Disclaimer: Stephanie Meyer owns all Twilight Saga and characters.

Purgatory. I was stuck in purgatory. The monotony of every class was mind numbingly dull. Daddy laughed a bit when I told him but as least he didn't say 'I told you so'. I knew all the material and the repetitiveness was driving me mad. My only salvation were my friends. Everyone had been welcoming and kind to me. I even got to spend some time having secret conversations with Leah during homeroom by talking below the human hearing. It was a simple life but social aspect was better than I had ever dreamed of. It was getting easier to act like a teenager, especially after I realized that I was one. I was even able to make some friends outside of Anna's group. It was silly for me to be afraid to begin with most of the students at school were nice but, like any school, there were kids that believed it was their mission to make others miserable. This is how I made so many new friends. I refused to tolerate bullying and no one dared to bully me. Almost no one. Andrew was very resistant and distrustful. Every day he would watch me almost angrily. I tried not to be hurt by his demeanor but it could not be helped. The whole situation unraveled the day I met Daisy.

Anna, Carol and I stayed a little late after school to start planning for homecoming. I could hear them laughing followed by a loud yelp.

"Did you hear that?" I asked Anna and Carol.

"Hear what?" Carol asked unknowing. Steven still hadn't told her about the imprint so I couldn't risk her knowing I wasn't human.

"I'll be right back." I told her giving Anna a meaningful look so that she wouldn't follow me. I headed around the corner towards the back of the school, where the dumpsters were. The scene that faced me was horrible. Two boys, both a grade younger than me, gathered around a small helpless figure. Their backs to me they laughed at the poor creature's pain. I don't know what came over me but, when I saw one of the boys lift his leg to kick the poor being, I ran forward at inhuman speed and tacked him. I hissed at him as I pinned him to the ground by the shoulders. The other boy had not seen where I came from but when I saw I had his friend pinned down he ran.

"What the hell, Bitch! Get off me!" The boy struggled against me.

"What the hell is wrong with you?!" I barely got the words out before I felt someone grab my arm to pull me away from the boy. I felt his strong arms push me back toward the dumpster and he pinned my there, holding both of my arms tightly against the cold metal. Andrew looked at me almost growling. I glared back equally fierce.

"Andrew! Get your hands off her right now! She wasn't going to hurt anyone!" I heard Anna say. Leah was with her. She was holding the two human boys angrily, her body was shaking a bit. The two boys stared at us shocked. I looked at them and they each took a step back as if they were afraid. I turned my gaze back to Andrew.

"Back off!" I hissed, so threateningly that I barely recognize my own voice. He stepped back a bit, surprised, and turned to the boys. Carol had finally arrived as Leah let go of the boys.

"Carol, Anna, why don't you escort these two to the principal's office and tell her what they've been up to. I'll be there in a minute." Leah told her then she turned to the two boys. "If you even think about running off again I will make what you did to this dog seems like mercy. Got it!" Both boys looked both shocked and scared at her. They followed Carol and Anna into the building quietly.

"Nessie, you ok?" She asked me worried.

"I'm fine Leah. Just make sure they pay for this."

"Oh don't worry about that. Principal Harris is going to crucify them. She has three dogs. Call your dad and see if he can do anything to help it. I'll stop by the house a little later." She turned and gave Andrew an angry look.

"We'll talk later." She told him and then she went inside the building.

I walked around Andrew to the whimpering dog on the ground. It growled a little as I approached it but then it whimpered as it tried to move away from me. The dog was medium sized and terribly underweight. It looked like it was a golden retriever but it was loosing most of its fur due to mange. I examined it for a moment before I held out my phone and called my father.

"Daddy. I need your medical expertise and maybe grandpa Carlisle's too. Its..."

"Renesmee, what happed? Are you hurt?!" He cut me off anxiously. "Where's Leah?"

"I'm not hurt daddy. But I found a dog that is. I figure since you've been learning about canine veterinary medicine you might be able to help it. Please daddy." He sighed relieved.

"Of course, love. Tell your grandfather to bring you strait here. Carlisle and I will be ready." I took off my coat and I put it around the dog to pick it up. Anna came back outside.

"The principal is threatening to expel them." She told us. I nodded as I cradled the dog in my arms. It whimpered and I shushed it soothingly.

"You're sure going through a lot of trouble for something you'll just end up eating it anyway." Andrew said.

"Gosh Andrew, shut up! You are such a jerk!" Anna told him angrily.

"Its ok Anna." I told her and then turned to Andrew, "I get it. I'm a monster. Those boys beat a defenseless creature nearly to death. They lavished and rejoiced at its pain and suffering but I am the monster and I always will be." I picked up the dog and turned to him again.

"I wasn't going to hurt that boy today. Even when I lost control I never intended to hurt that boy because that's not who I am. I don't purposely hurt living beings or enjoy suffering. I do what I need to survive."

He rolled his eyes. I shook my head angrily trying to stay calm.

"You think you are so much better than me but frankly I don't see you object when Paul and Sam go hunting and bring back venison to barbecue. Hunting is still killing. I can't change who I am Andrew but I am much better than what you think of me. If you would actually take the time to get to know me you might actually see that we're not that different."

"I'm nothing like you." He hissed. I shook my head.

"We were both born supernatural! We were both born with monsters that we try to control every day. I know that you want to blame me and my family for that but the fact of the matter is that vampires or no vampires, you are still a wolf. You were born a wolf and I was born a vampire and that's never going to change so get over it or stay the hell out of my way." I walked away from him to the parking lot were grandpa had been waiting for me.

"Nessie what is that thing." Grandpa asked as I entered the car.

"Its a dog grandpa. She's hurt but daddy is going to try to save her. He's waiting for us at home." He smiled at me but I could tell he was confused. The dog whimpered again and as I petted it.

"Ok sweetheart."

When we arrived, daddy and grandpa Carlisle were ready. They had been studying veterinary medicine in case the wolves got hurt and needed medical attention in their wolf form. I could see daddy's brows furrow angrily as he read my mind.

"Put her on the table sweetie." I did as he asked and they began to work. The dog whimpered, growled and barked throughout the entire examination. They gave her a some pain killers and medicinal bath to take care of the mange and wounds, then they casted her broken leg. I could see the scared look in her eyes. She didn't trust us. Grandpa Carlisle put some blankets on the floor, next to a bowl of water and cold cuts, then daddy set her on the blankets. Grandpa walked up to me and put his arms around me as we all walked to the living room.

"She'll be alright. Now what do you want to name her?" He asked me smiling. I bit my lip unsure. Her bits of golden fur reminded me of a yellow daisy. Daisy?

"Daisy is a beautiful name." Daddy told me as momma and aunt Rose came into the room.

"Personally, I think we have too many dogs around here." Aunt Rose said. Momma shook her head and smiled at me.

"Well I think she's cute." She smiled at me again but this time it was a sympathetic smile. I knew what they were waiting for, so I told them what happened. Grandma walked in as I was telling them the story. She also looked upset by what happened.

"Those boys have done a terrible thing. I hope they get counseling. That is not normal behavior." Grandma said. As if on cue, Jacob and Leah walked into the house.

"Nessie." He called. I ran at inhuman speed and collapsed into his arms. Everything felt right again the moment we made contact. I hadn't even realized how upset I was until that moment. I looked up to see his face and he gave me a kiss on the tip of my nose. I giggled. It was the first time I smiled since the event. The family were already in the living room area talking to Leah.

"What will happen to the boys?" Grandma asked her. As Jacob and I walked towards them.

"A week of in school suspension, followed by community service at the school, and they have to go to counseling for an evaluation. Oh hey, Nessie. How'ya doing kid? Puppy's ok?"

"Yea. Daddy and grandpa took care of her. I'm sorry for making a scene I just got so angry. I don't know what came over me." I said remorsefully.

"Don't sweat it too much. No one saw." She said.

"She still needs to be more careful, Leah. I know these were extenuating circumstances, baby, but you cannot expose yourself to anyone."

"I know momma. I promise this was an aberrance. I don't plan to ever let it happen again. I'm just relieved that no one saw running that fast." She nodded.

"Jacob, I would also like you to talk to Andrew." Daddy told him. I figured he had read what happened with him.

"Daddy its ok. I took care of it."

"No its not. If Andrew doesn't like you then that is his loss but I will not have him manhandle you in that way."

"What?! Manhandle?! What the hell did that boy do?" He was shaking lightly.

"Nothing! Jake please, just leave it alone. I handled it. Besides he's just a pup. He just needs time." I squeezed his hand and smiled but I knew that he was going to yell at Andrew regardless.

"So what are you guys going to do with the dog?" Leah asked as she sipped her coffee.

"Well, I guess that's up to Renesmee." Daddy said.

Everyone looked at me. My heart compressed at that moment and I felt my stomach go in knots. I knew it was not a good idea to keep the dog but the thought of giving her away was heartbreaking. It just didn't seem fair that I had to give away a dog after taking care of her. Especially, after having to give up a little brother so recently.

"Emmett and Jasper won't like it but if you really want to keep her you can." Daddy said after reading the turmoil in my mind. It wasn't in Daisy's best interest to stay with us but I felt my heart swell with hope regardless.

"We'll see."

Anna, Brady and Mica came almost every day to visit Daisy. Daisy was very scared and distrustful of me and my family. I hated that she cowered every time any of us approached her. She only allowed the wolves to get near her. After almost a month, she was finally able to move around without the cast; however, she still would need a lot of treatment for mange. She loved Jacob. Daddy thought it was because she could recognize he was an alpha.

Exactly 3 weeks after her arrival, Jacob and I sat on the cold ground outside the cottage. Daisy was happily pulling on her rope as Jacob pulled against her. I laughed when he put the other end of the rope in his mouth and got on all fours in his human form. I was so busy laughing that I almost didn't hear the footsteps behind me.

"Hi." Andrew said quietly. He took a deep breath and he sat on the ground next to me. Jacob and Daisy had stopped playing. I was not comfortable with the situation. Jacob stood up, looked at Andrew and nodded.

"I'm gonna get something to eat." He announced. He gave Andrew a warning look and he headed inside. Daisy just sat on her spot staring at Andrew and myself.

"She's looking good." Andrew started. He looked uncomfortable too. He shifted his body as if he were trying to get comfortable but that wasn't going to help.

"Yea. She is coming along nicely." I said. For some reason my voice wasn't right. It held some emotion that I couldn't pin point. It was that moment that Daisy walked up to me. She laid on the ground next to me and put her head right on my lap. I was too shocked to say anything. But after a moment, I felt the silent tears roll down my cheeks as I petted her.

"Wow are you ok?" Andrew stretched out his arm but Daisy growled at him in warning from my lap. He retreated his arm immediately.

"I'm sorry. This is the first time she let me pet her like this." I told him.

"Oh." He said awkwardly.

"I wish that things could be different. This whole school experience was supposed to help me learn to be normal but then all this happened and then you every day watching me, instigating." I took a deep breath to try to calm myself. Daisy took a deep breath with me and scooted a bit closer to me. "I know Jake or Sam made you come here. You don't have to be here if you don't want to. You don't have to apologize."

"Jacob was pretty pissed but neither of them made me come here." Then he whispered. "I 'm sorry." I could tell that he really meant it. "I'm sorry about everything. I shouldn't have grabbed you that way and I should have giving you a chance from the beginning. Not just because you're an imprint but because you were right. We all have monsters inside of us but unlike the other wolves, you actually have been working on being controlled from the day you were born. I certainly can't say that. I nearly tore down my house the first week I phased." He stopped to smile at the memory.

"Thank you." I tried to sound sincere but my voice was still off.

"I know you're still thinking that Jake is making me say this but he's not. I mean he definitely threatened my life if I ever touched you again but I'm here because I thought about what you said and I really am sorry."

I nodded in understanding and I looked at him. He looked unsure. I held out my hand to him for a handshake and smiled.

"Friends? Or something?" He smiled and shook my hand.

"Friends." He proclaimed.

Jacob came out with a large sandwich which got Daisy's attention. Andrew stood and looked at Jacob.

"I think I'm gonna head back home. Thanks for letting me visit." He told us both before he left.

"Bye pup. I'll see you later tonight." Jacob said as he sat next to me. Daisy whined so Jacob gave her a piece of his sandwich but after she ate it she came back for more. Jake growled at her and she came back to my side to lay her head on my lap again.

"Looks like you have a new friend now. You ok." He nudged my shoulder.

"Yea, I think everything is going to be ok now." I told him.

"Yea well I still want to kick his ass for grabbing you like that. I swear Ness that if he ever does that again." He trembled lightly but he was still in control.

"Come on Jake. Relax." I told him as I put my arms around his waist and snuggled against his side. I loved being this close to him. I could hear his heart beating, smell his woodsy scent, and feel his perpetual warmth much better when we were this close. I tried to keep my heart beat steady but I knew that it would speed up soon from the proximity. Things between us were beginning to change, at least they were changing for me. I still felt comfortable around him but now our closeness would stir up feelings that had been absent before. In many ways these feelings tainted what we have but it also opened the doors to something new. Nevertheless, I knew that I was still too young for Jacob to accept me as a mate. It still didn't change how I felt.

"I hear homecoming is coming up soon." He changed the subject. "Any boys ask you out yet?" I tried to listen for any emotion in his voice but there wasn't any. He was genuinely curious.

"A few, but I was just planning on going with the girls." I told him uninterested. I had at least four boys ask me but the only person I wanted to go with could not take me.

"A pretty girl like you should have a date for the dance." He used a condescending voice which let me know he was teasing me. "You should go with Danny. He's a nice young man, I think I may like him."

"Yea, he's a good kid but I am not interested in dates right now."

"What kind of high school girl isn't interested in dating? Are you a nerd?" He asked me.

"Come on old man. Don't you know that nerd is the new cool?"

"Sure sure. You're just lucky you're pretty so you can pull it off."

"Are you saying that I wouldn't be a cool dork if I was ugly? How shallow of you Jacob. I'm very disappointed." I pinched his side. He immediately tackled me and started tickling me. Daisy began to get excited and started bouncing and barking around us. She was happy. Jake and I wrestled until I finally yelled mercy and he relented. He got up and held out his hand to me to help me to my feet.

"You know that I wish you could be there, right? It would be nice to dance with my best friend in my first dance." I told him trying my best to sound nonchalant and to calm the butterflies in my stomach.

"I know sweetie." He kissed the top of my head. "But you should still have fun and dance with your new friends and as long as those boys keep their hands to themselves, I won't have to kill anyone." He gave me his big Jacob smile and wiggled his brows. I laughed and pushed him back on the ground were we both laid until dinner. I knew it was impossible but I had still hoped that he would try to make it. Someday, I knew he would say yes so I would just have to keep on trying.

It was difficult to deal with my new feelings for Jacob. The worst part was they I didn't have anyone to talk to about it. I couldn't talk about it to my human friends because they could never understand or know about the imprint. I could talk to Anna but I was afraid she would tell Brady. I know from experience how hard it is to keep a secret from your imprint. I couldn't talk about it to my wolf friends because Jacob would find out through their wolf link, I certainly couldn't talk to anyone in my family because they would be upset, so I decided to write to the only person who knew exactly what Jacob meant to me.

Duli,

I hope you are doing well in Volterra. I wish you could be here. I could really use a friend right now. School is still going well. Things have gotten a lot better between Andrew and me. He's even sitting with us during lunch. My new friends are all a lot of fun. Carol is very funny. She reminds me of aunt Alice in the way she talks and gets excited. Her cousin Lisa is great also. She is going to the homecoming dance with David which makes me feel better because I had to say no to him when he asked me. That's actually what I wanted to talk to you about. I am starting to get conflicting emotions about Jacob. The part that upsets me is that I know he doesn't feel the same way about me. I wish you were here. I really don't have anyone to talk to about things like these. Plus, you are the only one who would be able to tell me if Jacob's feelings changed too. Sometimes it worries me that it may never change between us but strangely enough it also worries me if it does. I can't help it. I don't know what to do.

How about you? How is your relationship with your father? I know that you can see that he loves you but you should let him know that its also important to show people that you love them. He's a very Very old vampire so give him time to get used to you. Just be sure to show him what you need. If you need a hug, you know where to find me.

Always,

RC

Duilio had told me about how different Volterra was. He had school, combat training, and additional courses in foreign language and politics. Marcus had gotten him the best teachers he could find, both human and vampire. Marcus provided him with everything he could possibly need but he hadn't hugged or interacted with him in the way a father would. Aro and Marcus's relationship was strained. Marcus was starting to take a more active role among the Volturi and he had re-claimed his old guard. He also started to re-train the guard in combat, something that Caius was very pleased with. They had even recruited 3 new members for the guard.

My family was concerned about this at first but there was nothing we could do about it. The Volturi were trying to regain their strength and now that they had their military leader, they would be unstoppable. Our only hope was that Marcus would see that we truly cared for his son and he would consider us as allies. Only time would tell.

Jacob dropped me off at school a bit earlier than usual because he had to get in early to work on a car at his garage. As soon as I walked in through the doors I saw Carol waiting by my locker. By the look in her eyes I could tell that something was wrong.

"Good morning, Carol. Everything ok?" I asked her.

"I need to talk to you in private." She said. I nodded and signaled her to the music room. No one would be going in there until third period. I closed the door and we both sat on floor in the corner behind the grand piano. I could hear her heart beating faster and faster and she thought about what she would say.

"You're a vampire." She said in a whisper. I nodded, realizing Steven had told her about the imprint.

"Yes. A half vampire half human hybrid if you want to be precise." She nodded. Her heart was beating even faster.

"And Steven, Mica, Andrew, and Ms. Clearwater, and Jacob they're all werewolves."

"Technically, they are shape shifters who turn into wolves but yes." She took a deep breath trying to calm herself.

"And I am Steven's soul mate."

"Yes. It's a bit more complex than that but wolves have the ability to recognize their soul mates without really knowing them. Then after they know them they tend to fall in love with them. At least that's my understanding of it." She nodded again.

"This is all too weird. I just don't know how I feel about it. I mean, these last few weeks with Steven have been great. I really, really like him I just don't think I will ever be ok with becoming a giant wolf just to be with him."

"What?! Carol, what did Steven say to you about imprinting?"

"He said it was how wolves recognized their mates. He said he wanted to keep me out of the supernatural world but that as much as he wants to protect me from it, I was meant to be a part it and that it was the only way we could really be together." I laughed as soon as she finished. She gave me a wary look.

"What?"

"I'm sorry sweetie. You misunderstood. You don't have to turn to a wolf to be a part of this world. Imprints don't turn into wolves or any other supernatural being. What he meant it that he for you two to really be together you had to know the truth about who he is. That's what we meant by being a part of this world. Only imprints are allowed to know the truth. Most of the younger wolves aren't even allowed to tell their parents. You don't have to turn into anything for him. In fact, what'll probably happen is that when you are both old enough to get married or live together, he will give up his wolf and become human again so that you can both grow old together. I don't know if he told you this but wolves don't age."

"Oh! ... Well don't I feel stupid?! I haven't been able to sleep for two days!" We both laughed. She wrapped her arms around me to hug me excitedly. I hugged her back.

"So... Steven said that you and Jacob are also imprinted." She said as she sat back against the wall.

"Yes, but it's not like that. He imprinted on me when I was a baby. He just doesn't see me that way. Frankly, I don't know if he ever will." I admitted sadly. It was nice to get it off my chest but I felt the weight of my words once I heard them said out loud.

"But you're his soul mate. What makes you think he won't see you that way? I mean, is he dating someone else?" I found myself shocked by her question. Jacob wasn't dating anyone. In fact, he had never dated anyone since he imprinted on me. He never even looked at another woman in that way.

"No actually. He's never dated anyone."

"See! He's been waiting for you to grow up. Personally, I think its both romantic and a little creepy. But mostly romantic." She batted her eyelashes at me and we both giggled.

"I'm so glad that you know the truth. It's so hard not having anyone to talk to about this."

"Well, you can always talk to me about anything, but I thought you and Anna were best friends." She asked me.

"We are but Anna and Brady have been together for a long time. They tell each other everything and the problem is that wolves can read each other's thoughts when they're in their wolf form. I know she would keep my secrets but I don't want to put her in a position where she needs to keep things from Brady. Its hard and uncomfortable to keep secrets from your imprint."

"Oh. Well you don't have to worry about me. I won't tell Stephen no matter how hard it is."

"Thank you." I told her but I wasn't too worried. Stephen was in a different pack so there was little risk of Jake finding out.

"Ah, good to know. I'm glad I have you too Nessie. So..." She gave me devilish smile, "Are you ever going to show me your superpowers or do I really had to beg here." I laughed out loud again. She was handling all of this really well. I took her hand and I showed her what it was like to run through the forest. I showed her images of my family and the wolves playing baseball and finally I showed her the night Steven imprinted on her.

"Wow. That was amazing! It was like I was there. I swear it I hasn't been holding your hand I would really think I was there." Her eyes were wide but she was smiling.

"Thanks. I guess my power has gotten a bit stronger over the years. Usually, you can see it like a mental re-run not an actual vision, but I haven't used my gift on a human since I was a child."

"Well it was amazing! I wish I could do something like that."

"It is pretty cool but it also has its inconveniences. If I lose control of my emotions, I can project my thoughts onto anyone who's touching me at that moment. I have to be in control all the time."

"Yea, I guess that would kinda suck."

"Oh, it does." I confirmed. We heard the warning bell and headed to first period. I was glad I finally had someone I could confide in. Talking to Carol was a much needed relief and she gave me a lot to think about.