Hey everyone! Thank you for reading this far? I really appreciate the reviews!
Jasper
The topic and reason of the meeting were still unknown to me. Of course Edward knew, but of course he knows everything. Carlisle had knocked on my door and told me that there was to be a meeting at 9 with the wolves. He'd seemed really nervous and I could tell through my amplified sense that his emotions were churning between anxiety and frustration. Odd for Carlisle to be so upset. But he'd reveal everything eventually. Or Edward would tell us, either way we'd find out.
At 8:50 I exit the house and run to the large, grassy clearing that Carlisle had set as the meeting place. I heard Emmett, Rosalie, and Esme close by, and knew Edward, Bella, and Alice were about to arrive as well. I enter the clearing and see Emmett and Rosalie in each other's arms with Esme fawning over them like a mother bird.
My smile dissolves when I spy the first wolf emerge from the woods across the clearing. Mangy mutts. Disgusting creatures. Especially that Paul. Not that it makes a difference if I hate him; I've caused so much damage between Valerie and I that I doubt any choice she makes will be in my favor. I feel a tight clench in my chest and sink into sadness at that thought.
The rest of my family joins us and more and more wolves appear out of the darkness. I smell their rancid scent and fight to keep from grimacing. Carlisle appears beside me and gives me a grim smile. I sense him trying to calm down, but without much success. I look at him and send a wave of reassurance and calm, he smiles slightly at the attempt.
Suddenly, I smell Valerie. A tall, silvery wolf trots into the clearing with Valerie on his back. My chest clenches again as I watch Valerie slide gracefully off his back and remain at his side, hand buried in his fur. That mongrel Paul is so infuriatingly close to her. It makes me want to rip his head off. I catch Edward's eye and he grins but shakes his head.
What concerns me most though, is why Valerie is actually in the clearing. Being surrounded by a group of crazy werewolves and deadly vampires is not exactly an ideal situation for a human. It makes me nervous seeing her so close to the wolves. They are unstable and dangerous. Why would she-
My gaze lands on Alice. She's standing close beside Bella and has her head down. I pick up sadness and resolution swirling within her and am taken aback with how beautiful she is. Her short brown hair smolders in the blackness of the night, and her tiny frame is lithe and feminine. I catch my breath, momentarily distracted from Valerie, and try to push away the wave of memories. Maybe the block that's been pushing my love for her away is fading. But… Valerie still haunts my mind. It's all too confusing. I love Valerie, for sure, and yet… I love Alice.
Carlisle cuts off any further thoughts I was about to have and gestures to the wolves.
"I've asked you all to be here today for a very specific reason," he sighs quietly and continues, "There is a very large threat to both of our groups." The wolves grumble deeply and sniff in surprise. "And," Carlisle goes on, "I'm sure you're wondering why Miss Valerie is here." Paul's shaggy head pops up and his body tenses at his words. I grit my teeth as he moves even closer to her. "Well, she is the reason this threat has been brought to my attention," Carlisle finishes.
"Sam wants you to get to the point," Edward remarks lightly, giving Carlisle a sympathetic glance. Carlisle nods and smiles thinly at the wolves.
"Alright," he sighs and finally says, "There is a group of extremely rogue vampires attempting to not only start a war between our two groups, but weaken the entire Volturi system and take control."
Silence permeates the clearing. All eyes turn to Valerie, begging for an explanation. She grimaces in defeat and begins speaking softly.
Paul
She sounds mentally insane. Even for a vampire
Well she is a vampire. Embry points out.
Yeah, but taking on an entire clan and the sub-clans of the most powerful vampires in the world? Insanity.
Quiet you two! I'm trying to listen, and I can't hear over your loud mouths. Leah snaps at us.
Don't be mad that your boyfriend couldn't come to the party. I smirk at her, leaning closer to Valerie.
Paul, shut up before I rip your throat out. Leah snarls quietly and swishes her tail.
Like you could even to-
"Ahem," Edward's clear voice cuts across the clearing. "Maybe if you wolves would focus we could make more sense of this," he glares at us. I glare back. Leah turns her back to me. "Sorry Sam," he amends, holding his hands up, "I meant to direct that to only certain members of your group."
Well I say we go get them now. Hit them while they're not expecting it. I growl.
Yeah! Take them out! Quil and Jared nod in excitement.
Are you really that idiotic? Leah coughs in disbelief.
Are you really that bitchy? I throw back with a snort.
That's it! Leah crouches to lunge at me.
Enough! Sam bellows and stares us all down into submissiveness. Focus, Sam thinks wearily, Please.
Yes Sam.
Sure thing boss man.
I will if these blockheads will.
Of course Sam.
Sorry Sam.
Ok Sam.
"As we were saying," Carlisle cuts in, looking at his family members. "We wanted this to be a group effort, and we need it to be kept secret. As Valerie has said, if the rebel group figures out that we're going to fight them instead of each other, they will strike out fast."
Good, I think, Let them. This time it'll be a fight. A real fight. Something I'll enjoy.
Valerie
After the meeting broke up, Paul took me back to town, in human form thankfully. Our interrupted meal was remedied by ice cream. I sank into the mint chocolate chip and let the stress of what had been discussed melt away.
"I'd like to get a hold of the ones who messed with you," Paul clenches his fists.
"It wasn't that dangerous," I lie, hoping to calm his anger. His fiery glare turns on me but softens instantly.
"It was," he finally replies, taking my hand.
"Nothing I couldn't handle," I say lightly, "What with all this muscle and all." I nod at my clearly thin arm that could pass for toned, but definitely not "muscular". Paul laughs.
"What muscle?" I shove him gently and sniff in fake offence. "It's okay, you're strong. And beautiful," he slows and looks into my eyes.
"Mmh over compensation for the earlier insult," I state, teasingly.
"I'm serious," he says, halting our wandering steps. "You are so breathtaking it hurts. You can't imagine how deeply your beauty cuts me. I'm never going to be the same."
I remain speechless. Mostly out of shock from this sudden deep, philosophical confession. His hands are burning and comforting. I struggle to find words as equally incredible and dazzling as his, but I'm left blank.
"I- I don't…" I trail off, uncertain of how to respond.
"You don't have to," Paul says quietly. His face quickly transforms into a light, mischievous smile. "Oh, you have chocolate right there," he points at the corner of my mouth. I pull a hand away from his and try to wipe it off. He frowns. "Nope, still there." I rub harder at the area and am sure that I must have gotten it by now. He shakes his head. "Valerie, Valerie… what are we going to do with you? Here, I'll get it, because I'm a good person," he grins and moves a hand to wipe it away.
Instead of his hand meeting my lips I feel his own press softly into mine. His hand, which had been raised in mid-air, slips behind my head and pulls me closer to him, deeper into the kiss. The kiss dissolves everything around us, and I can feel a smile spread across my face, despite the obstacle of his lips. Finally, he pulls away and cups my chin, examining.
"Mmhmm, think I got it," he bites his lip, studying hard. "Just to be safe," he pulls me back in for a light kiss and breaks away.
"Good, wouldn't want to have chocolate on my face. What would the neighbors think?" I finally manage to joke.
"You're welcome. I basically saved your life," he grins widely and puts his arm around my shoulders. I roll my eyes. "Oh, I forgot," he stops and furrows his brows. "Wait here," he pecks me on the cheek and rushes back the way we came.
We're halfway out of town and the stars are distant in the dark sky. I try to hide my shivering and wrap my arms around myself. I actually miss his warm touch around me. Without warning, strong, ice-cold arms snake across my chest and neck, squeezing me tightly. I can barely breathe and my body is held rigidly against my assailant. A quiet laugh that sounds like rustling leaves flutters the hair by my ear.
"You're going to regret telling them," the voice is melodic and smooth, cold breath tickling my cheek. They laugh again and as fast as they had come, they were gone, melting into the night.
Once again, thank you! If you've made it this far I deeply and truly appreciate you and am grateful! ^_^ Y'all are the reason I'm still writing this! You're basically awesome.