AN: I own nothing...

Chapter 7

"What is that doing inside your house?"

"He wanted-"

"You can't keep him as a pet. I told you –you shouldn't have fed him. He's a wild animal and now he won't be able to fend for himself."

"He won't have to. He seems to like dog food well enough."

"He might be dangerous Rachel! You can't keep him!"

"It wasn't my idea!" I stopped him. "He wants to keep me!"

"I…"

"If something ever bad happens you can tell me I told you so and rub it all in my face, okay? So just shut up about it," I snapped.

"I'm sorry," he breathed, rubbing a hand over his face. "It seems that all we can do is argue… so I promise to keep my distance and my mouth shut."

"You don't have to stay away…"

"I don't?"

"No…?" I didn't want him to stay away? I guess not, but my intentions were to annoy him not to… ugh. "The arguing is my fault just as much as yours… especially if I provoke you on purpose."

"Huh, why?"

"What?"

"Why would you provoke me?"

"Because you never talk to me other than about the water heater and the best window cleaners…"

"So from now on, I won't keep my distance and I won't keep my mouth shut?" he asked, a playful smile forming.

"Only if you want to," I shrugged.

"Alright, well I'll see you then," he nodded turning on his heel.

"See you," I called as he climbed in his truck and he drove away.

I nearly tripped over the toolbox when I moved to go inside.

…

Giving Van Gogh a bath was… different than I expected. I did expect there to be a big mess, but I hadn't expected him to actually like it. He practically rolled around in the tub and loved that I massaged doggie shampoo into his fur. When he was done, he shook out his fur and splattered water everywhere. Then I had to towel dry him off and was almost tempted to use a hairdryer, but I didn't want to risk pampering him so much. …He probably would've loved it though.

When I finished cleaning the bathroom, I found Van Gogh in the bedroom… rolling around on the bed.

"Oh no, Van Gogh, you can not sleep on the bed. You have your own bed," I pointed to the large dog pillow on the floor.

He looked at me curiously for a moment and climbed down from the bed. He circled his own bed and plopped down.

"Thank you," I nodded at him and slid under the sheets.

I shifted awkwardly digging my head into the pillow and kicking my feet. Sleeping in a new bed was uncomfortable enough, but sleeping in a new house….? Sleeping at Dad's house had been easy because it was a twin bed, but this new one was a queen size – a brand new one, Paul assured me. But now I had all of this space I had to acclimate to and I was stuck on the left side of the bed. I had to get used to it though because this was my new home. Where I had to live. By myself. Alone.

The tears started falling before I even realized it. I hadn't noticed until I sniffled my nose into the pillow and then I started crying harder. I had tried my best to keep myself together especially in front of Dad and everyone else – those people giving me looks of pity. But no one was here to see me fall apart and I would have enough time to put my pieces back together by morning.

The mattress bounced as a heavy weight dropped onto it. I didn't bother pushing him away but just nuzzling my head into his back and enjoyed the warmth of Van Gogh.

…

*Clank! Craaack!*

I jolted awake at the sound of glass shattering. And the screaming.

"Get in – watch –hurry – bear – stop!" There were two different voices coming from downstairs, and Van Gogh was already out of the room barking. "Wolf – oh – hell – do – go!"

I flicked on the lights as I hurried down the stairs and I was very thankful that I had Van Gogh. Two large guys were curled up on the kitchen table whimpering as Van Gogh growled at them. I turned for the phone, and I hadn't realized who I was calling until I saw him standing at the backdoor fidgeting with keys in the lock.

"Paul!" I flicked the lock.

"You okay?" he asked as soon as the door was open.

"Yeah, but-" I stopped as he rushed over to the guys on my table, grabbing them around their necks. Compared to Paul they weren't that big… kinda small.

"Give me a good reason why I shouldn't kill you right now…" Paul growled at them.

"Paul! You can't-"

"We saw – there – huge – trying – window"

"One at a time…"Paul yanked back on their necks.

"Bear in the woods."

"It was huge and chasing us."

"We broke the glass trying to get away from it," one of the guys held out his bloody arm.

"But then there's a wolf in the house…" the other guy started crying.

"But why were you here on private property?" Paul asked, his grip tightening.

"We stashed our weed under the porch because no one ever comes up here."

"We like to smoke out on the porch swing. It feels like your flying-"

"Shut it," Paul shoved their heads into the table. "There are no bears here in this area, and your stash is already gone. Someone lives in this house now, so you're not allowed to come here every again or you'll be shot for trespassing."

"Paul… I think that's enough," I spoke up.

"They could have… attacked you," he gritted his teeth.

"But they didn't… and I have Van Gogh. And no-"

"Who?"

"Van Gogh," I patted the animal, trying to soothe him and thank him at the same time. He'd stop growling, but he had this weird voodoo look going on. I'd tried pulling him away from the table, but he wouldn't budge.

"You named him?" Paul looked at him, incredulous.

"He likes it," I glared.

"Van Gogh is a very respectable artist from the impress-" The guy on the left started.

"No one asked you…" Paul must have done something because both of the guys yelped out in pain.

"Paul, that's enough. I need to look them over to check-"

"You don't need to-"

"This is my house and you-"

"Fine, but I'm taking them to the hospital. They don't deserve your kindness," Paul stood back, letting go of the two guys.

"I'm coming too," I looked for my shoes by the door.

"No, you're not even dressed."

"I have on more clothes than you," I argued, pointing to his bare chest. He was just wearing a pair of athletic shorts; he wasn't even wearing shoes. Why wasn't he wearing shoes? And how did he get here so quick?

"Why are you here?" I struggled to figure it out.

"Uh I think it's obvious why I'm here," he waved to the guys on the table. They were sitting up on the table watching Van Gogh – too afraid to move down. Looking at their faces, I realized that they were only kids. Sixteen maybe?

"But… how did you get here so fast?"

"Hey, what I miss? Whoa!" Seth appeared in the backdoor.

"Everyone in La Push heard them screaming. The whole rez will be here soon," Paul explained.

"Did you know you have a wolf in your house, Miss Rachel?"

AN: I randomly met Boo boo Stewart (Seth) at a charity thing I was working at... he seems like a sweet kid.

Also I only have one more final so updates may be quicker now... but I'm also working everyday bc nursing school is expensive.

Thanks for reading!