Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight.
We were at the edge of the forest leading into the reservation when Sam turned around and faced me. He was visibly shaking, and I could feel the waves of heat rolling off of him. His dull human like teeth were bared as a deep growling sound echoed through them.
"What the hell was that?! Are you crazy?! Not only could you have gotten yourself hurt but also the pack along with the reservation." He spat out venomously. I bared my teeth back at him displaying the dangerous looking canines. He didn't seem to like that at all considering he clenched his fists. I arched my brow in challenge wanting him to do something. The wolf in me caused me never to back down from a challenge, and this "alpha" didn't intimidate me.
"What the hell was what? Care to specify?" I responded through bared teeth, some of my words coming out in growls.
"That back there!" He shouted, pointing back to where we had just come from. "What are you?! Some kind of leech lover?!" He began to shake harder.
"No Sam! I don't like those nasty little parasites that live in water! Oh wait, were you talking about those people who I showed respect to! Something you wouldn't know!" I screamed back. I honestly expected this type of behavior from Jacob instead of Sam, but Jake just sat there in his wolf form with worried eyes.
"People?! They aren't people, Bella! They're monsters!" He growled out.
"Really, Sam?! Then what the fuck does that make me?! Or you?! Or any of us for that fucking matter?! What about the humans who hurt other people every day?! Who the fuck are you to judge someone when you have no room to talk?!" I snarled turning my back on him and walking toward the woods.
"And where do you think you're going?!" He called after me.
"Away from you before someone ends up getting hurt." I growled rubbing my yellow eyes. Calm, Bella. You have to control yourself. Focus!
"Good! Get out of here! I need to speak with the council anyway!"
I took off not even bothering to respond. I blurred through the trees, trying to hold myself together until I got farther into the forest. When I couldn't hear Sam or Jacob anymore I let my animal instincts take over. My canines grew as the rest of my teeth sharpened and my body ripped apart revealing the wintry, white fur of my wolf.
I ran. It was what I did when I was about to lose control. I focused on being a wolf and just ran trying to calm down. I dug my nails into the dirt, launching myself forward faster and faster. That's when the same wonderful scent from before filled my nose. I closed my eyes and hummed. Alice.
My speed picked up even faster and I ran in the direction where the scent was getting stronger. I had to get to her. I don't know why, but I did. My instincts screamed for me to be near her. I shot through the trees so focused on her scent that I didn't even notice the road on the other side of them.
I caught sight of the headlights. My reflexes kicked in and I jumped, landing on the hood of the car. The front tires gave out under my weight, and the metal groaned in protest as it bent in and crushed the engine. I ran off within seconds but not before I heard the man get out of his vehicle and slam his car door.
"This is Chief Swan. I'm gonna need assistance. A large animal just smashed into the front of my cruiser." He said into what I would assume was his walkie talkie. I heard another sound like a button unsnapping and heard the clicking sound from a gun being ready to be fired.
The scent I was after got stronger and stronger as I came to a small stream. I lowered my body down flat against the ground and watched a large buck. Its giant body gracefully walked to the stream, and I noticed how the thick muscles in his neck flexed whenever he bent down to drink. I took in deep breaths through my nose and knew Alice was here somewhere. My ears twitched trying to pick up any sign of her particular location but heard absolutely nothing. I scanned the trees quietly, searching for her without spooking the deer. My sight landed on something pale, but it blurred before I could focus on it. It launched itself toward the buck causing a loud cracking sound from the impact.
I watched on as Alice sunk her teeth into the deer's neck and drank while a soft moan escaped her. I inched closer to her trying not to disturb her. When she was done her vibrant eyes shot open and toward me causing me to freeze. Her nostrils flared as she took in my scent.
"Bella?" She smiled at me sheepishly. I let out a little huff trying to tell her that it was indeed me. "What are you doing out here? I don't think I'm in the wolves' territory and I'm sorry you had to see that. You must think I'm a monster right now." She gestured toward the deer. I shrugged my large shoulders and she looked at me curiously.
"Is that your way of telling me that you don't think I'm a monster?" They're monsters! Sam's words echoed in my mind, and I almost snarled. He was wrong. My bright yellow eyes gazed into her golden ones before I nodded. I gave her a wolfish grin and spun around in a circle trying to show off my form, then shifted back.
"How could I think that way of you whenever I'm the one who shifts into an overgrown canine?" I laughed and walked toward her. I noticed her gaze briefly glance down at my naked form before darting away. As a wolf, I had become accustomed to not being in clothing over the years. Was I making her uncomfortable? I frowned at the thought, but stopped when she nearly side tracked me with her dazzling smile.
"I don't know. To be honest, you remind me of a cute little puppy dog." She giggled. These vampires really didn't seem all that bad. Wait. My jaw dropped which only made her giggle more.
"A puppy dog?" I scoffed. I take that back. Completely horrible. "Oh, please. I'm like the definition of vicious. I'm the thing that gives people nightmares."
"Is that why I want to throw a stick or tennis ball for you and scratch behind your ear?" She smirked. I gave her a look of mock offense.
"What's next? A leash and collar?" I rolled my eyes playfully at her.
"Well, I mean yeah. If I could find a collar big enough to fit your neck. I don't think the collars they use for Mastiffs would work very well. Maybe something that Dino from the Flintstones would wear." She teased.
"...Did you just compare me to a dinosaur?" See if I ever walk around naked again.
"Maybe."
I laughed and shook my head at her, leaning up against a tree.
"Unbelievable... And to think that I was coming to apologize to you for Sam's behavior earlier. I would love nothing more than to say that he didn't mean it, but the pack is pretty close minded when it comes to you and your family."
"And you're not." She said matter of factly, becoming serious.
"No, I'm not." I agreed.
"Why?" She asked, genuinely curious. I tilted my head, letting the word sink in. That was a good question. Surely, any other werewolf would have attacked them... right?
"I don't know." I replied honestly. "I guess it's because I don't think you're bad people. I kind of like to make judgements on my own without having others tell me how to think and feel."
"I can understand that." She said as she sat down on a fallen log. "I used to hear stories about werewolves being destructive, out of control beasts. Yet, here you are joking around with me and having a conversation."
I glanced at the ground, quickly focusing on a dead leaf that had become so very interesting.
"I don't want to hurt people." I said quietly. "I've been that way before, and I don't want to go back to it. It was actually the reason I came out here in the first place. I was losing my temper so fast, and I couldn't bear the thought of hurting another innocent person." I felt a gentle, sudden breeze against my skin as Alice appeared in front of me. She placed a hand on my arm and gently lifted my head up with her other one so that my eyes met hers. My skin felt like it had lit on fire despite her cool touch, and I was slowly losing myself in the gold of her eyes.
"Hey. Don't be so hard on yourself." Her soft voice filled my ears. "I've been there before. We all have. I know how hard it is to learn control. You're not a bad person, Bella. A bad person wouldn't try to change their ways whenever they are harming others."
She gazed into my eyes with such an intensity that I couldn't speak. After a few moments of silence she tilted her head at me and spoke again.
"All right?" She asked. I nodded slowly and she smiled. I couldn't help the small smile that graced my own lips in return. "Good. I have to be going now. I guess I'll see you around?"
"Of course. I enjoyed our short time talking together and wouldn't mind speaking with the others, especially Carlisle. He seems like he is full of knowledge and stories."
"Oh, he most definitely is. I'm sure he'd love speaking to you about it some time. Have a good night, Bella."
"You too, Alice." I smiled softly before shifting. Alice's eyes widened in what I could only hope was amazement instead of fear. I gave a big woofy grin and she just continued to stare at me.
"That's incredible." She murmured, looking up at me in wonder as I towered over her. Before I could react though her head snapped to the right and her face turned into one of fright. "Jasper, wait!"
My attention broke away from her and my ears twitched at the sudden sound coming from my side. I turned my head quickly to see what was going on, but it was too late. Something solid slammed into my side and the shear impact sent me flying into a tree followed by the echoing of a boom.
I staggered up onto all fours and looked back to Alice, only to be met with the black stare of the younger, blond male vampire. He stood in front of Alice protectively with a hand reaching out behind him to touch her and keep her back. My glowing yellow eyes locked onto that pale hand, and I couldn't break them away. Something in me began to build up, a silent rage. His hiss brought my eyes back up to meet his and I snarled in return. My ears flattened against my head, and my hackles rose. I don't know what pissed me off more, the fact that he seemed to be challenging me or that he was touching Alice. I glanced down at his hand again and then back up into his eyes. Definitely the latter one.
He tensed up as I took a step forward, baring my sharp canines, but the moment was soon interrupted when Alice pulled away from him and stepped in between us.
"Jasper! Bella! Stop it! NOW!" She screamed. Her once golden eyes were now endless pools of black as she glared back and forth at us.
"But that thing was going to hurt you!" Jasper scoffed.
Hurt her?! How dare he insinuate such a thing?! I growled deeply at him again and was met with a snarl of his own.
"Knock it off, you two." Alice growled. I blinked a few times at the sound of her voice and sat back on my haunches with my head tilted. Alice seemed to be pleased with the fact that I was in that position instead of trying to tear his head off and turned back to him. "No, she wasn't and she would never. I trust her, Jasper. We were actually having a nice conversation before you came in swinging."
He looked between the two of us before focusing his attention on her again with a frown.
"I didn't know. I just assumed that-"
"That's right. You assumed." She shook her head and sighed. "Well, you assumed wrong."
"I'm sorry." He mumbled to her then glanced at me. "Forgive me for my irrational behavior."
I nodded my head, having already calmed down for the most part and focusing more on Alice.
"I think it's best if we just go now." Alice added before turning to me and giving me a look that I couldn't quite understand. "I will speak to you some other time, Bella. Be safe."
I gave her a weird-grumbling wolf noise in response as a goodbye which made her laugh. The sound was beautiful and I hoped that I would be able to hear it again soon. That thought was soon erased though whenever I watched them leave in a blur. A sadness that I had never felt before swept through me, and it took everything I had not to follow after them like a lost pup.
I turned around and ran back the way I had come from. I couldn't stop thinking about Alice Cullen. She had me so entranced already like I had known her my whole life. I stopped when I saw flashing red and blue lights through the trees. I stalked closer to the lights and watched the humans in police uniforms examine the car.
"I don't understand." The guy who had called himself Chief Swan said. "It was here and gone in the blink of an eye. I've never seen something move so fast. And the size. It was the size of a horse or an oversized bear."
"It was something. I mean look at what it did to your cruiser, but where the hell would it have come from?" The officer standing beside him said.
"I don't know and I don't like it. Something that big could be dangerous. What if it hurts a camper or hiker? We're going to need to inform everyone to stay clear of the forest and be careful especially kids."
"We'll keep an eye out for it, sir." A police woman said.
I decided to go a different way. There was no need to spook the poor humans any further and get a hunting party sent after me. It's not like they could actually hurt me too severely, but still, you never know."
XXXXX
I walked through the door of Sam and Emily's house, clutching my side. Stupid Jasper throwing me into that stupid tree. I growled lowly to myself and started to walk to my room to rest. Taking in a few whiffs, I realized that Sam's scent wasn't as strong which meant he wasn't here. I also noticed the faint smell of chocolate chip cookies and my mouth began to water. Did Emily ever sleep or was she always in the kitchen? I made my way to my room quickly putting on a t-shirt and shorts before heading to the kitchen.
"What are you still doing up?" I asked, jumping up and sitting on the counter with one hand still pressed against my ribs.
"Waiting for you and Sam like always." Emily replied, giving me a stern look. I gave her a sheepish smile which caused her to roll her eyes at me then smile. My eyes shifted to the most delicious looking cookies of all time. She caught my staring and laughed, throwing me one. I took a big bite of it, sighing contently as the rich flavor danced across my taste buds.
"Oh my god. These have got to be the best cookies I have ever eaten."
"You say that about all of my cooking." Emily laughed. I tilted my head in thought before nodding. I guess I did do that a lot.
"Well, can you blame me?" I smiled taking another cookie and scarfing it down. "It's a wonder I don't weigh the same amount in my human form as I do in my wolf form. And believe me, that's a lot. You should have seen what I did to that police car." I smirked.
"Wait, what?!" Emily turned around to quickly face me. Her eyes were huge.
"Oh, nothing." I muttered focusing on my cookie.
"Bella, we're suppose to protect people not destroy them and everything they own." She scolded.
"I'm sorry. It was an accident. I guess I wasn't paying attention."
"It's okay, just try to be more careful next time." She sighed before giving me a weird look. "Are you okay?"
I gave her a strange look back and tilted my head.
"Yeah. Why wouldn't I be?" I asked, sounding slightly defensive. What the hell? Chill the fuck out. She's only seeing if you're okay.
"Come here." She ordered and I slid off the counter walking toward her. I let my hand fall from my side and acted naturally.
"What? I'm fine. Really... Hey!" I yelled as she lifted my shirt up, showing off the quickly fading bruises decorating my ribs.
"What happened to you?" She asked. Her dark eyes bored into mine, wanting nothing other than the truth.
"I uh..." Come on, Bella. Think! Oh! "That car must have hit me just perfectly or something. I might be pretty invincible, but I can still feel pain. It's pretty embarrassing really. I didn't want to say anything because it's pretty sad when a werewolf gets owned by a car." Or someone, for that matter.
"Oh, honey." Emily sympathized, giving me a hug.
I hugged her back and heard the front door open and slam. Uh oh. Someone seemed pissed, probably has to do with earlier.
Earlier.
I bared my teeth and could feel that slight irritation again in my eyes. I shook my head trying to shake the animalistic thoughts that were trying to take over. Emily didn't seem to notice my silent, internal battle over my instincts, and instead waited for the second Sam would walk into the kitchen to greet her the way he always did.
When he made his entrance, it was like all he could see was her. A big goofy smile lit up his features, and he covered the distance between them in only a few strides. Oh now you're not an ass? I should keep Emily around more often.
"Welcome home." Emily said sweetly, wrapping her arms around his neck while his wrapped around her waist.
"I missed you today." He replied, pressing his lips to hers and kissing her softly. Ugh.. Not this again. At least not while I was here. It was bad enough sharing a house with them whenever you have super sensitive hearing. Yeah, let me tell you now, there are some nights I wished my bed could just swallow me up and take me away. I mean, a pillow can only block out so much noise. I shuddered at the memories.
As if by some miracle though, Emily changed the subject to more pressing matters. Oh, thank whoever was out there sparing me the love fest.
"How did everything go today? The council? The cold ones?" She asked that last part with utter disgust, and I had to hold back a snarl. What the hell? Since when do I get that way toward Emily?
"It was interesting, but everything went well. The bloodsuckers agreed to re-establish the treaty, and there were no other problems tonight. Right, Bella?"
The sudden sound of my name snapped me back to attention and I saw them both watching me, waiting for an answer. Emily's look was curious while Sam's held a silent challenge. I felt my muscles tense up. A challenge that I was going to- no. Not in front of Emily. I scolded myself, relaxing as much as I could at that moment.
"Yeah. I don't think it could've gone any better." I ground out. Emily was startled by my tone, and I mentally kicked myself. "Well, I'm going to bed now. Good night."
"Wait, Bella. Don't you want some more cookies before you go?" She asked. Sam's arms wrapped around her from behind and he kissed her shoulder, his gaze observing me.
"No. I'm good. Thank you." I said quickly, turning to go to bed.
"Oh, okay?" She sounded confused. I'm guessing it had to do with me turning down something she made. Now that was unheard of. "Well, good night then. Sweet dreams." I heard as I closed the door to my room.
I plopped down onto my bed, letting my head hit the pillow, and sighed as the comfort tempted me with the promises of sleep. Sliding underneath the blankets and snuggling further into my own personal heaven, I let my consiousness finally drift away into a place of endless peace.