AN: I don't own twilight or any twilight related characters. This troubles me deeply, but I think I'll survive!

BIG HUGE Thank You to Melissa and Sarah! I would've never went thru with this without their help and support. LOVE YA'LL!

ENJOY!

Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born. -Anaïs Nin

CHAPTER 3 – Werewolves

No.

I stared at the card dumbfounded.

I had no way of knowing what was in the box, or who it was from, but I knew I didn't want it.

I felt half a dozen different emotions all at once, confusion and suspicion being at the forefront. There was very little fear, but honestly, I didn't think I was capable of feeling that true 'feel it in your bones' fear anymore. I was apprehensive and a little nervous but I wasn't scared.

My first instinct was to throw the damn box away and pretend I had never laid eyes on it. If there wasn't a witness, I probably would have done just that.

"You gonna open it or should I?" Jake asked. I looked up at him. He kept glancing from me to the box, still scowling at the cardboard.

I can't explain how I knew nothing good would come from the box. I suspect that where my self-preservation instinct should kick in, instead I get a tingle of suspicion from my gut telling me something is off. Or perhaps that was my self-preservation instinct going off, but because I really didn't give a shit whether I lived or died. My brain just interpreted the signal differently.

No matter what it was, I knew that once I opened the box things were going to change for the worse. And even though I didn't care about my well being, I did care about the people around me. They were the whole reason I could find the will to function. I would not knowingly put them in any type of danger.

"I'll open it later. It's probably just some get well flowers from someone who heard I am up and about." I shrugged it off like it was no big deal. Jacob had different plans however.

"Well I can pretend I didn't see the look on your face when you stared at that card, for now, but if you are right and there is nothing but harmless flowers in that box, you should get them into some water." He raised his eyebrows and nodded towards the kitchen, driving in his point.

"Fuck 'um, they'll just die either way." I was determined to play it off, so I turned to walk as casually as I could into the living room.

I didn't want Jake or anyone else to be around to see what was in the box, at least not until I knew what was in it.

I only made it a few steps when Jake spoke.

"Well if you're not gonna open it, I will." He started pulling at the ribbon.

I stomped to the small table and snatched the box. I heard something shake around, and noticed that it was way too heavy for flowers. That didn't really surprise me, I wasn't expecting flowers.

"Damn it! It's not for you. Just leave it the hell alone," I snapped at him before storming into the kitchen.

"Why? What are you so afraid of, B?" I was taken aback by the look on his face. What should've been curiosity was instead a smug knowing look, as if he knew what my answer would be, and just wanted me to admit it.

An almost evil smirk bloomed on my face. "I'm not afraid of a damn thing, Jacob. Did you ever stop to think that maybe I just didn't want you to see what's in my box?"

I couldn't help the frustration I was feeling, he thought he knew so damn much, when he didn't know shit. He thought I was afraid, but all I wanted is for him to butt out for his own damn good, and he wouldn't let it go!

"The card said 'Bella'. Not 'Bella and Jacob', not 'Jake', just 'Bella'. So maybe Bella would like to open it with just Bella!" I snapped.

"Bella," His voice softened, and suddenly he looked so sad, "If you're thinking that Edward sent you this package, I can promise you he didn't."

I SAW RED.

How dare he.

"Don't you speak of him! Don't you ever say his name you pig headed son of a bitch," I seethed at him, "You do not know him, and you do not know anything that happened between us! Even though I know he would never do this…," I gestured to the kitchen table where I had laid down the box, "you really wouldn't have the first fucking clue if he would or not.

I am not delusional, Jake, I am fully fucking aware of who it is NOT from, so do not even bring him into this!"

All the sadness had left Jacob's face replaced with aggravation. His voice mirrored his expression.

"I don't need to know him to know he didn't send that box. And I'm sorry, I just didn't want you to get your hopes up thinking the wrong thing! Excuse the fuck out of me!"

I knew I was wrong for snapping at Jake and that he meant no insult to Edward by implying that I thought the package was from him, but I wasn't going to apologize. As far as I was concerned, it was best if everyone knew I wouldn't tolerate anyone speaking about Edward, good or bad.

"Just go home Jake." I was tired and I didn't want to argue with Jake all night.

"I can't Bella. Please just open the damn box." He was tired too. He wasn't yelling, or demanding, but almost pleading with me. I didn't understand why the hell it mattered so damn much. Surely he wasn't that damn nosey.

"Why, what the fuck do you care?" I whined.

"It could be helpful to know what's in it. I'm sorry, I can't say much else but-"

"OH OF COURSE!" I threw my hands into the air. "More fucking secrets!" I shook my head in disbelief.

I reached for the box. I was tired, I was mad, and I didn't give a damn anymore. I yelled at him while I tore the box open.

"Fine! Here, let's see what's in this goddamned box so you can-"

Oh, God.

I stared into the package and there nestled on top of red tissue paper were shards of broken mirror. Dozens upon dozens of jagged pieces scattered along the bottom, ranging from the size of my finger nail to the size of my palm. Lying on top of the mirrors was a pair of little girl ballet shoes, with the laces tied together. Through the laces was the stem of a single blood red rose.

I knew immediately what the contents of the package implied. What I couldn't figure out was where the hell they could've come from. James was dead and none of the Cullen's would pull this type of prank.

No one else knew.

I noticed another card lying with the shards of glass at the same time Jake's hand reached into the box for it. This card wasn't folded but was just a thick sheet of paper, the size of a 4x6 index card, with the same red writing.

Bella,

I do hope my present finds you well, or at the very least,
better than you have been the last few months.
You had me worried for a while that you would sleep through
the anniversary, but you didn't disappoint.
You are going to need all of the strength you can conjure
for what I have planned for you, so do prepare.
It's almost time now, only four more days.
You're a bright girl, I'm sure you can figure it out.

Best wishes, until we meet again.

I was in the middle of reading the note for the third time when Jake interrupted.

"What's it mean, B? What happens in four days?" I looked up at him. He sounded truly concerned; none of his usual cockiness could be found in his voice.

I knew he had no idea what any of this meant, and as far as I was concerned it needed to stay that way. Jacob needed to stay away from me.

"You need to go home Jake. I'll call you later," I lied, snatching the note and throwing it back in the box before shoving on the lid.

"I'm not going anywhere. Tell me what it means Bella." He was holding my arm, and pretty tightly I might add.

"I can't," I snapped, yanking my arm away.

"Why not?" He looked at me, eyebrows raised, as if he expected something. I had no clue what he was thinking but I wasn't about to tell him the truth. Only problem was, I couldn't think of a lie either.

"You've got your secrets, I've got mine." I looked straight into his eyes, daring him to argue my point. I thought he would get frustrated with my refusal, but instead he grinned. That cocky gleam in his eye returned full force.

"I thought so." He grabbed the box with one arm, and my elbow with the other before heading towards the door. "We've got to go back to the reservation; we need to talk to Sam." It was the only explanation he offered.

"Why?" The last thing I was going to do was be honest with these people. The less they knew the safer they were.

"Sam can explain when we get there," he stated, opening the door of the truck and shoving me into it.

I huffed, crossing my arms and leaning back into my seat.

Charlie and Billy pulled up just as we started to back out. Jake paused long enough to tell them we were going to watch a movie with Quil, and that he would bring me home when it was over. Charlie eyed my petulant demeanor with suspicion, raising a questioning eyebrow at me. When I didn't reply, Jake smiled wider and rolled his eyes at Charlie, motioning towards me with a nod of his head.

"She's pissed because we said no way to some crappy chick flick she wanted to watch."

Charlie seemed placated by this and turned to resume his conversation. There was apparently some game to watch, and the men were chatting about it enthusiastically while unload their fishing gear and heading into the house.

The ride was silent. Jake seemed to be lost in thought and I was just acting like a child for being dragged along like a damn rag doll.

I figured the best use of this time was to try and come up with some type of story, but I had nothing.

All I could think about was the package. It was clearly related to the ballet studio and what happened in Phoenix. I briefly considered the possibility that James had survived after all. I had never asked in detail what had happened that night, but I knew that there was no way any of the Cullen's would've walked out of there without knowing for certain that James was dead. Especially Emmett.

I was immediately bombarded with images of Emmett and I horse playing during the summer. Besides Alice, he was the sibling I was closest too. He had told me once that he could understand what it was like for me because he remembered seeing Rose before he was changed. He understood why I felt so inferior next to them and constantly tried to assure me that even though I thought of myself that way, it wasn't true.

I kept my head turned toward the window, away from Jake, as I let the tears escape. I silently cried for the brother I had loved so much, and had lost with everyone else.

God I missed Emmett.

I spent so much time think of Edward, crying over him, missing him that I hardly ever took the time to cry for everyone else I had loved and lost. So when moments like these occurred, the pain would blindside me.

Ironically enough, it was also a refreshing sort of pain. Missing Emmett or Alice wasn't nearly as difficult as missing Edward. So in a way, focusing on that pain could momentarily mask the never ending pit of pain that was with me almost constantly.

I shook my head, trying to dispel the thoughts and focus back on the problem at hand.

I had no way of knowing who was coming for me, and I really didn't care. The only thing I was certain of was that it would be a vampire. I knew that anyone around me would try to help me and only get themselves killed in the process. I hated the fact that someone else could get hurt in the place of me and I had to prevent that from happening to the best of my ability.

I needed to run.

I knew there was no way I could out run a vampire if they wanted me, but I hoped that if I ran it would keep them away from the people I loved. That was the best I could give them.

Jake parked my truck behind an older green compact car. I recognized the house from passing it a few times but I didn't know who's it belonged to. Since we were coming to talk to Sam, I assumed it was his.

"Come on," Jake said as he climbed out of my truck. I sighed. We really needed to have a talk. I was sick and damn tired of being told what to do by the men in my life. I had let it slide with Edward, always knowing he had my best intentions at heart and of course, being completely besotted with him. If I were being completely honest, it was also because I was slightly scared of making him mad. I always knew he could leave and there'd be nothing I could do to stop him, so I didn't want to risk upsetting him and him leaving. Not that it mattered now.

I didn't give a damn anymore, so people were gonna have to start listening.

As we walked up the few steps onto the porch, a young lady opened the screen door inviting us in.

"Hi Jake, who's your friend?" she asked him.

I couldn't help but stare at her for a moment. She should've been beautiful; her smile should've lit up her face. However, she had three long scars starting at her hair line, and the followed all the way down her face and neck before disappearing under her shirt.

"Emily, this is Bella. Bella, Emily," Jake introduced us then grabbed my arm and dragged me in behind him.

"Nice to meet you," I said over my shoulder as I was being whisked away. She laughed and returned my greeting.

We ended up in the kitchen. There was enough food for a small army, trays laid everywhere. Jake decided to help himself so I just sat in one of the empty chairs and waited. If Jake was eating this could take a while.

A moment later Sam walked in. He was built the same as Jake and his friends, only slightly larger. His dark hair was cut a little shorter than Jake's was. I looked up at him. He was looking at me with his brows furrowed, from his expression it didn't look as if he was too keen on my being there. Because I fully agreed with the notion, I gave him a quick grin.

"Jacob." Sam looked over at him. He didn't sound unpleasant, so maybe he wasn't really upset with me. Who cared if he was anyways?

"I've got news Sam, some of the guys might want to listen, but we can always fill them in later. We need to talk," Jacob told him.

"What does she know?" Sam questioned Jacob, as if I wasn't in the room. I didn't really like it.

"She is sitting right here!" I said, agitated.

They both looked at me like I had grown a second head before turning to walk back towards the front of the house.

"I'll be right back Bella. I'm gonna fill Sam in on what has happened so far and then I will come get you," Jacob told me as he walked out.

I was going to reply but they disappeared out the front door before I had the chance. I fumed in my seat.

A musical laughter sounded from across the kitchen. I turned to see Emily looking at me, a small smile on her lips.

"I'm sorry. I don't mean to offend you. They do that to me all the time too."

I smiled back at her. She was one of those people you couldn't help but like.

"I'll deal with Jake when he gets back. I'm just about fed up with his shit today," I told her.

"They really don't understand what they do, so don't be too hard on him." She was crazy if she thought she spoke the truth.

"Oh they know exactly what they're doing, they just act ignorant."

"Or that," she laughed. "Would you like something to eat? There's plenty." She nodded toward the counter where the small buffet was spread out.

"No, thank you. I might get something later, but I'm fine now," I replied.

I know it was terrible, but I couldn't help staring at her scars again. She was still very pretty, but you could see how breathtaking she was before them.

She laughed again. "Don't let Sam see you staring at them. He gets pretty mad about it."

I glowed crimson. It was the first time I blushed since I had 'woken up'. I hadn't even realized I was missing it until it happened.

"I'm so sorry, God, I'm awful," I apologized, completely humiliated.

"It's fine. It's completely natural to be curious, and I'd be lying if I'd say I wouldn't stare at someone with similar scars." She shrugged as if this happened to her all the time. Hell, maybe it did.

"What happened? If you don't mind my asking?"

"Bear attack. We'd been camping and Sam had fallen asleep and forgot to put the food away. Sam killed it and was able to get me help before I lost too much blood. He blames himself though, which I can see why, but I still hate that he unnecessarily carries around that guilt. He even left me for a few months, thinking that I was safer without him. But neither of us can really exist completely without the other, and he finally understood he was causing me more pain without him, so he came back to me. It was an unfortunate accident. I wish he could just see it that way."

Her words hit home in so many ways. I clutched at my chest, fighting the memories with all of my might. Alice's smile when she handed me the present, Jaspers growl as he lunged for me, the plates crashing under my weight.

"Hey, are you okay?" Emily asked just as the front door slammed, effectively pulling me away from my memories.

Thank God.

I looked up to see Sam, Jake, Quil, Embry, and another man I didn't know walk into one of the front rooms and shut the door. I looked back up at Emily. She was only about a foot away from me now, her eyes filled with concern.

"Yeah." My voice came out in a raspy whisper, "It's just that I can relate."

Understanding crossed her face. She gave me a small smile before patting my shoulder lightly and taking her seat.

"If you ever want to talk about it, I'm here," She offered. I nodded my head, and looked back to the door they boys disappeared behind.

"I know Jake, Quil, Embry, and Sam, but who was the other guy?" I asked.

"Paul. Don't worry, you're not missing anything there." I quirked my brow at her. "Let's just say his attitude leaves something to be desired."

I laughed with her. We talked for a few minutes about the guys, school, and life. She knew about what had happened with me, but she didn't seem to judge me. She asked about me with honest concern and curiosity. I couldn't really get offended when I had so blatantly stared at her scars, so I answered her as best as I could.

I could never openly talk about Edward with someone, even if I wanted too. But while talking with Emily I almost wished I could. If I were to even open up about him, she would be the one I would want to talk to.

"No Jake. The less she knows the better, it will keep her safe!" Emily and I both looked up at the sound of Sam's voice. They hadn't come out of the room, but it was clear things were getting pretty heated.

"She already knows, that's what I'm trying to get you to understand! She might not know about us, but she definitely knows about them!" I heard Jake reply.

My mind was spinning with the information.

"How can you be positive she knows about them? She may be young and stupid, but surely she wouldn't have stayed with him knowing what he was." I didn't recognize this voice, so I assumed it belonged to Paul. I sure as hell hoped so anyways because he was the only one in the room I didn't mind hurting.

'Knowing what he was'

"I know she knows, mainly because when they first met she asked me about them. It was before I knew everything was true. I sort of told her some of the stories, but she didn't believe me then.-"

Jake continued talking but I complete blocked him out.

Images were flooding my brain faster than I could hold onto them. All of the weird behavior I had witnessed over the last two weeks.

Edward's face when I spoke of going to La Push one day. 'We don't go there.'

Standing on the beach hearing Sam, 'The Cullen's don't come here.'

Jacob and I walking along the beach, listening to him tell me scary stories.

'Stories about the cold ones'

'My own great-grandfather knew some of them. He was the one who made the treaty that kept them off our land'

'You see, the cold ones are the natural enemies of the wolf – well, not the wolf, really, but the wolves that turn into men'

'You would call them werewolves'

I digested this new information.

HOLY SHIT. Werewolves?

Probably the most surprising thing was- I wasn't surprised at all. I had known something was up with Jake and his friends and once the initial impact of my realization wore off, I found it extremely easy to accept this new development. For Christ's sake, I had already accepted and embraced the idea of vampires. What difference did one more mythical creature make?

Emily sat watching me. I could feel the wicked gleam in my eye as I stood to confront the boys.

"You shouldn't go in there right now," She said as I started making my way down the hall.

"I shouldn't do a lot of things." I walked backwards down the hall, and grinned at her.

I didn't even stop to knock on the door, but barged in. They all looked up from their positions when I flung the door open. Quil and Embry sat on a couch against the far wall; apparently finding the show entertaining. Paul was fuming in a chair, hand balled into fists. Jake and Sam were both standing, Sam was in the middle of the room and Jake was leaning against a fireplace. They both looked annoyed.

I looked Sam square in the eyes. "You're werewolves."

Four jaws dropped.

Jake grinned and looked at Sam. "Told you."