When I awoke, my head was still reeling. Wasn't sleep supposed to make you feel better? Why would the Cullens just not leave me alone? They whirled through my mind, pushing together to make an annoying buzz in my head. I sat up straight and began cracking all the joints I could move in my body.

A voice came from the top landing of the stairs, "Playing with bubble wrap again?"

I looked up to see Em standing there. I said, "I think you're mistaking me for Luxe."

Em pondered that for a moment and finally said, "True."

She tripped down the stairs and I asked, "You're still not gonna help me out, are you?"

Em smiled, "Nope. Darlin', this is all you."

I groaned and fell backwards. Em chuckled, "Sorry, hun. Eggs or waffles for breakfast?"

I mumbled, "Eggs."

Em went into the kitchen and began busying herself with breakfast. The minute the eggs hit the pan, our other two sisters were downstairs. They chorused gleefully, "Food!"

I rolled my eyes. They were ruled by their stomachs. After breakfast, I tried to wheedle Luxe and Liz into helping me with a decision about the Cullens. Obviously, Em had made them swear to keep their mouths shut because they just changed the subject. Eventually, I got dressed and went outside. The fresh air always helped me think in times of hardship. As I walked, memories I didn't want flooded my head. James in the ballet studio… The first time I met the whole family… Every single second of my time in Forks came back. Tears streaked down my cheeks and I sat by the burbling creek that was about three miles from the house. I stayed there for God-only-knows how long, crying my eyes out. A snapping twig made me look up to see...

Em.

Her eyes were sympathetic, but I didn't need that. She sat beside me and said, "This is really tearin' you up, huh, hun?"

I managed, "Y-Yeah."

I was silent for a moment, and then I wailed, "What do I do? I'm the oldest but you're always the one I go to. Help me, Em. Please."

She hugged me tightly to her body and said, "Hun, I only know what I would do, and that is to go face them. Don't run again; it'll make you look weak. Talk to them. From what you told me, I have a feeling they didn't leave for the reasons that Edward-" I flinched "-told you."

Em was always the wise one, even though it was obvious I was the leader. Her words made sense, so I spoke, "Thanks, Em."

Our little moment was then ruined as the wind blew from the south and I caught a scent that made my nose wrinkle and discomfort tremble through my body. Em and I looked at each other. I murmured, "Go get the others. Follow my scent once you've got them."

Em was about to protest, but I said sharply, "Go!"

She stood and ran off. I phased into a wolf- in that form I was the size of a horse... pure white with golden eyes-and ran as fast as I could towards the scent. I ran for several miles until I came upon the scene. There was a vampire standing in the clearing that I recognized all-too-well. Victoria. She unleashed a snarl at me and her crimson eyes glinted with hatred. She roared, "Mutt!"

Victoria flew at me and I lunged, landing on top of her. She let out a snarl and whipped me off of her, causing me to slam into a tree. I felt the bone in my left front leg shatter on the impact. I climbed back to my feet and limped forward. My long, dagger-like teeth were bared, and I let a low growl emanate from my chest. Even though I was hurt, Victoria's eyes widened and fear crossed her face. I lunged once more, swiping out with my right paw. The red-haired demon let out a hiss as she snapped into a tree.

There were howls from the woods and I knew it was over for Victoria. Em walked into the glade first, Luxe and Liz flanking her. The black wolf that was Em let out a fierce snarl. Her thoughts clouded my head, 'Protect pack. Must help Alpha.'

The red haze of fury that clouded her vision allowed her wolf side to break free, stopping all human train of thought. I snarled through my thoughts, 'Kill the wench. I take no happiness in killing someone but this ends tonight.'

Luxe growled, 'The red-haired demon will die. I want to be the one to rip her head from her shoulders.'

Liz barked, 'No. She will die by Bella's hands. This is not our battle. It only will be if she launches an attack on us.'

I nodded and limped forward, drawing in Victoria's burning scent every time I drew breath. The red-haired demon said, "You think you can kill me, oversized mutts? You will each die today."

I snarled at Victoria and lept forward. I battered her with my paws and was thrown away again. My claws caught the ground and I managed to pull myself to Earth again before I slammed into another tree. Em was unable to contain herself and she ripped forward, faster than a bullet from a revolver. I watched in horror as my best friend landed on Victoria, fighting with all her might. Victoria flung Em off of her, sending my sister flying into a tree over fifty feet in the air. I let out a howl of pain as Em's own pain rippled through the connection in our minds. Whimpers came from Luxe and Liz. I dove forward, ignoring the sparking pain as I put weight on my bad leg.

I lashed out with all my might as Liz and Luxe joined the fight. They held her down and I ripped Victoria into shreds. I phased back and grabbed the lighter that was always ready out of my pocket. A fire was built quickly and the girls took care of the shreds of marble flesh while I tended to Em. By the time I reached her, the girl was back in her human form. I ran my fingers along a small cut on her forehead and felt her ribs for any breaks. One was slightly loose but it was healing as my slender fingers probed my sister. I inspected her limbs and found no breaks or twists. In front of my eyes, her cut stitched together and her chest moved more regularly as her breathing returned to normal. Her eyes opened, revealing strange blue-green orbs.

Em grinned and asked, "What'd I miss?"

I smiled and hugged the girl, relieved that she was intact through-and-through. I helped her sit upright and Em said, "You killed the demon?"

I nodded, "Victoria's dead."

Em said, "I'm sorry I lost control like that."

I said grimly, "I'm sorry I brought you guys into my troubles with Victoria."

Suddenly, a scent blew towards us in the wind. Another vampire! I helped Em stand and we gathered in a loose formation. Em was beside me and Luxe and Liz flanked us. It wasn't just one vampire that emerged into the clearing, but seven.

The Cullens!

Em let out a snarl beside me. I put a hand on her shoulder and said, "Calm, Em."

Her snarl toned down to a quiet growl bubbling in her chest. I said evenly, my voice betraying none of the emotion I felt rushing through me, "It's been a long time."

I waited with my new family to hear a response from my old family. Then, someone spoke.

"Bella..."