Things weren't quite as simple as dropping Elsie off with the wolves—in fact it had seemed downright complicated. Bella made a phone call, then moments after hanging up her phone rang, etc. This cycle continued for ten minutes, Edward finally pulling the car over on the side of the road with an exasperated sigh. "We don't have long before he catches up with us. Just agree to meet here and let's be done with it. I don't want a fight right now…" Edward's voice trailed off as he looked around the surrounding woods anxiously. Elsie sat up straighter in her seat, craning her neck to see if she could catch a glimpse of whatever it was Edward was watching for. "Why are we stopped?" She asked, the edge of panic evident in her voice. "A minor complication," Edward responded with a smile. "They'll be here within a few minutes."
Despite his reassurances Elsie could feel herself beginning to lose it. I never should have left, she thought. He's going to find me. He's going to kill me this time… She hadn't realized it but her breathing had become frantic, taking small, short breaths as she tried not to hyperventilate. Bella looked towards Edward worriedly, shoving his shoulder. "You're fine, Elsie, just calm down. Look, there's Sam," he added, pointing in the direction of a beat up old car that was pulling off the road across from them. Bella exited the vehicle, Edward at her side, as they exchanged a few tense words with the man he had identified as Sam. Elsie studied him carefully; he was huge—and even that was an understatement. She thought it odd that he had chosen to don cutoff shorts and no shirt on this chilly day.
Faster than she could process, her car door opened, the cool air chilling her skin, causing her to shiver involuntarily. Edward gently pulled her from the vehicle, releasing her once they were in front of Sam, an invisible line seeming to keep the two of them from moving any closer to the other. "Don't expect us to do this every time one of your pets is in danger," Sam spat, grabbing Elsie by the arm, pulling her behind him. Edward growled quietly, Bella placing a hand on his chest to restrain him. "She's been through a lot, Sam." He looked from Bella to Elsie, taking in her disheveled appearance, the tear tracks still evident on her face, not to mention the bruises appearing on the small amount of skin she had showing. Sighing heavily, Sam nodded, gently ushering Elsie over to his car, closing the door securely behind her.
Though Edward had reassured her that she was safe, Elsie still couldn't relax any-jumping at every car horn, splash of water, rumble of thunder. How was this seemingly normal, yet huge, man possibly going to protect her from her sadistic brother? She was beginning to doubt her decision to accept the help Bella offered her when the car stopped, parked in front of a quaint house. Just looking at it made some of her tension melt away. It felt…peaceful here. Sam closed his door loudly, causing Elsie to jump before opening her own, cautiously getting out of the car. Her head jerked around, taking in her surroundings while also looking for any sign of her brother.
"You're safe here," Sam repeated, echoing Edward's words from before. Elsie nodded, still unsure. Shaking his head, Sam led her into the house. It had been fairly quiet outside, the only sounds were those of the forest animals and the pitter-patter of the steadily falling rain. Yet inside it was bursting with life—laughs, growls, and raised voices filled the air. Hesitating a bit before entering, Elsie first peeked inside, turning her head to the side a bit when she saw the ferocious wolf pack. They were just…boys—many of them too young to even be out of high school, let alone putting their life on the line to fight vampires like her brother. "You've brought back another stray," one of the boys said loudly, gesturing to Elsie. Another raised his hand, yelling out, "Can I have this one?!" Sam held up his hands, the entire room falling silent. "She's under our protection until it's safe for her. We'll arrange a schedule to watch her house at night while she's asleep and—" Elsie cleared her throat, cutting him off.
"That isn't necessary."
Sam stood up tall, narrowing his eyes at the small new girl who was questioning his authority. "And why is that?"
Elsie shrugged, replying, "I can't go home. He'd kill me before you even had the chance to catch his scent."
"Won't your uncle freak if you don't come home?" a third boy asked, taking a large bite of a muffin he was eating as he finished. A laugh escaped her lips before she could hold it back. Everyone in the room looked at her with strange expressions. Clearly, explanations were in order…but not fully. She couldn't face reliving her past with these…strangers.
"My uncle doesn't exist," she said, quietly continuing. "My father was killed by the Volturi after my brother upset them. He took me from my mother and blocked her memory of me. So…there's no one else." The room was silent for a long time, a beautiful girl entering with a casserole dish, placing it down on the table before turning to face her. Elsie held her breath, letting it out as soon as she realized. The girl was beautiful—except for the huge scare that marred one half of her face. "Are you staying for supper? There's plenty to go around," she asked, playfully slapping at the hand of one of the boys who reached for the dish.
Elsie shook her head, wrapping an arm around her waist, looking down as the woman's eyes rested on her wrist. Self-consciously, Elsie shoved her hands into her pockets, but it was too late. The girl motioned to her, leading her into the kitchen while the chattering of the wolf pack picked up again. She silently unwrapped her wrist, cleaning the now healing wound before dressing it properly. "There, that's better now, isn't it?" Elsie nodded, opening her mouth to speak before closing it again.
"Why are you being so nice to me?" she finally asked. The woman, who had introduced herself as Emily, shrugged. "Because you deserve it. It sounds like life has been unfair to you; everyone needs a little kindness in their lives, Elsie." She gave her a quick smile before mumbling something under her breath as the sound of breaking ceramic floated from the dining room.
Elsie stayed away from the others as they finished up dinner, only coming back into the room as she heard the boys beginning to leave. "What about her?" A boy named Embry asked. "I mean, she can share a bed with me anytime," he added with a wink. Else felt herself blush, looking down at the snickers she received. "She should stay with Billy," Emily interrupted. "He could use the help until Jacob decides to come home." The boys looked between each other, nodding in turn before looking to Sam, waiting for his ultimate decision. Elsie got the feeling nothing happened in this pack without Sam's approval. He eventually nodded, motioning for Elsie to follow him.
As they walked, Sam explained the situation with Billy, and that his son, Jacob, had left after a girl he cared deeply about had chosen someone else over him. Elsie was fairly certain this someone pertained to Bella, but kept her mouth shut; it was clear this was still a sore subject among the pack.
Things with Billy had been awkward at first—as it should be. Neither of them knew anything about the other, aside from the hurried introductions Sam had exchanged between them. But, over time, Elsie found that living with Billy was easy. Being in a wheelchair, he could use some assistance at times, and Elsie was more than happy to help. After a few days she had learned that Billy was not skilled in the kitchen, and took over responsibility for meals, something she had always been charge of in the past. Her father had been rubbish at cooking, and then he hadn't needed to after…
Her thoughts trailed off as she yawned, kissing Billy on the cheek before heading into her room, flopping down on Jacob's bed. He'd been gone for a long time, and she could tell his absence had hardened Billy. She drifted off to sleep wondering if he would ever actually return.
