As soon as I neared La Push, I slowed my run to a walk and smiled to myself. I'd been successful in making it past the eyes of my family to meet Jacob…they could be upset with me later…

I traveled the lane to the house he shared with his father, and stopped before knocking on the front door. There was a chance that he was in his shop…or on the beach…but I decided to check inside, anyway. Knocking softly on the front door, I glanced around in the hazy light of the afternoon and waited. After several moments, the front door opened slowly, and Billy's worn face appeared.

"Renesmee…hello."

"Hello, Billy." I smiled at him. "Is Jake home?"

He shook his head. "I think he ran down to Sam's for awhile…I can call down there and see…"

"No, that's okay." I said quickly. "I'll just head over there..."

Conversation between us never lasted very long. Billy had been Charlie's best friend for a long time…and their relationship was still very prominent…but things were different now than they used to be. It began when my father met my mother…and became even more complicated when Jake had imprinted on me. After all…it wasn't common for werewolves and half-vampires to fall in love…

"Well, alright." He shrugged. "How's your…er…grandfather?"

"Just fine." I nodded. "Would you like me to tell him you say hello?"

"Sure."

He didn't smile. Must be my cue…

"Okay, well…see ya."

He acknowledged my words, but said nothing in return, and slowly closed the door. Shoving my hands into my pockets, I turned around and headed toward Sam's cabin.

When I reached the forest, my pace quickened, and I broke into a run. I glanced at the fading sky, and figured I had at least another hour or so before dark. I began to run faster.

When Sam's cabin came into view ahead of me, I felt satisfied. I always felt so at home with the pack…because I felt that they understood me…as though I was already part of their family.

Before knocking on the door, I pondered taking the ponytail out of my hair, (Jacob's preference) but decided against it…I'd be running back through the forest soon enough, and the ponytail kept it out of my face. I'd inherited my mother's thick, wavy locks…

The door opened in front of me before I could knock, and the person who trudged through it nearly knocked me to the ground. I stumbled backward a few steps, but luckily regained my balance, and breathed a sigh of relief. I recognized the form that was now behind me, making his way toward the woods. Paul must have lost his temper and was trying to cool down…this happened often.

"Paul!" another person came through the door. "Where are you going?" The voice was heavy and almost angry…but I could pick it out anywhere. Embry.

I heard the scuffling of feet, and a low growl from inside the cabin.

"Embry…let him go." Sam's firm voice filled my ears. "He'll be back…"

Embry's eyes were brooding, and he was breathing heavily. His skin seemed to twitch and become tighter with each breath…and I feared that he would change into his wolf form any moment.

His expression softened, however, when he spotted me. "Renesmee?" His eyes lightened, and he stepped forward. "What are you doing here?"

I didn't answer at first. "What's the matter with Paul?" I questioned him, changing the subject. "He's pretty upset…"

"He'll be alright…" Sam answered for him. "He and Jared just got into it…but give him an hour or so, and he'll be back for supper." He half-smiled. "Have you eaten?"

My hand went to my stomach and I thought back to the hunting trip I'd taken with Emmett and Rosalie earlier… "I'm pretty stuffed…" I admitted. "But I could eat."

"There's always more than enough." He shrugged. "Come on in." He paused. "Embry…are you coming inside?"

Embry's eyes, still focused on Paul's fading figure, turned quickly to Sam and then back toward the forest. "Yeah…in a little while. Go ahead and eat….I'll wait for him." His voice was now filled with concern.

Sam nodded, and stepped aside, gesturing me into the house. He didn't follow me. Instead, he stayed on the porch with Embry, and awaited Paul's return. Something didn't feel quite right…

Trying to put the thought aside, I stepped through the foyer and headed toward the kitchen. Though it was fairly warm outside, the warmth that hit my skin as I entered was much greater. The guys all had elevated body temperatures, so having them around was like having my own personal, heated security blanket.

I found Sam's wife, Emily, in the kitchen, stirring a large pot on the stove. Jared was lying on the couch, watching TV, probably sulking over his fight with Paul…I thought of my uncles and how their competitiveness often caused disagreements…but conflict within the pack seemed to be much more than that.

Jacob was sitting at the kitchen table, with his long legs stretched as far as they could go, eating an apple and patiently waiting for Emily to finish supper. It was ridiculous how much he could eat in one sitting…but the entire pack was that way.

"Hey, Jake." A smiled crossed my face.

"Hey, you." He stood up and reached his arms out to welcome me. As soon as I was in them, I stood on my toes and kissed his nose.

"Missed you." I said softly, and buried my face in his warm chest.

"Yeah, missed you, too." He grinned and pulled back a little. "What are you doing here? I thought that—."

"Don't worry about it…" I shrugged. "It's not a big deal…I wanted to see you."

He sighed. "Not a big deal, huh? Your dad would kill me if he knew that you were here."

"He and Mom ran in to Forks to see Charlie." I told him with a smug grin. "They won't be back for awhile."

"That doesn't reassure me…" He shook his head.

I ignored him and rolled my eyes. "Smells good, Em." I changed the subject.

She turned around and tossed her spoon into the sink. "Thanks, Ness." She smiled warmly at me, and the scar that covered her face and mouth turned her lips upward as she spoke. Despite the scar, she still held a natural beauty that I envied…and Sam adored her. "Soup's ready if anyone's hungry."

Jared flipped off the television and made his way to the table. "I am." He said simply, dropping into a chair. If anything could get his attention at this moment, it was food.

"Ness, if you're hungry, you're more than welcome to stay." Emily said, retrieving a few bowls from the cabinet. "There's more than enough for everyone."

"Thank you." I told her. "But I just dropped in to say hello…I better get back."

She nodded in understanding. "Okay…Jacob, are you eating?"

"When I get back…" he draped a long arm over my shoulders. "I'm going to walk Ness back."

"Suit yourself." Emily shrugged with a grin. "Don't be surprised if there isn't anything left when you get home…you know your brothers."

Jacob chuckled. "I'll find something. See you guys in a little while…"

We left the cabin and said our goodbyes to Embry and Sam on the porch before heading toward the forest. My eyes found the sky as we began to walk, and I noticed the sun sinking lower on the horizon…

I held tighter to Jacob's hand and broke into a run.