Sorry for the wait. Let me know if you like :D the more reviews the more I want to write! xx
CHAPTER 16
I managed to sleep in till around ten the next morning undisturbed which I was grateful for having not gone to bed till around three, not that the rest of the household knew that I hoped. I yawned and stretched as I swung my legs out of bed, a smile taking up a permanent position on my face. I was in a brilliant mood.
As I entered the kitchen Billy and Sam were sitting at the kitchen table, Billy reading the newspaper and Sam scribbling on a piece of paper that looked like a roster of some kind. Emily was at the kitchen bench making herself a tea.
"Good morning." I greeted happily to all of them, which they responded in a similar fashion.
"Someones in a good mood." Emily noted clutching her mug and taking a sip. "Have a good sleep did we?"
I went to the fridge and poured myself a glass of juice, I just smiled and shrugged at her.
"I would have thought you'd be tired, I could have sworn Seth didn't leave till around three." Sam stated plainly not looking up from what he was doing.
I had to cover my mouth to stop from spitting out my juice as I choked on it. Of course Sam heard, wolf hearing duuuhhh! I went bright red and looked at the floor as they all looked at me.
"Just no sleepovers please Allira, I don't wanna make it an order." Sam said gently finally looking up at me.
I nodded still mortified. "Sorry Sam."
There was a brief awkward silence which Emily thankfully broke, "Do you want some breakfast Allira, I'll make you something."
"Thats okay I can get it." I said making a move to the pantry.
"Please, I enjoying cooking, allow me." Emily said beating me to the pantry and beginning to collect things. I looked at Sam and Billy and they both shrugged and smiled before Billy patted the seat next to him.
As I began to tuck into my mouth watering choc-chip pancakes, Sam finished what he was doing and folded the piece of paper into his pocket before looking at me nervously for a moment. I felt his eyes and looked up swallowing.
"Allira, I was thinking today I could show you around La Push so you can get your bearings of the place and, you know we could get to know each other a bit." Sam said slightly awkwardly. I could see out of the corner of my eye Emily looking on adoringly at the scene going on before her, I wonder if it was her idea.
"Oh, yeah, sure." I said equally as awkward. "Sounds good."
For a brief moment I thought about Seth and not spending the day with him but I pushed those thoughts out quickly. Sam was my brother, I wanted to get to know him.
"Great." Sam said somewhat relieved. "We'll head off when you're ready after breakfast." He smiled at me and I smiled back.
About half an hour later I followed Sam out the fly screen door with a creaky bang and goodbyes to Emily and Billy. As my 'new' converse shoes crunched in the gravel I wiggled my toes not use to my feet being enclosed. The shoes had been a part of a bag of Leah's old clothes Sue had been kind enough to drop off when I had fainted, so as well as the shoes, I also wore a fresh white singlet and kaki short shorts.
I followed Sam over to a old white ute that looked like it needed a wash, he hopped in and I followed suit. As we drove off down the long driveway Sam finally spoke. "In case you're wondering why we're taking the car and not going in wolf form its because that's all you'll be doing later," He said glancing over at me. I hadn't even given the car choice a second thought. "And its not because you're injured still either, we had Anne check on you when you fainted just to be safe and she gave you the all clear, you're officially all healed up incase you were wondering." He paused and turned back to the road. "Right now I just want be human with you, I just wanna get to know the little sister I missed out on." He finished sadly.
My smile quivered, touched by his words. "All I want to do is get to know my big brother too." He looked back over at me and smiled warmly.
Sam drove to every notable land mark then, which turned out to be not that many, La Push was tiny. He showed me where the council was, the small collection of shops, where his and several of the pack members houses were as we drove past them. In between locations he talked more about the pack, the history, the legends and what the pack did around the reservation. He didn't go into much detail though, like who were the 'cold-ones' and the bad people they had to protect everyone from? He assured me those questions would be answered in due time, he said he didn't want to over load me with information. More like faint again I thought to myself.
He finally stopped the car and hopped out at a beach called First Beach. Apparently this is where Seth had found me, I shuddered at the memory. We made our way down to the beach, it was actually nice down here, windy and cold for most people but the sky was fine for once. Sam took a seat on a washed up log and patted the place next to him which I took with a smile.
"You see those cliffs over there," He said pointing to the end of the beach that ended in sharp cliff face. "they're the diving cliffs, we often go there to let off some steam, you'll have to try it, its quite a rush."
I frowned."You guys jump off that cliff?!" I said disbelieving "thats like a 100m drop."
Sam shrugged, "Gotta have some fun with your abilities."
I shook my head."I might be a big scary wolf but this wolf is scared of heights so well have to see…"
Sam laughed and I smiled even though I wasn't joking. We sat in comfortable silence for awhile watching the waves break on the the shore.
"I use to spend all summer down here as a kid, especially when I was real little with my Mum." Sam reminisced still looking out to sea. "Was just me an her growing up," He said glancing at me briefly. I stayed quiet listening intently. "She died when I was 18, of cancer would you believe it, after everything." He said dully. "It's what made me first phase."
"I'm so sorry, that's so unfair you had to deal with phasing as well," I finally spoke, not having said much the entire trip. "I remember Seth mentioning you were the first of the pack to phase. I fully understand what that must of been like." I said looking down at my feet remembering.
"I'm so sorry you had to go through this alone Allira." Sam said putting an arm around my shoulder. "I wish I could have been there for you."
"Yeah me too." I said quietly.
"So what happened? did you run away?… if you don't mind me asking that is." He added as I tensed in his arm.
"No it's okay… I just haven't really talked to anyone about it yet, but-but I want to." I mumbled shaking my head. I sighed big, "My Mum remarried when I was a kid to this guy called Tom who also had a kid named David. I never really got on with either of them all that well but my Mum was amazing so I didn't mind putting up with them. They all, uh, died… in a, in a car accident, a-a year or so ago going to the shops one day." I glanced at Sam and he was listening intently. "So ive just been in foster homes since I guess, until my anger got the better of me a few months ago and after slamming my bedroom door after a fight I exploded into a giant wolf, which you know can freak a teenage girl out a bit so I ran away and have just kept running until now I guess." I finished in a rush. "They probably think im dead, eaten by a wild animal which broke into my room or something." I shrugged slightly guiltily. This was most of the truth.
"So you have no one back where you're from?" Sam asked gently.
"No." I shook my head sadly staring at the floor, feeling sick to my stomach.
There was a pause.
"We'll its a good thing we found each other then." He said squeezing my shoulders and I gave him a weak smile.
"Did you come to La Push on purpose or?" Sam questioned.
"Although that would make sense I never paid much attention to where I was going, I was just wandering to be honest. Maybe the wolf in me did it subconsciously." I shrugged again truthfully.
"Whatever it was i'm glad." Sam said and I finally looked up at him. "You'll always have a home here and you'll always have me, no matter what, we're blood." He said seriously not breaking eye contact. "For along time I thought Emily and the pack was the closest thing I would have to being in a family again, but now I have you as well."
My face finally crumpled at his words and I covered my face with my hands sobbing, almost immediately I was engulfed in a hug. I was so unbelievably touched by his words I didn't know what to do, I didn't deserve this.
"Please don't cry Allira, you've cried everyday you've been here." Sam joked rubbing my back.
I sob-laughed into his chest. "Thank you Sam, just thank you so much."
After I calmed down I resurfaced and wiped my eyes.
"You wanna head back?" Sam asked gently. I nodded with a small smile and he helped me to a stand.
The ride home was mostly spent in comfortably silence, Sam only asking if I wanted him to organise a pack meeting for the next day. I agreed, hoping it wouldn't end up like the last one. I noticed Sam was not much of a talking, he seemed perfectly content just sitting in silence with someone, when he did talk however it was always with purpose and thoughtfulness. He was very mature and wise for his age, obviously from having to grow up fast in his teen years. He was made to lead the pack.
As we stopped outside Billy's House and hopped out the car, Emily walked out of the house to greet us, bag in hand.
"So how was is? What did you think of La Push Allira?" Emily asked cheerfully stopping at Sam's side, immediately they wrapped their arms around each other.
"Great, its really beautiful around here." I answered back a small smile.
"Oh Im glad you think so." She replied beaming.
"You got everything honey?" Sam asked turning to her.
"Yeah I think so, oh Allira I left dinner for you and Billy in the oven, you just gotta heat it up for a few minutes." She said turning back to me. Of course they weren't going to stay here, they have their own house I suddenly remembered already so use to their company.
"Oh okay thanks for that." I replied.
"Yeah sorry we've got to head off, I gotta do some pack stuff and what not. Will you be alright?" Sam questioned concerned.
"I'll go put my stuff in the car." Emily excused herself.
"Oh, yeah i'll be fine, I'll hang out with Billy." I said brushing it off.
"Okay, well if you need anything don't hesitate to call okay? My numbers next to the phone." Sam added.
"Okay, will do. Thanks Sam." I said before rushing to hug him. "Thanks for everything."
He was surprised at first but then hugged me tight, resting his chin on my head. "Anytime kiddo."
I watched them drive off before making my way back to the house. I found Billy watching the game in the living room and I joined him, making small talk and commenting about the game until dinner time. After our meal I washed up, had a shower, said my goodnights and went and read my book in my room.
I was surprised Seth hadn't come over or called, maybe he was taking time apart like we sort of agreed on? He probably had stuff to do as well, his life didn't revolve around me after all. I guess I could go a day without seeing him I thought to myself.
My eyes were getting sleeping so I dropped my book next to the bed, cursing having to get up to turn the light off. As soon as my head touched the pillow again though it took only moments and I was asleep.
It all happened so fast, at first all I heard was the faintest of thuds then the sharp quick scrap of my window being slide open. My eyes popped open but before I could do anything else a large figure easily leapt through the window landing on top of me. They seemed as equally as surprised to see me and we both struggled for a second against each other trying to get the other off. It seemed we were matched for strength. Now that I had a good look at them I realised it was a guy. I went to scream but they quickly muffed my mouth with a dirty hand, my adrenaline kicked in then and I shoved him catching him off guard but he held onto me making us both tumble to the floor. I managed to fall on top of him pinning him down briefly. From this angle I could see this guy was covered in dirt like he hadn't showered in weeks, his mattered hair shoulder length. Thats all I got before I was flipped and pinned down, both my hands held above my head, my mouth covered. I struggled desperately against him as he straddled me, screaming at his hand but he was equally if not stronger then I was so it had no effect. He must be a wolf or something.
"Who the hell are you?!" He whisper shouted at me, his face inches from mine.
I looked closely, frowning. Wait a minute….
"What are you doing in my house?! In my room?!" He quietly raged.
"jaayykerb?" I questioned as I stopped struggling, my voice muffled by his hand.
He frowned at me.
"jaaykerb bleak?" I questioned again.
"How do you know who I am?" He said slowly releasing his hand from my mouth.
I stared up at his dirty face, he had changed a lot since the photos on the fridge but his features were the same.
"Oh my god… it is you! you're Billy's son." I said astonished. "We have to wake him he'll be so hap-"
He clapped his hand over my mouth again and pushed me down.
"No. We're not waking him up. It can wait till morning." He stated firmly. "Now tell me who you are!" he demanded still whispering.
I frowned at him motioning at his hand on my mouth with my eyes. He seemed to take the hint and slowly removed it.
"I'm Allira, I just joined the pack a few days ago, im not from around here so ive been staying at Billy's." I whispered slightly miffed. "Now can you get off me!" I seethed through my teeth, annoyed now.
He seemed to have forgotten his position on me and hurriedly got off slightly embarrassed. After he stood up he extended his hand to me which I took, getting up. Now that I stood next to him in his tattered shorts I could see he was a good head and a half taller then I was and he was massive. His muscles were huge, he could easily match Sam and he was the biggest. I also noticed that what I had thought was dirt was in fact stubble on his face. He looked very aged and weathered, his expression a permanent hard line. I wonder how old he is? But more importantly where had he been?
I must have been staring for a while because he cleared his throat, snapping me out of it.
"I'm sorry that I frightened you, I didn't think anyone would be in here." he whispered timidly.
"Thats okay, I'm sorry I took your room." I said feeling guilty.
"No no, its fine, it's not like ive been here to use it." He shrugged.
There was an awkward pause.
"Where have you been?" I blurted, my curiosity getting the better of me. "I'm sorry you don't need to answer that, you don't even know me." I force laughed going red, shaking my head.
Jake paused for a moment looking thoughtful, "The guys haven't said anything?" He asked curiously.
"Ah well, whenever they were explaining the pack they just said that you'd gone away for awhile and were taking a break." I mumbled.
"That I was." Jake he muttered sarcastically. I frowned confused. "I might as well just beat the others to it," Jake sighed shrugging, "I left because of a girl okay." Jake stated angrily.
"Did you imprint?" I asked quietly. My mouth needed a filter.
He considered me before answering. "No. It was due do lack of imprint." He ran his hand through his hair forcefully. "I had a girl who I loved, and loved me back, but I didn't imprint on her and it wasn't enough so now she's with some leech about to ruin her life because the imprint got it wrong." He seethed barely able to control the volume of his voice, he went and sat on the bed.
"I'm sorry." I whispered quietly slowly walking up to him, highly aware he could snap at any moment.
"Yeah I'm sorry too." He huffed, his head resting on his hand. "Hey how'd you know who I was anyway?" he asked curiously.
"Oh, I recognised your face from photos around the house." I shrugged.
"Of course." Jacob said nonchalantly scratching his head.
There was that awkward pause again.
"Everyones really missed you, especially Billy." I stated simply, unable to help it. He would be ecstatic to see Jacob. Maybe that would make him calm down a bit.
Jake looked at me sharply before looking at the ground. "Yeah I've missed him too, I feel like shit for leaving him." He mumbled slightly angrily. "I'm glad he's had someone around." He added looking up at me, I gave him a small smile. "I just needed to get out you know. Get away."
"I can relate."I said taking a seat next to him. "Turning into a wolf in San fransico out of nowhere kinda makes you wanna bail on life."
Jacob raised his eyebrows. "Shit, that sucks."
I don't know why but it felt so easy talking to Jacob, like I already knew him. Maybe it was because I saw his face everyday in the house or stayed in his room with all his stuff, but there was something that made me relate to Jacob.
"So, what other news have I missed out on?" Jacob asked getting up to rummage for clothes in his dresser.
"Um," I paused "I not sure, I guess i'm the latest news. Like I said I just got here, I still don't know half the things about werewolves." I shrugged.
"Okay, so no vampires been hanging around then?" Jacob said nonchalantly, pulling out items of clothing.
I frowned. "Come again?"
"You know, leeches, cold ones." Jacob reiterated turning to me.
My face dropped and I stared blankly at him as certain words I had heard before clicked in my head.
Jacob watched, his face slowly turning to concern.
"Vampires… are real too?" I mumbled breathlessly, that faint feeling sparkling in my vision.
"No ones told you about them yet?!" Jacob said incredulously as I felt my face drain, "Shit, i'm sorry." He apologised, stopping what he was doing and sitting next to me. "I figured it was like the first thing they'd tell you since they're the whole reason we exist, to you know protect people."
I began to take deep breathes trying not to hyperventilate. I couldn't just have one nice stress free day here could I?!
"So-so they're all like, the teeth and the blood drinking and the sunlight and stuff… like-like the movies?" I questioned, still trying to control my breathing.
Jacob looked worried and started rubbing my back trying to calm me. "Yeah, I guess basically." He pretty much cringed waiting for my reaction.
"Oooooooooooh-kay. Okay." I said getting up and beginning to pace, Jacob watching me. "So…us, pack," I said motioning around with my finger, "go out and fight vampires? Like i'll eventually go and-and f-f-fight a vampire." I questioned stopping and looking at him.
Jacob looked like he didn't want to answer, concerned for my mental state, so he just shrugged.
My face dropped again and I just stared at the wall. Me. Fight a vampire. Nope.
"Alli I think you should sit down." Jacob said getting up to grab me and sit me down again. He looked like didn't know what to do with me.
"I can't… I don't know how… this all cant be real…" I muttered to myself trying to come to terms with this new additional supernatural reality.
"Alli, Alli look at me." Jacob said grabbing my face and crouching in front of me, this voice full of authority now.
I missed being called Alli.
"Calm down because number one, in the rare circumstances that you do come across one your wolf already knows what to do, its instinct, we're built for it." He urged calmly, "And number two, you wont have to face one alone, your part of a whole pack now."
The way he said it was like it was no big deal, no big deal that we turned into giant wolves and killed vampires, im sorry WHAT?!
This whole new way of life had to stop shocking me, I needed to be stronger then this because Im starting to learn that shit like this happens everyday and I cant faint in a heap every time. This was my life now, I was a fucking scary wolf girl. It was about time I started acting like one, and Jacob was right, I wasn't alone anymore.
I took a deep breathe and blinked. "Okay." I breathed, accepting this new information.
"Okay?" Jacob repeated confused.
"I'm alright now," I paused and laughed dryly, "Well I'm going to be, just gimme a sec."
"Okay." Jacob didn't look convinced at all. "Um, how bout we talk about something else like, like how did you come to be here?"
I looked at him questioningly, "You really want to know? We can talk about something else?" I said doubting him and partially not wanting to talk about that.
"No. Lets here that." He replied getting up to sit on the bed and getting comfortable, before looking at me expectingly.
When I didn't open my mouth he sighed. "I'll tell you where ive been after if you want." he said rolling his eyes.
The smallest of smiles twitched on my lips. "Okay, deal." I replied. He got me with that, I was very curious, like maybe he had gone wild like I had before getting to La Push.
So then I went on my spiel about my whole wolf history which he seemed genuinely interested in, I even saw him become physically agitated when I got to the part with the hunters. When it was finally his turn to speak of his trip to canada and going wolf up there for several months I was barely keeping my eyes open, although I fought diligently to keep listening I couldn't stop myself from eventually falling asleep.
All too soon I awoke to muffled talking and people walking around. My eyelids where pink which meant the sun was up but I wasn't ready to be up yet. As I fought to hold onto sleep I felt someone touch my hair. "Allira." a male voice called softly.
"Jacob?" I muttered without even thinking. Sounds and smells began to get sharper as I began to wake.
"Jacob?" The male voice I now recognised to be Seth questioned.
My eyes popped open, firstly blinded by the light but then focused on the figure of Seth sitting on the side of my bed, a look of confusion on his face.
Well this was kind of awkward.