Chapter Five

Desiree

This had been the second most horrible vision I had seen. I didn't think I could handle it anymore. I had woken up about an hour after Dwayne had put me to bed. I just couldn't tell him about the vision, but I was going to have to tell someone so that meant I had tell someone about my secret; Ace. I would have to tell him on Friday, take him to a dark alley and show him my fangs. If he wanted to break up I would let him, he deserved better than a vampire girl with baggage. I lay in bed for hours just thinking about what his reaction would be. I didn't sleep at all that night so I got up extra early because I couldn't stand being alone in my room anymore. I got ready slowly, using almost all the hot water in the shower. I took the time to blow dry my hair and got dressed slowly.

When it was an hour before school I left a note for Dwayne then went out to my car. I was in a better mood but still worried about telling Ace. I would act normal and not give anything away. I drove slowly through the nearly empty streets. When I came to the school I parked my car, walked to my locker, got my books and headed to class. I had never liked French I'd always preferred other languages like Italian, Greek, and German. I sat down at my desk and put in my headphones. No one was in the classroom so I was all alone with my thoughts, my disturbed thoughts. It seemed like my mind was unraveling and the seams but I collected myself and closed my eyes, hummed along with the song.

I tried to listen to calming music but soon became bored, so I turned on louder music. I felt a hand go over my closed eyes but instantly knew who it was. Ace was trying to be sneaky but my sense of smell and acute hearing I had known it was him. I pulled out my headphones, placed my hands over his, and pulled him close. "Hey, how's it going?"

"Good now that I'm here with you." I let him answer before I kissed him; Mr. Brown wasn't in the room so we could kiss all we wanted. I pulled away just before the bell rang so people would not start any rumors.

"Why did you pull away?" Ace asked me curiously.

"I didn't want anyone starting rumors, because then you would start a fight and get expelled. Because then I would have to get expelled to be with you." It was true I would do that. I wouldn't be able to go through the school day with Dwayne and Ashley. I would be to lonely and bored all day long.

"Okay I get it now." We paid attention to the teacher then. We were learning longer, more difficult sentences. Very boring all around so I drew in my notebook with the hand that Ace wasn't holding. I tried to think of ways I could tell him I was a vampire. Maybe he would think I would kill him or bite him. The thing was the bites were very pleasurable for the vampire and the human or animal. It was like the best thing ever nothing sexual though, it was just nice like doing something you loved. Or eating the most enjoyable thing there is. The way you turned someone was sharing your blood with that person. You had to consume their blood then cut yourself and give them enough blood to change.

I just hoped he wouldn't judge me about it. If he didn't want to be with me anymore because of it, he could leave me but I didn't want him to tell people and hate me for it. This was the hardest decision I would ever have to make. I loved him more than anyone in the world, more than I had even loved Jonathan.

I have to tell you something on our date Friday. It's not bad but you might judge me over it.

I slid the notebook over so he could see what I had written. Better to get him prepared for the big news.

He looked quickly at the paper, wrote what he needed to say and passed it back to me.

Okay. But I'll never judge you.

I mouthed my thanks to him while my heart skipped a beat. I felt a bit better but until I told him nothing would feel right. The rest of the day went by in a daze of fake smiles and laughs. When I was home at last I thought about the next days to come. What would he say? How would he react? Would he be mad, sad, or upset? I would leave if he asked me to it would be hard but I'd do anything for Ace. I went into the kitchen to get something to eat because I hadn't eaten that day at all. But suddenly I didn't want to eat. I couldn't get bad ideas out of my mind of what Ace might do.

So I tried to clear my mind of all thoughts. I wasn't very successful at doing so because my mind kept going back to the vision. Someone had been dying, I couldn't quite make out how but it was beyond anything I would have thought. The pain was without measure. It made me hurt just thinking about it, I shook my head and went out into the backyard.

Everything looked nice, the sun shone through the leaves to make them look like a light jade color. It wasn't hot out but the sun on my skin felt good. Nothing happened to us in the sun, Hollywood's version of us was unbelievable. I mean really the sun burning us into nothing, sleeping in coffins, and always having our fangs out. It's not like we're that suicidal as to expose ourselves to the human race. But then again I apparently was by planning to tell Ace about myself and family. They would all be furious but I needed him to know about me, because sooner or later he would find out. Maybe he would catch me drinking blood, or me having a vision, again, whatever it may be he needed to know. I could see something in his eyes the other day when I had seen a vision, like he could almost guess what I was. Maybe he knew already but one way or another I would make sure he knew the truth about me. I walked back into the kitchen to fix myself a sandwich and jumped up on the counter.

"What are you up to?" Taylor came in just as I finished the sandwich. She looked nice in her bright green and purple dress, must be a date night.

"Oh nothing just thinking about important stuff, eating not to exciting but there's nothing to do. Are you and Nate going somewhere special?"

"Not really, we're just going to Jasper to have something to eat. Then we are going to go shopping. I have to go now so I'll see you later." She kissed my cheek and ran out the door. Now the house was empty, everyone was out for the evening. I didn't go out because I was feeling depressed, but not just about telling Ace. It was that damned vision of mine.

Why did we have to get them? Dwayne was so lucky I wondered what it felt like to have nice, happy visions, instead of the disturbing ones I was unfortunate to get. I hopped off the counter I had been sitting on and walked into the living room to watch a movie. We had so many DVD's to choose from that it took me at least an hour to find something I wanted to watch. Chase and Nate liked to get weird, violent movies. Brooke, Casey and Taylor all liked romantic, sugary sweet, make-you-cry-your-eyes-out movies. None of those were my thing. I liked action movies, comedies, and the occasional romance. But I needed to feel happy so I grabbed the funniest movie I could find, put it in, made some popcorn, turned off the lights, and sat down to watch something that would hopefully make me feel better for the next two hours.

As I sat there watching the movie I started to get extremely tired, that's what I get for not sleeping properly though. The last thing I remembered before falling into the darkness was someone telling a joke in the movie. Then I started to dream, at first I was just walking around in the woods. Then someone was holding my hand, I thought it was Ace at first but when I looked up I saw an all too familiar face. He looked like he always did. Naturally messy blonde hair, eyes so green you felt as if you were looking at the forest itself. His smile was perfect. But why was Jonathan in my dream? He hadn't haunted them for years now.

"Why are you here Jonathan, your dead?" I ripped my hand out of his. I felt no love for him anymore. He lost all my respect the moment he tried to kill my family. I glared up at him with all the hatred I had within myself.

His only reaction was to smile wider. My hatred grew; he should not be here, not in the land of the living. He should be burning somewhere miserable, to live in eternal darkness. Finally he spoke after a few moments of my blood churning gaze. "I'm here to see you of course. And it may have to do with your vision." His eyes got the mischievous glint he was known for.

"What?" but he never got the chance to answer. Suddenly I was in the vision again. There was pain everywhere no one was there to help. I screamed until I lost my voice, but still I tried to. Finally after what seemed like decades I woke up. I was covered in sweat, my body convulsing from the cold that engulfed my body. I was gasping for breath and I felt like my lungs were on fire. I got up slowly, wrapped myself in a blanket and went upstairs.

I lay there thinking of the dream, what could it mean? It would mean death in the end that much was obvious, but why was Jonathan there? I stayed up the entire night coming up with questions and possible answers to them but the truth was I really did know.

But today was Friday; my date with Ace was tonight. That brightened my mood completely; I suddenly didn't feel so tired anymore. The fears washed away as my mind slipped into a happier state. I dressed carefully, picking out the right outfit for tonight because I didn't want to come home, I had to get the truth out after dinner. I breathed in and out, calming myself and returning to my happy place. Tonight would be hard enough without being wound up. I looked into the mirror one last time then ran down the stairs quietly and went out to my car. I drove carefully with silence in the car. When I arrived at the school, there were only the teacher's cars in the parking lot. I sat in my car, hoping to catch a few more minutes of sleep.

I started to nod off and when I woke up the last few cars were pulling up. I jumped out of my car, and being careful so no one would see me, really ran to my locker. Vampires could run faster than humans and were stronger. I made it class with just minutes to spare. Ace was sitting there smiling at me. I felt more alive now, not tired anymore. As I smiled and went to my seat the dream came crashing down on me. Jonathans smile the sound of his voice, the smell of him. Everything took over my senses, I almost fell to the ground with the force of them, but I composed my face and broke through it. I made everything go away and put thoughts of Ace in my mind. Like his smell, his smile, his voice, his presence all around me.

It seemed to help. And soon Jonathan was forgotten. The only thing that kept popping into my mind was the thought of telling Ace about me. I was so worried, but if he thought badly about me for it and didn't want to be with me I would pull myself together and try to be myself. But if he found someone else I know that from then on I would truly never live again.

"Are you all right?" Ace had a concerned look on his face. I was now that I was with him. But my nightmare still clung to the edges of my mind. I would never truly forget Jonathan, no matter how hard I tried but I could be with Ace and it would ease the pain.

"Yes I'm okay. But I was thinking that we should skip. This is boring; we aren't going to do anything. We can start our date early. And I have something to show you." I gave him a sly smile, and he nodded his agreement. So after the bell rang we headed out into the parking lot.

We took my car, leaving his in the lot. Ashley would take it home. I stared straight ahead as we drove down the highway towards Jasper. The air was chilly out, apparently normal for Hinton during most summers. Ace looked at me for a long time. Finally asking, "Are you okay, something seems off with you."

I turn the wheel and drive down a dirt road for a moment, then park. I take a deep breath, turn toward him, and look deeply into his eyes. "Yes something is wrong; it's what I have to tell you." I can hear the fear in my voice, and feel it radiating in my body.

He pales and his eyes widen. "What's wrong, did I do something?"

"NO, it's nothing you did! It's something I have to share with you, and it's about me." Ace's face gets the color back, but there's worry in his eyes.

"Okay, you can tell me."

"Well it's something I have to show you to. Just please don't hate me for this." And before he can say a word, I extend my fangs. They pierce me lower lips, and I hear his intake of breath. Feel the tears pool and fall down my cheeks.

"I knew it, I should never have talked to you." I got out of the car, retracting my fangs. I walk up the road into the trees. They seem like an escape from this horror.

"Wait! I didn't mean it like that! I had a feeling you might be a vampire, but nothing is wrong with it! Now I can finally tell you about myself. Please just look at me." Ace gently touched my shoulder; I turned slowly and saw the relief in his eyes.

"Now I'm about to show you something but you might not like it. Ready?" I nodded silently, and he stepped back. He took off his shirt then his pants. I turned red as I saw him naked he was even better then I imagined him, but he wasn't looking at me his eyes were closed. He took a slow deep breath then let it out. His body started to change he grew hair all over, his body changed shapes, and then a wolf stood before me. Ace was completely white, except for the tip of his tail and paws.

"You're a werewolf. I knew it, but I just wasn't sure." I whispered as I walked towards him. I knelt down in front of him and touched his mussel softly. I stared into those ice blue eyes that were exactly the same. Ace stepped back and changed once more into himself. I stayed were I was as he got dressed. He looked at me carefully, like if his slightest movement toward me would set me off.

I shot up and ran straight into his arms. Finally he knew, and I knew about him. We both accepted each other. "So you aren't mad that I'm a wolf?"

"Why would I be mad? You're okay with me being a bloodsucking monster why wouldn't I be okay with you being a wolf?" I looked up at him and smiled. That seemed to make him feel better. "But there's something else you need to know, Dwayne and I have a gift. We see things that are going to happen. But Dwayne gets t see the good things that are going to happen, while I'm stuck with… with the bad things." Fear overcame me. I could never stop the visions.

"I thought you might, I've heard stories about vampires having abilities. Let's go get in the car it's getting colder." He jerked his head towards the car. He took his arms from around my waist and took my hand. We walked to the car in silence, but when we got into it I turned toward him and grabbed his face. I kissed him long and hard. When I finally pulled away we were both breathing hard.

"What was that for?" Ace had big smile on his face as he looked deeply into my eyes.

"It was for telling me what you are and for accepting me for what I am. Now, let's get to Jasper and have some fun!" I turned around and headed for the main highway again. I was glad to have this all over with, for him to know about me and not care. It showed me that he could love me for who I was on the inside and on the outside. I could only hope that Ashley could handle the news as well as Ace. But I had to know, was his whole family werewolves?

"Ace, is your entire family werewolves?" I asked it nervously, I wouldn't be able to know if this question would bother him or not.

"Yes we all are. Both sides of my family are werewolves. My mother and father were destined to be married. There are only a few families like ours in the world. My mom and dad grew up with each other and were always in love. But normally we stop aging around eighteen or twenty. But my mom and dad didn't stop aging till they were in their thirties. And really I'm in my fifties, but I'll always look eighteen. Ashley is around the same age but the twins are really only fourteen. It doesn't bother you that I'm fifty-eight, does it?" he looked at me worriedly. I had to laugh at this one.

"No, I'm turning fifty-nine in a few months. It wouldn't bother me even if I was eighteen. Don't worry age doesn't bother me. I just wanted to know if the rest of your family were wolves."

"Yes, Massie and Carter both changed for the first time the other day. Hah, Carter was mad that Massie was the first to change." He had a look of wonder and affection so fatherly it was amazing.

"You really love them, don't you? You talk about them like a proud father, not a big brother." I really did love this boy didn't I? It was so odd to think of it, but it was true.

"Well yes I love them very much. And most of the time it is fatherly but I am old enough to be their dad. I've always wanted children and I guess sometimes it seems like their mine." That look of wonder was still there. But his eyes looked sad, something seemed wrong.

"What's wrong, you look sad?"

"Oh it's stupid, it's just that I'm worried that you might not want kids." I couldn't believe he had said this. I had always wanted kids, but saying this implied that he wanted to have kids with me. I was shocked, and elated.

"I do want kids. But you saying this means that you… want… to…get married some day?"

"Well yes, I'm in love with you. I understand that we just met, but I believe in soul mates and I think when you find the right person you should never let them go." Somehow his eyes looked hurt. I wasn't mad at him for saying these things, I was just so shocked.

"I understand that and I feel the same way about you. I just never thought you would want to get married to me. But I do need to know something."

"What, Des I'll tell you anything you need to know."

"Are you proposing?" I had pulled over, and the weather was getting worse. A storm was coming but it would only be snow or rain nothing to serious.

"Well yes, I actually have my grandmother's ring in my pocket because I was planning on doing it tonight." He pulled the rings box out of his pocket and I gasped. It was beautiful. I couldn't even describe it, the ring was perfect.

"So I'm going to do this properly, come on." He gave me a big smile and stepped out of the car. I followed him around the car and stood there in shock as he got down on one knee in front of me. "Desiree Peters, will you marry me?"

"Yes! A thousand times yes, always and forever yes!" Tears of joy sprang to my eyes. Ace put the ring on my finger and picked me up. I kissed him as passionately as I could. I had never in my life been this happy. "Come on, let's go celebrate!" so we got in the car and finally got to Jasper. That car ride had been the most painful and joyful of my entire life.