[A/N: I am soooo sorry I haven't updated. I have weird updating patterns. But I knew you guys were waiting for this, don't worry, there'll be another bonfire with more happiness and such. Do not own Twilight]
How to live with Werewolves.
Rule Number Seven:
Remember, they're called wild animals for a reason.
Last Time:
"Is she okay?"
"I don't know, God, I don't know!"
"Jacob, calm down!"
"She won't stop screaming…."
"What are you all doing in my bathroom?" I ask as four pairs of eyes stare back at me.
"Jake…" I say softly, then he yanks me forward, his lips ever so slowly press against mine.
Bella Swan is coming back.
I can smell the ocean, and for a moment, it reminds me of my stupid stunt some time back. But the ocean is calmer now, almost lapping gently at the shore like an excited puppy. We walk along the sand in said silence again and Jacobs hand slips into mine as we approach the throng of people laughing and shouting.
I was never a social person, and so, this is new to me-all of these people. I can see Quil and Embry both play fighting if I look hard enough, and see Jared and Paul making light conversation over the fire, Jared stuffing his face as he mumbles around a mouthful. There's some strangers here and there, all talking and some of them just sitting and staring into the fire. It's comforting, in it's own way, the smoke drifting softly towards me, and I can smell it faintly, not as strong as when I get closer. It's nice, this feeling. Like being home.
In the dim part of my mind, I'm worried I'll make a fool of myself and be unwanted here. It's a scary feeling, making the hair on the back of my neck stand and my palms become damp as I take my hand out of Jakes grasp, smiling bashfully at him before stopping in my tracks. A girl about the size of Jacob comes up, and for a moment, our eyes meet. She raises an eyebrow at me before stepping forth and speaking to Jacob in another language.
He smirks, hips cocked to the left in defiance as he snaps something back that I don't catch. She just shakes her head, a smile darker then intended dazzling her pretty face. I realize softly she's beautiful. The type of girl Jakes dad would be proud of if he brought her home. Her eyes are wide and thick full lashes touch her cheek almost lightly when she blinks at him, then me. Her lips are full and pouted, cheekbones high and her raven coloured hair falls to her shoulders.
She's wearing denim shorts-the kind that if Charlie caught me wearing, he would probably lock me in the basement-and a tight fitting top, producing her chest as if puppies are trying to escape.
Suddenly, she looks at me, notices my glance and says "You a lesbian?"
"Sorry," I say, my tongue sharper then my brain "You're not my type."
There's howls of laughter and for a moment, I think she might kill me, her deep brown eyes narrowing at my general living self. But Jacob growls out a "Back off, Leah" and she answers with a snort.
She puts out her hand.
"Welcome to the pack" she says with a grin. I shake her hand with a meek smile and there's a small understanding between us.
Her hand is hotter then Jakes and I ask him quietly about it as she goes.
"Ah," he says and looks over to a boy who looks a lot like her, but younger. "New blood. After a while it'll cool down like mine, but I wouldn't go sticking a thermometer in her mouth just yet." he says with a grin.
He takes my hand again, leading me to the people huddled around the small fire, bricks set up in a wide circle and logs lay nearby. I meet the eyes of Jacobs father and he smiles warmly at me.
"Bella," he says, and I lean down to give him a hug.
"You look…" he clears his throat. "Well."
I glance down at my denim jeans and gray singlet with a frown. Did I spill something? But his eyes aren't on my choice of clothes, but rather the curls of my hair.
"Oh, I uh, wanted to try a new look…" I murmur.
He grins.
"It's nice."
"It's hot!" Embry calls out and there's guffaws of laughter, almost instantly my cheeks heat up.
Jacob shoots a glare Embry's way and the laughter dies.
"Bella, this is Sue Clearwater, Leah's and Seth's mother." he introduces and she smiles at me.
At that moment, that same boy runs up and grins at Jake.
Someone's got a fan, I think with a grin.
"You called?"
"Damn, kid, you're fast!" he chuckles, ruffling his hair.
"Alright!" Sam calls out, a woman tucked into his side, a bowl of what I assume is salad hitched on her hip.
"Time to settle down, now." he says and it falls silent. Jacob takes me to a foldout chair and before I can sit in the one next to him, he plops me onto his lap. The man next to Sue begins to speak, and I don't dare interrupt him as I shoot a questioning gaze at Jacob. He just holds me tighter as the stories begin.
As the voices faded in and out, I imagined men turning into wolves, stalking and praying on those with the red eyes. I saw clearings, and rain on long and winding highways.
Of golden eyes and broken glass.
But mostly, I saw a faceless figure picking up the broken shards, placing them back together, forming the shape of a bird. His fingertips are bleeding and it's almost heartbreaking to watch it travel down his russet-skinned forearm. The last pieces were of its wings, and he couldn't find them. Falling onto his knees, he begged me to forgive him.
He looked up, and Jakes eyes were filled with tears.
"I can't fix you," he said and then he was gone.
I awoke with tears on my cheeks.
I hadn't realized I'd fallen asleep and I can feel fingers running through my hair. Looking up through my lashes, Jake smiles at me. A shock of pain hits me at the disappearing dream but he whispers "Hello, beautiful."
I smile back and cuddle back into his chest. I look around as he continues to thread his fingers in my hair and clear my throat. "How long was I out?"
"Half an hour or so."
I curse under my breath and he laughs.
"It's okay, besides, you looked like you could use some sleep."
I look up at the woman's voice and try not to stare as she smiles at me, her face holding one sided pure beauty as the other half of her face is set in a constant frown, marred by a long thick scar.
"I'm Emily" she greets, holding out her hand and I stand, shaking hers lightly.
"I'm—
"Bella? Yes. Jake talks about you." she looks at him behind my shoulder and adds "A lot."
I laugh and she laces her arm with mine as we walk together to the make-shift table that holds various bowls of salads and empty trays of what I assume were pies and hot dogs.
"Sorry, there isn't much meat left. Once they dig in, they make it a personal challenge" she says, gesturing wildly to the rest of the tall russet skinned boys, running around and catching what looks like…
"Is that a hub-cap?" I ask, blinking in amazement. In Embry's hand, it looks like a normal Frisbee. Emily laughs.
"Yes. They can make a toy out of anything" she says, but there's awe in her voice and for a moment, we just stand, arms laced as we watch them laughing and playing. Even Leah looks like she's having a good time, as she jumps onto Quil's back and catches it with a fist pump of victory.
I notice a certain wolf is missing.
"Where's Paul?" I ask and Emily snorts, points.
I look over to find him staring up at a girl passing by with total and complete adoration, only a look that true love can bring. But the girl looks a little freaked out and just ignores him, chatting with Sue.
"He's imprinted" she says matter-of-factly and we both turn back to the table. I pile a small salad onto a paper plate and pick at it as she tells me about her secret recipe to make the lettuce and tomatoes seem more fresh and crunchy.
That's when something happens.
"You asshole!" a very familiar voice calls out and I look back over to find Jake looking very angry at a love-struck Paul.
"What? Dude! You know I can't help it!" he says, backing away, eyes suddenly wide as if he's just realized what's going on.
"Can't help it?" he shouts, shaking. "You imprinted on—
"Yes! It's like you and the leech-lover!"
That does it.
Jacob snaps, and then I hear this loud popping sound, and Jacob explodes.
My heart stops.
Jakes gone.
But he isn't.
I stand, forgetting the plate on my lap and shout "Jake!"
My minds a jumbled mess and as I hear people call out to me to stay back, I'm running for him.
I stand between him and Paul as Paul falls to his knees, growling profusely. The wolf behind me nudges me with his cold nose and I refuse to budge.
"Don't hurt him!" I cry, and then I'm being torn out of the way.
"Jake!" I scream.
"Jesus Christ, Bella! Stop moving!" someone says and I blink back tears as my ears pop once more and Paul explodes, his clothes being tossed up in the air into little itty bitty pieces.
The two wolves snap at each other, growling and snarling.
"STOP!" a loud voice booms.
The two freeze.
I fall to the ground, as the person lets me go gently and sob, crying out Jakes name and hoping he isn't hurt. I can't breath and the hole in my chest reopens with a relish.
The world spins and I try and calm myself down, furious that I would pass out at something like this.
You're weak the voice growls in my head.
No, you're not, Bella, says another, sounding like Jake.
Focus! You can do this. Breathe.
Useless, so utterly useless. No wonder I left. He will too, you'll see.
That static noise again.
It's over.
I'm gone again.
Bella Swan has left the building. my own voice jokes inside my head.
No. No! I was done being the helpless girl.
Jake needed me.
I stood, and the world tilted. The cold voice whispered that maybe I should stay down, but I wasn't doing it anymore. I couldn't be a child forever.
I opened my eyes and found a pair of darker ones watching me with concern.
"I'm fine, Billy." I croaked.
The surroundings had changed and the few people who stayed behind began picking up pieces of clothing, throwing them into the fire. I stumbled past Sue and was suddenly yanked back.
"What do you think you're doing?"
"I have to find Jake." I say, desperately pulling.
But Emily was stronger then me.
"He's fine…" she said, and held me close. I didn't know the tears weren't fully gone and then there I was, sobbing onto a girls shoulder who I barely knew. I was such a child.
Useless the voice agreed and a low snarling sound follows after it.
"You know he's okay. Close your eyes… Reach out for him," she instructed and slowly, I felt my breathing even, felt a pulse faster then mine beat through me. Images of Jake flashed through my mind and I sighed contentedly. She stroked my hair.
"What… What is that?" I asked, sounding drunk.
"It's an imprinting thing," she says softly.
"When the other is in trouble, the human-Like myself and you-can feel the pulse, the strength of the other. It makes both the imprinter and imprinted calm. Like a lullaby…" she hums then, begins stacking plates and emptying half drunken cans of soda, and I realize she's just as worried as I am.
Sam was her imprint.
She was so strong. So much stronger then me.
I followed suit, packing things away. When it was clear they weren't coming back, Billy told me to go home, that he would call.
I nodded and hugged Emily goodbye.
She said something that reminded me of the way a sister talks to her younger sibling, but I couldn't understand it.
I was beginning to think I would probably never understand. But I was okay with that.
Later that night, I was too worried to sleep. I studied, finding old sheets of homework and busying myself by answering most of the questions. I begin to scribble names, linking them to one another.
That girl before, the one Paul was staring at. She was his imprint.
Sam and Emily.
Embry, Quil, Jared and Seth were still unclear at this point.
But the last two names I wrote out seemed like a puzzle being put together. Made to fit.
Jacob and Bella.
[Review Rant Time]
Preetoaka Raven Potter Weasley - Thank you, common reviewer. It's nice to see you reviewing on each chapter! Devoted fan! Instant win.
RealLifeWolfGirl - I thought it was a nice touch. Thanks!
Sonyabrady1971 - Loved writing the kiss! Hehe...
Vette58Lover - I always thought Jake blushing would be cute.
Jharv241 - Praying this tickles your fancy? What a weird saying.
I'mAMusicGirl - Tadah! Hope you like it.
Raeburns3 - Got all bubbly at your review. I loved writing Paul like that. This chapter made me wince a little.
Bripearl - Writing this chapter with Leah and Bella meeting? I think the two could be good friends if they tried!
And! VampireLover101 - Thank you! Shall be looking forward to reviewing on your review? Ha.
[End Rant]
Ah, finally. * Passes out and such. *