Chapter 33

Haylee's POV

"Look," She says pointing her shaky finger to something behind me.

Open mind. Open mind. Open mind, I chant in my head. I mean, vampires are real and I took that pretty well; better than most people would. What can be equally bad? I swallow loudly as the noise around us mutes by the second. My eyes swiftly leave hers and move through the view, the trees passing by 'till I'm face to face with… "A giant wolf," I whisper. That is bad…not to mention scary. My eyes widen, feeling the frame of my glasses tighten around my face. I take a step back feeling Annalise's hands on my back keeping me up.

"Open mind," she reminds me.

I try to swallow but it gets stuck in my throat. My lips feel cold, my mouth dry. "What…" I say hoarsely like if someone was strangling me. Is this a joke? Where is Seth? Did this giant wolf eat him?! My heart is pounding loudly against my chest; my feet glued to the ground as I stare at the animal. I stop breathing loudly when he begins whimpering, the eyes of the wolf turning sad, glassy from the tears forming. I frown confused. As I look at them longer is like instead of seeing the wolf I see Seth. "Seth," The name feels like it's carried by the silent wind. Those light brown eyes that I met yesterday are ones I could never forget; how did I not see that before? He bows his head once then looks at me; he stands his ground like if he's rooted there. My eyes dart to Annie. "It's Seth, right?"

Annie nods slowly. "He won't hurt you," She pushes me forward gently.

My feet never stop as I move forward. Our eyes locked on each others. With every step I feel more confident that he won't hurt me. I smile now standing in front of him. "Hi Seth," I say shyly. He gives me the cutest wolfy grin making my grin widen. Wow.

"Cool inst it?" I hear Nessie behind me.

I jump a little but I turn with a small smile, "Yes." I frown looking at all of them. "I don't get it. First vampires, now werewolves? Is anything fake?"

They chuckle. "Technically, we're Shape shifters." Jake explains.

"Shape shifters…Wait, you said we?" Embry and Jake look at each other with a smirk. They take a step back, as do I, all of a sudden their skin begins burning like they're about to explode. I gasp loudly as they shift into huge wolfs shredding their clothes in the process; shaking the ground a little as their massive paws touch the ground. My eyes fallow the torn cotton material land effortlessly over the grass before my eyes, hesitantly, move to the wolves.

"Awesome?" Annie asks standing next to me. My eyes still wondering over the three gigantic wolfs. What kind of a world was I living in?

"Very," my voice wary. I mean it is awesome I won't deny that but part of me is still…majorly scared. I feel extra tiny in the midst of all of them. It feels like their huge bodies could swallow me up and not notice. I begin playing around with my fingers not knowing what else to do.

From the corner of my eye I see Nessie's shoulder shake like she's laughing but holding it in. "Right," she says running towards the huge russet wolf. The wolf, or should I say Jake lies on the ground allowing her to climb on his back. "Let's have fun," She wiggles her brows.

Annie laughs running towards the gray wolf, doing a flip like some kind of professional gymnastic and lading over his back. "Race?"

"Race?" My palms begin sweating.

Annie's hand glides over the fur and it felt like Embry was going to purr. "The feeling is unbelievable. You won't be disappointed...C'mon." She motions me with her hand. Then she smiles. "It's not like you don't have a wolf," She points to Seth with her head. Right, because having a wolf is so normal… This is so weird.

I look back at Seth and he lies on the ground; lowering himself as much as he could. My feet feel like they weigh a ton as I walk to him. I can't believe I'm about to ride a wolf like a horse, a huge wolf to be specific. My hand stretches to him but I retreat it. I close my eyes and inhale to calm myself. Opening them he's still waiting patiently. It's now or never. I stretch my arm faster and I shut my eyes closed again as my hand touches the immensely soft fur; scratchy at the same time. It tickles my hand, my palm moving side to side; with my fingers gliding over him I begin opening my eyelids slowly. Wow. It feels incredible. His body warm under my fingertips, inviting even. I squint my eyes determined and I fling my leg over, grunting, having some difficulties.

"This is harder than it looks," I say feeling the need to explain why I'm taking so long. They all laugh; even the wolves, it just sounded really gruff like a soft growl. I chuckle under my breath not believing how hard it is to just get on the damn wolf. I feel Seth vibrating under me like if he's laughing. "Not funny," I whisper. I feel his body vibrating again and I just roll my eyes as I fling my leg again. As I do he stands and moves to the side making me fall over him. I laugh as my arms circle around his neck, gripping tight so I won't fall and would need to repeat this.

"Ready?" Annie asks.

As I smell the pine scent I came to like my body fills with tingles; my stomach in knots. "Yes," And before I know it he runs ahead. I hug his massive neck as the wind passes by us. My eyes looking at everything like if I was seeing them for the first time. My hair flying widely all over the place as I hold on tight he jumps and runs faster. I giggle feeling the adrenalin pumping inside me. This is unbelievable like Annie said.

"Woo!" Annie screams and then yelps as Embry jumps. I laugh. "Hale's!" She calls. "Do this," She says as she sits upright and spreads her arms to the side. She smiles closing her eyes and tilting her head up.

I lighten the grip on his neck and little by little I try to sit upright in the fast strong wind. When I manage to do so my eyes begin burning as I try to keep them open and I spread my arms. My body ignites with a rush of excitement. "Woo-hoo!" I scream. How did I ever live without knowing this feeling?

My body falls over his back in a loud thud when he stops abruptly digging his paws into the ground, as do the rest of the wolves. My skin burns from the cold wind that was hammering against me, my arms like noodles as I sit up and look at all of them. They're looking at one direction; with serious expressions. "What's going on?" As the words slip pass my lips I feel Seth leaning down. I frown as my body slips off of him and he runs in the opposite direction, disappearing behind the tress and green growth, following Jake and Embry. The three of us stand there. "Can you explain what happened?" I tug on Annie's hand.

Her gray eyes filled with urgency look at me. "We need to take you out of here," Her voice low.

"What?" My brows crease more.

I feel a light gust of wind and before I know it Nessie is standing next to me. "There is no time for explanations," She swings me over her back like if a weigh nothing and she runs. She ducks, doges the out grown tree branches as she runs in her full speed; Annie next to us. We make it back to the Cullen house is no time. Nessie places me on my feet and runs inside. If I blinked I missed it.

Annie stops for a second, looks at me and signals me to go in. I run, in my slower pace, inside, Annie right behind me. My shoes squeak against the polish marble as I run up the stairs. "What's going on?" Annie walks to her family and in a hush tone she explains, along with Nessie what they saw or heard… whatever happened out there. I shift my weight feeling anxious. "Can someone please explain what's going on?"

Annie speed walks to me and takes my hand. "You need to leave and go back to Canada,"

I yank my hand. "What? Why?"

"Hale's it's not safe here," She deeply inhales. "Look, there some vampires on the lands,"

"Yes, I know. All of you," I don't get what she's saying.

She shakes her head. "No, older vampires. Vampires that don't eat animals." She says slowly. My eyes widen. "I promised myself that I won't let anything hurt you. Now, these vampires are friends to us but think that all humans are a snack."

"Oh,"

She nods. "They've caught you're scent and were running towards us but Jake, Embry and Seth tried to buy us some time,"

"Are they safe? Can these Vampires hurt Seth?" my body feels numb as I wait for the answer.

"They're safe but you aren't."

"Let's get out of this freak show." Princess stands next to me with a small handbag. She has small dark circles under her eyes and she looks pale. Her once perfect hair is in a tangled pony tail, she wears jeans and a hoodie. I never thought I'd see the day were Princess Queen would wear a sweater. "I don't want to die. Haylee, let's go," she says annoyed and scared.

I look back at Annie and nod, "Alright."

In a blink of an eye Annie's Aunt Alice runs out the room and runs right back in. In her hand is a black book bag. "For the travel," She says showing me a small smile and handing it to me carefully.

"Thanks," I smile back. All the Vampires in the room begin running around getting everything ready. I can only feel the gusts of wind and Princess's manicure nails dig into my arm.

"Ok," Annie says in a small smile. "My Momma and Daddy will take you."

My eyes snap towards her sad ones. "You won't be coming,"

She shakes her head like if she was timid and swallows. "I'm not ready to see…that…um," she swallows again. "That place,"

I hug her. "I'll come back," I promise. I smile at her surprised look. "I know, nobody in their right mind would say that but…" I shrug, "Maybe I'm just crazy," We laugh as Annie wipes my tear.

"Yes you are," We laugh again.

"Ready?" Her dad asks.

I look at Annie and I nod smiling. "Yeah," I sadly say. I give her a huge smile before turning around and follow Mr. Cullen.

A very satisfied smile appears on Princess' face when she sees the car we'll be in. "An Audi S8," She whispers admiring the beautiful piece of machinery. She leans to the side and whispers. "The car of my dreams."

"Just get in the car," I roll my eyes.

We take our seats as does Mr. and Mrs. Cullen. I place the book bag over my lap; I clutch the material tightly nervous of what can happen from now on. How can I just go to my normal life in Canada knowing what I know? Nothing will ever be the same… Nothing.

"Jessie?" Princess says driving out of my thoughts.

I look at her then I look at the entrance of the garage. Jessie is in deep conversation with Annie. Annie has a frown as she very quietly talks to him. He closes his eyes and rubs his face. An action I'm too familiar with, he's nervous and angry. She continues to talk to him before he slowly nods and flings a book bag over his shoulder. My leg begins bouncing as he walks to the car. I catch the falling book bag in my lap as he softly knocks.

I look to my side as he opens the door. "Can I slide in?" He asks like if I'm stranger.

I frown. "Yes," I say. I feel Princess sticks herself to the door like Velcro leaving us enough space for one more. Jessie very graciously sits next to me and closes the door. "You will be coming?" He only nods, never looking at me. Mr. Cullen turns the car on and drives out in speed. Annie waves at us before he drives faster. The car softly purrs under us as it glides on the pavement. Into the road Princess's eyes are glued to window, I think it's her coping mechanism knowing she's in the car with vampires. I stare ahead not wanting to move a muscle. I steal a glance at Jessie who in all reality hasn't moved a muscle. My eyes fall to his chest that is still, like wall. "You're not breathing?"

"I don't need too," He quietly says.

I feel deflated like a punctured balloon as I look at him. We grew up together; we were there for each other and now… it's like we're strangers. "Jessie-"

"-Haylee…" He pauses. "…don't,"

"Talk to me," I take his hand which he takes it away in a fast move. "Jessie please,"

"Haylee, I said don't," I hear a soft growl.

"Jessie," Mrs. Cullen warns as she stares at him through the side mirror.

"Hale's let it go," Princess pleads, her green eyes filled with worry.

"No," I scowl. I look at Jessie dead on. "We were friends. What happened?"

Jessie grabs my arms. They begin pulsing with the much needed blood, "What happened?! I tried to kill you is what happened!" he growls, his eyes cold.

The wheels of the car squeak to a stop and Mr. Cullen, in a swift movement, removes Jessie from the car. "Calm down," He calmly says.

"I tried to kill you…" Jessie continues but now more like the Jessie I knew all those years. "I will never be able to forgive myself if I did."

I get out of the car. "But you didn't," We stare at each other.

"Haylee, honey. Get in the car," Mrs. Cullen says.

"I almost did," he says.

"I forgive you." I stand now in front of him. "We've been friend's way too long to throw all that away for something that you had no control of. All of this isn't your fault."

Mr. Cullen loosens his grip and Jessie looks down ashamed. Before I know it I run to him and hug my best friend. I can feel his cold, hard body go rigid but he doesn't do anything to take me away. "I'm sorry," He whispers, I almost didn't catch it.

I look at him. I see the hunger dwelling in his eyes but past that I see my friend, my brother. "Don't be."

Annalise's POV

We all stand in the living room as the scent nears the house. I have never smelled it before but by the body language of the wolves and Nessie's expression I just had to protect Haylee. Then we walked in and Nessie said their names, I knew Haylee had to be away. Grandpa stands with his ridiculous posture and waits. I can hear the fast footsteps then… they're at the entrance of the living room. They're red eyes moving side to side and creepy smiles stretch their overly pale skin.

"Vladimir, Stefan," Grandpa speaks first giving a curt nod.

"Carlisle why are those wolves cashing us, I thought we were friends," The one with white hair says in a rich accent, his creepy smile never leaving his face.

Grandpa has his poker face. "You cannot just come unannounced. They have rules,"

"Of course, just came for a friendly visit," They are seriously creepy. His red eyes fall on me. "Another one," His smile widens sending disgusting chills down my spine.

"Vladimir, Stefan, why you are really here," Uncle Edward politely says.

"The mind reader," They laugh looking at each other. "Of course Edward. We came to see if the Volturi has tried anything against you."

"Our war with them is over," Grandpa frowns.

"Over? They will never forget what happened that day," The white hair vamp scoffs.

"We came to offer our help once again," The one with dark hair bows his head slightly then looks at Nessie. "Like we did to save this one."

"And we thank you but I will not put my family in danger for a revenge plot,"

"We have something to say," The white hair vampire has a serious expression.

"Step into my study," Grandpa offers and Uncle Edward along with Uncle Jasper follow.

"What do they want?" I asks turning to Grandma.

"I don't know sweetie."

"They still give me the chills," Nessie frowns looking at Grandpa's study.

"Me too," I add.

"Why don't you go with Jake and Embry," Aunt Bella offers.

Nessie and I nod. Don't have to tell us twice. We run into the woods and across the border. "Are they gone?" A very angry Jake asks; he looks at Nessie and me.

"No," I answer.

"Are you alright?" Embry asks taking my hand in his.

I nod smiling. "Yeah, but they gave me the creeps."

"What did they want?" Seth scowl deepens as he leans into the tree trunk.

"They didn't say," Nessie runs to Jake and holds his hand to show him everything.

"Is Haylee safe?" I can sense Seth stiffen as he asks.

"She left… she is far away from them,"

His shoulder slump. "Oh, good." He clears his throat. "I'm going home," He says and runs off.

I see him fade away into the forest. "I'm worried…"

"He'll be fine." Embry assures me.

"Seth is strong I know that. He's not what worries me,"

I feel his large warm hand cup my face. He gently guides me to look at him; his brown eyes melting with tenderness. "What are you worried about?"

"Haylee," My voice wavers.

He frowns in confusion. "I thought you said she is safe,"

I shake my head. "I said she left... not safe."

He wraps his arms around me. The warmth surrounds me. "They're here, she's far away. She is safe,"

I let go and shake my head more violently. "She's not safe. Jessie is with her,"

"Did he hunt before the trip?"

I nod. "They all did…You don't get it. Haylee is Jessie's Singer. To him no blood would ever compare to hers. Maybe it was a mistake for him to tag along,"

"Annie," Embry sighs and wraps his arms around me again trying to comfort me. Honestly I'd breathe better knowing all of them made it safely. I really hope they did.

Jessie's POV

Emmett drives fast down the roads. Probably trying to make it as fast as he can for my sake, for Haylee's. The car is dead silent with the exception of the purring engine. Emmet glides over the streets like if he was driving in air. Avoiding any pot holes… in all honestly I think we would made it faster by running.

I try not to breathe; it's easy but her scent is so inviting. I feel her fragile head lean into me than her hand falls over mine. The way it use to when we were younger on road trips. The difference is back then I didn't desire her blood. Who would've taught that I would be a vampire, never to grow, never to eat food again? I look at her hand and I take it very, very gently. It feels like with a slight squeeze I break all her bones. I let go and place her hand in her lap.

I sigh thinking about Annie. Annie… I don't blame her for what happened. If anything I fell in love with her even more. Pathetic, since she's destined with that dog or whatever but the way she cares for those around her is amazing. It may be true I became a vampire because I had to check if she was alright but she fought for me, and I remember her screaming in pain. What I wouldn't do to have that piece of shit in front of me. It would be an even battle now.

I look out the window recognizing the houses that come into view. "Hale's" I whisper but she doesn't stir.

"Is this her house?" Emmett asks.

"Yeah," I look at Haylee. In pure impulse I cradle her in my arms and I run to her house in my vampire speed. It's dark anyways. I run to her room, set her in the bed, "Night Hale's," I whisper before running back downstairs to turn off the alarm. I'm glad I know the pass code.

We drop off Princess and her mom noticed me cradling her daughter at the front door in which turns to questioning. But I just say she had a few too many and the knowing expression returns to her face. She gives me the go ahead; I take Princess to her bed in human speed than I walk back to the car. Emmett and Rosalie wait patiently.

"Did Annie tell you why we brought you?"

"I have to fake my death," I griddly say.

"Jessie," Rosalie sadly sighs.

I shrug, "It's alright. I wasn't around my mother all that much. The only family that mattered was Haylee and she will know it's a lie."

Emmett nods and drives to my house. Emmett has been really cool. He taught me how to hunt, which he said I was a natural. He kicks my ass if I need it. We play video games most of the night and we watch football. I think this is how it would be if my dad was still alive. Too bad I wouldn't know.

As he parks the car in the drive way I look at my lifeless house. The stone perfectly smooth and expensive, the custom made wooden door. It might look pretty to a lot of people, it is a mansion but it sucks. All those empty rooms, the echoes of the lonely floors; I would gladly give it away if it was mine but even if my mother practically doesn't live here she owns it.

We run and I turn off the alarm. "Where is your mother?" Rosalie asks.

I run and they follow me. "Well, if she's gone I will find…" I open a drawer in the kitchen and take out a small yellow folder and drop it on the kitchen island. "…money,"

"She will just leave you money?" She asks astonished.

"That's… that's not right," Emmett frowns looking at the small yellow folder.

I sigh, "Story of my life." I walk towards the massive living room. "Now how do we plan this? Should I fall from the roof? Maybe someone can run me over-"

"-Jessie?" We turn around to see my mother. Her red hair nicely made; her big furry coat almost looks like it's swallowing her. She wears a shinny elegant long gold dress and a clutch in her hands. "You're home?"

I smirk. "Right back at you, mother,"

She looks at Emmett and Rosalie…her eyes linger on Emmett longer than what I find comfortable. "Who are your guests?" She smiles sweetly.

I clear my throat. "Mother this is Emmett and Rosalie Cullen. They're parents of a friend of mine,"

She smacks her lips and now she fake smiles. "Oh, you two are married." she eyes him. "Bummer," she mumbles under her breath and our ears caught it. "Well have fun… I'll just be going."

I arch my eyebrow. "Where to now?"

"Dubai; the new middle east," She says with excitement. Her heels calking on the floor as she walks to the side table on the coach. She bends over and reaches for her phone. "Just came back for this." She waves her phone then stuffs in her clutch. "Money is in the folder. Don't do anything reckless… Bye!" she yells as she's walking away.

"You will just leave your son?" Rosalie growls. Her topaz eyes look like they're on fire.

Mother turns around surprised. "Yes, and if you have a problem with that you can leave my house,"

"What kind of a mother are you?" Emmett holds Rosalie's arm.

Mother laughs. "No one will come here and start offending me in my own home. Now leave," Mother scoffs and turns around.

"Let me adopt him," Mother's hand freezes on the door handle. She turns around wide eye.

I look at Rosalie shocked by what I heard. "What did you say?" Mother asks not sure if she heard right.

"What?" I ask.

"Let me adopt him." Rosalie looks calmer as she repeats the words staring at me then her eyes turn cold as she looks at Mother.

Mother looks between them and me. "You want me to give away my son?"

"No, but I want him to have a home, a family." I see Rosalie's stiff body relax. "Some he can come too if he needs to talk."

Mother looks at her for a while. The air stood still. Then her brown eyes land on me. She begins walking towards me. As she stands in front of me and for the first time in a very long time I can see her eyes warm as she holds my gaze. Her hand comes up and she gently caresses my cheek. "You're cold," She chuckles. My eyes only stare at her like she has three heads. "You know when you where a child you use to asks if I was ok like if I was the child and you the grown up," Her eyes well up. "When you became a teenager you were more independent. I knew you didn't need me so I went to travel, to not wallow on my self-pity in front of you," Her voice is so gentle I get caught up in it. My hand fins hers. "We lost your father and in time you lost me too…I'm sorry." She wipes some tears with her free hand. "I thought that this is what you preferred. To be alone, to have your space but looking at you, I know that is not true." Her hand leaves mine and she wipes her tears fiercely. She fixes her hair and dusts off invisible dust. I look down trying to process everything she told me; like if the wooden floor had the answer. This is all new to me; she has never really talked to me like this before. "Yes," She whispers. My eyes dart to hers.

"Wha…" My voice fades.

She smiles and nods. "Yes… you can adopt him,"

A/N: Sooooooooooo... Review? I still you all are awesome. Keep rocking it! :))