah blah blah.

Nothing but deep, dark, green forests for miles, the deserted road parting the trees as if it were the Red Sea. Over us hangs the mist from the ever-present cloudy grey sky. Everything is wet, jade, and drenched in shade…and I would expect nothing more from my home. Though driving at twilight is a tad eerie, I cannot deny it is soothing, comforting. What's better yet, the drive has calmed the ball of energy sitting in the passenger seat.

She's been memorized by green flickers past her vision outside her window. By her body expression I could tell she over exerted herself today. Who would have imagined a human child could out last a vamp, though Nessie is half-human. Claire is normally a happy hyperactive little three-year-old girl, top it off with the excitement of making a new friend, and well let's just hope Quil's keeping up with the caffeine.

"Can we come back?" she asked with her own words. She's perfectly capable of speaking and I consistently let her know that.

"I don't see why not, if your dad let you come this one time."

"How did you get him to let me come anyways?" she questioned.

Her father is such a pain sometimes, he was harder to convince than the council. If anybody should have had a problem it should have been Quil and Collin; Quil because it would be "endangering" his imprint, but he loved the idea having a play date, he adores Ness. And he saw her play by herself sometimes at the house; sure she's surrounded by love ones who enjoy playing with her, but she needed someone closer to her age – or uh age rate. Never mind.

Quil was also worried about Claire social life – even though she is only three. Because in daycare she was telling everyone her Quil was a wolf and he is there to protect her from bad people. The ladies thought it was adorable story but Claire was starting to saying more and more. Her mother decided to limit her days in daycare and her play dates until Claire was older enough to fully understand the situation. Claire knows the wolves are a secret, but she is still a three year old. It's a lot to burden a child with.

Maybe that's why the girls got along; they were in on the secret. They were the secret. A secret they really can't vent about other than with family.

So today at the beach, which was Ness's first time seeing; they could be their selves, with no false pretenses. Truth is it was an assessment, but I knew there was nothing to worry about. I only agreed to this trial because…well I'm not sure why.

It's been awhile since the confrontation with the vamps from Italy and dust is settling. We were still on guard, someone's always on patrol, but usually just two or one. So there was no reason for Nessie not to visit the Rez. Nevertheless, either her parents or the council, including Sam, kept pushing it back. The council, even after all that's happen and the renewed alliance, were hesitate to allow a vamp even a half vamp step foot on the Rez. They were giving the bullshit about her being so young and still adapting to the Cullen's life style, here preference in blood rather than food, and blah blah blah. It didn't help her parents agreed with wanting to wait until she's older.

Under different circumstances, I would agree, but they all seem to overlook one detail, the reason why Ness would want to visit La Push.

She's an imprint.

Collin's imprint.

And if I remember correctly, there's nothing more than a wolf's imprint – or so I have been told. So they can't say otherwise. They wouldn't dare to, not to me. Can't question the imprints without it's entirety. Why should Ness be treated any different?

The beach was a comprise, close enough to the woods, far enough from prying eyes. Whatever. They all worried over nothing. Collin was happy about the council "allowing" Ness to come to his home. In truth, they really had no say, but I held my tongue not wanting to cause Collin or Ness any trouble. They'll have plenty of that in the future.

The moment Collin refuse to go back with Jared and Quil and join Jake, he defined his fate. Sure at first him imprinting on a baby vamp was…let's go with unusual. Yeah let's go with that. As the days past, you couldn't deny it was perfectly matched.

Poor Collin had been disowned and kicked out of his home. Things changed for all of us, but at least we had some type of family or home to go. Even Embry, whose mother is pulling her own Charlie, "less I know the better, but don't you dare give me a scare or you'll have buy me a new wooden spoon." With Ness, he had a friend outside of the pack, and that's just what he needed. And obviously he thinks of nothing else other than protect her and making sure she enjoys a childhood. That puts him on her parents' good side, especially Bella's. Orignally we don't get along, but we have become acquaintances, friends of friends.

The enemy of my enemy is my friend.

Looking back to Ness, I tell her, "Your mom." She smiled.

We pulled up in the driveway not bothering to park the car in the garage. I see Jacob and Sam waiting on the steps.

"What are you doing here Sam?"

"We were waiting for you. Quil's on his way. We're having a meeting."

"About?" I ask suspiciously, as my grip tightens Ness's hands. I swear if it is about today.

"Alice had a vision." Jacob directed towards me. "Hey Ness, Collin and your parents are waiting you for inside." He nodded towards the house. She looked up to seeing if it was alright. I wasn't sure. Reluctantly we let go of each other. We watched her close the front door behind her.

I looked back to Jacob. He stared at me for a bit before he let a smile appear on his face.