As soon as I got back I quickly raised to the dark room, skirting Natty's questions and promising her I would answer them when I was done.
She seemed happy that I was so excited, and I was.
I worked quickly and rhythmically as I developed the film finally coming to the last photos on the roll.
It took an hour or two before I was finally finished and after the photos of the giant wolf were finally ready to be brought out I collected them on a towel as they were still a bit wet and brought them upstairs.
Natty looked up from the book she was reading and put it aside when she saw the look in my eyes.
"What's up hunny?" She said pulling out the chair for me.
"I had a very strange experience in the woods. Here I think the pictures will answer it for me." I said laying out the pictures on pieces of paper towel that Natty put on the table for me.
Her eyes widened as she looked at them.
"Oh my." She whispered. She picked up the one that was my favorite, the picture of the wolf looking straight into the camera with that confused and yet hopeful stare.
"Am I going crazy, every time I see this photo and when I saw the wolf he reminded me of someone. Jacob, it's the same expression in the eyes, I know I'm probably out of my mind." I said.
She looked at me in surprise.
"Wow, I wish I could explain how incredible this is…but I can't. Awww it's so infuriating that I can't explain anything to you. I can't say anything to you." She said her eyes creased in frustration.
"Well what if I guessed. My first thought was….you know those legends you told me about begin descended from wolves. What if they were true."? I said unsure if I sounded completely crazy or simply insane.
She looked at me her eyes wide as her mouth slowly grew into the most impressive and large grin I had seen her wear yet.
"You are the smartest most incredible girl I have ever met you know that!" She said pulling me into a fearsome hug.
"Well hunny, all I can say is that you are right." She said.
"So they are like….shape shifters or something." I said my eyes widening.
"Geez, you really are the most incredible guesser I bet you are amazing in charades. Yes, they are actually. Not everyone though only some of the tribe. But I really can't say more and I would love for you to keep guessing but I think the best thing is for us to tell the group tomorrow when they are here for dinner. After dinner probably, and see what they say. They may either choose to divulge everything to you or say that they still need time to get to know you better. You are right though, you just got a roll of film of Jake in his wolf form. My god, this is insane. Ironic too, highly ironic." She said as she pulled the pictures together and walked with me down to the cellar to hang them to dry.
"I understand, I just hope that they aren't mad that I know. And I really hope that Jacob isn't mad that I got pictures of him. He is incredible, I have to say, and he is the most breathtaking wolf I have ever seen." I said looking at the pictures again.
"You can call him Jake you know silly. And I agree, they are all pretty incredible in their wolf forms but seeing that you really like Jake it is only fitting that you find him pretty incredible." She said laughing as we made our way upstairs.
"So you aren't afraid then. Many people would call them monsters of shy away from them because of their size." She said looking at me with a serious note in her eyes.
I looked at her, understanding that seriousness she felt. This was her family her tribe.
"No, I would never look at them and think monster. I've known enough monsters in my time to know that Jake there wasn't even close to what I would think of as a monster." I said, her eyes looked relieved at my answer as she hugged me again.
"Okay well tomorrow night will be interesting then, you will have to talk to the group yourself I'm afraid. They need to see that it is all your opinions and none of mine. But I will be there for support and to answer any questions you don't understand. This is happening much faster than I thought it would I must confess but I'm not at all disappointed by that fact I must confess. Now time for bed, hopefully you can sleep tonight you have a big day ahead of you tomorrow." She said hugging me once more a big smile on her face.
I fell asleep quite quickly actually and for the first time in days my dreams weren't haunted by my father instead they were happy…quieter.
I kept moving through the forest and coming upon Jake either in his wolf or human form. Each time he would run from me, a smile in his eyes. I felt like a child in a silly game of chase.
I woke up to Natty's arm slightly shaking mine as she beckoned me up and out of bed.
I was well rested and ready to get the day over with.
We shopped quickly and were already cooking by twelve with three large pots of pasta boiling and a large pot of marinara sauce heating up.
We had a couple loaves of bread and a couple pies for desert.
I tried to help as much as I could but more often than naught I found that I would trip over myself. After a while I simply stuck with stirring the pots of pasta.
"So I called Billy this morning to tell him about last night and to warn him about what we needed to talk about tonight. He was surprised that was for sure, but he didn't seem angry. He is one of the council members of the village and Sue Clearwater will also be here, the other main council member to judge your character. They will be watching you tonight, but don't worry. You just have to be yourself, and I know that they will welcome you into their hearts." Natty said simply.
I was getting more and more nervous as the day went on and hearing that seemed to just make me clumsier.
If that was possible.
I was tripping over myself left and right.
Natty had my pictures of Jake in a folder in the kitchen stuck in a safe place.
Two hours before everyone was going to be here Natty left the food to stay warm now that it was all ready and the table set with a good number of extra chairs so we could go upstairs and shower.
After my shower she put the cream on again and rewrapped me. My scars were healing quite quickly, there barely hurt anymore and simply looked painful. The actual gashes were closing up cleanly and were no longer a burning red. I found that I didn't have problems doing simple things anymore, which made me really happy.
I chose a deep purple scoop neck long sleeved shirt and dark washed jeans to wear. Natty braided my hair into one long braid in the back and choose a light green fitted sweater and light wash jeans for her to wear. Her hair was down and gorgeous as always.
We grabbed the food and set it on the table just as the first guests arrived.
I was sent to open up the door and felt my heart beat faster as I realized it was Jake and his family.
Lily was super excited and ran up to me in her sweet dark blue jumper dress giving me a big hug.
"Lilah!" She giggled as I bent down and hugged her back.
"Hey Lily. Look at you; you look so pretty in that dress. You are making me jealous you know that." I said joking with her and smiling as she screwed up her face in embarrassment and giggled again.
I stood up as Jake walked forward his eyes seemed unsure for a moment as they looked into mind. I wondered if he was afraid that I had figured it was him last night and hated him for it.
"Hey Jake, it s so nice to see you." I said, moving up and giving him a quick hug. Hopefully that would put his fears to rest I thought with a smile.
His embrace was so warm, I fit so perfectly, it was hard to let go and move away from him afterwards.
I couldn't help but laugh at his expression though it seemed like he was actually embarrassed.
I beckoned them into the house and as they walked forward looking at the place I turned to Billy as he looked at me with a curious expression.
"I'm sorry Billy, for you know. Finding out I guess. I understand if you guys don't want me to know but please, I just hope that Jake doesn't get in trouble for the pictures I took. It wasn't his fault, I promise, it was all mine." I said, the last thing I wanted was for Jake to suffer.
I don't think I could handle that.
Billy let out a deep laugh as he looked at me letting a smile show across his face.
"You are the strangest girl I have ever met. You just figured out that you have moved into a town where the guy you are becoming friends with changes into a wolf and all you can think about is that he might get into trouble. Don't worry Lilah, he won't get into trouble. I promise." He said looking at me with a smile.
I sighed out loud and he laughed at that. It really was a relief at least now I could focus on what was to come.