I lay in bed looking up at the ceiling thinking of Jasper, when Shanna walked through the door. She had a backpack on her shoulder that she put on the desk, before she pulled out some pyjamas, and walked back out of the room.

I went back to thinking of Jasper for the next 10 minutes. This time when Shanna walked in, she got into the bed next to me and looked up at the ceiling as I was. I turned to look at her, "What happened with Rosalie?"

She shrugged, "We spoke a bit and she dropped me off."

I frowned, "That's it?"

Shanna nodded, "There wasn't exactly much that she could say to me, they're still under the impression that we don't know what they are. I think she's going to try and get along with us. For Jasper, you can see how much they all mean to each other. Rosalie and Jasper may as well be actual brother and sister."

I nodded, and was silent for a second whilst trying to find a way to ask Shanna about me and Jasper.

She broke the silence, "Ask me what you want Bells."

I nodded, "What do I do about this thing with Jasper? How do I know if he likes me?"

She sighed and rolled onto her side, facing me, "Well I doubt that they ever invite humans to their house for one but Bells, how have you not figured it out yet? Why don't you think about what Jasper makes you feel and what Miss Pretty Red said? It's pretty obvious, if you properly think about it you'll get it in seconds."

I frowned and thought. Jasper made me feel warm and happy, he made me feel complete, other than the weird pulling thing. It's like my body is trying to make me go somewhere. Like I was missing a part of myself.

My eyes widened as I thought about it and I shot straight up in bed, my mouth wide open.

Shanna sat up as well, with a big yawn, "You realised it yet?"

I looked at her with the same shocked expression, "Mates? We're mates? But that doesn't make sense, I'm human, and... and, it doesn't make sense, how can we be mates? MATES?"

Shanna yawned again, her eyelids drooping, "Yes, you're mates. It makes sense to me, vampires can mate with humans, it's just rare. He cares for you the same way, if not more than how much you care for him. Mainly because he can feel the bond more than you can."

"But... mates? We're so different, he's beautiful and strong and smart and amazing, while I'm just me."

Shanna sighed, "Jasper thinks those same things about you, you're bonded to each other. And before you say it, no it's not against his will. Do you feel like you liking Jasper is something you're being forced to do?"

I shook my head, "But he feels it stronger than I do right? So what if it's different for him?"

Shanna sighed again and slid down so that she was partially lying down, only half propped up again the wall, "Shut up Bells, that's not how these things work and you know it. You being human and him being a vampire isn't really that much of a game changer either. You just have a choice to make."

I nodded, "But... does that mean..." I trailed off unsure of how to continue.

"Does it mean you'll be changed into a vampire?"

I nodded, Shanna put her hand on my shoulder, "That is entirely up to you. It's something that you will need to think hard about, it's not something to be taken lightly. There are many advantages and disadvantages to it, you know pretty most of them from Miss Pretty Red, but you need to think about it. You don't need to make a decision about it now though, take your time and relax."

I nodded again and lay back down, I wasn't sure what I wanted to do, but Shanna was right, I didn't have to make a decision right now. I closed my eyes and took deep breaths as I tried to sleep. One thought kept going through my head over and over until I feel asleep.

Jasper is my mate, my missing half, and he feels the same way about me. The concept of it was crazy, but deep down nothing had felt anymore right. Knowing that Jasper must feel the same way did wonders for my confidence, but I still couldn't completely shut out the doubt that he didn't want me, I knew it was something that would take time to leave, if ever, but I would do my best to fight for what I want and, according to Shanna, deserve.

Jasper POV

I sat waiting for Rose to return after dropping Bella at home. I knew that she wouldn't be too much longer, but I began to tap my foot impatiently. I trusted Rose, but I was still worried that she might have said something to offend Shanna, though I doubted much could offend her. But the worry that Bella may also get hurt was what was keeping me anxious. I got a small, strange pang in my heart at the thought of it and wished that Rose would hurry up.

Everyone else had gone for a quick hunt so I wasn't annoying anyone with my obnoxious, human gesture. Though it was unlikely anyone but Emmett would call me on it anyway. Luckily, I heard her car driving up to the house before I made a dash to Bella's house to make sure they were okay.

I stopped my foot from tapping and stared at the door, listening to Rose's painfully slow footsteps head up the drive and to the front door. She walked in and spied me looking in her direction. She sighed, rolling her eyes, but headed over to me anyway and sat down on the sofa next to me. She crossed her legs and studied her nails whilst waiting for me to begin the conversation.

I looked at her, thinking of how to begin, I felt her annoyance spike and she started talking, "I just spoke to her Jasper, I didn't say anything bad. You know I wouldn't do that, otherwise you would have stopped me from driving her back in the first place."

I nodded, "I know, I don't know why I'm so on edge. Why did you offer to drive her back?"

Rose shrugged, "I hadn't exactly been nice to her and I know how you feel about Bella. This is important to you and I want to show you that I won't constantly be a bitch to them."

I smiled at her and sent her my gratitude, "Thanks Rose."

She rolled her eyes at me again and gave a small smile, "This doesn't mean I like the situation or either of them though. I don't want the family to be in danger. Though I do have to thank them for sending Edward away for a while, It's been a long time since I've had my thoughts to myself."

I smiled, and nodded in agreement.

Rose stood, "I assume the others are out hunting? Want to go? I'm guessing you didn't go because you wanted to interrogate me."

She raised a perfectly sculpted eyebrow at me as I smiled bashfully, "Yeah, let's head out."

We dashed out the door and into the forest backing the house.

Bella POV

I opened my eyes to sun shining brightly through the curtains, I groaned and turned my face away. The bed was empty, I frowned and sat up. I had gotten used to waking up with Shanna there, it was a little disorienting to wake up alone, where had she gone? I didn't have to wonder for long, as I heard the clanging of pans from downstairs. I looked over at the clock, 9:00, I yawned, got out of bed, and headed to the bathroom.

After I washed up and dressed, I headed downstairs to the kitchen, still half asleep. There were two plates of pancakes on the little table and two glasses of orange juice, Shanna was slowly eating her pancakes, and looked up as I came in.

"Mornin'" She said around a mouthful.

I smiled at her and sat down, practically inhaling the food, my brain began to wake up as I finished them, and I almost choked on the orange juice, "Me and Jasper are mates!"

Shanna rolled her eyes at me as she finished her last forkful of pancake, her eyes closed and she smiled, "Pancakes are my mate."

I snorted in laughter, "They are pretty great. What's the plan today?"

I picked up the plates from the table, put them in the sink, and started to wash up, "Well first, you're gonna ask me questions for a while about Jasper and his family, then we'll talk about vampires in general, and then I'm going out."

I nodded, but frowned when she mentioned going out, "Where are you going?"

"Out, you're going to stay here."

I turned to her and pouted, she just stuck her tongue out at me. "Fine, when will you be back?"

She laughed, "I don't know yet, you sound like my wife."

I chuckled, "Not to sound anymore like your spouse, but I do need to put some laundry on. I put your clothes in as well."

Shanna laughed again, "Thanks Dear."

When I finished, we went into the living room and sat down, Shanna drew her knees up and cuddled a cushion to her, "Ask away."

I stopped myself from asking every question at once, "From when did you know that we were mates?"

Shanna sighed, "Ask a question that matters."

I stuck my tongue out at her, "Okay, how old are the family?"

"Carlisle's the oldest at around 300, but don't ask questions as if I'm Jasper. Ask a question you don't think he'd be able to answer, or might not think to tell you."

"You've got a lot of rules for questions."

She stuck her tongue out at me, "Otherwise we'd waste time."

I nodded again, and thought hard, "Are there a lot of vampires in the world?"

Shanna nodded, "Not as many as humans but there are a fair few, we don't see them because many of them keep themselves hidden, and not all of them try to blend into human society, not usually worth the risk."

"So is there a vampire society? Do they have rules?"

"They have some form of a society, and they have rules, they're not supposed to let humans know about what they are, unless they're going to be changed or killed."

I thought on it for second, a name floating around my mind, "And it's enforced by the Volturi?"

Shanna nodded, "Miss Pretty Red talked a bit about them, but not much, it'll be hard to remember everything she said."

"So, what is the Volturi?"

"They are a big coven of vampires who rule over the vampire world. They make sure that nobody breaks the rules."

"How? If all vampires are as strong as each other, how can they make the entire race listen to them?"

"They are a very big coven, at least 20 of them, and they're all trained in combat. That, and they have a lot of gifted vampires with them. I'm not sure of all of their powers, but there's a a boy who can remove all of your senses, a girl who can change the bonds between people, and a girl who can cause people pain by looking at them."

"Cause pain just by looking at them? That sounds horrible."

Shanna nodded, "It's supposed to be the worst pain imaginable, I feel bad for her though. Everybody must be scared of her, she probably doesn't have many friends or anyone who would want to be around her in case they got hurt."

I nodded, but wasn't sure I agreed. A power like that could easily warp someone's mind.

Shanna continued, "The Volturi is run by three kings, Aro, who can read all the thoughts a person has ever had, Marcus, who can read the ties between people, and Caius. They've been around for like 3000 years, they have a castle in Italy."

I thought on it for a moment, "But what about the other covens? Ones with a lot of vampires in them? Wouldn't they try to gain control?"

"It is very rare for that many vampires to form a coven together. Most are nomads or travel in pairs, the most they tend to have in a coven is four. The Cullens' are an exception. The Volturi tend to have an issue with bigger covens, or I guess they just keep an eye on them. They don't want anyone to try and destroy what they've built. They've had to destroy a lot of vampires and humans in their time to protect the vampire way of life."

I shuddered at the thought of it, "I don't like the sound of them, they seem cruel."

Shanna shrugged, "Maybe, but I've not seen their methods, nor have I met them. It would be foolish for me to create an opinion based on stories, but what they do does seem rational, possibly a little over the top, but it serves a purpose and they are protecting all vampires. But again, I wouldn't know."

I nodded, then a darker thought came to me, "What would they do if they found out we know?"

Shanna gave me a grim smile, "Either kill us or demand we be turned. So kill us or kill us. This says nothing of what they might do to the Cullens' if they think that they told us. They'd probably be alright with you knowing because you're Jasper's mate, they'd expect that you'd be turned. But I don't know about me, basically it will be kept from them for as long as possible."

I nodded, "What about you?"

Shanna frowned a tilted her head slightly, "What do you mean?"

"Well, would you be turned as well?"

Shanna smiled at me, "It's a bit soon for that question, I can't answer that right now."

I nodded and frowned, I would file her answer away to dwell on later.

"Is there anything else you want to ask?"

I thought on it but couldn't organise the thoughts and questions in my head to find the important questions.

Shanna seemed to notice my focus and stress, "You don't have to think everything up now." She smiled, "There's still time."

She stood, "I'm going out now, I'll be back in the evening. You can ask me questions then if you want. Could I borrow your truck?"

"Sure, the key is in the bowl, I'll see you later." I crossed my arms, feeling moody.

Shanna chuckled at my expression, "Thanks, I'll be back later."

I heard the jangle of the keys as she picked them up and walked out, then I heard the roar of LadyBug. I sat there for 10 minutes not knowing what to do when I heard a car pull up into the driveway.

I frowned and turned as the door opened, a very tired looking Charlie walked in.

"Ch- Dad!" I exclaimed in surprise. I stood as he smiled and walked over to me.

"Hi Bells, sorry I've not been around for a while, this case has everyone at the station pulling all-nighters."

When he got closer I saw the dark circles and bags under his eyes, he seemed to have aged 10 years from when I last saw him.

"Do you want me to make you some food? You must be hungry." I began babbling nervously, and at an increasing speed, Phoenix memories fluttering in the corners of my mind, "I was about to start clearing up, I didn't realise you would be back. I'll have everything cleaned up in no time. I'm doing the laundry tod-"

Charlie cut me off by placing hands firmly on my shoulders and giving me a firm look, "Calm down Bella, I don't expect you to do all those things, and I certainly won't be angry if you don't. Don't forget you're still my child. I should be doing these things for you, not the other way around, I'm just sorry that this case is taking up so much of my time."

I blinked, confusion filling my brain, why wasn't he mad at me? I haven't cleaned up the kitchen, or gotten dinner ready, or done the laundry.

"Bell's you don't need to worry about the cleaning or anything like that. I tend to let it slip a little," He blushed slightly, "But it's not all your responsibility. Though thank you for doing it this week, I've been so busy with this case that I've barely had time to sleep, let alone clean."

He took his hands from my shoulders and scratched at the spiky stubble growing on his chin. "I wanted to spend some time with you, since I haven't been able to be around. I don't think I'll be around next week either, they've got everyone working."

I nodded, "What's the case?"

Charlie looked at me grimly, "We've been finding bodies, a lot of them. I can't really talk about it, but it's a very high priority case. The people have been found in Seattle, Port Angeles, and a few in Forks. All hands are on deck."

I nodded, "Me and Shanna were gonna go over to the cinema in Port Angeles with a girl we met at school."

Charlie smiled, "I'm glad you've made some friends, but please be careful, this monster seems to go for anyone, make sure you all stay together and stay safe."

I smiled, "Of course we will."

Charlie nodded, "So what would you like to do today? We could go out for a meal? Or maybe visit Billy? He's been wanting to see you for a while, Jacob to."

I smiled, knowing that he wanted to go see them, "Sure Dad, it will be good to see them again. Shouldn't we ask Shanna as well? I know she misses them, especially Sue's cooking."

Charlie snorted, "It's hard not to miss their food."

Charlie craned his neck looking for her, only just noticing she was gone, "Where is Silvers?"

"She went out for a bit, she didn't say where."

Charlie looked worried for a moment clearly thinking of her being out on her own, before relaxing, smiling, and muttering to himself, "It would be a big mistake for anyone to even try to over-power that girl."

I didn't think I was meant to hear him, so I smothered a smile at just how right he was.

He spoke up, "Give her a call, we can head there first, and she can meet us."

I made a noise of agreement, and went to find my phone as Charlie went upstairs to shower and change.

I found my phone between the two sofa cushions, found her number and rang, she picked up after 3 rings, "Hey Bells, what's up?"

I heard noise in the background, "Where are you?"

"I'm shopping, what's up?"

"Me and Charlie are going to the reservation, do you wanna come? We can meet you there?"

I heard her excitement through the phone, "Yes! I haven't seen them in ages, I miss them... And their food."

I laughed, "I figured you would know we were going. What are you buying?"

"Nope, it was a possibility, but I knew you needed to spend some time with Charlie. This is actually great, you'll be able to talk to Jacob, he's gonna let it slip to you about vampires, his tribe has a very long and important history with them. He doesn't believe in it, but he doesn't understand it's importance yet."

I heard the hum in her voice that signified something important, potentially dangerous, and definitely annoying.

I sighed, "What experiment do you have me in this time?"

"No experiment, just listen to what Jake has to tell you, I'll arrive after that."

I sighed again, "Okay, but this had better be interesting."

Shanna laughed, "I'll see you later Bells."

The phone disconnected, and I put it back into my pocket.

I sat back down, and thought about what Jacob would say to me, what importance it could have. I was actually interested, despite the fact that the one normal contact I had would now not be so normal.

A few more minutes passed before I heard Charlie come back down the stairs, he had regained a few of the years he seemed to have lost while working on the case. He had shaved, and trimmed his moustache.

He smiled at me whilst descending the last of the stairs, "Ready to go?"

I nodded and we headed out to the reservation. The car ride was quiet and comfortable. And in no time we were turning into their driveway. Before we got out of the cruiser, the door opened and I saw Jacob with a huge smile on his face. I got out and grinned back at him, he had grown up a lot and was sporting a very handsome face, and thick dark hair that reached his shoulders.

He hugged me as I reached the door, I froze for a few seconds before tentatively hugging him back.

He pulled away still smiling, "Come in."

We walked up the small ramp, and into the house, I saw Billy come in from the kitchen in his wheelchair, a six-pack of beer on his lap. He stopped just before me and reached out his hand.

"Hey Bella, you've grown so much. It's great to see you." He smiled warmly at me, we shook hands, "Living with the old man again, guess he's got you cooking, doesn't know how to make toast that one."

Charlie snorted, "Like you can do any better, I know Sue probably makes most of your meals for you."

I laughed at their antics. They both headed for the TV, and Billy offered a beer to Charlie, which he happily took.

Jake nudged me, "Come on, they'll be here for while. Wanna check out the beach? You haven't been here for ages, you probably forgot what it's like."

I laughed, "Cold, but fun to explore, I remember."

He smiled and we went out the door, as we walked to the beach Jacob filled me in on all the changes on the reservation since I'd been gone. He was still best friends with Quil and Embry, his sister Rachel had married and moved away, and now he restored old motorbikes and cars.

I smiled and nodded, as he said all of this, interested in the changes that had happened. I saw a group of three young men all standing around, they looked up and stared in our direction without looking away or blinking once, Jacob ignored them and carried on with his stories, I followed his lead and did the same.

We finally reached the beach after about 10 minutes, and I was pretty much caught up, "Not much has changed around here, I like it." I said once he had finished.

"It's nice, kinda like picking up from where we left off," he agreed.

"Hey, is that little cave still here?"

Jake laughed, "Yeah, you still remember that?"

"Of course, we all used to play around there and made it our hideout." I laughed at the memories, "You, me, Shanna, Quil, and Embry."

"Those were great times, we'd be pirates, or explorers, and had to survive out in the wilderness. Where is Shanna anyway? Charlie kept talking about her coming back as well."

"She's out shopping or something, she's coming by a little later though."

Jake smiled, "Good, I'll tell Quill and Embry to come to."

We had been walking along the beach for a few minutes now, and I saw the familiar cave, child me grinned in excitement, and sped up to check it out. It hadn't changed a bit, other than being a bit smaller than how I remembered it. I crouched a little as I went in and sat down on a flat rock, looking around. Jake followed me in, and sat down next to me.

"I really missed you Bells, I'm glad you're back."

I looked at him, he was looking down, fidgeting and blushing. I kept staring at him confused for a few seconds before my phone buzzed.

It was a text from Shanna, He's got a little crush on you idiot.

I groaned internally and decided to change the subject, the group from earlier re-entering my mind, "Who were those guys earlier? They looked really intense."

His fidgeting stopped, "Sam Uley, Jared Cameron, and Paul Lahote. They're super weird, they always stare at me, and try to talk to me about legends and all of that."

I perked a bit at the mention of legends, I guess this is where he tells me about vampires, "What legends?"

Jake turned to me smiling, "Super secret Quileute horror stories."

I smiled, and he laughed, "They're the stories that get passed down through the family, the main one is about the cold ones."

"The cold ones?"

"Vampires, they have ice cold, diamond hard skin, incredible hearing and sight, and a thirst for human blood. Our tribe is here to protect humans from these creatures. We are able to do it by the power that was bestowed upon us. We are wolves, our speed matches the vampire, our teeth can tear their skin, but they are unable to feed on us, our blood is toxic to them. They were banished from our lands to protect the people. We stop becoming wolves when the cold ones leave, but should they return, so will we. And they have, they returned in the form of the Cullens."

He finished talking and I remained staring at him, processing the information he told me. I was startled out of my thoughts by Jake's loud laugh, "Did I scare you? It's just a story that they pass down, though most of the tribe do take it seriously and actually stay away from that Cullen family."

I laughed along with him, "I was just thinking about it, it's pretty interesting."

Jake shrugged, "I guess, I just wish they would stop staring at me, it really freaks me out."

I nodded, "It is pretty weird, it's like they're waiting."

"Yeah, I was friends with Jared for a bit, but he got all weird and started hanging out with Sam. I bet it's some sort of cult. He stopped talking and hanging out with most people. He just stays with Sam, doing what he says and being creepy."

I grinned, "Jealous? Maybe you should go wolf on them."

Jake laughed, "Getting into the legends? They're just stories told to scare people into being safer and stuff like that."

"What other legends are there about the tribe?"

Jake smiled and thought for a bit, "A lot of the them are about the cold ones, or whatever. There's one that talks about a treaty with the vamps, one's that talk about our supposed spiritual powers, and a bunch of other ones."

I tilted my head slightly, "Treaty?"

Jake nodded, "Apparently my ancestor Ephraim Black spoke to one of the vampires, the vampire promised not to harm anyone, and my he believed him because his eyes were different, showing that they didn't feed on humans. So they made a treaty, the vampires are not to harm anyone and must never cross the boundary into La Push, in return the wolves wouldn't hunt them. All of the vampires who were in that group had to sign it, and it helped create some sort of peace."

I nodded, "Who were the vampires? Did they ever attack anyone?"

Jake smiled at my enthusiasm, "They didn't attack anyone, the treaty is still intact. And they're supposed to be the Cullens. Stupid right?"

I smiled and nodded, so not only had the Cullens' been here before, but they even had a treaty with the tribe.

"So why was it Ephraim Black who made the treaty?"

"He was the leader, he was supposed to be very strong spiritually, they say that you couldn't disobey what he said because his voice was so full of power."

"Did he turn into a wolf to?"

Jake laughed at me, "I think you're taking all this a little too seriously Bells, they're just stories."

I leaned back and forced a laugh, "Sorry they're just interesting."

My phone buzzed again, I'm on my way now, I should only be about 10 minutes. Find out anything interesting?

I smiled at my phone and replied, Just about the treaty, he didn't really say much about the Cullens'

My phone buzzed about 5 seconds after I hit send, -_- that's all you took away from the talk?

I frowned, What else would I have gotten?

Aaaaawooooooooooo

I frowned before realisation hit me, and I started typing furiously, They're actually wolves? WHAT?! Is Jake one as well?

-_- Yeah, not all the information was going to be about the Cullens' :p He's not one yet, but it's very likely that he will become one.

Is that why those other three look at him weirdly, are they wolves as well?

If you're talking about Sam then yes. We'll talk about this another time, I pulled the truck over to message you, I'll see you at the house.

"Messaging your boyfriend?"

I laughed and rolled my eyes, turning to look at Jake, "No, it was Shanna, she said she's on her way and that she'll meet us at the house."

Jake chuckled, "I'll call Quil and Embry, do you wanna head back?"

"Yeah, it's going to be so good to have us all back to together again."

"Yeah, though I wonder how long it will take for Shanna and Embry to start bickering and setting traps for each other."

"I forgot that they were like that with each other. Remember when she chased him around for half an hour with a worm?"

Jake slapped his leg and laughed loudly, "That was great."

We made our way out of the cave towards the house, remembering all of the things we all used to do as children, the walk felt like it only lasted a couple of seconds, and we were close to tears by the time we got to the door. Remembering those carefree days made me feel a lot better, even with who I had for a mother, I still had great childhood memories that could never be taken away.

Jake opened the door, and we walked in on Charlie, Billy, and Shanna watching the game, I think it was football. Shanna was sitting cross legged frowning at the screen.

Cheering came from the TV, and Charlie and Billy, Shanna's frown deepened, "But he dropped the ball!" She said, pointing accusingly at the TV, "He dropped it, why is that a good thing?"

Billy and Charlie laughed, "Because it got the team closer their end of the field."

"But he's just dropping the ball and falling on the floor, he's playing badly, but is still doing well. That doesn't make sense. Where's the skill?"

They laughed at her again, "Doing that is a skill, he artfully made the start-line closer to where they need to be."

Shanna crossed her arms, "I can't believe this is a sport, basketball is better, at least they have skill."

They both just laughed at her again, she jumped pointing at the screen, "See, he's rolling on the floor complaining, that other guy barely even touched him, he clearly doesn't care about playing."

Charlie raised an eyebrow at her, still chuckling, "Have you ever been 'barely touched' by a 250 pound wall, I can't imagine it's easy to walk off."

Shanna pouted for a few seconds, "I don't think I'll ever like this game."

Me and Jake laughed along with Billy and Charlie, they looked up at us.

Shanna grinned and jumped, "Hey Jakey!" She came over and hugged him, "Where were you guys? They've been bullying me for ages now."

Jake put fake sympathy into his voice, "It must have been rough, the entire two minutes of it."

She stuck her tongue out at him, but a big grin lit up her face as she looked past us. I frowned as she moved around us, but smiled when I saw Quil and Embry walk up the path, Shanna threw herself at them, and they laughed as they hugged her back.

"How are you guys? It's been so long."

They all pulled back from the hug, and me and Jake moved over to stand next to the three of them.

I cautiously hugged Embry and Quil, whilst still showing my enthusiasm to see them.

"I've been alright." Embry replied, Shanna nodded her head and looked up at him, "I'll say, you've grown like 7ft, what kind of greens are you eating?"

He laughed, "Just a growth spurt."

"But you do make me feel tiny now," Quil complained, he was around an inch or two taller than me and Shanna, but still shorter than Jake and Embry.

"That's because you're tiny," me and Shanna said at the same time, he stuck his tongue out at us, "You two are one's to talk, I'm taller than both of you."

"Bet I could still beat you in a fight though." Shanna taunted, Quil just continued to stick his tongue out at her.

"Sue is making a big dinner for everyone, we're gonna have a bonfire." Embry said with a huge grin on his face, "We saw her as we were coming over, she's happy to be able to feed you guys again."

"And we're super happy to eat her food," Shanna replied.

The five of us went on a walk, catching up with each other and remembering our childhood. When it started to get dark we headed over to a section in the woods were everyone was gathered.

There was a huge bonfire surrounded by benches. And we saw Sue look up and smile as she came up to us. She hugged me and Shanna tightly.

"I've missed you two, it's been too long."

"It has, we missed you as well."

Sue smiled, again, "We've made a lot of food and invited most of the reservation over. I thought it would be nice to have a little get together again."

I nodded, "It's a great idea, it will be really good to see everyone again."

We went and sat down together, keeping ourselves warm with the heat of the fire. Throughout the evening everybody greeted us, and welcomed us back. We played games and ate Sue's delicious food - though how she had managed to make so much was beyond me.

We all relaxed after eating which was when I noticed that the three guys me and Jake had met earlier were at the far end of the benches, looking over at us. I shifted uncomfortably and looked over at Shanna, who was staring back at the boys with equal intensity and before I could ask her what was going on, she stood and walked over to them, sitting down next to them.

They looked at her in shock before bowing their heads slightly. My mouth fell open, what was going on. I saw Shanna's mouth move as she spoke to them, but couldn't hear what she was saying. The boys nodded along before replying, finally Shanna walked back over to us.

We all stared at her for a while, before Jake spoke, "You just spoke to the cult, what did you say?"

Shanna shrugged, "Just saying hi."

"But they don't really talk to anyone anymore." Quil said incredulous.

Shanna shrugged again, putting an end to the conversation.

I helped to change the subject, "So where are the elders? Didn't they want to come tonight?"

Embry shrugged slightly, "I think they're sorting out some business or something, I think it's something to do with identifying animals that live in the forests around here."

I nodded, "For what?"

"The police found bodies, and they think that a wild animal is responsible."

"My Dad was telling me about it, but I didn't realise that they thought it was an animal."

"Yeah, apparently it's a huge one, though I don't think anything grows as big as what they're saying."

"I dunno, I've seen some pretty big animals out there." Jake responded.

"But were they predators? I don't think there are any that big."

"There could be."

That sparked a debate on how big certain animals could grow, which lead to talking about hunting and fishing, which somehow lead to us talking about funny videos online; and before we realised it, several more hours had passed.

Charlie walked up to us, "Are you two ready to head back? It's getting late, and it's a school day tomorrow."

We nodded, said our good byes to everyone, with promises that we'd come visit more often, and headed to the car.

Charlie opened the cruiser door, "You two take the truck. You're still staying round right Silvers?"

"Yup."

Charlie nodded, got in the car a drove off. We hopped into the truck and followed him.

I barely remember walking into the house and getting ready for bed, I was asleep the moment my head hit the pillow.