Anala drove down the long roads, radio providing background noise. The window was rolled down as lukewarm air fluttered her hair. She turned off onto a smaller road, driving for about ten minutes until she spotted cabin homes. She knew further inwards were some shops, a bar, and a diner that served surprisingly good coffee, even though Anala herself was not a fan of the beverage. She also knew there were a couple schools and a community center. Anala scanned her eyes over the windshield, casting an eye over the houses before she reached a lovely two story cabin tucked right into the tree line with a roofed porch that was filled with wicker furniture and potted plants hanging above. Anala shut off the Camaro and exited the car only to nearly be knocked off her feet by a tall, hot body.

"Anala! I was wondering when you'd come down!"

"Seth?" The last time Anala saw the sandy-haired teen he had been gangly and boyish. Two years and the genes of a shifter and the boy had shot up several inches and packed on a solid layer of muscle. Anala stared up at his grinning face, untangling herself from his hold. She smiled. "Wow you really grew!"

"Yup!" he flexed, kissing his bicep. "All man baby."

Anala watched Jared and Paul appear with Sam. The large alpha looked at her with dark eyes, nodding as he smiled. Seth led her to the porch where she greeted the others and Emily appeared. The beautiful woman smiled widely. "Anala, hi, how are you! Sam move it." the native woman pushed her tall mate out of the way and hugged Anala warmly. She laughed as Emily pulled away and ushered her inside.

"Honestly you have no home training. You don't leave a guest on the porch!"

"Sorry, Em."

"Babe you didn't even give me the chance to get the words out."

By the sound of her noncommittal hum the woman didn't believe a word he said. The men quickly ducked out, sending Anala a quick goodbye.

Emily wore a pale yellow sundress that looked absolutely lovely on her and her warm personality made Anala smile. "Now, what brings you by?"

"I was looking for Jacob, I thought he'd be here."

"He's probably at home. You can check. If not, he's off in the woods." She made her way to the stove where a big pot of something wonderful smelling was bubbling. Anala paused, before moving back to the native woman. "Emily?" The woman turned. Even with the scarring the woman was gorgeous. Her skin was a smooth copper-brown and her sleek black hair fell around her back in gentle waves. Her full lips were smiling, the other stick in a permanent grimace. Anala hesitated, hoping she wouldn't offend the woman. "It isn't really any of my business but your scars, I can give you something for them. I've been scarred up enough to pick up a thing or two, I can give you an ointment. I promise it works. I know it hurts Sam, being reminded of the risk he poses."

Emily blinked before she smiled and hugged her. "Thank you Anala. I know we don't know each other very well, we never got the chance, but your offering to help me anyway." She pulled back, tears in her dark eyes. She laughed, wiping her tears away. "Alright, I'll give it a try. But in return you have to do me a favor."

"Okay?"

"Tomorrow there's going to be a bonfire. The Packs will be at the beach all day and I want you to bring that sexy brother of yours, the Cullen's and whomever else feels the need to take the day off. Working in that warehouse must get boring. "

"I wouldn't say that." Anala laughed. "Sure thing Emily, I'll tell them to bring more food too, they'll need it. We're surrounded by heathens."

"Ain't that the truth?" Anala headed towards the open doorway.

"Anala, wait!" She turned and a giant blueberry muffin was being passed to her. "Here."

"Thanks Emily." Anala skipped down the stairs and headed toward the Camaro.

"Tell Jake not to be late for lunch!"

"Got it!" She slid into the car and waved back at Emily as she drove away. Anala had only interacted with Emily Young, now Uley, a handful of times. She liked to think they would've become close friends if the events of two years ago had not occurred. Anala still found it odd that there were two whole years she could not account for. All she retained was grass and sky, dark eyes and endless lilies. Anala would never say it out loud, but a part of her missed that strange place, and that ever-present phantom who had never spoken a word but made her feel infinitely peaceful. She turned onto another dirt road, taking a bite out of the muffin.

"Oh wow." Anala made a mental note to get the recipe off the other woman. The muffin was amazing. It was slightly crunchy but the inside was soft and fluffy and the sweet blue-violet berries complimented it perfectly. She detected a hint of vanilla as she took another bite. "Emily you genius."

Anala pulled into a dirt driveway in front of a one story house. It was painted a brick red color, a wooden wheelchair ramp built just off the porch steps. Right before she could knock a voice was speaking.

"Go away, no one's home." Anala turned to see Jacob peering at her from around the side of the house, a wide smile on his lips.

Anala propped a hand on her hip. "I receive an open invitation and I get rejected. That's harsh Jake." She made her way down the steps towards him and for the second time in less than an hour Anala was pulled against a bare, warm chest. Jacob took her hand and began leading her around the house, towards a garage. Anala spotted an ancient red truck and saw a familiar brunette sitting on a stool in the open garage. She hadn't seen much of the other girl since her return. Granted, Anala had been preoccupied with losing her sanity, adjusting to life and getting back together with her Mate while her body sprouted fangs and wings. Anala watched Bella's cheeks redden. She looked alright as far as Anala could tell. She knew her break up with Edward had to have been hard on her but it was dong more damage than not being together. She had seen for herself how upset Edward had been. Anala smiled at her.

"Hi Bella."

The brunette returned it. "Hi." her flush deepened.

"Bells and I were discussing the serious nature of my awesomeness."

"Were you now—hey!"

Jacob had snatched her muffin out of her hand and Anala reached for it. "Get your own!"

"Come on, share! Emily made this!"

"Yeah, but its mine." she reached but Jacob snagged her wrist. The shifter laughed, jumping back and devouring it in a single bite. Anala stared at him, eyes narrowing. "You monster."

He rubbed his belly in an exaggerated motion. "Mmm, blueberry." His jaw worked, chewing her muffin.

"You owe me a muffin."

"Sooo good."

"I hate you Jacob." Anala made her way to the worktable and sat on its flat surface. Jacob lowered to sit on the floor where there was a pile of metal bits and pieces scattered with tools.

"So what brings you by?"

"I was going to come see you. I just got back and thought I'd visit but I might never set foot here again."

"Why not?"

Anala threw a rag at him. "Because you ate my muffin you ass!"

"In my defense—"

"You have no defense. You stole it and you ate It." and now she was out a muffin.

Wide shoulders shrugged. "You can't prove anything. The sole witness is on my side." Jacob grinned at Bella, who was taking a sip of her soda. "Right?"

"Sure, sure." She muttered, a slight grin on her lips. She was sending looks Anala's direction and she wondered what the girl was thinking.

"Your brother was here a few days ago, talking to Dad about some communities he was transferring or evacuating or something." he looked up. "Everything cool?"

Anala nodded. "Yes, he's been busy lately. Having all hands on deck is making his job a lot easier."

"There's a bonfire tomorrow, we're all gonna be at the beach."

Anala nodded. "I know. Emily already invited me."

"There's a bonfire? You didn't tell me."

Jacob frowned slightly. "Yeah. I'd invite you but it's also a council meeting. Supernatural freaks only this time."

Bella nodded but the disappointment was not as subtle as she might've thought.

Jacob turned to Anala. "Are the Cullen's coming? I know only Carlisle, Esme, Alice and jasper made it to the last meeting with the elders."

Anala thought for a moment. "Well, I'll have to tell everyone when I get back. Rosalie will take some minor convincing and I'm not too sure about Emmett. Everyone else might be alright though, and I'm sending Zain—do you know him?" she received a nod. "I'll have him pick up more food because I already know the prospect of a real day off is going to make everyone lose their minds."

Jacob laughed. "I can imagine. Your brother doesn't fuck around when he's serious about his deadline."

"Don't I know it?"

"After you died and he started to pull everything together we ran patrols for months, getting rid of the demons that came through. Sam and I got into it, before I became an Alpha, and Nolan tore us both a new one. Kicked our asses all along the treaty line and actually sent us back home. Said he didn't have time for our shit. Sam was pretty shocked. Didn't think he had that kind of fight in him."

Anala laughed. "Well now you know not to underestimate him. And if you ever steal my muffin again I will send him after you."

"I'm shaking."

Anala stood and made her way over to him. She crouched and looked into his amused eyes. "Better him than me."

She kept her expression blank as his became suspicious. Anala smiled sweetly and leaned in to kiss his cheek. "I gotta go. Emily said don't be late for lunch."

Anala smiled at Bella. "It was nice seeing you Bella." The brunette barely glanced at her but Anala didn't take it personally. She made her way out of the garage and towards the car, walking through the light drizzle that had begun to fall.

Later that afternoon Anala was ready to put her plan into motion. She pulled into the gravel driveway of the Cullen household and exited the car with a happy sigh, looking forward to relaxing after being out for most of the day. She retrieved the shopping bags from the back seat and lightly kicked the door shut. Upon entering the house Anala heard heavy gunfire. She placed the car keys on the side table and walked into the living room. Emmett was reclining on the couch, long leg extended to rest his foot on the glass coffee table. His fingers moved quickly over the black controller in his hand and his eyes were glued to the television mounted on the wall across him. Edward sat next to him and Jasper lounged on the other couch, both holding controllers and focused on the split screen.

Anala stepped into the room. "Hi guys."

"Hey," came the automatic synchronization. Their eyes never left the television and Anala shook her head. Completely obsessed. She leaned over the back of the couch and kissed Emmett's cheek.

"Is my brother here?"

"Nope."

"Is Rose?"

"Upstairs."

"We're invited to the beach tomorrow. Will you go?"

Jasper and Edward agreed easily but Emmett frowned. "What's the catch?"

"There is no catch. Emily invited us to the bonfire tomorrow night and they'll be at the beach. I've already let Zain know."

"I'm happy there's no treaty and all but no."

"Why?"

He shrugged. "Don't wanna."

"You don't want to go to the beach?"

Emmett sighed. "Will you be wearing a bikini?"

Anala rolled her eyes at the back of his head. "Maybe."

"Fine then. But I don't think Nolan will go for it."

"Don't doubt my skill, love." she said before turning and walking towards the stairs. Rosalie's door was cracked and Anala pushed it open with her hip. She smiled, seeing at the sight of Alice with the blonde.

"Oh good, your both here. Did you hear what I said about tomorrow?"

Alice nodded, big golden eyes bright. "Yeah, it sounds like fun."

Rosalie snorted. "Well I won't be wasting my day hanging out with those vile smelling canines."

Anala's brows drew together as she held up the bags. "But I got a bunch of swimsuits for you to pick from. I was even going to let you pick mine, I can't decide between these two I found."

Rosalie's amber eyes narrowed. She was quiet and Anala placed the bags on the bed and pulled off her jacket. Rosalie looked at the shopping bags containing said bathing suits. "No."

"But they're so cute!" Alice told her, not even touching the bags.

"Let me see then."

Anala pouted. "Rose I don't want to try all of these on with you just to get my hopes shot down." She sat on the bed beside her and wrapped her arms around her cool, graceful neck. "Please come to the beach with me?" She peppered soft kisses on her beautiful face and her pink lips, feeling them tilt upwards. "Please? It'll be so much fun, I promise. Please?"

"I'll decide after I see what you brought."

Anala tried not to smile too widely as she exchanged amused looks with Alice.