Over the next couple of weeks, things felt as though they were starting to fall into a comfortable place. Ashley constantly surprised herself with how quickly she accepted things as fact. It didn't faze her when Seth would be missing from first period for a pack meeting, or have to sneak out of her room in the morning. Even the heat that Seth's skin emitted was more comforting than the regularly tempered touch of the other people in her life.
Seth even seemed excited about the news of his new role as godparent, though not without reservations. After numerous conversations, both couples determined it was more of a symbolic thing than an actual desire for Ashley and Seth to become potential parents at a young age. No one really expected anything to happen to Daphne anyway, not if Paul had anything to say about it.
Daphne was still living with Terry and Ashley, but was in the process of finding a place with Paul. Ashley and her sister spoke often about the expecting parents' plans for the future. While her sister was still early in her pregnancy, only eight weeks or so, the stereotypical pregnancy symptoms emerged quickly. Ashley spent as much time as she could trying to ease her sisters suffering, whenever Paul would let her out of his sight that is. Paul became increasingly more protective of his fiancée in the past couple of weeks, anxiously aware that the first trimester was the riskiest, and was petrified to lose his unborn child, though nothing suggested anything of the type.
Although the plans were all set in motion for her to go back to school, Daphne decided university just wasn't for her. She and Ashley had countless late night conversations about it, but Daphne confided in her sister that she was struggling with school to begin with, and she wasn't happy in school. On top of her pre-existing difficulties, the idea of being away from Paul was too much, and though Daphne could fantasise, Paul simply couldn't be separate from the pack. It wasn't a tough choice for Daphne, but Terry had a hard time swallowing the idea.
Ashley tried sympathising with her sister, but it was a bit of a reality check for the things Ashley would have to give up to be a part of Seth's life. She always saw herself going to school, but the closest one was in Seattle – more than three hours away. She still had a couple of years before it would really impact her, but the thought freaked her out a bit.
She kept her concerns to herself for the most part. She knew there was nothing anyone could do about the present situation, and it would only make Seth feel terrible. Besides, Seth was dealing with pack drama.
Jake was trying to deal with his feelings, but wasn't doing a very good job at it. He frustrated most of the pack with his constant thoughts of Bella. Ashley had nothing against the girl, she barely knew her after all, but Seth explained some of the pack saw her as a tease, as well as an enemy by associating with the Cullens. Seth struggled with listening to his brothers, and genuinely not seeing anything wrong with the vampire clan. More often than not, he just kept his head down, and mind silent in pack meetings. Though he tried to befriend Jacob, the elder wolf shrugged him off most of the time.
The end of the school year was approaching, and the pack caught wind of a graduation party the Cullens were hosting for the graduates, but mostly for Bella. Jake was invited, but Sam cautioned him against it. It was risky going into a house of vampires. Friendly or not, a vampire bite would easily kill a werewolf, and they were all aware of that fact. Besides, after Jacob advanced on Bella a little too quickly for her liking, the young girl stupidly tried punching Jake in the face.
Ashley laughed at Seth's recount of the incident, simply because she liked the girl's spirit. Ashley knew all too well how obnoxious Jake could be from the many afternoons she spent with the rest of the pack and imprintees at Emily's. Although it hadn't been long, she was welcomed in with open arms, along with the newest young pack members Collin and Brady. Leah was the only one still not totally comfortable in the cozy cabin, and understandably avoided the house when she could.
Similar to most Saturday nights, Ashley was in the kitchen helping Emily make food for the seemingly bottomless pits the young werewolves were. Since the pack had grown, it took twice as many hands to handle all the food prep. Daphne often offered her help, but was never allowed on her feet for long periods of time. Kim was a helpless cook, so Ashley willingly took on the position as Emily's assistant. Cooking was familiar for her, even relaxing, and was a good distraction from the constant chatter of wedding plans the girls participated.
Daphne and Emily compared dates, themes, and even dresses. Ashley had heard it so many times that she often tuned out when she heard the mention of flowers or bridal boutiques. Kim would sit at the bar stool, immersing herself in the plans, eyes sparkling with wonder at what her wedding would be like. Ashley was never one to really plan her wedding as a number of young girls – including Kim – did as a child. She loved weddings, she just figured her own would be far in the future. Although she understood the longing for a wedding that many of the imprintees felt, especially considering they were so sure of their future, Ashley didn't need a ring or a party to prove her commitment to Seth. She figured they would come eventually.
Seth broke her from her thoughts as he snuck into the kitchen, attempting to get Ashley to give him a taste of whatever she was preparing. Ashley simply laughed and shooed him out of the kitchen, but not before kissing him quickly. Despite disappointment, Seth still grinned as he rejoined his pack mates. Ashley turned back to the pasta boiling in the oversized pot, but not before noticing Jacob, Embry and Quil slip out of the back door. She wasn't the only one who saw them either, Sam's heavy stare followed them, but he stayed where he was.
After the food was served and devoured, the group settled into the backyard where a fire pit had been set up.
"Come here," Seth gently pulled her down to sit between his legs, and encircled her in his arms before turning to the newest pack members, continuing a conversation they had started earlier. Seth kind of took it upon himself to welcome the kids, and help them with their transition. He was happy to not be the kid of the pack anymore.
Thanks to the warmth of the fire on her face, and the comfort Seth's body brought her, Ashley felt herself dozing off against his chest. She could still hear the quiet murmur from her friends, but that was all the more comforting to her.
Ashley was close to sleep when a long, low howl startled her awake. She looked up at the same time Seth looked down at her, their eyes mirroring each other's confusion. The group was silent, and Sam was up in a fraction of a second, quickly followed by the other pack members.
"Jared, with me. The rest of you, wait here."
Seth opened his mouth to protest, but thought better of it and shut it once more. He sat back down next to Ashley, but she could feel how much more tense he was. The relaxing atmosphere was replaced by a heavy uneasiness instantaneously.
Within moments, another, deeper howl emerged from the forest. Although Ashley still had trouble telling the sounds apart, the boys stood immediately and looked towards the forest. Paul kissed Daphne quickly before moving towards the place Sam and Jared disappeared. Seth squeezed Ashley's hand firmly before dropping it, and going with the remainder of his pack into the brush.
Emily quickly ushered the girls into the house, before putting on a kettle for tea. The tense atmosphere had followed them inside, and no one said anything.
Emily made the tea quietly before bringing it to the table, where the women had assembled. Ashley offered Emily a small smile in thanks before wrapping her hands around the hot mug.
Normally pack meetings were nothing to worry about, but this one was so abrupt that it didn't feel right. It didn't ease Ashley mind either knowing that Jacob, Quil and Embry were separated from the pack. She assumed it was them who called the initial warning – if it was in fact a warning, Ashley reminded herself. She tried to block the negative thoughts and worry from her mind to no avail.
Just as Ashley could feel her mug cooling, the back door opened. She jumped up, while the other girls remained seated. Unlike the youngest girl, the rest of the imprintees had been through this before, but that didn't stop the relief from flooding their faces as their respective partners walked in. Ashley wrapped her arms around Seth's waist and buried her face in his chest. He leaned down to whisper in her ear.
"It's alright. There's nothing to worry about, I promise I'll explain later, okay?"
Ashley took a deep breath before nodding and pulling away slightly. She still kept and arm around his waist, and leaned into him.
"Seth, take her home. She looks exhausted," Sam ordered, his arm around the back of Emily's chair.
Ashley began to protest but Sam quickly barked out another order for the other boys to do the same. She said her goodbyes as she gathered her things and moved towards the front door, Kim did the same. Daphne approached her younger sister.
"I'm going to stay at Paul's tonight," she said, hugging her. "I'll see you tomorrow, okay?"
Ashley nodded, and Seth ushered her out the door, towards his father's car. Seth's birthday was only a couple of weeks away, so Sue and Leah finally gave in and let him take the car on his own. As they drove back towards her house, Ashley could see flickers of grey from the side of the road. She turned on Seth immediately.
"If nothing is going on, why is Leah flanking the car?"
Seth sighed, "You know Leah. She doesn't let me out of her sight very often. I'm still just a kid in her eyes."
"You are still a kid," Ashley countered.
"Maybe, but I've had to do a lot of growing up in the past couple of months. Besides, Leah only changed a few days before me. And Jake is second in command. He's only two years older than me!" Seth whined.
"They're just worried about you, you know," she said quietly, staring out the window.
"Yeah, I know. It just sucks sometimes."
And with that, the silence retuned, where it stayed until they pulled into her driveway.
Seth walked her to the door, but hesitated there. Ashley turned, confusion clear on her face. He pulled out his phone to check the time before looking back up at her.
"I'll come in for a little bit, but I have to go in an hour or so."
"What? Why? You told me you would explain. Start talking Clearwater," she demanded as she closed the front door, leaving the two on the porch.
Seth sat down on the steps, gathering Ashley in his arms to protect her from the bitterly cold night air. Although the rain had a temporary lapse for the night, the air felt too frigid for it to really be June.
Seth sighed. "You have to promise not to freak out, and wait until I'm done explaining, deal?"
Ashley simply nodded.
"Okay, so I'm guessing you saw Jake, Embry and Quil leave earlier, right?"
Again, Ashley nodded.
"So turns out Jake decided to be an ass and crash Bella's grad party. Sam wasn't too impressed they went to the Cullens', but at least he wasn't stupid enough to go alone. Anyway, while they were there, they noticed Bella was a bit jumpy, and Alice Cullen told them about a vision she had – she can see the future or something – where a group of vampires are coming to Forks for Bella. We aren't quite sure why, but either way we have to stop them. The Cullens are having a sort of training session tonight that the pack are going to. It's going to be a first, but we're going to work together to stop this thing."
Ashley didn't even realize she was shaking until Seth stopped talking, but the vibrations didn't.
"You have nothing to worry about," he tried comforting her. "This is what we were born to do. Besides, the pack is up to ten now, seventeen with the Cullens! It will hardly even be fun."
"Fun?!" Ashley looked at him incredulously. "Killing things and putting yourself in danger is supposed to be fun?" she demanded, trying to pull away.
Seth just tightened his grip. "I didn't mean it like that. And besides, these things are bloodthirsty killers. We're protecting this reserve, and Forks. I'm protecting you," he said, desperately begging her to understand.
"I didn't ask you to do this," she whispered, tears welling in her eyes.
"You don't have to!" Seth's frustration beginning to rise. "This is the way things are and there's nothing either of us can do about it! I'm going to be fine, but I have to do this. Even if I was willing to sit out, I'm at Sam's mercy. What he says goes."
Ashley was stunned. She knew Seth didn't like Sam's control, but she hadn't seen him lose it like this before.
"I'm sorry," he whispered, burying his face in her hair. "I know you don't like it, and I understand why, but I have to. It's who I am."
"I know that, I'm just scared for you," Ashley said, defeated. They've had this conversation before, there was just no disputing the truth.
He held her as tightly as he could.
"At least don't worry tonight. It's just a training session. I don't even know if Sam with let us fight."
"Promise you'll come here after? Tell me all about it?" she offered in a small voice.
"Of course, there's nowhere else I'd rather be."
Seth kissed her deeply, and Ashley melted into him. The heaviness of their conversation weighed on her mind, and it made her even more passionate as she pressed herself to him.
Without breaking their kiss, Seth picked her up, and she wrapped her legs around his waist. He soundlessly brought her to her bed, pausing to close the door behind them. He gently lowered her onto her back until he was on top of her. Just as he did that, his phone vibrated in his pocket. He pulled away to check it, while Ashley caught her breath.
"I have to go," he said, kissing the top of her head quickly. "Try and get some sleep. Please?"
Ashley nodded, and he was gone. She felt a shiver from the cold wind, and got up to close the window.
Against her best efforts, Ashley drifted off.
She woke with a start, shooting up in her bed, her head rushed and she had to close her eyes for a second until it passed. When she felt okay, she opened her eyes to see her concerned boyfriend sitting up next to her.
"What time is it?" she asked, groggily.
"Shh," Seth said as he put an arm around her shoulders, thumb rubbing soothing circles on her skin. "It's just after five."
It was still dark in her room, but Ashley could hear the faint patter of rain outside her window. The clouds probably covering the rising sun.
She relaxed into his arms, "When did you get back?"
"About an hour ago. It didn't take very long. Just long enough for Jasper to show us some technique and each of the Cullens to take turns fighting him," Seth said, disappointment seeping through his voice.
Ashley had almost fallen back asleep in the familiarity of his presence when he broke the silence.
"They won't let me fight. They're making me stay behind with the kids," he groaned.
Ashley smiled to herself, relieved at the prospect of Seth being out of harm's way, even if it did mean him sulking for the next week. She curled up against him and relaxed, drifting off to sleep instantly.