A/N: Any wolves you recognize from The Twilight Saga belong to Stephanie Meyer.

Basically everything else, including past and present wolf pack members, imprints, wolf families, and additional characters in this story belong to the universe created by the amazing, brilliant, and wonderfully talented yay4shanghai!

Thank you everyone who reviewed, I love getting feedback and hearing what people think, hope you enjoy this!

Happy St. Patrick's Day! This is by far my favorite holiday so I decided to update earlier than planned as a treat for you!

As always I recommend you read the other spin-offs by liljenrocks, ari11990, AsagariMelody, Guzhong, twihardcaligurl, and intiMACYx33. They are fantastic and worth taking the time to read.

Thanks yay4shanghai for always being such a wonderful and encouraging beta. You're amazing and I appreciate it so much!

New Situations and Holding Back

14 December 2041

When I got home only my dad was around since mom and Beth had gone to Port Angeles for a shopping excursion that I had declined participating in. Beth was trying out for the spring play at school after winter vacation and had decided that she needed new clothes so she could start getting into character before auditions started. Mom was indulging her by letting her pick out a few things, which she would then wrap and give to her as Christmas presents.

"Hey, Cricket," he greeted using the pet name he'd given me as a child, turning off the TV he'd been watching when I walked in and giving me his full attention. "How was your birthday party?" He asked wrapping an arm around my shoulder to pull me in for a one armed hug when I sat next to him on the couch.

"Perfect!" I exclaimed dreamily, resting my head on his shoulder and he chuckled.

"Yeah, what was the best part?"

"I… umm, well actually I wanted to talk to you and mom about that," I started nervously sitting up to look at him seriously, shifting a little and fidgeting with my dress, bunching the material in my tightly closed hand then smoothing it out before fisting it again.

"Okay…" he prompted nodding his head for me to continue, obviously confused, but willing to patiently wait while I quickly thought about what the best way to approach this would be.

I wondered if I was jumping the gun at all, but remembering the way Levi looked at me last night then again this morning before I left, like it was painful for him to let me leave even knowing that it would only be for a couple of hours, lent my decision all the support I could ever need.

"It's kind of a favor—a big one, and I… its really important to me that you say yes," I insisted getting a little ahead of myself without realizing it. I didn't even want to consider what I'd do or what it would mean for me if he refused.

"Of course, you know your mom and I will do whatever you need us to, but maybe you could tell me what it is I'm agreeing for us to do," he promised with an indulgent smile that did little to mask the amusement in his kind blue eyes, which were unusually bright, like cotton candy or a clear summer sky.

"Right," I laughed awkwardly, releasing the anxious breath I'd been holding. I'd forgotten that part in my hurry, too preoccupied about if he'd be willing to do this for me. "I want you to learn sign language," I informed him quickly.

"Sounds like a simple enough request," he remarked slowly while studying me intently like I had suddenly become a huge mystery, but if he looked hard enough, he'd find the answer written somewhere on my face. "What prompted this, why the big need for us to learn?"

"There's a guy, that I guess you could say I'm… seeing," I said tentatively, my mouth struggling to form the unfamiliar words that didn't quite fit. It seemed like such a gross understatement to describe what I felt I had with Levi, doing little justice to the bond we'd forged, but it was the best I could come up with to share with my dad.

"How serious is this?" I knew he was confused because this was the first he was hearing of it and this was a lot to ask for, both time consuming and challenging, especially if there was a possibility things wouldn't last long enough to expend the energy required to learn.

"It's serious," I said confidently, instinctively knowing that this was the right thing to do and that I was correct in saying it was serious. Our… relationship might appear to of started last night, but it had really begun that day on the beach when our lives had first become entwined. "He's unbelievable. I can't even begin to tell you how incredible he is, he's also deaf, but I want you and mom to be able to know him. I want you to still be a part of my life," I explained in a rush, feeling how thoughts of him warmed me and made my stomach flutter.

I was so distracted, caught up in the new sensations I was feeling, that it took me a couple seconds to notice the sad or possibly nostalgic look he was giving me. Then it registered what I'd said, or rather how I'd worded it. That I still wanted him and mom to be in my life with Levi, not that I wanted to bring Levi into my life. He had already become the number one person in my life, before family and friends if necessary. It had been an unconscious decision and the transition had been executed so swiftly and flawlessly I didn't even realize it happened. I didn't regret that it had, nor did I plan on fighting it. This felt too right, like it was preordained… fate.

"He must be really something to make you smile like that, Kris," he said thickly with a small smile and I hugged him tightly.

"He is, Daddy," I whispered in his ear, my words weighted heavily with significance and the array of emotions I felt just then.

"Who is he?" Dad asked after finally releasing me and relaxing back into the couch, getting comfortable to hear all about him.

"His name is Levi Varn. He lives in La Push—you've seen him before," I told him animatedly, warming up to the subject and excited to talk about Levi. I'd kind of started to feel like I would explode if I didn't get some of it out so I was grateful for the excuse.

"The kid that was hanging around the store all summer," he asked and chuckled when I nodded. "Seems like a decent guy. From the rez, huh? There's a few interesting people out there. Varn… Varn… is he related to Jordan and Mark?"

"Umm, yeah, he's their nephew. How'd you know?" I asked slightly taken aback. I hadn't expected my dad to already be familiar with his family.

"The store," he said simply. I should have known that. "They've been shopping there for a number of years," he said thoughtfully with a contemplative look I couldn't interpret, but he shrugged it off after a few seconds, adding, "speaking of, I need to get going. Sorry to cut this short, will you be home for dinner? We could talk more then."

"No, I made plans," I said apologetically. "If it's alright, can I stay with Melody again tonight? Bree's staying there too," I lied staring at him expectantly, this way I'd be free to stay with Levi again if he wanted me to.

"Sure. Have fun tonight and I'll let your mom know what we talked about."

"Thanks, Dad," I said hugging him goodbye then ran upstairs to shower and change before Levi got here.

Levi showed up about thirty minutes later, just as I finished pulling on a light knit sweater with my dark blue jeans. He paused in the doorway when I opened it to let him in, shyly signing, 'I'm early.'

'I don't mind. No one else is home.' I saw a smile spread across his face at the implication of that statement and I was a little surprised I'd managed to be that bold, but I didn't regret it as I led him up to my room figuring it was only fair considering he'd shown me his.

I stopped in the center of the room, feeling though not hearing how he shadowed my steps. His movements really were silent. I'd noticed how quiet he was this morning, but it became much more apparent when I actively listened for him yet still failed to hear him. I turned to face him, finding him as close as I'd expected.

He didn't spare a glance to view my room, his gaze focused too intently upon me, his eyes seeing nothing else and I returned his unwavering stare. The house could have crumbled around us and we'd have been none the wiser. His eyes said so much. I could spend hours delving into the shadowy depths, learning the secrets they willingly revealed.

When he finally kissed me, I felt the ground shift beneath my feet, throwing me against the stable pillar of his body. He kept me anchored to the broad expanse of his chest, sliding the satiny pout of his lips over mine in a tender, exploring caress while we were transported to a world I'd previously only dreamed existed.

We spent the next couple hours wrapped up in each other, locked in a private enchantment where we were able to continue enjoying our newfound freedom to touch and kiss without fear of rejection or talk at our leisure.

It was late afternoon when we ended up on my bed, though I'm not sure who initiated that development, too distracted by… everything about him and the reactions he sparked in me. He rested on top of me, supporting his weight on his elbows, which were resting beside my shoulders, caging me in like velvet covered steel bands. I had never experienced the pressure of a male body lying over me and he was heavy, but it was nice. My skin tingled everywhere our bodies touched and because so much of it did, my skin felt alive, vibrating like a rocket about to explode, humming with pleasure.

His massive hands weaved through my hair, delicately cradling my head in the heat of his palms, keeping it locked to his as I sampled the sweet nectar of his mouth. Slipping my tongue between his dewy lips, it was greeted by his where it was eagerly awaiting, ready to dart forward and meet me halfway.

The heat was incredible. I couldn't comprehend how it was possible or spare a thought to if I should be concerned about how much was radiating from him. I was much to busy enjoying how it increased the sensitivity of my skin comparable to a raw, pink area that has been recently singed, only pleasurable, and how it made my head spin like I'd just gone three consecutive rounds on a carnival ride called the scrambler, but without the accompanying nausea you got from also having overindulged in junk food.

I spread my legs for him to rest between them, the action bringing his pelvis in contact with mine, rubbing against me as he settled into the v I'd created for him. I gasped into his mouth clutching at him frantically, eager to feel more of that exquisite friction. My hands found purchase on his lower back beneath the hem of his shirt and I urged him against me, rocking my hips up against him.

He tensed, stilling entirely, his lips now motionless against mine as not a single muscle in Levi's powerful frame moved. I froze too, fearing I'd done something wrong, but then I felt it, or rather, I felt him. His fiery hot, hotter than any other body part, thick and rigid member pressed firmly against my most intimate spot. My eyes shot open and I found that his were squeezed shut tightly causing his skin to crinkle at the corners and his face unbelievable red, flushed with embarrassment.

I gripped his back tightly, telling him silently that I didn't want him to go anywhere and I felt my hips undulate against him, pressing and rubbing against his length, trying to show him it was alright and that he shouldn't be embarrassed because I wanted him to react this way, to be sexually attracted to me. It worked, because a second later he responded in kind, grinding himself against me and kissing me with more passion than I knew existed or that I was capable of experiencing.

I was eager to explore this side of our relationship, to feel these new emotions because I… desired him then. Not the vague longings that stirred my heart I had grown used to feeling for him, no—this was much more than that. I wanted him, fiercely. I wanted to touch and taste him, to know him intimately. My body craved it, pushed me to seek more. I could feel it in my core, a warm rush of desire between my legs. I had never felt like this, I could barely catch my breath and I could feel his heavy breathing above me. No sooner than I thought that he pulled away, quickly rolling to my side.

I sat up on my elbows to look at him, concerned and utterly confused about what just happened. He was on his back with his clenched fists pressed against his eyes not breathing. I watched for a couple seconds and saw his nostrils flare before his closed fists balled further. Sitting up a moment later, he released a deep breath and looked at me with a small sheepish smile.

'I'm sorry. We have to slow down. I don't want to take advantage of you,' he signed by way of explanation of why he'd stopped so suddenly.

'You aren't.' He snorted quietly when I said that and shook his head slightly like he was knocking a stray thought loose. I didn't get it so I asked, 'is that all…' I trailed off and gestured to him lying beside me rather than on top of me as he was before. He looked surprised and nodded insistently moving to kiss me again. It was chaste and sweet, nothing like before, but still I felt reassured, though I knew he was lying about that being the only reason he'd stopped.

'We should get going to pick up Bree,' he signed and I realized it was later than I thought it was.

Dinner with Bree went really well. She and Levi got along and genuinely seemed to like each other as far as I could tell. Bree still didn't know very much sign language so Levi had me interpret, which was an interesting challenge considering I occasionally still needed an interpreter myself. He was really sweet about it though, patiently understanding and encouraging. I'm not sure how well I would have done if it'd been someone other than Bree, but maybe over time it'd get easier, especially if I kept practicing.

Bree left shortly after we'd finished eating, apologizing for having to bail since she'd already made plans to spend the rest of the evening with Baz, but promised to hang out again in the next couple days.

Levi took me to Taylor and Melody's house after that. It was the first time I'd been there since Mel usually took me to her parents' house when we hung out, something I was just realizing as being part of her plan to find situations where she could throw me and Levi together as often as possible. The four of us spent the next couple hours hanging out and playing poker, which I totally dominated since Melody didn't cheat this time. I gave her a hard time about it, but she still swore she was innocent, though not even Taylor bought it.

It was pretty late when we left, not noticing the time passing because we'd been having far too much fun though I was utterly exhausted after getting almost no sleep the night before and being up so late again tonight. 'Stay with me again tonight?' He asked when we got to his car.

'I was hoping you'd ask,' I signed openly confessing how much I desired to spend the night in his arms.

'I will always want you to and I will as often as I can,' he signed with such conviction that it was impossible to doubt his sincerity or his belief that nothing would ever change his feelings for me.

A little later I felt like the luckiest person in the world having my every wish granted. I was curled up in Levi's strong, hot arms, his soft lips lightly brushing the top of my head to say goodnight. This was the only place I wanted to fall asleep in ever again.

~x~*~x~

16 December 2041

I spent most of yesterday and today with Levi again, the two of us getting lost in discovering all the different facets of our new relationship and getting to know one another. I hadn't been able to stay with him last night and I wouldn't be able to stay with him again tonight because he had to work doing some sort of patrol around the reservation. He'd explained it as being a protector, which I have to admit, sounds kind of cool.

It had been amazing, as every moment spent with him was turning out to be, but we hadn't really kissed, not really at least since the afternoon in my room. He said it was because he didn't want to take advantage of me, but he wasn't. I sensed that there was more to the problem than that because I had been more than willing when we'd kissed and he knew it. Actually, I was very willing, not to mention extremely eager, to do more than just kiss. As for how much more, I didn't know, and I wouldn't know until I was in a situation where I could find out first hand.

I didn't have experience in these matters so I was sort of flying blind on the proper way to handle this and I was certain the same could be said for him. It had also become blatantly obvious to me that I wanted him and he'd clearly wanted me too. I wanted to have a sexual relationship with him, to experience not just the new emotional intimacy we were building between us, but a physical intimacy to match. I didn't want to rush in or do too much at once, but a little would be nice.

This was unfamiliar territory for both of us, but I was anxious to start figuring it out together and that's what had me so confused about Levi's regression. Somehow I just knew he wanted more too, but was holding back. I just didn't understand why. So after he'd left for work with the promise to be careful, I'd called Melody and she'd immediately invited me over when I admitted I was calling to talk about Levi. Hopefully she could shed a little light on the subject.

"So spill, how's it going with my brother?" Mel asked excitedly the second I came inside, dragging me over to the couch in her living room. "I want to hear everything!"

"I wouldn't even know where to begin," I laughed. "Suffice it to say… you were right, he's everything I could want and I've never been happier."

"Eeeee!" She squealed bouncing up and down beside me then grabbing my hands in hers, which were as unusually warm as her brothers. "I'm so excited for you guys—you have no idea how much. Wait, what did you want to ask me about then if things are good between you two?"

"I feel kind of silly asking, but umm, well we were kissing the other day and it got a little heated," I told her wincing a little over sharing such private information with her, but she just smiled widely, her eyes glittering in merriment.

"Yeah… and…" she prompted leaning towards me like she could not wait for me to share a juicy secret.

"He stopped."

"Huh?" She said stupefied, blinking rapidly for a second before releasing a bark like laugh and admitting, "that wasn't what I was expecting you to say."

"Yeah, it wasn't what I was expecting at the time either and he hasn't really kissed me since and I'm not really sure why. He's not telling me what's wrong, but I can tell it's really bothering him and I think if I asking him about it will only make it worse," I told her quietly, embarrassed, but hoping she'll have a few ideas about what's up with him cause I didn't have enough experience with guys to figure it out on my own.

Normally, I'd go to Bree with something like this, but I was really hoping that as his sister, Mel would have a better idea of what to do or if I should be worried. She looked stumped for a second and I was beginning to think this was a bad idea and that she wouldn't be able to help after all.

"Don't worry about it. I can pretty much guarantee he'll be back to normal in a day or so, maybe even by tomorrow," Taylor said sounding very amused as he came into the room. I hadn't realized he was here, let alone that he could hear me. He and Mel stared at each other like he was letting her in on a secret, telling her something without the necessity of words.

All the sudden it was like a light came on in her head, illuminating the answer to the mystery I was still being kept in the dark about and Melody said, "oh! I think I have to agree with Taylor on this one. He just needed a couple days to adjust. He'll probably be back to normal by tomorrow or the next day." Looking back at me, she smiled kindly, like she understood and added, "this is all really knew for him too. I bet it's nothing more than him being scared of pushing you too fast and messing things up."

"If you say so," I murmured suspiciously and the look she gave me said I was right to still believe it was more than that.

"I do."

"Want my advice?" Taylor asked thoughtfully moving to sit on the arm of the couch beside Mel and drape him arm around her shoulders casually.

"Sure, why not," I told him figuring whatever he had to say couldn't hurt.

"Levi is really shy. I know you are too, but if you want more, you're going to have to initiate it. He'll follow your lead on this, but I feel pretty confident saying he won't make the first move or push for more unless you make it abundantly clear it's what you want," Taylor sagely informed me.

"You say that like it's just about me and that what he wants doesn't matter. Just because I want mo—something doesn't mean he will. I don't want to push him either." The last thing I wanted was for him to do something just because it was what I wanted.

"Kris, that boy is completely mad about you. If you want it, then you can bet he does too," Taylor said giggling like that was common knowledge and he couldn't believe I didn't know yet.

"He's right, now come on, let's watch a movie and just… try not to think about it anymore tonight," she advised so I tried not to.

I found sleep just as elusive that night as it had been the night before only now I was more fixated on Taylor's words than the fact I wasn't curled up beside Levi's comforting heat and appealing smell.

~*~ ∞ ~*~