A/N: Guys it's been so long! If you're interested in knowing where I've been, check out the A/N in the beginning of my latest update to Baby, Let's Talk About You and Me (my Pitch Perfect story). However, I'm happy to say I've got a long one for you and that THIS CHAPTER IS WHERE IT BEGINS.
Please enjoy and if you feel it's well-deserved, leave a review and lemme know what you think! I have like, 40 chapters done and I just need to know if it's still worth posting hahaha
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Chapter 5
Tunnel Vision
"It's time." Alice woke me up at three in the morning, leaving me with only two hours of sleep.
Luckily for my hybrid…ness, I could do with only a few hours of sleep, so long as I ate.
I quickly changed into my athletic gear, which consisted of a Nike Dri-Fit shirt, capri jogging pants, and my beloved pair of trainers. I also brought my windbreaker in case it got too cold.
"C'mon, Callie, you're riding with us." Rosalie said, handing me a granola bar to munch on during the car trip to the baseball clearing.
"Where's Edward?" I asked, noticing his absence.
"Getting Bella." Carlisle said, loading the rear of his car with training equipment and food, most probably for me and the wolves to eat later on in the day.
I nodded, and hopped into the back of the Jeep Wrangler. I teared the wrapper open and took a bite out of the bar.
"So how many are they, exactly?" I asked, putting my jacket on.
"Around ten, give or take." Emmett replied from the driver's seat.
I nodded. "Mind if I take a short nap?"
"Go ahead, Cals." Rose said. "There should be a pillow and a blanket somewhere there."
I smiled, retrieving the blanket from the pocket behind her seat.
Rosalie never stops thinking about me.
I finished the granola bar and leaned on the pillow propped up beside me, and covered myself under the blanket. It was still way too dark for me, perfect to help me sleep.
Soon though, we reached the clearing. I assisted Emmett and Rosalie in unloading the stuff, and we set up near the forest line. I sat cross-legged on the ground with the pillow covering my front side, and brought out my phone to listen to some music.
Jasper and Emmett began to spar, and Emmett ended up flying above me.
He quickly got up, ready to retaliate. "Again!"
I just laughed and leaned forward, hunched on the pillow. I began to fall asleep again when Edward arrived with Bella in Carlisle's Jeep. They had a conversation I paid no mind to, and when I checked my watch it was already five. I decided a short nap wouldn't hurt anyone.
But then I felt a tap on my shoulder. I shot up abruptly and looked up at Carlisle, who was looking at my right. I then saw the large wolves emerging from the rocks and the trees, and a smile grew on my face. I stood and was pulled to move between Carlisle and Esme, pausing my music and hugging the pillow to my chest in excitement.
I had nothing against the wolves. Their scent never really bothered me, and dogs were actually my favorite animals.
At the head of the pack was the black dog I encountered weeks ago. I smiled even wider as it approached, and I tilted my head to the side in admiration.
"Oh, my God, they're adorable." I whispered to Esme.
She gave me a weirded out look, but smiled nonetheless, keeping me to her side.
"They don't trust us enough to be in their human form." Edward spoke.
"They came. That's what matters." Carlisle replied. "Will you translate?" He asked Ed, as he moved forward.
"They. Are. Adorable." I said again, and one of the large wolves behind Sam growled at me, and I buried my face in my pillow.
Adorable.
Shut up. Edward's voice said again.
I looked up and scowled at him, then got distracted by their conversation.
"Welcome." Carlisle greeted. "Jasper has experience with newborns. He'll teach us how to defeat them."
The harsh look in Sam's eyes softened.
"They wanna know how the newborns differ from us." Edward translated.
"They're a whole lot stronger than us. This is because their old human blood still lingers in their tissues. Our kind is never more physically powerful than in our first several months of this life." He explained.
The black wolf nodded.
I smiled even more. It's only as a vampire that it's not weird to talk to animals.
I'm gonna die of cuteness overload.
Is that literally all you can think about? Edward asked.
Feel free to step out of my head, Ed. I retaliated.
I saw him smile a little from the corner of my eye.
Jasper stepped up and started giving the rules.
I took this as an opportunity to take a good look at each one. Their focus were all trained on Jasper, making my observations unnoticeable.
Some were bigger than others, some darker than others. But what struck me was how their eyes were so... human, and unlike that of a regular wolf. I guessed it was because they were naturally human.
Once Jasper was done with his speech, he challenged Emmett to another fight, which was more of a demonstration.
Same happened with Edward and Carlisle. When Ed thought he'd won, Carlisle attacked him once more.
I laughed at this, and some of the wolves turned in my direction. I shrugged it off.
Who is she? And why isn't she fighting? The large brown wolf next to me asked.
She's not like them. I heard Sam's voice say.
How so?
Not like them?
Who is she?
The voices overlapped, and I realized that the wolves communicated like this. There wasn't much I knew about them since everyone kept trying to protect me from everything that's been going on. Carlisle didn't even let me come to witness the treaty agreement.
Sam looked at me. Edward instinctively came closer and stood before me protectively.
She's a hybrid. Half-human, half-vampire. Sam explained.
I pushed Edward away, mostly because I didn't want to be protected and partially because Emmett called him for a match.
She has... powers. Sam thought.
"Yes, I do. Nice to meet you." I said to the brown wolf beside me.
The wolf huffed, and took a sniff of me, then moved a few steps away.
I cocked an eyebrow. "Rude much."
The wolf looked me in the eye and growled.
I ended up smiling, tilting and shaking my head.
What are you smiling at? The wolf asked.
"You're just really adorable." I laughed. "All of you."
The wolf huffed once more, observing the fighting vampires. Though they didn't like to admit it, they were entertained at the vampires hurting each other.
I sighed at my failed attempt to interact with them, and Bella joined my side.
"That one's Jared. He's the third-in-command, or the gamma of the pack, as I'd like to call him." Bella explained.
The wolf looked over at the mention of his name.
"Ah. See, I was trying to make friendly conversation, but it didn't really pan out." I said.
"They're a little hostile. Which makes sense." She said.
The wolf huffed again.
I nodded in agreement. "I guess."
At around nine or so, Jasper invited the wolves to participate. The first ones to step up were Sam and Jacob.
Sam stepped up against Edward (we were not going to put him with Jacob), and Carlisle went against Jacob.
They were all really good, and incredibly entertaining to watch. As the fight continued on, I took out the picnic basket and sat on a log, taking out another granola bar.
One of the smaller wolves who was close by looked over. I noticed this and looked at him. His fur was an ashy-brown, almost gray.
I smiled at it. "What's your name?"
Brady. His thoughts read.
"Hey, Brady. I'm Callidora. But you can call me Callie for short." I introduced. "Do you want something to eat?" I rummaged through the basket, producing a sandwich. I'm not one for sandwiches, meaning Esme packed these for them.
I held it up before me and the wolf smelled it.
A bigger wolf, this time with silvery fur and lighter eyes sauntered before the small wolf protectively. The other wolves looked over in interest.
"Hi." I greeted with a smile.
The wolf growled. Esme made to come closer, but was stopped by Alice.
"Want one?" I offered, holding the sandwich to its snout.
The wolf sniffed, and I saw its tail wag.
I giggled. "Your name?"
Paul. He thought.
I smiled. "I can tell you guys are hungry. Here." I said, and I tossed the sandwich.
The wolf caught it in his mouth with ease, and I laughed.
Brady emerged from behind him and went to my left. I got another sandwich from the basket and did the same, and his tail wagged as well.
A low, guttural growl came from my right. I looked to see the large alpha dog, Sam.
"Hey, Sam. Were you hungry too?" I asked, looking for another sandwich.
He huffed.
"That's a no." I said, wiping his saliva off my clothes.
Just what do you think you're doing? He asked.
"Feeding your pack. What does it look like I'm doing?" I asked.
We don't need your generosity.
"Just coz you don't need it, doesn't mean you don't want it." I sang a little to entice him for a sandwich.
He growled.
"Jeez."
Carlisle approached. "You know Sam?" He asked me.
"Yeah. When I went out running a few weeks ago, I came across the border. He was on the other side and we had a conversation. Well, sorta." I said, teetering my hand to gesture.
"You went to the border? I thought we made it clear that was forbidden?" He asked worryingly.
"How would I know if I was never shown it in the first place?" I reasoned.
Carlisle facepalmed. "Okay, dear, just leave them alone."
Why don't you fight? Sam asked.
"Because apparently I'm not strong enough." I said. "Plus, they won't allow me to."
"What are you two talking about?" Carlisle asked.
"He's asking why Callie's not fighting." Edward stepped in.
Carlisle turned to Sam. "It's too dangerous for her. She's still half-human."
Sam nodded.
I'm starting to see you leeches differently. Sam admitted.
Ed translated.
"Thank you. Now please, stop acting so hostile towards her. She's only trying to help." Carlisle pleaded.
Sam nodded, and told the others to do the same. I smiled at my accomplishment.
"You know, I don't even know all of your names." Carlisle started. "Maybe we could have some formal introductions? Preferably in your human form, so there's proper communication." He offered.
Sam stared him down.
"Hey, you know we won't attack. Besides, remember what you told me before? Are you doubting?" I spoke to Sam.
I didn't tell you anything. You read my mind.
"That's true. But what you said, are you taking it back?" I challenged.
Stop reading my thoughts, then maybe we could.
I smiled, and cut off my connection. He looked at his pack and nudged his head for the trees, where he retreated, and his pack followed.
"Where are they going?" Emmett asked.
"Just wait." I said.
After a few moments, they re-emerged from the trees in their human selves. I was fascinated.
"Not as adorable as I originally thought." I furrowed my eyebrows, but smiled all the same as the fit, tall, half-naked men approached.
I was even more surprised to learn that one of them was a girl.
I smiled kindly at her, but their attention was on Carlisle. We lined up beside him, stretched both ways. This time, Rosalie kept me to her side, between her and Emmett.
He smiled. "Fascinating."
Indeed, they were.
"Sam Uley, alpha." The tall, dark man approached and offered his hand to Carlisle to shake.
Carlisle kept his smile. "Carlisle Cullen." They shook hands.
Earlier, everyone was tense. Now, we were able to relax. A visible sign of our new allegiance was finally displayed between our leaders.
Sam went down the line, shaking hands with each member of the coven.
When he reached me, I smiled.
"Finally get to put a human face to that voice." I chuckled, taking his strong hand and shaking it.
"Did I disappoint?" He snickered.
"I just thought you'd be covered with more hair for some reason, but no, I'm not disappointed." I laughed.
He shook his head looking down, then looked at me again, smiling. "You're different. Warmer."
I shrugged. "Allows me to blend better with humans."
He nodded, then moved to my right to Rosalie.
The next person who I met was another tall, surly man.
"Jared Cameron, third-in-command." He greeted with a hard stare.
I nodded, and took his hand. "Callidora Cullen, resident hybrid. But you can call me Callie."
He nodded stiffly.
"I guess I can't do anything to make you like me." I took a breath, allowing him to move on.
This continued down to Jacob, then I met the younger ones.
"Brady Fuller." The young boy smiled, shaking my hand.
I looked at him, a little confused and surprised at the same time. "Callidora Cullen, Callie for short. Hybrid... How old are you, Brady?"
"Thirteen." He stated.
I crossed my arms, impressed. "And you're fighting?"
He sulked. "No, Collin and I aren't allowed to, so we're just going to stay guard. Sam just told us to come along because the training would be useful."
I nodded in understanding. "And who's Collin?"
"I am. Collin Littlesea, at your service." The boy before Emmett came to me.
I smiled. "Hi. Callie. And how old are you?"
"I'm thirteen, like Brady. We're the youngest to phase." He explained.
"I can see that." I smiled.
Okay, these two were adorable.
Stop saying that! I saw Edward glaring at me.
I flipped my hair in response. Maybe if you smiled more often I could say the same about you, Ed.
"Nice meeting you both." I said, and they moved on.
"Leah Clearwater." The only girl approached me, but with her arms crossed.
I offered my hand to shake, however, she refused, with a dark look on her face.
"Callidora Cullen." I greeted, smiling.
She raised an eyebrow. "What kind of a name is Callidora?"
"The kind you get when your mother and stepfather are both vampires, and your mother gracefully accepted the fact that she turned and heard that Callidora was the name of an ancient vampire who was like this really beautiful chick." I babbled.
She nodded, a little weirded out.
"But you can call me Callie." I rushed, trying to save our interaction, and put my hand out again.
"So you're the hybrid, huh?" She asked, shifting her weight.
I nodded, retracting my hand once more. "And you're the only female of the pack."
She nodded as well.
"Well, I think that's great. If you think otherwise."
She gave me a confused look. "How so?"
"Look, I'm the only hybrid in my family. Though I might hate it at times, I realize there are certain things I can do that they can't."
She sighed. "I don't even know what I can do."
I searched her thoughts, finding a heartbreaking memory. "I see. Well, Leah, allow me to help you with that." I offered.
"No, I don't need help from a leech." She declined, sizing me up. "Even if you're a half-leech."
I sighed as she moved on, and I looked down.
Damn. Another broken heart. Is the world trying to play some sick cosmic joke on us or something? Is there some greater force that just want to ruin people's lives and-
-Wait. What is that?
A powerful odor struck my nose, and I closed my eyes to savor it. It was sweet and rustic... like a wildflower amongst trees covered in moss... like... if I were stuck on a desert island with nothing and were starving, there'd be this one plate of my favorite food in the world... like if I were drowning and losing air, then there'd be this tank of the sweetest, purest, lightest oxygen waiting for me.
"Hi, I'm Seth." The boy before me said.
Realizing that he was most probably the source, I sniffed again, and smiled. I slowly opened my eyes.
As I slowly looked up, I saw smooth, tanned skin, a bright, radiant smile, an adorable, rather large nose, and the most beautiful globes of chocolate brown I'd ever seen.
As we locked eyes, I was stunned — I felt something. They were a beautiful, rich brown color that practically screamed happiness, with small creases at the edges and the longest lashes I could picture without it being too much.
My lips parted in surprise as I scanned his mind. All I could see was me staring back, so I stopped.
Suddenly, the boy dropped to his knees, his focus still trained on me.
I stepped back and gasped in surprise, crouching down to steady him.
"Are you alright?" I asked, trying to snap him out of what seemed like a daze.
"Seth, Seth, are you alright? What happened?" Jacob rushed in, shaking him by his shoulders.
"What did you do to him?" Leah got in my face and stood before Seth protectively, making me stand fully and take a few steps back.
I raised my hands in surrender. "Nothing! I didn't do anything!" I defended. "We literally just looked at each other!"
Now, everyone was watching, and my family took a protective stance before me.
"It's not her fault, Leah. I know what happened. Back off." Sam stepped in, and grabbed Seth by the shoulders to make him stand. "We need to talk." He looked at the other werewolves, and they followed him into the forest.
I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion.
What the hell just happened?
"Callie, what happened?" Carlisle asked, coming closer to me and taking my hands, raising them to inspect for injuries.
I shook my head lightly. "I really don't know. We just looked at each other and he collapsed."
"Can't you hear what they're thinking?" Edward asked, walking towards me with Bella in tow.
"The fact that they went into the forest away from us? Yeah, I think that means they want their privacy, Ed." I snapped. "At least I can control my abilities."
"Could she have acquired a new ability, Carlisle?" Jasper asked.
"Do you think so, Callie?" Carlisle asked.
I shrugged again. "I didn't even touch him and he fell. If I got a new power it must've been from the previous ones. However, I should be able to control them, and yet I felt no energy transfers."
"It's not powers." Edward said, focusing on an object on the ground, listening to their thoughts.
Whatever it is, don't tell anyone, Edward. It's not your place to. It might be dangerous. I warned him. If I hurt one of their kind, I don't want to overstep it.
It's not dangerous. Kind of funny, actually. Edward admitted, chuckling.
I scrunched my nose. "Just don't."
He shrugged. "Fine."
Bella looked up at him, and smiled as well. "I think I know what this is."
I sighed. "Whatever. Okay. Whew."
"So... now what?" Emmett asked. "Are they coming back?"
Alice gasped. "Callie, I think that's why we couldn't see your future. Because it involved the wolves. You said you met Sam the day after your birthday, right?"
I nodded, realizing this as well. "So that's it." I said. "So does this mean that I-"
"No, Callie, you're not going back to school. Besides, you don't need it anyway." Esme laughed lightly, taking me under her arm and walking me back to the log where my picnic basket sat.
"They're coming back." Edward announced.
Just then, the wolves re-emerged from the trees.
"They don't trust us anymore." I concluded to Esme. "This is all my fault."
"You can't say that, love, especially since you don't know what you did." She consoled me.
I searched for Seth, and found him to be the only one looking back at me. He was a large sandy brown, but smaller than the older ones. His tail wagged momentarily.
I looked at him in confusion and sighed.
I'm sorry, I mouthed.
His tail dropped, and I turned back to Esme.
"I'll just go home. I'm not really in the mood anymore." I told her.
"I'll drive you." She offered, standing with me.
"No, you should train with them. I want to run." I said.
She nodded, and gave me a hug. "Stay safe. If you sense danger, just call out and we'll come for you."
I nodded in understanding, and took a bottled water from the cooler. Plugging my earphones in and shuffling my workout playlist, I began to run home.
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