Some of you may have read this already if you are following my other stories here. If you have read this, please disregard it but if you haven't then I have a little request before I give you the next chapter. Well, what started to be me just asking you guys to vote for my beta-friend, Edward's Eternal aka EE who is nominated for The Sunflower awards for Best Reviewer and Best Beta, became a big surprise when I was checking the blog out to get the link. Someone nominated me and two of my stories. Ha ha ha. Boy was I surprised. I almost choked on my water! Anyway, here are the nominated stories and categories. Please vote!
Best Beta- Edwards Eternal
Best Reviewer- Edwards Eternal
The Sunflower Award- Irreversible by LFC Hotstuff
Best O/S- Shake by LFC Hotstuff
Master of Cliffhangers- LFC Hotstuff
Also, please vote for Exquisite Edward also (I pre-read her story The Color of Loneliness) which is up for Best Angst, Best Drama and Best Other Character- Susie.
Here's the link where you can vote: Please remove the bracket when you post the link to your browser.
http:/thesunflowerawards(.)blogspot(.)com/p/voting(.)html
This chapter took more than four months to write. There was just not enough juice to go around and I found myself tired and burned out so I decided not to push it with this chapter/story. I hope it was worth the wait.
Just a quick thanks to Lindz for her awesome and fast beta-help and to SK who had been bugging me for months to get this story right back on track. I needed the push in that regard. So without further ado, here it is. Enjoy~
Chapter 6:
LPOV:
I had to see Alice first before I rushed into the unknown to find Garrett. I was a non-believer in what the little pixie was capable of, but today was a different story. I needed her vision to lead me to Garrett. I would swallow my pride if I had to and beg her to help me out.
I kicked my heels harder on the ground, creating a hail of dust behind me as I sped through the forest focused on getting to the Cullen house as fast as I could.
What a mess! Poor Garrett!
I had no doubt that he was innocent. I just couldn't wrap my mind around the fact that my pack brothers easily jumped to the conclusion that Garrett would intentionally go out of his way to harm my people. Little did they know how kindhearted Garrett was and he wouldn't deliberately hurt anyone.
The fact remained that he fled. He needed to get away from the madness that came with being around me. Where could he possibly be now? What would I do in a similar situation? Questions whirled in my head as I reached the Cullen's residence, my home for the past several months. Striding to the living room, I found Alice waiting for me. With the intent look in her eyes I knew that she was expecting me.
With a grunt, I lowered myself on the sofa next to her. The house was quiet but I knew that there were several vampires in the house judging by the strength of the stench that I was still getting used to.
"Alice, I need your help locating Garrett." Words were barely audible as I felt a tug in my heart, only my imprint could provoke. I studied Alice's face, looking for any indication that she was willing to help me out. Alice smiled a little and inched closer to me.
Just before she was able to answer me, Rosalie came bounding in the living room with Renesmee in her hands. The bubbling little hybrid looked at me curiously. Her red curls framed her cherubic face perfectly as she tentatively leaned forward to me. Rosalie looked at me with an indifference that I had grown to accept; our dislike for each other was tangible… we stared each other down before Alice cleared her throat, bringing both us out of our staring match.
"Renesmee wanted to say something to the She-dog," Rosalie offered as a way of explanation to Alice when she referred to me. To say that I was seething was an understatement. If I didn't have anything important to do, I wouldn't mind giving Blondie a kick in the butt. She giggled and rolled her eyes at Alice but briefly stopped when Renesmee touched her cheeks; it was the hybrid's unique way of communicating with her family.
"She wants to tell you something," Rosalie directed the statement to me as Renesmee struggled in her arms to move closer to me. I had no problem with the little girl, at least she didn't stink as bad as the rest of her family. I hesitated, not sure what to do with her as she waited for me to take her in my arms. Her little pink face registered impatience and I looked at Alice questioningly, seeking confirmation whether I was to take the baby or not.
"Take her DOG, she doesn't bite you know," Rosalie answered before Alice could say anything and snickered as she gently placed Renesmee in my arms before turning on her heels to walk away. Renesmee smiled a sweet and angelic smile that I couldn't resist despite myself. She was warm and cuddly. Her irresistible charm instantly claimed me and I felt that she knew that I was finally feeling relaxed holding her. I now would not wonder why Jacob was totally smitten with her. A wave of longing swept me as I held her in my arms but I pushed it aside, instead I focused on the lovable baby on my lap.
"Aren't you a charmer?" I cooed at her and she giggled in a high pitched tone. "Go ahead, tell me what's on your mind."
Renesmee placed her little chubby hand on my left cheek and I was startled with her means of communication. It felt like I was actually hearing her voice as she spoke her thoughts to me.
Where is Uncle Garrett?
The question gave me pause. I didn't know what to tell her, should I be honest to an infant? Would she understand me? I felt my body tremble as a renewed longing washed over me. I knew I had to be honest with her, whether she comprehends or not.
"That is what I am trying to find out 'lil one," I whispered in her ear, feeling a bit shamed for even wasting my time when I should be out there looking for my mate.
Can Auntie Alice help you?
Her hand never left my cheek as I shrugged my answer. I could feel that Renesmee could sense the turmoil within me. My apprehension and simmering distress increased and I turned my attention to Alice, still cradling Renesmee close to my chest.
"Alice I need your help locating him, I don't know who or where else to turn to. Can you help me?" My voice sound pathetic as I begged. It wasn't important anymore. I just needed to find him right away.
"Leah, all I can see is Garrett running at a high speed, he is still in the forest somewhere….heading north, he hasn't made a decision yet as to where he is headed or any inclination on what he wants to do so I can't help you as far as foretelling what is about to happen. All I know is that you have to follow him now, follow his scent if you can. Head north! I have a bad feeling about this." Alice's words made me jump. A sudden tugging pulled me out of my chair as I hurriedly handed Renesmee to Alice.
"I have to go." As if in a daze, I began walking to the door without looking back. I felt it! Garrett's pull was so strong as I ran outside and took cover in one of the bushes and hurriedly removed my clothes and tied them around my leg with a string, along with my cell phone. I heard Alice call after me.
"Keep your phone handy, if I get a clear vision, I will let you know right away," her tiny voice said as I shifted mid-air not wanting to lose any more time than I already had.
North, north…
GPOV:
A couple of hours had lapsed since I left Leah all dumbfounded and shocked when I told her that I was leaving. I was merely doing the only thing I knew best. I was a nomad, a wanderer. How could we erase something that was ingrained in our psyche? How do we ignore what was inherent in us? I had no fixed affiliation and no matter how I tried, I would never be accepted as Leah's mate, we were doomed from the very start.
Moving about was the only thing that kept me going….I had no home; never felt that I truly belong anywhere. Letting my feet guide me, I let my taut body relax for the first time. I let the stream of wind massage my face as I wandered the forest without purpose. Running had proven to be a therapeutic outlet for me. The tree branches grazed my arms as I weaved through the maze in the forest. I thought about my encounter with Paul.
Paul had been on my ass since the very first time I met the pack. He had always zeroed in on my intentions, doubting my every move. No words needed to be uttered for me to understand that everyone in La Push felt that the imprint was a fluke, a disgrace. Nobody believed that it could work out between me and Leah, and there were days when I almost believed them. Our differences were remarkable and we were held together by a single thread called Imprinting.
True, I was a blood drinker… it was the only food that satisfied me until Leah came along… our attraction was deeper and stronger than my need to feed on humans blood. My affiliation with Leah could suppress the blood that my body coveted and I willingly accepted my fate as her mate.
Blood…the mere thought of it burned my insides, jolting me to act on my craving. I felt my pulse racing as I ran faster, hoping that my desire would dissipate but fate was toying with me more than ever. Each attempt to push the thoughts aside only increased my hunger. I could imagine the trickles of blood when it flowed out of a human vein, the warm and thick texture that would instantly coat my mouth when I drank the blood, the satisfaction in my gut if I gorged myself until I left my victim all dried out. The animals blood paled in comparison to a human's blood, nothing could tame the hunger ever, we could deny our true nature, but it would always surface to slap as hard across the face to make us realize that we could run but never be able to hide our identity.
My body came alive again when I smelled the luscious scent of blood of the boy. It teased me to taste it…to drink even just an ounce. But I knew that once I give in to my desire, my life with Leah would be over now matter what the consequences were.
I was denying my true nature because of her, the need to be with her was deep seated. It was like air that I needed to breathe. Self denial was a task I undertook to belong, was it enough? The subject that I thought would be contained came back to bite me when I stood face to face with the blood that my body craved for. The boy was dying and he probably didn't even make it. I should've tasted him…
"NO! NO! NO!"
My voice broke in the stillness of the forest while my steps faltered when the reality finally hit me. I wanted to feed on humans. The sweet scent stayed with me, taunting me the whole time. I tried quelling the taste in my mouth as mounds of venom surfaced from my throat.
I looked down at my blood drenched clothes and the remainder of the dried blood from the boy mocked me even more. Without hesitation, I ripped my shirt apart, tearing them into shreds with a few quick strokes. I had to rid myself of the aroma of the blood that had been teasing at my weakening resolve.
Aimlessly, I began to run again feeling like a scared cat. The idea on feasting on blood evoked my inner monster, summoning him to unleash his pent up fury. I knew I was getting closer to the border of Canada. I had no idea where my feet where leading me and I had no direction to follow so I kept running, mindless of my surroundings. This time I have already surrendered to my natural instinct. I knew that I could no longer refute the call. I was weak now and fighting it would be futile.
I shuddered at the morbid thoughts that started running in my head but I couldn't stop myself from thinking about it. My vampire instincts had gone into overdrive and I was a slave to it now. I felt my throat tighten at the scent of blood that awaited me. The strength of the call infused my need to feed as I closed in on the highway. Someone out there was well within my reach, I could smell a human.
Thump…Thump…Thump…the even cadence of the beating heart rang loudly in my ear. My nostrils flared as the delectable aroma assaulted me. I felt my eyes darken as I stalked the woman walking along the highway. She couldn't see me from the trees that provided my cover. The thick vegetation was perfect to carry out my plan. She wouldn't even have an idea what was in store for her.
I stalked her like I would my animal prey…wicked thoughts danced in my mind as I was about a few feet away from her. Hitchhiker! Great, she didn't look like she'd be missed. An arrogant feeling swept me as I trailed her from behind without making the faintest noise.
I could literally see the hair on her arms rose after sensing that she was of being watched. The sound of her beating heart rammed against her rib cage as her heart rate increased, sending a tingling sensation within me. Her fear…her fear was music to my ears. I licked my lips expectantly, aching to sink my teeth in her neck and taste that blood on my tongue.
The woman turned suddenly only to see me breathing down her neck. She shrunk back at the sight of my snarling appearance and let out a bloodcurdling scream that echoed across the quiet and deserted highway. I could feel my lips curled back instantaneously as I looked down on her with steely eyes.
"Don't be scared little one; this will be quick and almost painless. Just a little tug in your neck and it'll be over quickly." My voice sounded raspy, tinged with hunger and impatience. The venom spiked uncontrollably in the back of my throat with anticipation. I must feed NOW!
"Wh…what do you want from me?" Her question was the usual thing humans asked of us. I smirked at her while she backpedaled away from me, all the while thinking she could outrun me. The sound of fear in her voice fueled my desire even more as I pulled her body closed to mine, pinning her against my rock hard and rigid body. Eyeing her neck with desire, I traced a finger on the expanse of her tilted neck, feeling the warm and pulsating artery beneath her wafer thin skin. The coldness of my hand touching her made her shudder, creating goose chills all over her body and I smiled in anticipation, ready to sink my teeth in her neck.
"I just want your blood, that's all!" The voice that came out of me was foreign, a voice that I had forgotten. "Close your eyes and this will be over real soon," I answered, feeling no remorse at all at what I was about to do.
I ran my tongue against my throbbing teeth and lowered my face to her neck, feeling my feral desire raging for this woman's blood while she struggled to free herself from my firm grasp. She pushed against my chest with her hands but her attempts proved worthless.
I plunged my teeth into her neck and prepared to suck her sweet blood but a powerful thrust from behind me disengaged my mouth from my victim. Blood splattered all over before I was thrown about 30 feet away and landed on the side of the road with a loud thud. Writhing in pain, my victim thrashed on the side of the road, hollering and screaming her heart out as the little venom I initially injected slowly made its way in her bloodstream.
I angrily licked the trickle of blood on my lips before I got up. Mother fucker will pay for interrupting me and my meal. A growl tore through me as I pushed myself up from the ground. I could hear the woman gurgling and I felt a deep rage within me. Nothing and nobody would keep me away from that sweet blood.
A dog? You gotta be kidding me!
The very nature that I tried to control had long taken over and I lunged forward with all I had in me, to meet and put my attacker to rest before I realized that the gray coat belonged to my….Leah!
She was obviously taken aback by my surprised attack because her guards were down, it took a monumental effort on my part to stop and step back once my feral nature took over. It was singularly the hardest thing to do, to stop once I set my mind on a task. I heard the crunching of bones in her neck by the time I was able to unclasp the choke-hold I had on Leah as she lay limped in my hands.
"Leah….Leah….I didn't recognize you. I'm so sorry honey. Leah! Leah! Can you hear me? Please shift back! Shift back!" What started as a whisper grew into a hysterical shouting as my cognition slowly returned to normal. The shuddering inside remained and I fought hard to stay calm as I watched Leah's wolf form remain unmoving in my arms.
"Baby…baby…please say something. Oh God, what have I done?" My voice shook as strong emotions washed through me. I shook her body gently. "Leah…God I love you…I am so sorry." My cries came out strangled, feeling like my life was shattering in front of my eyes. "Shift Leah, shift! If you can hear me, shift now."
Seconds felt like eternity before I felt her body quiver violently and shifted before my very eyes, her shiny gray coat disappearing rapidly to be replaced by her human form. The process took only a few seconds before she started coughing, her naked body shook violently in my grasp. Leah's eyes fluttered opened and she I could see that she was trying to focus her glazed eyes on me.
"The woman… Garrett…suck…out…suck it out…venom." Her eyes registered terror as she gripped my arms tightly.
For a brief moment, I had forgotten about the woman, my prey! I laid Leah on her back before I rushed to the woman still thrashing on the ground. The scent of her blood lingered around me and I couldn't bring myself to touch her, afraid that I may not be able to keep myself from sucking her dry instead of keeping her alive.
"G…please help her now," Leah's plea rang in my head and I looked down on the woman shaking in front of me. I slowly picked up her body and stared at the two puncture marks that still oozed blood.
"I can't," I heard myself say but Leah countered in a weak voice as she weakly turned on her stomach and started crawling to our direction.
"You must…or she'll die."
With frayed nerves, I closed my mouth on her neck and licked the blood before I sucked gently at the marks that bore my venom. I felt my body come alive as I latched my mouth on her neck. I felt a deep tug as conflict raged within me. Suck out the venom or drain her dry? The question left me reeling but Leah finally reached us and she urged me to step aside.
"I will do it even if it kills me," she said weakly, her eyes brimming with tears. Tears that I caused because I failed her.
"No." Leah's words jolted me as guilt rammed at me hard, bringing me back to my senses. Here's I was, about to take a life that she worked hard to protect and she would gladly give her life for the human that I had very little regard for.
Without listening to the shouting in my head ordering me not to deny my true nature, I sucked on the woman's neck hard enough to taste the little venom I had injected in her. Her thrashing eventually stopped after a few seconds and soon after passed out in my hands.
Leah was on her knees next to me. Her dirty hair was splayed all over her face as tears streamed down her face. I couldn't bear to look at her because of the shame I had now felt. How could I have let a moment of weakness come between us?
"Give her to me so I can take her to the nearest hospital," she said, slowly heaving herself up unsteadily. Her knees buckled and she staggered forward before I caught her in one quick motion. I held her by the waist even though I knew that she must loathe me for what I had done. I didn't think for one minute that I could blame her for feeling that way.
"I will take her myself," I said after Leah felt like she was able to stand on her own. Her naked body shivered momentarily before she moved away in plain sight into the bushes on the side of the road. She came back a few seconds later dressed in her denim shorts and t-shirt. She still appeared shaken by my attack but her werewolf ability to heal had already begun.
"Let's go," she said and we ran towards the direction of the little town ahead of us. The road was deserted and it was a relief that nobody witnessed what had transpired in the last few minutes. Guilt and shame pestered me during our short run to the hospital where Leah asked me to wait outside while she dropped the woman in the Emergency Room.
Her face was unreadable by the time she came out of the hospital. I hung my head in shame, unable to bring myself to ask about the woman's condition, how Leah was feeling and if I screwed things between us for good. I followed her as we made our way to the forest in silence.
She finally stopped when we reached the heart of the forest and she slowly turned around to face me. Her body stood rigid when she spoke. "Garrett… give me one reason why you think it's not over between us." Her face was drenched in tears mixed with the dirt that now stained her face.
A/N: So what do you guys think of this chapter? You think Garrett is on his way to the dog house? *no pun intended - snort*. Let's see if Leah would give him a chance, imprinting is not something they can just throw out the window. So, I will try to write short chapters to be able to update sooner. There is still a lot of story to be told. Thanks for reading and please make me smile, leave a comment!
Please don't forget to vote. Check my profile for the link. Thanks.