Sorry for the hiatus. I'm back now.

Something I wanted to address: Someone pointed out in the reviews a long time ago that Seth and Nani were technically second cousins. That person is probably correct, but I don't know a lot of Twilight trivia so I wasn't aware. I don't see it as a huge issue, though, because second cousins isn't nearly as bad as first cousins, and I'm sure this sort of thing occurs a lot within a tribe.

And now we're back to the story. Enjoy!

. . .

"Embry, please-"

"Look, man, I just really don't like needles, and having a vampire stick one in me does not help anything, no offense."

"None taken." Carlisle said, though it was with a dry expression. "Would you like me to sedate you instead?"

Embry made a face. "Uh, that would be a no, my blood-sucking compadre. I'd rather stay awake."

"Damn it, Embry, just let him take the blood! We don't have time for this!" I snapped.

He gave me a look, then glanced at Seth. "You'd better reign your girlfriend in, Seth, she's getting a little antsy."

Seth shrugged. "I don't own her. She can do what she wants. And you are being difficult."

Embry rolled his eyes. "Oh, whatever, just do it."

I huffed, turning away and crossing my arms. "Okay, moving on. Once Embry's done being a baby and we figure out what the virus looks like, we can start working on a cure. If there is one. And while that's going on, Seth, you and I are going to the patrol area. We're gonna find out where this is coming from."

"You sure that's a good idea?" Seth asked uncertainly. "I mean, with me being all infected and stuff?"

"If you're worried, you can stay in wolf form the whole time." I told him. "But I need you to show me the route."

He sighed and nodded. "Fair enough. Do you want to go now?"

"Sooner is better than later." I said.

"Hey! Yeah, okay, just leave me here alone, you guys are great." Embry called from the couch.

"Some big tough pack member you are." I taunted. "We'll be back later when we've found something. Come on, Seth, let's figure this thing out."

He ran ahead of me as I walked toward the door, and by the time I was outside, he was in wolf form. I put a hand in the fur on his face, stroking it a little. When he was in control of himself, he was really just an oversized dog. He even nuzzled against me like any dog would.

"Hey, think I can hitch a ride?" I asked.

He seemed to consider the suggestion for a moment, then bowed so I could get on. I swung up onto his back and clutched his fur as he rose to full height. I was just thinking that maybe this wasn't such a good idea when he took off running. It wasn't nearly as fast as he was capable of going, so he wouldn't throw me off, but I still had to hang on tight.

And I wasn't scared. Not even a little bit. In fact, I felt perfectly safe. I wondered briefly if Sam would get mad at me for using a werewolf in such a childish way, but Seth seemed to be having fun with it. His huge tongue lolled out of his mouth and he looked so goofy I couldn't help but laugh.

Before long, he slowed to a halt near a stream in the woods. I slid off his back, looking around. I could see where the wolves patrolled, as there were numerous paw-prints in the soft dirt. Other than the massive tracks, nothing struck me as odd. I took a big breath through my nose, but nothing smelled any different than what a forest should smell like. "Not seeing anything, Seth." I reported, walking slowly around. He was busy sniffing everything; plants, grass, trees, dirt, anything his nose could reach. I knelt down and studied the stream. It could be something coming from the water, though how a virus like this would get there I had no idea. The boys never said anything about changing patrol routes, so I assumed they'd been coming here for ages. If the water had been contaminated all that time, the problems wouldn't be starting now.

I paused, listening intently. I didn't hear anything but the water and the breeze. But something was definitely out of place, because I could feel the hair on the back of my neck standing up. I stood, looking around intently. "Do you feel like someone's watching us?" I murmured to the wolf beside me. Almost as though I'd just jinxed myself, I felt a heavy blow to the head which made the loudest thunk noise ever, and then I was out.