Oh, the joys of an early update. Writer's block has OFFICIALLY left my mind. I hope you like this chapter! Oh, and don't worry about the ending too much. Surprise twist coming up!
~SashaFierce12.0
Chapter 45
Seth's P.o.V.
"W-what are you guys doing here?" I asked, looking around at the guys. Paul, Sam, Embry, Jacob, and Leah all walked slowly towards me and I backed up with each step they took. They couldn't stop me. They wouldn't. I had to get rid of her. She wanted me dead? Fine. I'll just go ahead and get it over and done with.
"We're here to stop you," Leah said. "Don't do it, Seth. I'd have no one left if I lost you." With every word she said, I took a step towards the cliff.
"But I have to, Lee. It's the only way to get rid of her. And look at it this way; I'll be with Dad." Dad. I loved him so much. Now I'd be with him. I took some more steps, impatient to feel myself stop breathing.
"No! Seth! You know he wouldn't want this!" my sister yelled. Umm, yeah. He would. I know he'll be happy to see me. Father and son reunited again. "Seth! Please! Don't do it! Don't leave me!" Oh, Leah. So selfish. She wanted me to herself. Why couldn't Dad have me, too? This would fix that...
That, and the problem with my homicidal mom.
I put my arms out like I was balancing and took some more steps back. This is going too slow. I need to speed this up...
"I'm sorry, Leah. It's for my own good."
"Seth! Kid! Just stop!" Paul yelled. "It wouldn't be the same! It wouldn't be the same without you!" Okay...He was gonna' say that, huh? Screw it. I don't care. He leaned forward, and I leaned back. He leaned back and I leaned forward.
Okay. This game is getting old.
"I can't procrastinate any longer guys," I said flatly. I took some baby steps back and felt the earth crumble from under my feet. I couldn't help the small smile that formed on my face. I looked at Leah one last time, memorizing her face. Then Jacob sprinted towards me and I fell back.
Falling. I'd never been cliff diving, and now I knew what the guys were talking about when they said that it felt great. I closed my eyes and took in one last gulp of air on this earth. Then coldness. But it was nothing against my fiery skin. I didn't bother holding my breath and I gulped in water by what seemed like the gallons. I couldn't breathe...My vision was becoming dim...I smiled and looked at the surface...
My last glimpse of light.
I was gone. Gone. No breath. I'm dead. I know I am. I've been under here too long. I can't feel anything. My whole body is numb. I can't see. It's dark. How am I still thinking...?
Suddenly, I'm standing in the middle of the road. There's two paths. At the one on the left, Dad's standing there. He's waving to me and smiling. I take a step towards him and then stop upon seeing the other path. Mom's standing there. Her grin is evil; devious. I turned back towards the other path.
"Dad..." I breathed. "Dad!"
"Hey, Son. It's so great to see you. I just wish we could be together longer." He gave me a grim smile and reached out towards me; like the 'secret' handshake we used to give each other every day. When I started doing the same, I suddenly turned and looked at Evil Mom again. She waved at me and I back away from Dad. Towards her. It's like a rope was tied around my neck and someone was slowly pulling on it, taking me to my demise. It was my mother, no doubt.
"Wait. No!" I yell. Dad smiles again and starts walking down his path, whistling an old show tune. "Dad!"
"It's okay, Seth. I get it. You're not ready," he said, turning towards me. "I'll be here when you are. Until then..." He waved and turned, continuing his whistling. I'm still backing towards Mom, who has her hands out; as if pulling me towards her.
No. I'm not going there. No...
My body doesn't follow my brain and I turn run towards my mother. Suddenly I'm shooting forward at lightning speed and I see light. I can't breathe. Something's in my throat. I gasp in a breath and shoot forward, coughing. Is that water? Someone pats my back and I cough up some more. Someone throws themselves onto me, but I keep staring ahead.
"Why didn't you...Just let me die?" I heard myself saying. But it's not me. Not really. Mentally, I tell the voice to shut up.
Someone answers, "I couldn't do that to 'ya, Kid. You got too much to live for." I don't say another word and continue staring out at the ocean.
Too much to live for...Too much to live for...
Jazmyn and I were sitting in our wolf forms, staring off over the edge of the cliff. Snow fell softly and stuck to the ground, to our fur. But it melted because of our body heat.
"Whoa, that's intense," Jazmyn thought. I'd just shown her what had happened last year. Why I didn't want to celebrate my birthday. Jazmyn moved closer towards me and rubbed her head on my chest. "I'm just glad that they saved you. I wouldn't have ever met you if they didn't."
She looked up at me, her hazel eyes sparkling. I touched my nose to hers and pulled away. Then suddenly, we were human again, kissing each other like our lives depended on it. It was getting heated, and I pulled away.
"Jazz..." She shook her head and kissed my cheek.
"No. No regrets. Love me." She pulled me towards her and started kissing me again. My mind went blank after that, and the only thing that I focused on was her. She was everything. For her I'd go to hell and back. She was the whole reason that I stayed on this earth. I vowed to be happy. For her.
Jazmyn kissed me like she'd never be able to kiss me again. I didn't know when, but somewhere during the night, we fell asleep; our clothes haphazardly thrown on our bodies. She had on my shirt, and I just slid on my shorts. I kissed Jazmyn's cheek and pulled her close to me. Then I closed my eyes.
Drip. Drip. Drip.
Huh?
Drip. Drip. Drip.
I felt light behind my eyes, and realized that it was morning. Some kind of liquid was dripping into my ear and into the side of my face, but I didn't care. I sighed and buried my face into Jazmyn's hair.
Drip. Drip. Drip.
My eye twitched, but I decided not to actually wake up yet. I was tired. I pulled Jazmyn closer. Then I heard someone snicker. I heard the sound of a button being pressed, and then the ding like someone was recording something. I opened my eyes groggily just as water was splashed over Jazmyn and I.
"What the-" Jazmyn shot up.
"Did you get it?"
"Hell, yeah! I'm recording!"
"He's never gonna' be able to live this one down!"
Still half asleep, I rubbed my face free of ice cold water. A fresh blanket of snow lay on the ground, and a little grass peaked out from where Jazz and I jumped up. I felt snow fall on me, and I groaned and finally opened my eyes. The Pack. The whole Pack (minus Paul) stood in front of me and Jazz. Was this a dream? No. It wasn't. Embry held a video camera, and Malachi had a bucket. That's probably where the water had come from.
I groaned again and shook my head, slapping my face. Jazmyn smiled sheepishly.
"Heyy..." she laughed nervously.
"Hi!" Brandon laughed again.
"How long have you been here?" I slurred sleepily, rubbing at my eyes.
"Long enough to completely embarrass you two lovebirds and get a video," Sam laughed.
"Did it really need to take all of you?" I growled.
"Well, Sue called all of us, asking where you were," Quil shrugged. "And Emily was going crazy because Jazmyn didn't go back after patrol. We finally got together at...How long ago was that, Bro?"
"I'd say maybe half an hour ago," Embry smirked. "So, we scoured the perimeter. This was one of the last places we would've looked. But-"
"I insisted," Jacob said. He crossed his arms and grinned. "So we found you."
"And I stole Seth's camera while Malachi filled a bucket with water. Let's just call it a birthday present," Embry laughed again.
"Well, gee. Thanks, guys," I said flatly. I glanced at Jazmyn, who had managed to throw on her clothes from yesterday.
"This is priceless. Definitely going in the family photo album," Sam laughed again and stalked off.
"You guys were great. Seth sleeps like little a baby, and Jazmyn smiles in her sleep. It was a beautiful picture," Collin nodded, getting some more laughs from the guys. "You guys should think of going into modeling." Jazz jumped up and fixed her hair. I stood with her.
"Embry. Camera. Now," I growled. Embry backed up, still smiling and recording. Jazmyn and I growled, and he started running backwards. Guess what? Still recording. Jazmyn and I ran after him, the rest of the guys trying to follow. Keyword: trying. They were laughing so hard, they ended up falling rather than running.
"EMMMBRRRRYYYYY!" Jazmyn screeched. I caught up to him and took him down, snatching the camera out of his hands and pressing the 'stop' button. Then I punched him, but he continued laughing. Once I was on my own two feet again, he repositioned his nose and shook his head. He sat with his elbows on his knees and grinned up at us two.
"Ha! Little bro is a man!" he laughed. I rolled my eyes and took the SD card out of the camera, tossing it to Jazmyn. "How was it? Good?" Jazmyn scoffed and slapped the side of his head, sashaying down the cliff. I rolled my eyes and turned to follow her. But then I stopped and turned back towards Embry.
"It was great. Don't tell her I told you, though." I ran after Jazmyn.
Embry yelled after me, "WOOHOO! Yeah!" I smirked and took Jazmyn's hand.
"Those guys are such jerks," she said flatly. I chuckled softly and pulled her into my side. "I still love 'em, though. They're like my big brothers. My big, muscular, purvey, annoying-yet-lovable brothers." She grinned at me and we walked into my backyard. "I should head over to Emily's. It's Apple Smashing Season! Everyone's meeting at Em's. Come, okay?"
"Okay." She stood on her tiptoes and kissed me. Even with the major height acceleration, she still had to do that. But I didn't mind. She pulled away and bit her lip with a smile.
"See you later." I watched her disappear before heading inside. I was able to sneak upstairs and shower and get dressed before she attacked me with questions.
Opening the medicine cabinet, I took out the orange bottle. I squinted my eyes; something I did when I was trying to decide on something; in this case if I should take the pills or not. Did I feel depressed today?
...
No.
Nothing could bring me down today. Not even the memory of last year.
I put the bottle of pills back and felt...Happy. Happier than I'd ever felt before. I felt like I did before Leah left and Dad died. Like I had a big bubble of happiness and love around me, and everyone that was with me would feel it, too.
I grinned at myself in the mirror and breathed out a, "Whoa." I ran my hands through my hair and grinned again. Then I padded down the stairs. "Hey, Mom!" I greeted her with a kiss on her cheek.
"H-hi, Seth," she cocked her head. She looked confused. I'd never greeted her this way in...Well, forever. "Are you...Feeling okay?"
"Yeah. It's my birthday! Why wouldn't I be feeling okay? You have anything planned for me?" I picked up an apple out of the fruit basket and tossed it around in my hands, then finally took a bite. Mom stared at me some more before slowly brightening. She opened the cabinet and used her vampire power to get something off the top shelf.
"I have something for you." She handed me a wrapped box and I opened it. I pulled out a brand new pair of Nikes sneakers. These were the ones that I had been saving up to buy for...Forever. I've never gotten close to ever buying them, though. I grinned at my mother and kissed her cheek again.
"Thanks. I'll wear 'em today. You're the best, Mom." Mom smiled and posed with her eyes cast up and her hands on her hips.
"Oh, I try." I laughed with her and put on the shoes.
"I'm gonna' head over to Sam's. It's Apple Smashing Season. Remember? Isn't it cool how it fell on my birthday?"
"Ooh, I forgot...Esme and I were going into Seattle today. Please send everyone my love."
"I will, don't worry." I kissed Mom's cheek again with a grin. "See you later."
"Bye, Honey!"
I jogged out of the house, my new sneakers feeling good on my feet. I slowed to a walk and passed houses. Children chased each other around in the snow freshly fallen snow. Parents watched them with steaming mugs of hot chocolate in their hands. I passed Aecia Southbrooke's house; she was outside, trying to help her little brother into the car. I turned, hoping she didn't notice me. Unfortunately...
"Hey, Seth," she called. I'm not one to be rude, so I turned.
"Hi, Aecia." She shut the side of her minivan and bit her lip. She walked towards me and I braced myself.
She stood on her tiptoes and whispered into my ear, "I know what you are. Dog." My eyes widened and I stepped back. "I always knew that the legends were real. And it only became more real to me when I started growing. I've never had muscles before, but now I do. I grew out of my favorite pair of jeans, and now..." She took off her coat. "...I don't even need this. Did I catch it from you or something? I don't mind knowing that this crap is real, but being one will only make my life terrible!" She crossed her arms, and I half expected her to start shaking. But she didn't. Must've been too early. I sighed.
"Listen, Aecia," I placed my hand on her shoulder and smiled. "You didn't 'catch' it from me. It doesn't work that way. And you being a wolf...Ah, I'm not too crazy about the idea, either. Here's the deal: I hate you. I don't like you. But you're gonna' be a part of my pack soon, so I'm gonna' have to put up with your sorry ass every day. When you phase...Trust me, I'm gonna' do everything in my power to make your life a living hell. You did it to me; so now you're going to get a taste of your own medicine. Now, I don't think that you want to experience firsthand what I can actually do to you when you haven't gained your strength yet. I don't want to get mad today. I want to feel normal. Now, I'm going to go make out with my lovely girlfriend, turn fifteen in an hour, smash some apples, and enjoy my life while you're not in it. So please, don't bother me. Got it?" I narrowed my eyes and cocked my head with a small smirk. She crossed her arms and her nostrils flared. She wasn't going to phase. From the looks of it...I'd say about three days. I gave her a small wave and continued on my way, grinning to myself.
Damn, that felt good.
I walked into Sam and Emily's without knocking. Emily was chasing Claire around with a pair of jeans and Teasha sat on the couch watching the weather channel. I walked passed her, tapping her right shoulder but appearing on her left. She looked right, then turned left and jumped.
"Seth!" she yelled.
"That's my name," I laughed.
"What's got you so happy today? And Jazmyn, too. When she came in, she was practically floating up the stairs." I looked at the staircase. Really? I'd had that affect on her? I grinned wider and turned back towards my friend.
"It's my birthday, don't you know?"
"Wait. I thought you didn't want to do anything?"
"I had a change of heart."
"Oh, okay. Happy birthday!"
"Who's birthday?" Claire slowed down. She was only in a white t-shirt and little underwear. Emily snuck up behind her and grabbed her torso. Claire growled like an animal and flailed her arms around, somehow ending up upside down. I watched with amusement as Emily finally got her into the jeans and set her down. Claire glared at her aunt and took her sunglasses out of her sweater pocket, putting them on over her eyes. She turned back to Teasha and I, brightening instantly. "Who's birthday? Do we got cake?"
"Only if Emily wants to make any," I said, my voice raised a little.
"Chocolate or vanilla?" she asked.
"Both."
"Sure. Anything for our birthday boy," she grinned and ruffled my hair. I laughed and fixed it. "Jazz! Seth's here!"
"One minute!" my imprint sang down the stairs. Thirty seconds later she bounced down the staircase. "Hey, hey, hey, daddy!" She sang and jumped into my arms.
"Not here!" Sam yelled, walking in. Jazmyn hopped out and covered her face, blushing.
"Ha! Caught red handed...Again!" Jacob said, coming in behind him.
"What does he mean 'again...?'" Teasha stood up and looked at Jazmyn.
"Yes. Please tell," Emily cocked her head and crossed her arms.
"I'd show you, but some people like to steal video cameras," Embry came in, Syanne hooked onto his arm. In his left arm, Embry held Kyle.
"I know you're not talking," I said. "It was mine to begin with!"
"He's right, y'know," Jacob nodded.
"Shut up, Black," Embry barked.
"Make me, Call." The two growled at each other, then broke out laughing. Kyle laughed with them, too. Even though I'm pretty sure that he didn't even know what they were talking about.
"What happened? I don't like not knowing about things. Especially when they have to do with two of my best friends," Teasha pouted.
"Really, Teasha? We're your best friends?" I joked.
"We caught these two up on the cliff. Had one hell of a night," Sam walked into the kitchen.
"Aww...Sam," I groaned, not wanting to start in on the story.
Teasha's hands flew to her mouth and she gasped. "Jazmyn!"
"Teasha!" Jazmyn played.
"Seth!" I laughed.
"Seth!" the two girls looked at me.
"Jazmyn!" Emily seemed to get the message. Then she looked at me and hit my head multiple times. She can hit pretty hard. Especially with the spoon she was holding. "Seth!" The door opened and more people came in.
"Qwil!" Claire ran to her imprint.
"Claire!"
"Brandon's here!" Brandon announced.
"Emily!" I shielded myself from Emily's deadly thwacks from her spoon.
"WHY IS EVERYONE YELLING?" Syanne screeched. The house got quiet and I froze in my defensive stance from Emily whacking me with her spoon. We all stared at the young werewolf. "Sorry. Kyle just doesn't l-like the noise, is ah-all."
"Okay. Everyone needs to stay calm," Emily stood in the middle of two groups; one side was me and Jazmyn. On the other, was the Pack, either looking confused or smirking at me and Jazmyn. I just smiled back.
I opened my mouth, "Em-"
"Don't talk!" she waved her spoon at me. Some of the guys snickered. She turned towards me, her scars more noticeable on her red face. She had her hands out towards my neck, as if she wanted to choke me. "You...You..."
"It's apple smashing time!" Leah exclaimed, walking in with Jayah. Emily froze and stared at her. I turned towards my sister, mouthing for her help. "What...? What's happening? Em? Are you trying to choke my baby brother?"
"YES!" Emily and I yelled at each other.
"What'd you do?" Leah's shoulders slumped. Emily, Jazmyn, and I all started talking at once. Jazmyn and I were trying to sugar coat everything, while Emily was screaming and yelling and threatening all at once. It all ended with Jazmyn rolling her eyes and plopping on the couch while Emily and I yelled at each other. "SHUT UP!" I couldn't disobey my Alpha's fiancé - who's also my sister - so I shut up. Emily plopped down next to Jazmyn. "Now. I want someone to explain this to me." I sat down next to Emily. She looked at me, then at Jazmyn.
"Okay, this is what happened," Jazmyn stood up and took a deep breath. "Seth and I were running patrol last night and then he kind of showed me what was in his head after what happened last year and I was all 'whoa, that's intense' and he just nodded and I was like 'I'm just glad they saved you' and then we phased back and we started kissing and then he tried to be nice and was all 'Jazz' and it was my fault because I told him 'no regrets' and then we started kissing some more and I was all happy because he was my first and then we fell asleep and then woke up because the guys poured water all over us and were making videos and I slapped Embry because he had the video and asked Seth if 'it was good' and then we went home and I showered and changed and-" She took another deep breath. "And now Emily's all mad because the guys were all telling about what happened and she's yelling at me because we didn't use protection and there's just the slightest chance that I could get pregnant." Jazmyn bit her lip and grimaced.
Pregnant. I hadn't thought about that. We hadn't thought about that.
My happiness faltered a bit.
I couldn't take care of a baby! I'm fifteen! I'm not prepared. Especially mentally. With all that's going on in my head, I would never be able to bring up a baby.
I groaned and threw my head back onto the couch. I looked up again when I heard someone start laughing. Leah. She was holding her stomach and laughing.
"Whew...That's good. Now, really. What happened?" She looked at me. The house was silent as everyone either stared at me looking at Leah who was still grinning and looking at me or Jazmyn. Her smile faltered. "For real. Guys..." Jazmyn and I looked at each other. "Guys! What were you...? Oh, my gosh! This is..."
"Hello! I said 'slightest!'" Jazmyn said.
"Why is it the slightest? It's 99.9 percent!" Leah screeched. I put my head in my hands.
"No. It's not. Because..." Jazmyn bit her lip and looked around the room. "Because...Who am I kidding? You're right!"
"It's too early to find out now. When's your next period?" Emily asked.
"Uhh...Like, three weeks."
"Okay. Three weeks. Three weeks..." Emily took some deep breaths. I repeated it to myself in my head, too.
Three weeks.
Three weeks.
Three weeks.
000000000000000000000000
Three Weeks Later
"Jazz, you've been ignoring me for the past few days. All of us," I took Jazmyn's hand in mine and into the Launch Pad. There was no one in here, and it was good for privacy. Jazmyn bit her lip and closed her eyes.
"I wanted to wait a couple of days. To see if it was..." She put her face into her hands.
"What?"
"Seth...I'm late."
Ha. Ha-ha. Ha. The next chapter will be up soon. Review, please.
~SashaFierce12.0