As I follow Dr. Cullen I realize that the rest of the vampires remain a good distance behind. I guess it's to better gage how I will react if at all. If I will attack or not. As we step into the clearing their house comes into view. I stop in mu tracks as I look at it. Confused because it's nothing I would imagine for a vampire to live. It's so open…friendly. Whenever I read of vampires in book it's always that their soulless and have no feelings. They live on their thirst for blood nothing else. I notice that Dr. Cullen is standing by the door waiting for me. I begin to walk forward and stumble awkwardly as my shoulder continues to set my balance off.
I stand in front of the door and realize there is no way I will fit in wolf form. Dread fills me as I realize that my clothes must have dropped when I was running for my life in the woods. Damn it! I shake my head annoyed and start to take a few steps backwards.
"Lani?" Dr. Cullen asks me looking slightly confused.
What do I do? I don't want them to see? I turn around and see Edward. He nods and in a blink of an eye is gone and back again with clothes. He cautiously steps forward to give them to me. All I can feel is anger! He steps away and gives me an apologetic look. It makes me want to spit! It's because he saw what happened and the toll it took on me. Damn him! I'm so angry that my vision starts to blur. I start walking toward Edward like he is my prey. A strong arm grabs my shoulder making me wince in pain. I turn and see Emmett looking at me with his hand on my shoulder. I huff but my anger begins to subside seeing him. I look at Edward and growl. I grab the clothes in my mouth and walk clumsily toward the trees.
As cliché as it sounds, I begin huffing and puffing, I just might blow their house down, before I transform. The pain, once again, shoots through me as my body reforms itself into a human causing the dislocated bones to stick out in an awful looking way. I breath heavily as I reach for the clothes and try to put them on. The scent of them captivates me as I realize that it's his scent. My breathing becomes jagged with that thought spiraling in my head. Control yourself Lani. So what if it is Emmett's clothes that you're wearing? Damn Edward! If what they told me at the campfire was true then that means he could hear all my thoughts. He knows that I imprinted! Great! Anything else? I ask looking up at the sky but not asking anyone in particular. I raise my arms in annoyance but the pain sends me back to reality.
Get this over with Lani and then it will all be over. I start heading back to the clearing after making sure a fifth time that all my skin was covered. The one thing I am grateful about is that Edward at least got me a turtleneck. My unruly curly chin length hair covers the rest. I sigh and start heading back. They haven't moved from when I left and I raise my eyebrows as I stop in my tracks. For a few seconds I just stand there as I look at them and they look at me.
"Lani, please come on in." A woman says standing next to Dr. Cullen. I can't help but hesitate, but then I see Edward. The fact that he knows makes me angry again. I stay for a few minutes looking at him then towards the exit in the trees. Get this over with; the faster the better. I walk unsteadily forward and pass the Doctor as I head inside. It's so…white and clean. It looks like a loving home. I don't know why this shocks me, maybe it's because I'm human and never grew up in a home like this or it' could be the fact that this goes against everything that I have read about vampires. Whatever the case I can't help feel uncomfortable, although my wounds may have a part to play in that as well. I sigh as I turn and see that they're all watching me.
"Have a seat Lani." Dr. Cullen says as he motions at a chair. "I'm just going to feel your shoulders, okay?" He says as I take a seat. I nod and breath evenly as I ready myself for the pain that will ensue. I focus on my breathing as he starts feeling my shoulders. Dr. Cullen sighs and looks at me sadly. " They're out of the sockets. I have to pop them back into place. When I helped Jacob the medicine hardly did anything for the pain. If you want it, though, I can give you some. It may ease the pain."
I shake my head no and continue to focus on my breathing. He takes a few seconds and looks at me. When he sees that I'm sure of my decision he places his hands on my right shoulder and arm. I stare straight ahead; breath in, breath out. I lean forward as I feel this familiar pain. I keep count of my breathing and continue to focus on it as Dr. Cullen places his hands on my left shoulder and arm. My breathing is heavier after he does the second one but I'm proud that I didn't cry. I have been crying too much lately. This feels like my own private victory! At the same time, it reminds me that I'm accustomed to physical pain. Who knows? Maybe I should thank Mark for the training. I look up quickly at Edward and I roll my eyes. I start to stand but Dr. Cullen puts his hand on my shoulder.
"I need to look at your ribcage." He says. I cling my shirt down and glare at him. "Lani, I need to bandage it"
I glare at him and look around.
"I can translate for you." Edward says as he comes next to Dr. Cullen. I glare at him now and stick my nose up indignantly. "Do you want me to tell him that you're thinking about when..."
I got so angry I transformed and growled at him. The pain in my shoulders making me hesitate a little but enough time for Emmett to tackle me. Jasper threw him off me and looked at me warily. I'm stunned that he did that; my imprint tackled me. A series of pain from within starts to envelope me. No, I was going to attack Edward that's why he did that. He did it to protect Edward. I look at Emmett and he is staring at me as if daring me to do something. I shake myself off and look at them. I turn and want to barrel through the glass tall windows but I feel bad knowing that I would have to replace it. I become antsy and begin to fidget with the door handles with my snout. I see Edward in my peripheral come closer to me.
"I won't say anything; Carlisle says to put your arms in slings." He says while looking at me sincerely. "If you need anything else he wants you to know you can always come back."
I look back at Dr. Cullen in shock. I almost attacked your kid and you want me to come back!
"Thank you." Edward says to me as I turn back. "It's easy for me to read thoughts and I know it took a lot for you not to rip my head off. I'm grateful as I'm sure Bella will be too."
I turn my head and remember that Charlie's kid feel for this schmuck. He smirks at my words. I growl and see him put his hand up. I turn to see Emmett ready to charge and Jasper standing in his way. The pixie haired chick and blondie are standing next to them, while Dr. Cullen and another woman stand closer to us. Their smiles are warm as they look at me. Although I can tell the doctor is worried about my injuries. However, my shoulder are already feeling better...make that slightly feeling better. I quickly turn and make my exist. When Edward comes in front of me.
"We're worried about the pack. Will they still attack you?"
How should I know?
"It seems Sam really wants you to be a part of their pack."
He won't let up!
"Maybe you should just hear what he has to say."
I lean my head to the left.
You do know it's about protecting the land and bloodsuckers are evil, right?
"We're not his favorite people, but maybe it will keep you from getting beat up." He said as he started making his way back to the house.
I watched him and saw the others on the other side of the glass. Emmett glaring at me which again made me feel this sharp pain in my chest. I was tempted to go back to try and get him to trust me. I shake my head as I think about my last thought. I am in control, damn imprint! I turn and start to head back but I go by a different route so that I will be closer to Neil's place. I smell them and run harder toward my studio. I'm waiting for them to attack but it never comes. As I get to the clearing I realize that, yet again, I have no clothes to change into. Shit! I walk slowly as I near the clearing and see my studio. What's worse? There is Sam waiting for me, holding my clothes from earlier.