While most normal teenagers would rather be sitting inside on the computer on a night like this, Alexa chose to spend hers up a tree in the middle of a rainstorm that was soaking her so thoroughly she was shivering. The forest around her was quiet besides the sound of her teeth chattering. Below her on the ground were her two cousins, Brett and Chane. Both of them were wearing the same black outfits as Alexa, which were made of thick layers of tight fabric and consisted of a pair of pants and a long sleeved shirt. Fighting other werepyres was hard enough without having to worry about whether or not your clothes would be in one piece when you returned to your normal form. Thus, the heavy duty spandex: one of the few materials that was able to be included in a morph to avoid issues later. That didn't make it any less uncomfortable to wear, though.

Alexa was anxious for their mission to be over. They were supposed to be on the lookout for a rogue werepyre who had started hunting humans, vampires, and werewolves alike. If the killings continued, then the werewolves might decide to take matters into their own hands. No werepyre wanted to anger the werewolves who had given them their territory.

The biggest problem was not the werepyre, but the new vampire family in the vicinity. No one had made contact with them yet, and where their loyalties were, as of yet, remained unknown. It had already been decided that the vampires could stay if they were vegetarians. Otherwise, they would be 'escorted' out of the area.

Alexa caught a whiff of something like a werepyre nearby. She quickly climbed down the tree, which was painful without shoes (shoes morph disaster). Brett had tensed up, apparently having caught the scent as well. The older boy had black hair and golden eyes, just like his younger brother, Chane. Technically, Brett should have been leading the mission, but Alexa outranked him in status, so the honor was hers. Such was the benefit, and curse, of having a dad who was pack leader.

Chane stood up from his seat on the ground and looked in the direction of the scent. Chane was about Alexa's height and had freckles all over his face. Chane, unlike Brett and Alexa, used a gargoyle morph instead of a wolf morph. There were fewer gargoyles than wolves in their pack, but gargoyle morphs were useful. Brought about by having more vampire than werewolf genes in you, gargoyle-morphing juveniles gained the ability to fly in their morph, as well as having opposable thumbs, rock hard skin, and enough strength to lift a van 10 feet off the ground while flying.

Someone was being chased; Alexa could here the noise now. Chane frowned and opened a communication channel to Alexa and Brett. When do we move?

Alexa thought for a minute. Mental communication was a gift from the werewolf side of their bloodline; the ability to shut it off was a blessing from their vampire ancestors. Wait until we see what he's chasing. Mind you, we're only waiting until then before we morph, no longer.

Well, that would be about now, then. Brett commented. Alexa squinted. Sure enough, she could just make out a vampire running from a fully grown werepyre through the trees.

I thought he was still a juvenile! Chane protested. We can't take down a mature werepyre who's on the hunt by ourselves.

Werepyres in their mature form looked like a cross between the gargoyle and the wolf juvenile forms. They were also near immortal unless killed by another mature werepyre. Alexa frowned. We have no choice. We'll just chase him off as far as we can, okay? He can't be too strong yet, so we'll have a decent shot at doing at least that much.

Brett nodded. Let's get this loser out of our territory for good.

All three of them instigated their morphs. Werepyres take longer to change forms than werewolves do, because it takes a bit for their senses to adjust. Brett finished first. His wolf form was almost as large as any werewolf, and just as fast. Alexa and Chane finished at about the same time. Chane unfurled his huge leathery wings and flew up out of the trees to follow in the air. Alexa and Brett leapt off to give chase to their prey.

Alexa's wolf form was smaller than Brett's, but she was faster and more agile. Unfortunately, her quarry and his target were still faster, breaking out into a large clearing before Alexa could. Chane intercepted the werepyre before he could attack the vampire, and Alexa went in, tooth and claw, after him. Brett was close behind, crashing into the rogue vampire from behind. Alexa. Brett called to her. Vampires are coming out of the house. I think we're about to see whether they're friendly or not.

Alexa looked over to see it was true. Seven vampires had come out of the house and were now talking with the one who had been chased. Great… maybe this wasn't such a good idea.

You think? Chane interjected. He was almost knocked out of the air.

Just don't get hit by his teeth. I don't want any of us getting poisoned. Alexa retorted.

Isn't that kinda obvious? Brett commented, leaping at the werepyre's back. He missed and was almost hit by a flailing arm as he landed on the ground.

Alexa, frustrated by the two boy's remarks, made a rash decision and bit down hard on the werepyre's leg. The huge wolfish beast roared in pain and thrashed around, trying to get Alexa off. He sent her flying into the side of the house, where she slid to the ground and laid still.

Brett and Chane, enraged by their teammate's injuries, heightened their attacks, chasing the rogue werepyre off through the woods. Alexa tried to ignore the pain in her side and get up, but she was unable to move out of the bushes she had landed in. Adrenaline caused her to panic. Her senses were on hyper-alert as she searched frantically for a safe way out. She could hear the vampires talking, but they were speaking too quickly for her to hear. However, five of them went inside while the other three came over towards Alexa. Her mind raced with escape plans. I just need to get free. Then, it'd be a clear shot to the woods. Shoot, but how do I get up before they get me?

"If you'd stop thrashing and formulating needless escape plans, we'd help you," the younger male vampire said.

Alexa froze and eyed the vampire cautiously. How did he know what I was thinking?

"I have the ability to tell what someone is thinking at any given moment, if you must know."

Names; what are your names? Alexa immediately asked. And are you vegetarian?

"I am Edward Cullen. This is Carlisle, and this is Alice. Yes, we are vegetarians. Now, if you'd please return the favor…"

Of course. I'm Alexa, and I am a vegetarian werepyre. We all are, Alexa replied, relaxing a bit. Well, except that one we attacked. He was turning into an outsider.

Edward relayed this information to the others, who seemed relieved. The one named Carlisle knelt next to Alexa. "You seem to be injured. Please, as thanks for helping us, let me take a look at you. I'm a doctor, and you could very well have a broken rib or two from that crash."

Do you not have the ability to read minds as well?

Edward laughed, "No, just me."

Ah. Then could you tell him I am going to have to contact my other pack members before I can accept?

"How would you do that?"

Mental connection. They'll hear me.

Edward nodded and repeated the message to the other two. Meanwhile, Alexa called out to her cousins. Nice of you two to leave me.

Brett replied first. Alexa? I would have thought you'd be unconscious after such a blow.

I should be, but I'm not. Look, the vampires seem to be nice enough. They are vegetarian too, so I guess they'll be staying. One of them is a doctor, though, and he thinks I broke some ribs. Mind if I hang here until you come back?

Brett seemed suspicious. Okay, but we're coming back immediately. I don't want you alone with those vampires any longer than you have to be.

Go get the Jeep, then, and find the road to the house, Alexa replied.

Got it. Brett broke the connection.

Alexa looked up at Edward. You catch that?

Edward shook his head. "It just sounded like buzzing. What did they say?"

They are going to fetch the Jeep and bring it to this house, Alexa informed him. Meanwhile, I get to hang here.

Again, Edward acted as translator to the others. Carlisle nodded, "Very well then. I get someone to go make sure your friends find the road."

Thanks. Just a minute; I'll make it easier for us to talk. Alexa focused on her human form, willing herself to change. Moments later, she was back to normal, but still stuck in the bushes. Her voice raspy from the change, Alexa said, "Yeah, I think you were right about those broken ribs."

Carlisle laughed. "Let's get you into the house."