Disclaimer: I do not own any of the werewolves or other characters that belong to Stephenie Meyer. Duh.
Sorry it took me weeks to post this. I was on vaca and I didn't get time to finish writing. I hope this isn't too lame...heh...I'm getting to the good part soon! Hopefully you guys will like this chapter and the ones coming because it will get more interesting. I promise! This chapter is very essential for future chaps! AND Edward and the other vamps are coming soon! Don't worry on that ;P
Chapter 18
The sun was coming down as it was beginning to become dusk. I laid on the hood of Jacob's truck watching the sky change into beautiful colors. Jacob laid beside, looking into the sky as well. The conversation we previously had got me thinking a lot about my past which got me a little worried. Was I being protected by not knowing my past or is it something so unnecessary that it didn't need to be discussed.
"So…" Jacob's voice trailed off. It had been several minutes that we laid in silence, but for once it didn't feel like an awkward silence; at least not to me. I turned my face and looked at him. "There's a bonfire tonight. I'm not sure if Seth told you earlier or something."
"He hadn't" I said, clearing up his assumptions.
"Well do you want to come?" Jacob asked, turning his head towards me.
"Am I invited?" I asked, trying to see if I can make Jacob beg me to come along. Not sure if that would be the case though.
"If you want to come you can come. If you have other plans it's okay too" Jacob said. He sat up on the hood and stretched his legs out.
"I'll come" I sighed.
Jacob nodded and hopped off his hood. "It's later tonight. I gotta meet up with the boys though. You can go back to Seth's house if you want"
I was beginning to get disappointed with Jacob's lack of being overfriendly as he was before. I was hoping he would be more blunt with his responses. I sat still on the truck's hood and watched as Jacob walked around to the driver's seat.
"Did you ever want a newer car?" I asked, patting the hood gently. It was an old vehicle and it looked beaten up. It ran smooth though and I'm sure Jacob put a lot of work into this car since he had nothing else.
"I don't mind this one" Jacob replied. He got inside the car and stuck his head out the window, "Mind getting off the hood?"
"I think I'm just gonna sit here" I said, which was part sarcastic. I wasn't appreciating his sudden change of mood. I turned to look at Jacob through the window shield. He had a grim expression on his face and I knew that he wasn't in the mood to kid around. I slid off the hood gently and walked over to the passenger window. "Am I even allowed in the car anymore?"
"What's that supposed to mean?" Jacob heaved.
I shook my head slowly, "Never mind" I said turning the other cheek.
"I'll give you a ride to Seth's. I'm sure he's back at his place" Jacob insisted.
I bit my bottom lip and clutched onto the rolled down passenger window, "Can I come along with you to meet the boys?" I asked out of the blue.
Jacob cocked his head back, "The pack?"
The expression Jacob held was something along the lines of what I was expecting. I knew Jacob was sensitive when it came to his pack. And I knew they were like his brothers and their bond would be stronger then anything in this world. Which was why I wanted to meet them properly. I knew they would be at the bonfire, it was a good guess anyway, and I wanted to have a better introduction before that.
"You know you will meet them at the bonfire" Jacob repeated what I had thought.
"I know…but I want to meet them beforehand" I replied. Jacob's shoulders seem to sulk so I perked up a smile and beamed at him.
Jacob sighed and then ran his fingers through his cropped dark hair. "Are you sure? Paul get's a little short tempered and he's one of guys that's least happy that you're around"
"I can take care of myself ya know" I shot back. Jacob looked back at me with tired eyes that looked like they were trying to tell me something. "I'm not giving up" I stated as I opened the passenger side door and hopped in.
Jacob heaved a sigh and started his vehicle. It roared to a start and then he drove onto the road.
*****
Jacob drove to a deserted plain area about a half hour from where the cliffs were. He stopped the car and turned off the ignition. I looked around curiously, confused that we were at some random vicinity and not at someone's house or somewhere where a meeting might take place.
Jacob didn't say a word as he got out of the truck and started walking straight ahead. I opened my door and stepped out slowly watching as Jacob started walking ahead to nothing. Suddenly rustling came from behind the trees and five burly boys came rushing out of the forest, most of them were pushing each other playfully and racing. The tallest one, Sam, took his time walking towards the middle of the plain, just as what Jacob was doing.
I trotted behind Jacob and kind of hid behind his huge body as we came to a halt.
"What is she doing here?" One of the boys snapped.
I stiffened and slowly side stepped from behind Jacob so I could see all of them clearly. They all had no shirt on but were all the same dark skin tone. They each had a different pair of shorts or pants so there was a way to differentiate them.
"She wanted to come along" Jacob said with more authority. Whenever he was around his pack his stature and personality changed a bit.
"Jacob, are you serious? She's one of them" Another boy said. He had navy cargo pants and eyed me up and down in disgust.
"She's not any harm" Jacob stated and shot a glance at Sam.
"No harm? Yeah ask that to Leah. She said they got into a brawl" A boy with black basketball shorts exclaimed.
Sam's face grew upset and he looked to the ground. I knew that he and Leah were a couple so I felt bad that I had gotten into a fight with his girlfriend, especially since he was one of the nice wolves.
"She started it" I piped up, trying to defend myself. Everyone's eyes were on me and I turned to look at Jacob who just stared at the rest of the boys. "Sorry…" I whispered glancing over at Sam. Sam furrowed his brows and looked at me and then at Jacob.
"Let's just get onto business" Jacob said, speaking up.
Sam nodded slowly, it seems my apology got to him. He was in the middle of the group of boys. He stood straight, with his shoulders back, and his arms crossed around his chest. All the boys stared at him and waited for him to start talking. "There was a new trail of vampire footprints going east from here" Sam quickly shot me a glance.
I furrowed my brows and stared at Sam. "Well if they aren't here in this territory why does it matter?" I asked. After asking the question I kind of regretted speaking up.
"Because that's the way it is" A boy with jeans stated.
I nodded and stared back at Sam. "I want everyone to go through a quick go around before the bonfire tonight" Sam stated.
I looked up at the sky and saw that it was getting darker as we spoke.
"Are you going to bring your slave with you, Jacob?" The boy with navy cargo pants sneered.
"Shut up Paul" Jacob snapped.
I stared at Paul and tried to hold back a growl. He noticed my expression and narrowed his eyes, "You wanna try something on me bloodsucker?" he spat.
I clutched my fists and took a deep breath, "I wouldn't waste my time"
"I'd demolish you" Paul said under his breath.
I closed my eyes and started to rub my temples to calm myself. I knew getting into another fight with a wolf wouldn't help my reputation. I could definitely pummel him to ground without getting dirty.
I opened my eyes and just stared at the ground. I quickly glanced up and saw one of the boys nudge Paul in the ribs. "C'mon bro you know she'd be in pieces by the time I'm done with her" Paul snickered.
I was able to hold my composure but I couldn't help but growl angrily at Paul who was laughing with his friends. Paul heard the rumbling coming from me and turned to face me.
"What was that?" He questioned menacingly. I huffed through my nose and rolled my eyes, knowing that getting mad was just a waste of time and energy. "I thought so. I know you're scared of me" Paul scoffed.
I shook my head and turned around. I'd rather run back to Seth's house then deal with this. The whole meeting the pack before the bonfire plan didn't go as well as I wanted.
"Better not see you hitting on our little Seth either. The only reason he wants you here is because he has pity for a low life like you" Paul ranted.
"Paul, enough!" Sam barked.
I stood in place and curled my fingers in and out. Jacob put his hand on my shoulder, "I'm gonna head out then" I said in a low voice as I shrugged Jacob's hand off of me and darted out of the plain. I didn't hear footsteps behind me so I assumed Jacob was taking his truck to wherever he was planning on going.
*****
I raced back to Seth's house before any of the dimwitted wolves were any where around. I hoped that Leah wasn't home or things would get ugly again. It was already dark and I wasn't sure if Seth was home still but I decided to take my chances and knock.
I stood in front of the door for a couple of seconds and then held my hand up to knock when someone had opened the door.
"Hey you" Seth smiled as he opened the screen door. "I was wondering when you were going to get back"
"Did I mention how much I despise wolves" I blurted out. I had forgotten for a second that Seth was one of them and then I heaved a sigh, "Wait, I didn't mean you"
Seth looked at me worriedly, "Did the guys give you any trouble?"
"Nothing happened. They just need to keep their mouths shut and things would be fine. Especially Paul" I grumbled.
"They can be a bit snooty and I'm not gonna lie, Paul can be kind of a big mouth, but he's nice once you get to know him." Seth stated.
"Like a viper" I scoffed.
Seth chuckled and put an arm around me, "Don't worry. With me around they won't bother you"
"Are you going to the bonfire?" I asked out of the blue, desperate to change the subject. It seemed dark enough and while I was on my way to Seth's house I heard some commotion going on.
"Yup. I was headed there right before you got here actually" Seth said, "You wanna come?"
"Sure" I shrugged. I wasn't sure if going to the tribe's bonfire was such a smart idea now, but I was going to take my chance tonight.
Seth and I walked back towards the cliffs. I got a whiff of smoke and I knew that we were probably close by. Soon enough we saw the fire spewing in the air as a group of people were huddled around it. I turned over to Seth who was grinning from ear to ear. Apparently he enjoyed these sorts of things.
As we walked closer to the gathering, I spoke to Seth as we stared straight ahead, "What's the probability of your friends not saying anything rude or absurd to me tonight?"
"Hmm" Seth thought for a second and then flashed me a childish grin, "Slim to none"
"I love how you find this funny. Me being ridiculed and tormented by your friends…" I stated sarcastically.
"Cheer up kid" Seth said patting my back and then running ahead of me.
"Oh so I'm a kid now?" I grumbled to myself.
*****
I followed Seth as he ran ahead and hugged some woman that was sitting down on a fold up chair. She had Seth's nose and eyes but she had a tough demeanor to herself. I assumed she was Seth's mother and as I got closer I noticed the woman had more of a resemblance to Leah.
Seth turned and waved for me to come closer, "Mom, this is Sara. Remember I told you about her?" I heard Seth say to the woman sitting on the chair.
I hesitated as I approached her. She had a hard expression on her face as she examined me up and down. Despite the fact that I knew she would side with the wolf-losers I knew that I had to behave and be as proper and polite, since that's what Seth would want.
"Hello Mrs—" Then I realized I didn't know Seth's last name so I just shut my mouth and tried to smile my most genuine smile. In a swift movement I raised my hand for her to shake hers, since I know that would be more polite. But when I shot my hand up her, she and a couple of elders stiffened and then quickly glowered at me.
I put my hand down to my side swiftly and looked back at Seth who was giving his mother an appalled look. Seth's mother stared back at him and in a couple of seconds she sighed and relaxed her body. "I'm Sue" she said, facing the ground but had her eye rolled up to look at me.
I forced myself to twitch a smile. She didn't want to have to be pleasant to me, I could already tell, but something about Seth and the way he looked at her made her begrudgingly respond to me.
Then from beside Sue, a man in a wheelchair cleared his throat loudly. Seth and I both turned to him. He looked old with wrinkles forming under his eyes and creases on his forehead. He had jet black hair that reached his shoulders. His eyes were cold as he stared me down. I stood frozen, not needing to move was easy, but I had a tendency to just look at Seth when things got awkward.
"H-Hello" I spoke first, nodding my head in greeting.
The old man nodded back at me. He didn't take off his stare from me, so I shrugged my shoulders which seemed like a thing humans did when they wanted to relax. Then I suddenly noticed the elders beside the man in the wheelchair also staring bewilderingly at me.
I finally turned to look at Seth and tried to motion for him to lead me somewhere else. I figured if I left the scene by myself that would seem rude. As I was in mid-turn I heard someone take in a breath.
"So…you're a vampire?"
I turned and looked at the old man in the wheelchair who I heard the sound come from. I faced him again and nodded, my face taking a serious expression. If one o f these people were going insult me for who I was too then I wasn't going to beat around the bush to actually show them that I wasn't going to let them talk badly about me so easily.
"Everyone has heard about you here on our land. You helped hunt a va—" The man stated but I cut him off.
"It was kind of a way to say thanks to Seth and Jacob for not eating me when I was wreck in the forest." I rose up an octave in my voice, about to let out a chuckle remembering that day.
The man stared back at me sternly, he took in another breath but then he let it out as a sigh instead. "Jacob and the boys are around here somewhere, Seth" He told Seth.
Seth nodded and motioned me to follow him. I wanted to smile at the man to be nice but I couldn't pull myself to do it. I simply turned around and stared at Seth's back as he walked ahead of me. We stayed silent for the most part as he led me away from the circle of elders. I was too distracted from my introductions to say anything.
As Seth walked towards the end of the cliff we saw the pack huddling, talking amongst themselves. Even before I got into view of the boys, some raised their heads and I knew they could smell me approaching. Since the day I got on this reservation I've been smelling dirty wet dog. The odor was awful but as I found myself finding a happy place here, I decided I didn't mind not breathing for most of the time.
I saw Jacob laughing with the boy next to him. He looked happy being here with his friends; and adding me just seemed to stress him out for some reason.
"Oh look Seth brought a punching bag" one of the boys, who I recognized as Paul, exclaimed loudly. I glared at Paul and glanced at Jacob who had stopped laughing and turned the other cheek.
"Oh shut it Paul" Seth retorted. He slowed down his pace and walked beside me as we reached everyone. I knew walking back to these boys was going to maybe cause more trouble, but I had decided to follow Seth, so now I couldn't walk away and show they were getting to me.
I watched as Jacob started staring off into the edge of the cliff. Something was on his mind, he looked troubled and unhappy. As I glanced away from him I saw Sam, all big and burly, and a girl around his arms. Wait! A girl who wasn't Leah!?
What gives I thought Sam and Leah were a couple! Is he cheating?! Don't tell me he's another Edward!!?
I saw a tall and slender boy with hair that fell just to his shoulders nudge Jacob with a grin on his face and then his eyes glanced at me and back at Jacob. Jacob followed his gaze and saw me staring back at him.
He hadn't said anything to me since I left the field so I did expect him to be upset. He did warn me that some of the pack was not happy with me being here. Jacob probably had to deal with all their bullshit talking. Sorry Jake.
I threw Jacob an apologetic look but he quickly turned away and shoved the guy playfully who had nudged him. I sighed and turned my attention at Sam and the new girl. What gives? I didn't expect Sam to be the two-timing sleaze type.
"Hey Seth, who's that girl with Sam?" I asked curiously, trying not to be too obvious that I was talking about Sam even though he was only a few feet in front of me.
Seth turned to Sam waved, "Oh that's Emily, my cousin"
"Your cousin?" I said incredulously, trying to believe what I had heard. This was even more messed up then I thought. "But I thought Sam was with Le—"
"YOU!" A shrilly voice shouted towards our directions. I swerved around and saw Leah, in ripped up jeans and a plaid shirt with her hair sticking up from her ponytail, stomp my way.
I was hoping she was yelling at Seth or Sam even. Maybe she's just finding out for the first time that Sam is cheating on her!
I leaned my head subtly towards Seth, "Who's she talking to?" I begged for the sake of my reputation here that it wasn't me. But just as Seth was about to answer Leah took a long stride forward and grabbed me by my shirt. I stood still, letting her take out whatever anger she wanted.
Was she mad 'cause I was standing around with the pack?
As she gripped tighter I looked around. Everyone's eyes were on us. From the elders from a couple of feet away to the huddle of boys that were around me.
"What's the problem?" I heard Sam's husky voice exclaim.
I looked at Leah straight in the eyes and realized how angry and dark they were. Her hands were shaking as she grasped onto my shirt tighter. I warned myself a few times not to just break her hands so she could let go, but if I did and everyone got mad, it would be the tribe against me. I didn't like the odds.
"Leah! What are you doing?!" Seth shouted as he stood shocked beside me.
"You went into my room" Leah said in a whisper so that only I could hear. "You…touched my things" she seethed again.
"I left everything the way it was" I quipped. But I knew that what I said didn't really help.
"So did you tell everyone then? Did you have fun mocking me and getting a couple of laughs with the pack?" Leah said more loudly.
What the hell is she talking about? Tell everyone what?
"Leah, I—" I began to say but she interrupted.
"You dirty bloodsucker. If only you knew but you are just as ignorant as the rest of your kind. I should've just bit off your head instead of your hair!" she growled.
"I dare you to try" I growled back defensively. I was boiling with anger inside. How much insulting could I get in one day?!
I heard footsteps approach us, probably to break us up. But suddenly Leah let go of me and swung a punch at my face. My cheek was turned and I stared dumbfounded at the ground.
"I bet no one would care if I pulled you to shreds. You're a failed vampire and there's no way we'll ever accept you. I'd be doing you a favor." Leah spat.
I turned to face her. I let out an involuntary huff through my nose. "At least I was in love unlike you. You'll always be a hag"
Leah glared at me, "I bet you killed him"
Suddenly something inside of my triggered. I couldn't control my body. It was like hunting for human blood again. My instincts just took control.
I leapt forward impulsively and pounced on Leah, making us collapse on the ground. I grabbed onto her arm and dug my teeth as hard as I could. I knew my venom couldn't affect her but I wanted her to regret everything she said to me.
I suddenly felt arms around my waist, pulling me up. I unlatched my teeth from her arm, "You take that back you stupid mongrel! I have no pity for you!" I shouted insanely.
I turned quickly to see who had grabbed me, of course it was Seth. But I couldn't control my anger right now, I pushed Seth off of me and turned back to face Leah. "Your cousin is a way better match for Sam then you'll ever be!" I shouted. I didn't know Emily at all but I could only assume that Sam was more in love with her then he was with Leah.
Then in a blink of an eye Leah sprung forward, shifting into a grey werewolf, her size was smaller then the other wolves in the pack. I fell backwards hard. And before I could defend myself, she opened her jaw displaying rows of sharp teeth and snapped it on my slender neck.
Instantly everything went black.
*****
I flickered my eyes open. I looked around bewilderedly, not knowing where I was exactly. I was leaning against a tree and I was facing towards a lake. It seemed pleasant around here.
Suddenly I realized that I was in the spot Jacob took me before. His favorite lake spot where he felt calm.
Crap, did I go back in time? I hadn't read any journals though. Was it an impulsive maneuver to go back in time to a place where Leah wasn't going to kill me? Wait! So can I not control when I go back in time anymore?!
I was thinking too much as always. I held the tree to hoist myself from the ground. I looked up at the sky, it was dark but the sun seemed to be rising soon.
"You're up" I heard a voice say a couple of feet behind me. I turned and saw Jacob walking towards me, shirtless as usual but he had bandaged tape around his right arm, it was covered from the top of his shoulder to his bicep.
"What happened?" I asked. I soon remembered the fight with Leah and I quickly brought my hands to my neck. I felt a faint scar line on the side of my neck stretching a few inches. It didn't hurt and it didn't look that serious, but I was still in shock from the mark Leah had left.
"Leah almost decapitated you" Jacob said letting out a chuckle.
I didn't find anything funny about his statement so I just stared at him sternly, placing my hands on my hips. I brought my eyes to his injury, "And what happened to you?"
Jacob glanced at his bandages and shrugged, "It's just a scratch" He said walking towards the lake and sitting by the edge of the water.
"Did you fall or..what…?" I said, shaking my head slowly in confusion.
"I pried Leah's jaw off of you. She then kind of changed target and attacked and went straight for my shoulder." Jacob explained somberly then his lips curved upward, "But then Seth grabbed her by the tail and—" He began happily again but I cut him off.
"Why'd you do that? I thought you hated me?" I blurted out. I pursed my lips together realizing how blunt and childish I sounded. I stood behind him and locked in on the back of his head.
He slowly turned his head to look at me, "I have my reasons" He got up and winced once stretching his right arm.
"Are you okay?" I asked, placing my fingertips on his bandages then drew them back once seeing him eye my every move.
"It's all right" He said softly. He looked down at his wound and slowly locked eyes with me. I felt a pull to him. It was different from the other times I had been around him and it was starting to scare me. I closed my eyes and turned the other cheek. I blinked them open subtly looking at the ripples the wind was creating in the quiet lake.
From the corner of my eye I saw Jacob smile and shake his head. "Seth's waiting for you at my place. He's probably worried since I whisked you off the ground and took you somewhere where Leah wouldn't see you"
"You're place? But I don't even know where you live…" I asked furrowing my brows.
"Seth's there. Follow his scent" Jacob stated.
I nodded. I could already track Seth from where I was. I've gotten close to him well enough that I could find him with my eyes closed. I turned and started walking, but I didn't hear Jacob's footsteps behind me. I looked over my shoulder as I kept walking, " You coming?"
"I got a shift now" He called out.
I stopped and turned fully around, "Oh. O-Okay" I bit my bottom lip and turned around to keep walking. I must've been mentally troubled if I thought me and Jacob were ever going to be friends. Him saving me from a massive ugly scar was just out of pity, since Seth had his hands busy and the others wouldn't give a damn if Leah put a mark on me or not.
"I'll pick you up later today" Jacob called out again.
I stopped once more and furrowed my brows, I turned around slowly and cocked a smile and nodded.
*****
Once finding Seth, we both started walking back towards the cliff. The sun was creeping up out of the sky making it turn a tint of orange-pink. Seth had filled me in with the details I missed after Jacob took me away. Apparently Leah and I ruined the bonfire night since everyone went straight home afterwards. I felt a pang of guilt since I wanted the people here to like me, but they probably hate me for getting into a fight with one of their pack's members.
"But the look on Jake's face when Leah just pummeled you to the ground was crazy! I've never seen him look like he wanted to kill Leah that bad before" Seth laughed.
I sat on of the logs that had been used as a seat near where the bonfire took place. I stared at the black ashes from the burned wood and felt a small breeze blow by. I crossed my arms and leaned down on my legs, wondering what Seth was getting at.
"Yeah well I probably missed it since I had a rabid wolf on top of me" I retorted, staring solemnly at the burned wood. Seth hadn't said anything so I looked up at him and gave him a small smile. His eyes glowed again once seeing that I wasn't traumatized by his crazy sister.
"I know why though" Seth said as he sang the last word. I titled my head to the side and stared at how he mirrored more of a child now then he ever did as he tried to hold in his secret.
Once realizing that he wanted somewhat of a response from me I raised my eyebrows, "So…why?"
Seth couldn't erase the grin he had plastered on his face. He sat beside me on the log and stared into the sky. "The Quileute Tribe have a legend, or a rumor more like it, that werewolves are magical creatures in more ways then one."
"People who transform into werewolves are magical? Wow! Really? And all this time I thought you guys were plain Janes." I stated sarcastically, laughing a little.
Seth shoved me softly with his shoulder and stared down at his feet, "Shut up and let me continue" I motioned for him to carry on. "So like I was saying, other then turning into these gigantic beasts some of us have another important talent"
I stared at him with doe eyes as I tried to understand where this was all going to. He raised his head at me and suddenly got a serious expression on his face.
"Sara, do you know what imprinting is?"
Sooo. To clear things up...Leah attacked Sara because in the previous chapter Sara had snuck into her room and saw the complies on Leah's desk. And Leah assumed Sara read her diary that contained secrets about herself and the little card that she kept from Sam. Leah thought Sara had told the pack about her obsession with her ex-boyfriend and how she was envious of her cousin. But honestly, Sara didn't know that Leah and Sam had even broken up until she saw Sam with Emily together. And even if Sara did know Leah and Sam were over and found out Leah still liked Sam she's not the type to do spoil and tell other people's secrets. Not even if they chopped off her hair LOL =)
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