Just close your eyes
The sun is going down
You'll be alright
No one can hurt you now
Come morning light
You and I'll be safe and sound

Taylor Swift & The Civil Wars

It hadn't gotten better throughout the week every time I heard a tiny noise I would jump. Every time I saw something out of my peripherals I would gasp. I worried my mom and dad to no end because it was exactly how I had been after the attack in Seattle. This though was in anticipation to something happening…something that was coming…Victoria.

I wanted to call Emmett and tell him to come home right away but I didn't have a number; whenever he called me it was from a different phone. Alice would see this right, I mean even Bella was freaking out. She would see us struggling. She would see Victoria, right? Had Laurent even gotten back to her and told her about us maybe she didn't even know.

I worried endlessly over my parents but was thankful they were going out of town for the next couple weeks. My dad to see his publisher in LA and my mom to open an exhibit in Seattle, both didn't like the idea of leaving me but I had convinced them to. How stupid am I?

Throughout the week Bella and I had been alternating picking each other up not wanting to be alone. I especially didn't want to leave her alone because not only did she have this thing hanging over her head but there was also the fact that Jacob hadn't been talking to her. So as I sat in the passenger's side of her truck, as she sat thinking in front of her house before school. I just looked out of the windshield but when she all of a sudden dashed out of the truck I got a little worried following.

Quickly she ran to the phone and dialed a number.

"Dad, it's Bella."

"I'm worried about Jacob."

"I think…I think something weird is going on down at the reservation. Jacob told me about some strange stuff happening with the other boys his age. Now he's acting the same way and I'm scared."

"Bella…" I whispered but was ignored. 'This isn't good.'

"First he was scared, and then he was avoiding me, and now…I'm afraid he's part of that bizarre gang down there, Sam's gang. Sam Uley's gang."

'Correct!'

"Yes."

"Dad, it's not like that. Jacob was scared of him."

"Billy's not concerned."

"This isn't about me," she insisted.

"Charlie…" she half whined.

"Are you sure that's what happened to them?"

"Who," I whispered and she waved me off.

"Oh!"

"Fine," she was frustrated now, "Bye."

"What happened to who?" I asked as she stared at the phone.

"That wolves survived the thing with Laurent," she said stating what I already knew after all Jacob was alive and a funeral or search party for 5 guys would have made news. Next thing I knew she had the phone again.

"Hey, Billy. Can I talk to Jacob, please?"

"Do you know where he is?" Bella said a little frustrated.

"Oh yeah? Anyone I know? Quil?"

"Embry?"

'ding, ding,' a buzzer went off in my head.

"Well have him call me when he gets in, all right?"

"See you soon, Billy," she muttered and hung up the phone and turned heading for the door.

"Bella, what are you doing."

"Going to see for myself." She called and I hurried slipping into the passenger's seat just before she tore off.

The drive was silent and before I knew it we were in La Push and pulling up beside Quil. His face was bleak and worried.

"Oh, hey," he greeted us dully.

"Hi, Quil…Are you okay?" I asked.

"Fine." He looked anything but.

"Can I give you a ride somewhere?" Bella offered.

"Sure, I guess," He mumbled and I scooted into the middle as he walked around.

"Where to?"

"My house is on the north side, back behind the store," He said

"Have you seem Jacob today?" Bella blurted almost cutting off the boy.

"From a distance," He said after looking out the windshield for a couple seconds.

"A distance?" I asked

"I tried to follow them, he was with Embry. I know they saw me. But they turned and just disappeared into the trees. I don't' think they were alone, I think Sam and his crew might have been with them."

'Poor boy,' I look away biting my lip, 'all his friends have changed.'

"I've been stumbling around in the forest for an hour, yelling for them. I just barely found the road again when you drove up." He looked over at Bella.

"So Sam did get him," she stated like it was some big conspiracy.

'They just want to keep everyone safe.'

"You know about that?"

"Jake told me…before."

"Before," Quil repeated with a sigh.

"Jacob's just as bad as the others now?"

"Never leaves Sam's side."

"And before that, did he avoid everyone? Was he acting upset?" I inquired.

"Not for as long as the others. Maybe one day. Then Sam caught up with him."

"What do you think it is? Drugs or something?" Bella asked.

'Or something.'

"I can't see Jacob or Embry getting into anything like that…but what do I know? What else could it be? And why aren't the old people worried? Jacob didn't want to be a part or this…cult. I don't understand what could change him." He turned to the both of us frightened. "I don't want to be next."

Biting my lip I grabbed his hand for comfort and noticed how hot his body temperature was.

"Are your parent's any help?" Bella asked.

"Right," He scoffed. "My grandfather's on the council with Jacob's dad. Sam Uley is the best thing that ever happened to this place, as far as he's concerned."

'He's going next. At least he won't be alone for long.'

"I'll get out now," Quil said as we came up to the only store, "my house is right over there."

"We're going to go wait for Jacob," she said in a hard voice as he jumped out.

"Good luck." He slammed the door I immediately wanted to shout out what was happening but didn't as Bella pulled a u-turn. Quickly we both settled in and I crossed my legs leaned against the door and started braiding and twisting my hair as Bella started doodling. We didn't have to wait long because a couple seconds there I jumped as someone tapped on Bella window.

"What are you doing here?" Jacob growled looking between us. I noticed the changes quickly, he'd chopped off his long hair like the other. It seemed like everything about him was more grown up and less boyish. His expression was definitely not one of a friendly boy but hardened, dark.

"Jacob?" Bella whispered as I looked behind him and realized that they were all here all looking exactly like Jacob down to the expression.

"What do you want?" Jacob demanded.

"I want to talk to you," she said a bit weakly.

"Go ahead," He hissed and I sent him a glare which he returned and I hoped mine was just as vicious.

"Alone," she hissed and he looked behind him as every single one turned for Sam's reaction. He nodded once and they all entered the Black house.

Sighing I got out of the truck and just went to lean against the tailgate but pulled it down to sit on it as they went to walk. Looking over to the windows I saw the eyes switch to mine as they disappeared from sight. Sighing I got up and walked up on the porch wondering why I was doing this.

Knocking on the door Billy answered, "Don't worry, I won't come in." I held up my hands as he began to speak.

"I just wanted to thank the boys," I motioned to the side where I could clearly see them.

"For what," Sam looked cautious but calm.

"The meadow," I gave a small smile.

"How do you know," Paul jumped up and I backed away a little holding up my hands.

"Well I figured since the cold-ones could be true…" I sighed, "then you could be too and things locked into place. So yeah that's all, thank you," I nodded and then walked off soon after they all left and headed into the forest.

It started to drizzled so I went back into the cab of the truck rolling up the windows and quickly enough Bella walked up alone and with a broken appearance. She just walked up to the porch as it started to pour. Watching curiously I saw Billy roll out onto the doorway and say something. She turned robotically and climbed into the truck.

"I can drive," I muttered but she didn't respond.

Charlie was waiting on the porch when we got back to the Swans, and she was the shell again. Empty. I saw the recognition on Charlie's face as he helped her out of the car. Biting my lip I decided to go home and let this be handled by him. Meeting his eyes I gestured toward my car and he nodded.

oOo

That night I sat studying for a English test when I phone started vibrating. Biting my lip I looked down. 'Unknown number' flashed across the screen.

'Would I tell him or not.' Biting my lip I slid the bar answering it.

"Hey," I tried to sound chipper but just then the house creaked slightly making me jump.

"Hey," he sounded a bit hesitant catching my slip up. "What's going on?"

"Nothing," I chirped a bit too high.

"Piper," he growled.

"So how is everyone?" I avoided the subject and heard another growl this one deeper

"Werewolves," I blurted out the second most important thing on my mind.

"What?"

"Jacob he turned into one, there are 5 of them and I think another will shift soon."

"You've been around them?" He said a protective edge in his voice.

"Yes," I nodded even though he couldn't see it.

"Piper you can't anymore," He demanded.

"Excuse me?" I raised my eyebrows.

"You can't, they are dangerous, they can shift at any point. You could get hurt."

"That reminds me of someone else," I smirked.

"No, we are different." He scoffed.

"How so?"

"Piper can't you just listen for once," He sighed.

"You wouldn't love me as much if I wasn't a challenge," I smiled. It was too hard to hold onto worries when I was talking to him.

"I have a feeling you might challenge me for all eternity," he chuckled.

"You can bet on it," I smiled and leaned back into my pillow fiddling with the bear ring on my finger which I always wore along with my necklace.

oOo

"Piper!" A voice called over the phone after I had answered it half asleep and pulled it away from my ear and looked that it was Bella calling.

"Yeah?"

"I don't know what to do. What do you think of when I say werewolves." She wondered and I knew that she'd figured it out.

"La Push," I answered honestly.

"You knew," She half growled. "Why do you always know these things before me."

"I've been around them longer, plus my dad's writing a book about all of it." I supplied wondering if this was the topic of discussion she'd called so early about.

"Well what about them killing people?" she interrupted my thoughts.

"What?" I asked a little confused.

"The attacks on people," she supplied.

"They wouldn't do that." I gave a tiny laugh, "they saved us."

"Well Charlie and a group of people are going to hunt them."

"Bella! Why didn't you say that before we have to go warn them!" I immediately got up from the couch and raced upstairs to change.

"Because they are killing people."

"Bella, it's Jacob," I said changing everything.

"I'll be over in 5," she said and the phone clicked shut.

I'd just finished pulling on my converse when her truck rumbled up. "Be home by 8," I called and exited the house quickly getting in the passenger's seat. "I still don't think it's them." I muttered as she pulled off.

oOo

When she pulled up to the Black's house and it was still totally dark since they were probably still asleep. Quickly we both go out and she pounded her fist against the door.

"Come in," Billy called and a light flicked on. She opened the door right away and pushed in to see Billy was leaning around the doorway bathrobe around his shoulders not in his chair and boy did he look surprised.

"Well, good morning, Bella, Piper. What are you doing up so early?"

"Hey, Billy. I need to talk to Jake, where is he?" She asked and I shot him a worried look.

"Um…I don't really know," He lied.

"Do you know what Charlie is doing this morning?" Bella demanded.

'Yeah go Bella!'

"Should I?"

"He and half the other men in town are all out in the woods with guns, hunting giant wolves." I saw his expression flicker and then go blank. "So I'd like to talk to Jake about that, if you don't mind."

"I'd bet he's still asleep," He finally said motioning to what I'm guessing was his room. "He's out late a lot these days. Kid needs his rest probably shouldn't wake him."

"It's my turn," she muttered and started back there. Deciding not to go I leaned against the wall and glanced over at Billy and his judgemental gaze.

"I didn't tell her if thats what you're thinking," I muttered as Bella reappeared.

"I think I'll let him get some rest." We both nodded and the room hung in a awkward silence. "Look," Bella finally said. "We'll be down at the beach for a while. When he wakes up, tell him I'm waiting for him, okay?"

"Sure, sure," Billy agreed.

The lot was empty of course we get got there and started down the beach. I stumbled on the dark path a bit trying to find the path in front of Bella but finally my eyes adjusted and I made it down. I pulled down my stocking cap over my ears as a cold wind whipped off of the water but at least it wasn't raining. Quickly Bella took the lead searching for something until we got to a driftwood tree and sat down. I dug my hands into my winter coat and just looked over to water waiting for something to happen.

"Hey you guys." Jacobs voice came from the side.

"Jake?" Bella asked.

"Billy told me you came by, didn't take you very long did it? I knew you could figure it out. And here you already knew." He looked over at me and I gave a tiny shrug.

She casted me a glare before turning back to him, "Yeah, I remember the right story now," she whispered and I saw her expression turn angry.

I was silent for a long moment until he spoke, "You could have just called," He responded harshly.

"I know," she nodded and I felt myself stop a groan.

"Why did you come?" He demanded.

"I thought it would be better face- to-face."

"Oh, much better."

"We came about the…"I started aggravated about all of this, this early.

"About the rangers and the hunters? Don't worry about it. We already know."

"Don't worry about it?" Bella demanded, "Jake they've got guns! They're setting traps and offering rewards."

"We can take care of ourselves," He growled. "They're not going to catch anything. They're only making it more difficult they'll start disappearing soon enough, too."

"Jake!" Bella hissed and I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion.

'Something's not right he wouldn't be so cavalier about this.'

"What more can we do?" He retorted to Bella accusation.

"Could you…well, try to not be a…werewolf?" Bella suggested and sometimes I just have to hang my head at some of the things coming out of her mouth.

"Like I have a choice about it!" He shouted. "And how would that help anything, if you're worried about people disappearing."

"Wait." I shook my head as Bella said "I don't understand."

His eyes glared harshly and his lips twisted into a snarl. "You know what makes me so mad I could just spit?"

'This doesn't make any sense what is attacking these people,' I thought as Bella and he argued.

"What's that supposed to mean?" He roared making me jump slightly and I looked over to see him quivering with rage.

"Bella…" I warned starting to pull her away.

"Jacob," she pleaded in an even tone. "Is it really necessary to kill people, Jacob? Isn't there some other way? I mean, if vampire can find a way to survive without murdering people…"

'Vampires…there's never much blood. Laurent said it himself he was hunting and that people go missing everyday.'

"It's a vampire," I mumbled letting go of Bella and sitting down on the tree. "They aren't killing people Bella it's a vampire. They are the enemies of a vampire, they're always seen after. Think about it." I drew both of their attentions."

"Wait so you're not disgusted that I'm a werewolf…you were just scared because I'm a murderer. That's the only reason?" He went off onto another tangent totally

"Isn't that reason enough?" Bella asked and he started to laugh.

"Jacob Black, this is so not funny!" she scolded and he wrapped her in a tight hug.

"Sorry I called you a hypocrite," He apologized.

"Sorry I called you a murderer."

"Umm," I snapped my fingers at them, "Back to the vampire. Is Laurent still around?"

"Who's Laurent?" He cocked his head to the side.

"You know, you saw him in the meadow. You were there…We were there, and you kept him from killing us…"

"Oh the black haired leech?" He grinned. "Was that his name?"

I saw Bella shudder slightly. "What were you thinking?" She whispered. "He could have killed you! Jake, you don't realize how dangerous…"

Jacob let out a small laugh. "Bella, one lone vampire isn't much of a problem for a pack as big as ours. It was so easy, it was hardly even fun!"

"What was so easy?"

"Killing the bloodsucker who was going to kill you two. Now, I don't count that towards the whole murder thing," he added, "Vampires don't count as people."I suppressed the growl as that set in.

"Then who has been killing people?" I frowned feeling all emotion leave my face.

"There were two of them. We thought his mate would want to fight us, in our stories, they usually get pretty pissed off it you kill their mate, but she just keeps running away, and then coming back again. If we could figure out what she was after, it would be easier to take her down. But she makes no sense. She keeps dancing around the edges. Like she's testing our defenses, looking for a way in, but in where? Where does she want to go? Sam thinks she's trying to separate us, so she'll have a better chance…" Through his whole speech my legs had slowly been weakening and I heard Bella trying to take slow even breaths.

"She's here," I muttered as Bella leaned over the trunk dry heaving.

"What wrong!" Jacob looked between us.

"Victoria," Bella gasped

"Who?" Jacob asked trying to calm her.

"She wasn't Laurent's mate," I whispered. "They were just old friends…" I explained as he fussed over Bella.

"Do you need some water? A doctor? Tell me what to do," He demanded and I rolled my eyes.

Bending down I snapped my fingers in front of his face, "She scared."

"Scared of this Victoria?" I nodded along with Bella.

"Victoria is the red-haired female?"

Bella trembled and let out a little whimper, "Yes."

"How do you know she wasn't his mate?" He looked back up at me.

"Laurent said James was her mate," I explained looking down at Bella's scar which she was flexing.

"Did he tell you anything else? This is important. Do you know what she wants?" He glanced back and forth between Bella and I.

"She wants us," I whispered still looking at her scar.

"Why?" He demanded.

"Edward and Emmett killed James," I bit my lip finally switching my eyes to his.

"She did get…pissed off. But Laurent said she thought it was fairer to kill us that them. Mate for mate. She didn't know, still doesn't know, I guess, that…that," she swallowed. "That things aren't like that with us anymore." Bella mumbled.

"Is that what happened? Why the Cullens left?" I heard Jacob ask.

"I'm nothing but a human, after all. Nothing special," She explained and I had to close my eyes and bit my lips closed to keep from correcting her. I knew she felt guilty in some part for Emmett leaving or at least why she thought he left and I made me sick that I couldn't correct her.

"If that idiot bloodsucker is honestly stupid enough…"

"Please," she moaned. "Please. Don't"

"This is important," he said getting back to the situation as hand. "This is exactly what we needed to know. We've got to tell the others right away." He stood along with Bella.

"I'm okay," she lied and he gripped her hand.

"Let's go." I felt her take one of my hands as he lead us up to the truck.

"Where are we going?" I asked.

"I'm not sure yet," He admitted. "I'll call a meeting. Hey, wait here for just a minute, okay?" he handed her to me and I leaned us both against the truck.

"Where are you going?" she called.

"I'll be right back," he promised and turned heading into the trees. Seconds after he left she started hyperventilating and I wasn't much better. I almost pushed her into the truck and quickly locked the doors.

'Like thats going to do a lot of good,' I thought as Bella began full freak out. I had to calm myself before I could help here so I tried to block everything out and take deep breaths. Just as I was about to snap out of it a sharp rap on the window made both of us yelp in terror. Bella leaned over and unlocked it with trembling hands.

"You two are really scared, aren't you?" He asked as he climbed in.

"Shouldn't I be?" I muttered as she nodded.

"Don't be. We'll take care of you, and you're parents, too. I promise."

"The idea of you finding Victoria is scarier than the idea of her finding me," Bella whispered and I shook my head slightly.

'They are made for this!'

"You've got to have a little more confidence in us than that. It's insulting."

"Where did you go just now?" I asked.

He pursed his lips but didn't answer.

"What? Is it a secret?" Bella asked.

"Not really. It's kind of weird, though. I don't want to freak you guys out."

I let out a snort as Bella tried for a smile, "We're sort of used to weird by this point, you know."

Jacob grinned, "Guess you'd have to be. Okay. See, when we're wolves we can…hear each other. Not hear sounds, but we can hear…thoughts, each other's anyways, no matter how far away from each other we are. It really helps when we hunt, but it's a big pain otherwise. It's embarrassing, having no secrets like that. Freaky, eh?"

"Eh not really," I shrugged getting a playful glare from him.

"Is that what you meant last night, when you said you would tell them you'd seen me, even though you didn't want to?"

"You're quick." He complimented.

"Thanks."

"You two are very good with weird. I thought that would bother you."

"It's not…well," I started and glanced over at Bella.

"You're not the first person we've known that can do that. So it doesn't seem weird." She finished my thought.

"Really?... Wait, are you talking about your bloodsuckers."

"I wish you wouldn't call then that," I growled and then glared when he laughed.

"Whatever. The Cullens, then?"

"Just…just Edward." She said and started hugging herself.

He looked a bit surprised. "I thought those were just stories. I've heard legends about vampires who could do…extra stuff, but I thought that was just a myth."

"Is anything just a myth anymore?" I mumbled not expecting an answer.

"Guess not. Okay we're going to meet Sam and the others at the place we go to ride our bikes."

I thankfully got to drive so Bella was in the middle and started up the truck and headed towards the area. "So did you just turn in a wolf now, to talk to Sam?" Bella asked.

I glanced over and saw him nod, "I kept it real short, I tried not to think about you guys so they wouldn't know what was going on. I was afraid Sam would tell me I couldn't bring you both."

I let out a little laugh, "That wouldn't have stopped us."

"Well, it would have stopped me," Jacob said and turned to Bella. "Remember how I couldn't finish my sentences last night? How I couldn't just tell you the whole story?"

"He's the Alpha," I skipped to the chase. "Like any normal wolf pack the alpha has to be obeyed." He nodded a little impressed.

"Weird," Bella muttered.

"Very," He agreed. "There's a load of stuff like that, wolf things. I'm still learning. I can't imagine what it was like for Sam, trying to deal with this alone. It sucks bad enough to go through it with a whole pack for support."

"Sam was alone?" Bella asked.

"Yeah," he voice lowered. "When I…changed, it was the most…horrible, the most terrifying thing I've ever been through, worse than anything I could have imagined. But I wasn't alone, there were the voices there, in my head, telling me what had happened and what I had to do. That kept me from losing my mind, I think. But Sam…" he shook his head. "Sam had no help."

Frowning I bit my lip.

"Will they be angry that we're with you?" Bella asked.

"Probably."

"Maybe we shouldn't," I glanced over at him.

"No, it's okay," he assured. "You know a ton of things that can help us. It's not like you're just some ignorant human. You're both like a…I don't know, spy or something. You've been behind enemy lines."

I made a slight 'hmph' sound, frowning.

"Like the stuff about the mind-reading bloodsucker," he continued. "That's the kind of thing we need to know about. That really sucks that those stories are true. It makes everything more complicated. Hey do you think this Victoria can do anything special?"

"I don't think so," Bella sighed. "He would have mentioned it."

"He?" Oh you mean Edward," Immediately I shot him a glare, "oops sorry. I forgot. You don't like to say his name. Or hear it." I saw Bella trying to hold herself together again and reached out holding onto her arm.

"Not really, no." She said.

"Sorry."

We were on the little dirt road where Jacob and Bella ride and I pulled over and cut off the engine and I blocked out their voices not wanting to hear they conversation for the billionth time.

"Piper," Jacob knocked me back in and I saw him and Bella looking at me. "They're here. Let's go." Nodding I opened the door.

"Are you sure?" Bella asked, "Maybe we shouldn't be here."

"They'll deal with it," he said as a grin spread over his features, "Who's afraid of the big, bad wolf?"

"Ha ha," I said hopping out and walking around the front. As Bella met me up front with Jacob I felt her take my hand.

"Here we go."