Disclaimer: All Twilight Saga characters belong to Stephanie Meyer. Unless stated otherwise. This plot belongs to me, please respect artistic creativity. This is a non-profit story. No copyrights infringements intended.

I wasn't thrilled the first time it happened. And I am not very ecstatic to be falling unconscious a second time when it was a mere hour since I woken up.

At least this time, waking up felt more like a mild hangover than the initial feeling of having all strength and function forcefully stripped from me.

I felt the presence of another person before I opened my eyes. And in an involuntary reaction my lungs inhaled, and the familiar smell that I acquainted myself with recently assaulted my senses beyond my control.

"Sam?" I called, a second before I opened my eyes to stare at the man beside me.

I was laid on a bed, again. The same bed in the same room I opened my eyes to before. Except it was dark through the window and a bedside lamp was illuminating the room.

"I'm here." Sam replied from his chair next to the bed. He leaned over before he heaved himself up and approached my side.

I pushed my upper body using my elbows as support but Sam reached over with his hand on my shoulder and lowered me back on the pillow.

"Easy there – try to take it slow, alright? You fell unconscious twice, and that's two times too many to warrant concern."

"How long was I out this time?" I mumbled bitterly. I was supposed to be strong. My weak days were supposed to be behind me.

"Not as long as before. You were out for the whole day." Sam replied. He removed his hand once he ascertained that I wouldn't get up.

I regarded his appearance once over. "You look better." I remarked. He looked in well shape than the tired and rough man I saw this morning.

He scratched his clean-shaven chin. "Sleep, a good meal, and a hot shower tend to do that."

"And just because you can turn into an animal, doesn't mean its ok to skip on your hygiene." I quipped.

Sam quirked a dark brow. "This coming from the girl who hasn't worn shoes in literally days?"

I crossed my arms over my chest, which looked rather silly while lying down. "At least I don't have canine instincts that compel me to roll in the mud on daily basis."

"We are wolves, Swan. Not dogs." Sam shook his head. More amused and less offended by the banter. I don't know what compelled me to debate with him. It was harmless and it felt easy, unforced and effortless.

"Could've fooled me since Jared must have missed that memo." I replied, unable to hide my smile.

Sam chuckled. "Jared is a special case …"

"More like a nut case." I muttered.

I tried to get up again. I felt silly and awkward at the position we were in. And it still felt like I was invading some form of unsolicited privacy.

"Maybe you should rest." Sam was at my side in a second.

"Maybe I am getting a little too sick and tired of resting, Sam." I hadn't intended on speaking with a biting tone. But now I was acting more on stubbornness and the need to just stand, move, do something other than be in such a vulnerable position.

I paused in my attempt to push Sam's hand off me when I caught sight of the rest of my body. I stiffened when I realized that I wasn't in the same clothes I was in that morning.

The over sized shirt I had on was now replaced by a loose, short summer dress. That was the second time that day it has happened without my permission or knowledge.

"Sam …." I began carefully. "Who… undressed me? Was it you?"

I locked gaze with Sam's dark and slowly widening eyes. "If you admit it now, I'll try to be merciful – Maybe just break your nose." I whispered and tried to sound as menacingly as I could.

He had the nerve to shake with contained laughter. "It wasn't me – it was my mother that preformed the task. Breaking someone's nose isn't such a warm gratitude for getting all the dried mud out of your hair and ears."

"Oh …" the ire instantly fizzling out.

Before I could feel shameful about my outburst, Sam cleared his throat. "This is a bit sudden but umm – now that you are up … Billy wants to have a word with you."

I blinked, waiting for Sam to say he was kidding. Nope. He was serious. "Now!?" I hadn't meant to raise my voice and I didn't know why this caused me to panic.

With a sigh, Sam nodded. "As your luck would have it, he is sitting downstairs in the kitchen – Saves the trouble of calling him over."

"Was he waiting for me?"

"No … Maybe yes … he came over after I informed him on what happened. There was a bit of a mess with the pack, and a lot of explaining needed to be done. Our initial plan to keep everything a secret blew up in our faces. And Billy helped me smooth things over."

"But what does he want to talk to me about?"

"I think its better you ask him that – Now … I'm going to help you get up and we will take baby steps from there. Understood?"

I nodded. There wasn't really much to say. And I'd imagine I wasn't in any position to rudely deny Billy's request to speak to me. I would say words can't harm me, but I think based on my past experience that was pretty much a moot point.

The first few steps I took from the bed to the door were accomplished with Sam's help. And unlike the last time, with each step I took I was regaining my strength ever quicker.

Sam hesitantly released his hold on my arm when I assured him I could walk down the stairs by myself, but he still remained a step behind. I wondered if he was a domineering mother in a past life. That would certainly explain the bossy attitude when he wasn't in his Alpha element.

When we reached the ground floor, pass the living room, and around the corner to the kitchen. I froze; I shouldn't have, even when I had been expecting to confront the person occupying it. But the second my eyes met with Billy's narrowed gaze some form of realization happened upon me.

This was the first time I had seen him since my change. Its as if my eyes were seeing a different man. A much older man than the one I knew. Tired and wise, and possessing all the sage of a true elder who had seen his fair share of more than meets the average eye.

And the grim expression he was donning the moment I came into his view wasn't easing the mood.

I'm not stupid. I knew I wasn't walking into a pleasant conversation and apparently no effort was being made to prove otherwise.

So I met Billy's gaze head on and raised my chin firmly.

"Bella. You are looking … well." Billy clutched the handles of his wheelchair, digging his nails slightly in the over-worn black leather.

I raised my brow. "Despite what I have been through I'll take that as a compliment."

Billy's wrinkled filled face relaxed a fraction, with a subtle genial smile he motioned to the seat across from him at the table. I didn't trust that smile. Only because it appeared that Billy didn't look like he was prepared to trust me. Maybe not at first, maybe never.

I can already see it in his eyes. His best friend's only little girl was dead and gone. I stood before him a stranger. My heart skipped a beat. The heart that I was choosing to ignore its presence. Apparently that wasn't a dream.

Billy folded his hands in his lap. "I think its time we had a talk about all the things that have happened in the last few days. And I imagine you have a lot of questions that need to be answered."

"And are you answering them as yourself or on behalf of the Counsel?" I asked but it came off as a sneer.

Billy's dark eyes hardened. "We don't mean you any harm, Bella. But please try to understand that vampires don't have a kind history with our tribe. We aren't going to turn a new page on that chapter so very soon," he slowly reclined in his seat. "But we have made some major compromises when it came down to your … dire circumstances."

"I cant say I feel any sympathy to a bunch of old men that voted to have me killed than turn into a blood craving monster. And even then, my control has proved you wrong!" I scoffed.

"We are not denying that you proved to be more than what your kind usually is – but that is neither here nor there." Billy replied strongly. "Please have a seat and prove that you truly are more than just a savage fiend."

His words were like an unanticipated stab to the gut. Gone was the warm, joking man I remembered through my foggy human memory. Why did it hurt so much to hear someone I knew for as long as I can remember say such brutal words was beyond me, but I tried not to show the sting of that effect.

When I realized Sam wasn't going to hold me back, I slowly approached the seat that was offered to me. Sam took the seat between us both, like a mediator. Except I am pretty sure if it came down to sides, he would be with Billy all the way.

I faced the aging man. Vanishing away all the emotion from my features. Even if I was a mess on the inside, at least my exterior showed what I chose to show. "To what do I owe the pleasure of your visit then?" I asked.

Billy sighed. "Based on what has transpired thus far, I think the events paint a very clear picture. One doesn't exactly imprint on two pack members and expects the entire tribe to remain ignorant. Especially when one is a vampire."

Methodically, Billy leaned over the table and clasped his hands together. "Before we discuss anything, I need you to give me your word that what shall be said here will not leave the room. The pack is already assuming the worst. Let us not add more fuel to that fire."

When I didn't reply Billy pressed on. "Do I have your word?"

Did I even have an alternative choice? I somehow fucking doubted that. So I nodded. "Fine. You have my word."

Four days later …

"Are you coming out?"

"Hell no." I all but growled.

Sam leaned against the doorframe and folded his arms across his chest. "You can't hide in here forever, Swan."

"Unless I needed to hunt, I doubt any other reason you come up with is going to compel me to leave."

"Come one, Swan. We are building a bonfire, swapping stories. And besides, our new pack member is dying to meet you."

That's right. Embry has finally phased. And it would seem he is just over the moon that not only am I a supernatural creature too, but that I was on the reservation the whole time everyone thought I was missing. I still don't know how I feel about that – Or the fact that I am a vampire yet not all undead as I would seem.

After my second 'collapse' I awoke with a fully functioning beating heart. It no longer stuttered or halted at intervals. Which led me to believe I now had blood running through my veins once more, and yet I can still produce venom through my mouth somehow. My skin was hard and pale, and I still didn't sparkle, nor could I blush (thank god). My eyes were still red with subtle brown around the irises. And it would seem they would forever remain that way. The fantasy of having golden eyes was instantly shattered.

But the one thing that was on my mind, the pack's, and the Tribe Elders as well; was what my current diet with this new transformation is? To their disappointment, I still craved blood. But it seemed I desired animal blood than human.

I wouldn't have known that, except a couple of days ago I went hunting and again I stumbled across the scent of a family of hikers. Sam was with me and he would have restrained me from trying to run after them. Except I didn't. I remained where I was. The human blood no longer appealed to me, nor did it disgust me.

When I informed Sam, he was surprised and understandably relieved. I couldn't blame him. I was relieved too. We didn't know why my preference changed because I still continued hunting and wanting animal blood.

We tried to come up with a few theories to explain my new diet. And the strongest conclusion we found plausible was that since my beating heart could produce blood on its own, I no longer found the desire to drain that which I already have full in my system.

I still don't know why I needed the animal blood, but since I am not fully vampire and not fully human, but something in between. Then I guess I just had to accept these new aspects of my lifestyle. I felt inspirit. The notion that I was a threat to the safety of the reservation was dwindling down. And the Tribe Counsel were slowly pulling the sticks out of their asses and easing off my back a bit.

I no longer stayed in that one room shack in the forest. My new domicile for the past four days has been in Sam's guest bedroom. I don't know whose suggestion it was but I didn't argue against it. Because it had something I apparently needed that I didn't have in my little cottage. And that was a bed.

Because it would seem that I am able to sleep again. I didn't have to sleep everyday. But I could if I wanted it, whenever I wanted it. And to be honest I kind of missed it. There were hours of the day where I grew unbelievably bored. And Sam had a very busy schedule so he was gone most of the day, and I didn't have any one or anything to keep me busy. Nor someone to keep me company since the Elders deemed me a harmless presence since I don't need human blood. Therefore a direct supervision from the wolves was not required.

And besides, the times when I did sleep I found myself in a much better mood. Even if it was for half an hour. It was more like meditation than sleeping. I neither dreamed nor thought of anything, and it was the most peace I had in a long long long time.

"Do I take your silence that you are considering the offer?" Sam grunted.

"No." I turned over on the bed and faced the opposite wall, away from the dark eyes looking at me.

"You don't have to make things so difficult, Swan."

"I thought that was one of my many endearing qualities. Being fucking difficult." I snapped.

"Why are you acting this way?"

"You know why – I just don't want to be around the pack, O.k.?"

"You mean you don't want to be around Paul?"

"Yes, fine! Fuck! Is that what you want to hear? I don't want to be around him. Are you satisfied?!" I sat up on the bed and grabbed one of the pillows and threw it in Sam's direction.

He caught it with ease and sighed. He approached the bed and sat at the foot of it, placing the pillow beside him. He looked at me and pressed his lips. "Just give him a chance, Bella. He is very confused about this."

"Oh I'm sorry." I replied with a mock sugary sweet tone. "Am I supposed to sympathize with him? Last time I checked he wasn't very considerate to me at all! I did not choose to be this .. whatever THIS is … but it never stopped him from calling me every horrible name in the book – And now what? I'm supposed to be nice to him just because he had a sudden change of heart? Fuck THAT and fuck HIM!"

"You don't have to yell. Anger won't solve your problems."

"It might not. But it sure as hell is a cathartic way to release my frustrations since you wont let me hurt the motherfucker!"

"Now listen, Swan." Sam suddenly rose from the bed, towering over me. "I am not letting you hurt Paul just as much as I won't let him hurt you. And being immature about our circumstance will not help you gain anything."

I crossed my arms. "And what do you suggest I do? Just ignore everything? Start over like nothing wrong ever happened? – I'm not like you, Sam. I now take everything with a grain of salt."

"If I was in your position I would make the best of a bad situation." Sam stated.

"So you do admit this is a bad situation." I replied.

Sam scoffed and reached around to clutch the back of his neck. If I didn't know any better I would say he was trying to rip the hair at the base of his neck. "It depends on your definition of bad."

He lowered his hand and sat back down on the bed. A little closer this time. "Look, I can't say that I fully understand what you have been through. But I am trying my best to treat you just as much as I treat any of my pack brothers; with equality. You have earned it. And the least I can do is try to find a middle ground where everyone is happy – Now I know you are not very fond of Paul .."

"Fond is a kind and short summary for the feelings I have towards the bastard." I mumbled.

"… Never the less, I am asking you that out of the mutual respect you and I have had over the past several days toward one another. That you, at the very least, try to be cordial towards him." He reached over and placed his hand carefully on my knee. "If not for me, then do it for yourself. This will show Billy and the Elders that you are making an effort. That you are still the good person you always been."

I stared at Sam, gripping the hem of my dress. But not rough enough to damage the fabric. "I'm not so sure that same girl exists anymore."

A sad look adorned Sam's ruggedly strong face. "I know she is still in there. You just need time to find her. Alright?"

I sighed and slumped my shoulders. Sam could definitely make a good point when he needed to. Now I know why he was made Tribe Chief. He had more sagacity and balance than meets the eye for someone of his age.

"So …" Sam suddenly spoke up as he tapped my foot. "Are you going to start trying tonight? Billy is going to attend the bonfire. That's a great opportunity right there. What do you say?"

"I would say that I might be regretting this later. But … oh fuck it … I guess I'm in." I slid off the bed and went to put on my shoes. I hated wearing them. But I suppose the made me seem more normal. Even though my eyes suggest otherwise.

But I am trying. And at the end of the day if that's what matters then I would do it. In a way it was more of a challenge for me. That despite what I am now, I can still be normal. And I can do normal things.

"And umm … you may want to lay off the cussing. Just a recommendation." Sam shrugged.

I smirked. "I don't have to, ya'know. Since the pack enjoys cursing more than breathing, I could just say you lot have been a rather bad influence on me."

Sam chuckled. "Touché"

We walked down the stairs and out the house in silence. Sam's home was close to the beach so we traveled the distance on foot. En route the curiosity got the better of me and I couldn't help asking. "Who else is going to be there at the beach?"

"Billy and the pack, of course. And …. Harry Clearwater." He said the last name in a hurry but I heard it clearly.

"What?! You didn't tell me he was going to be there!" I turned to face the Alpha leader.

At least he had the decency to look embarrassed for not telling me. "He is a Counsel Elder, Swan. It's sort of tradition to have members of the tribe elders together."

"But what if .." I started to say but Sam cut me off.

"You are going to be fine. I'm going to be there with you. I won't let you fail, alright?" He gently grabbed me by the shoulders and squeezed in encouragement.

We stared at each other for a few seconds. And as his commitment seeped in, I slowly felt my sudden nervousness decrease.

"I'll be fine." I nodded.

Sam released his hold and we resumed walking beside each other in silence again. Occasionally we bumped shoulders due to our proximity. I did not make an attempt to distance myself and Sam did not seem uncomfortable to step away from me either.

And I don't know why but as we were walking – and since Sam's promise to support me during the gathering – my heart seemed to be beating rather uncontrollably.

We arrived at the bonfire sight. As Sam said, the pack was there including Embry. The second he saw us, especially me, he was smiling from ear to ear like a child getting a big present on his birthday.

Next to Embry, Jared and Quil were tossing wood onto the pyre. And next to them, mostly because he was standing so close and there was no avoiding it, I spotted Paul standing rather timidly and eyeing the flames. I studied his body language as we kept approaching the group, trying to determine if there was any hostility I should be on guard for. But he looked as tame as a rabbit. And he did not even look up when Sam and I got close enough to the semicircle of gatherers. I guess I should take that as a blessing and return the favor by ignoring his presence. It would certainly make this whole night proceed much easier.

Sam took a seat on a large tree log beside Billy. And on his other side, Harry Clearwater was sitting, and the two Elders were having a beer.

Billy looked over Sam's shoulder where I took place and exchanged a somber look. "Bella, I am very glad you could make it." There was positively no pleasant emotion behind his statement.

"I wouldn't miss it." I responded. Trying to be as amiable to compensate for my lack of excitement over this night that I didn't want to even attend in the first place.

For a brief second Harry caught my stare. I could see there was a lot of judgment and scrutiny in his eyes. But almost instantly he averted his gaze like the whole tense interaction didn't even happen.

I clenched my hands and gritted my teeth. I should have expected this behavior. Actually I should have expected worse. A vague image of flames and pitchforks came to mind.

But it was just like Billy said during our conversation a few days back. I had to prove my worth. I had to show that I could be more than just the monster they stereotyped me to be.

After all, their Alpha leader and his second-in-command imprinted on me. And if I step out of line they cannot kill me because they didn't want to risk and see how that would affect the imprint connection I had with their two strongest warriors. To the entire tribe, the imprint was a sacred connection. One that should not be meddled with by any means.

I, on the other hand, saw it as a double-edged sword. It could harm me as much as it could protect me. And I had to be more careful than I was before. It already harmed other people I cared about …

Because, I suppose, what made this night even more unbearable was the fact that there was one person who wasn't there that sent a gut-wrenching feeling in the pit of my stomach.

Ever since the day Paul and I imprinted on each other. Despite how much I hated that it had to be this way … Jacob ran off and hasn't been seen since. I don't know where he went, and I don't know how he is handling this situation on his own. Sam assured me that Jake wanted some space to deal with everything without anyone bothering him.

And that he would come back when he was ready.

I dreaded the day when he might – no, the day when he will – come back. Because if he hated me for this, I think I will loath myself even more.

Now it was only a matter of waiting.