Jacob Black Pov

*Flashback*

16 Years Ago

"Can you read us 'Little Bear' now?" Caleb asked me after I closed 'The Jungle Book' for the millionth time.

"Little Bear' again, Cabe. We read that one all the time." Daniel exclaimed.

"Yeah, I'm tired of reading 'Little Bear." Josh agreed then sat up. "Let's read 'Escape to Witch Mountain?" He said reaching over on his nightstand to grab something.

"I have more books in my room, I'll go get them." Caleb said getting ready to get off the bed.

"I'd read the escape book then you can go get whatever." I said back to him.

"It's called 'Escape to Witch Mountain, dad." Josh corrected, handing me the book.

"Same thing." I mumbled while opening the book.

After avoiding Leah on the ride back home, I didn't bother going to bed. Daniel and Josh were surprisingly up playing video games, until Caleb woke up wanting me to read him.

So, for the past four hours I've been laying in Josh's bed with all three of them beside me.

Daniel and Caleb both on my right-side, while Josh laid on my left.

I live for moments like this, if only Leah could join us.

"Before we start, Can you tell us what's going on now? You said you'll tell us about the vampires when we get home." Josh stated.

"No." I said fast.

"Why not? We can know, we won't tell mom you told." He begged.

"No." I repeated.

"Please? We need to know." "Daniel stated.

I sighed.

"Are the vampires why everyone's scared?" Caleb asked curiously.

I slammed the book closed and sat up.

"No. Don't leave." Josh said, putting both of his hands on my shoulder.

"Y'all should go to sleep." I stated.

"NO, not yet." Caleb yelled in my ear so loud it hurt. Shooting him an evil glare, he laid his head against my arm silently. "Sorry." He mumbled.

"Come on, dad. Mom won't know you said anything." Josh exclaimed.

"We heard Adam say that there were palefaces here." Daniel mumbled.

"Yeah, What are they going to do now?" Josh asked.

I sighed, leaning back a little. "Nothing. They can't do anything."

"But why our home? How come we couldn't stay at the lake?" Caleb asked.

"Because they need all the wolves here just-in-case." Josh answered him.

"Is that why you and mom are fighting?" Daniel asked, confused, and I looked over at him.

"No."

"Then why?" He asked.

"Because of Sam." Josh assumed.

"No." I said fast, which wasn't entirely true.

"Then why?" Daniel repeated.

"Because of Aiden." Josh said assuming again, and I glared over at him.

"Josh." I said, rolling my eyes at him.

"It's not fair." Josh mumbled.

"What's not fair?" Daniel asked, looking between me and Josh.

"Life is never ever fair." Caleb mumbled.

I irritably scratched my head.

"I overheard you fighting with mom. So I already know." Josh stated.

"Know what?" Daniel asked, completely lost.

"Did you mean it when you said you'll allow me to go to school, or was that out of impulse?" He asked, I snorted, shaking my head in disbelief.

Impulse... he no doubt learned that word from Leah. "Both." I admitted.

"What does that mean?"

"Love." Daniel mumbled.

I rolled my eyes as Josh exhaled. "If only."

"Are we going to school too?" Caleb asked.

"No." I said fast.

"Why?" Daniel retorted.

"I can't explain it to you now." I mumbled.

"I guess it's okay, then. I don't really want to go to public school." Daniel stated.

"Me either." Caleb added.

"It's not about going to public school. It's about mom wanting to mentally torture me." Josh stated.

"Maybe she just wants you to be with her at all times, like she does Caleb?" Daniel suggested.

"Oh, right. The need to baby-me until I reach the age of fourteen." Josh mumbled.

"What's wrong with that?" Caleb asked not seeing a problem.

"Everything. She doesn't care if Aiden goes to school, but with me it's the end of the world." He mumbled.

"Alright. Let's stop talking about this." I said then reopened the book I held.

"Lean back, be quiet and listen." I said, exhaling.

"Wait. Are we going to First Beach tomorrow?" Daniel asked and I glared down at him.

"We'll see." I mumbled.

"You mean if mom says so." Josh spat and I growled for him to shut up, though he was obviously right.

"Can we read Peter Pan after this?" Caleb asked.

"Yeah." I nodded.

*End Of Flashback*

Opening my eyes to nearly a dark room. I had not one dream. Lifting my head towards the window, the curtains were closed.

Unusual, Leah must have closed them.

Rolling over, the other side of the bed was empty.

Just like last night when I went to bed.

When I got home Leah was on the couch with Caleb watching 'Casablanca. They both were up so late that I didn't get a chance to formally reunite with her.

In a strange way I feel she is avoiding me and I have no idea why.

I missed her so much and as much as it surprised me to see her, something tells me I'm the last person on her mind.

Getting out of bed, I reach to open the bedroom door. When it sang open I jumped out of the way. "Woah."

"Oops, sorry." Leah said, almost running into my bare chest. "I didn't know you were awake."

Good morning to you too. "Now you know, what's going on?" I said as she moved past me towards the dresser.

She was wearing a pink sweatsuit and light gray sweatpants. Seeming to be in a rush.

"I'm getting dressed. Billy just phoned to say Keira and Henry just shifted for the first time. Daniel offered to stay with Henry until Seth and Taylor get off of work."

"And you?" I asked.

"I'm taking Sarah shopping as soon as she wakes. Caleb gave me an idea that I should bring Keira along with us." She says.

Sucks. I actually wanted to spend some time with her.

I moved towards her as she searched in her drawers for clothes. "We haven't had a chance to talk." I said leaning up against the dresser.

"I know sorry," She said, not looking at me.

"Leah," I said lightly, grabbing her arm and pulling her to me. She paused, holding tight onto a pair of socks. "Take a second." I said and she looked at me with pitiful eyes.

"Jacob?"

"I didn't get a chance to hold you last night." I said, wrapping my arms around her waist, hugging her. She smelt like strawberry oatmeal. "I really missed you."

"I know. I've missed you too." She said then unwrapped my arms from her and backed away. "But I really have to get going. I promise I will make up for the long lonely days. I'll even stop by the cafe to help later."

I sighed. "I was thinking last night with everything that's going on I should be here." Since Haylie agreed to take over for a couple days I'm ready for a vacation.

"Oh alright, sounds good." She said backing up towards the bathroom.

"Well since you'll probably be gone most of the day, I should go find something to do." I stated.

"You could help Jared and Kim with a bonfire." She suggested.

"Bonfire?"

"Yeah, Billy had the thought for a meeting. I'm sure the bloodsuckers had a lot to say to you yesterday." She said and I instantly remembered Josh and our visit to Charlie's.

Bella came to warn the wolves that Alice Cullen saw Jane and her brother Alec from the Volturi coming to Forks. She said that in Alice's vision she saw them plotting revenge against Leah and all the wolves, once more while Sarah and Josh were in the hospital. It's no surprise that they know how Alice's powers work, they can fake a plot.

"Not really. They came to help but I told them to go right back where they came from. More leeches, meaning a lot more triggers as seen."

"They won't leave." She muttered.

"They already did. Before Josh and I left Alice had another vision of what would happen if they all stayed. Only Bella, Alice, Emmett, and Carlisle were there at Charlie's house. The others didn't show, but Carlisle did say Edward, Rosalie, Jasper and Esme are out searching for Jane and Alec. Who left for Alaska right after Bella went to the cafe." Something tells me they'll be back.

"Did she say where her half-breed is?"

"Carlisle says Renesmee is with the Denali coven."

Years ago when Leah's first book came out it exposed all the vampires we knew of, including the Cullens. I'm surprised any of the Cullens actually came to help.

"Right, well I'm going to get dressed." Leah said, walking into the bathroom and shutting the door.

After all these years I know I've grown on Alice, she isn't as ruthless as others completely. She is sweet.

Bella will always have a guilty conscience when it comes to me.

Carlisle will always be the noble one of all, and as for Emmett, he's always ready for battle. It makes sense while it was only them who came to warn us.

As for what went down with the Volturi… the enforcement of the vampire law... They met their end when a group of hunters- human and shapeshifters gathered together and destroyed them.

Aro, Marcus, Caius, Chelsea, Heidi, Santiago, Felix and Demetri all burned. Leaving the town in Volterra with a different meaning when people visit now. What once was the safest place in the world from vampire attacks is now a bunch of rocks and ashes.

After 3000 years or so, humans and shapeshifters took out the largest coven that existed in bloodsucker history all because of Leah. I couldn't be more proud.

At first I'll admit I was worried about retaliation, though who knew it would take years for it to catch up to us.

Volterra has since been rebuilt, but somehow Jane and Alec weren't in the country when the hunters attacked. And now they want revenge.

Too bad they won't get another chance. Not if I can help it. I can't wait to rip them apart for trying to hurt Sarah and Josh.

"Dad?" Someone called from the hallway.

I widened the door and Caleb popped out of nowhere.

"Would you like me to arrange a meeting for you? I can call everyone in to get the bonfire together." He said wanting something to do.

"Sure, and while you're at it, can you grab a couple things from the cafe?" I said walking out of the bedroom, towards the living room.

He followed. "No need, earlier when I went to open up the doors for Haylie she made some breakfast for us all. Yours is in the oven."

"Oh good, what would I do without you." I say giving his back a slap.

He laughed pulling his phone out of his pocket. "You'll probably ask Daniel."

"More like Sarah." I joked.

He laughed again, moving to go sit on the sofa.

"I'm starving." I said to myself heading straight for the kitchen.

Opening the oven there was an aluminum tray filled with croissants, sandwiches and muffins.

"Yes, carbs!" I praised the heavens mocking Leah's tone of voice.

Caleb laughed.

Grabbing the entire tray I sat down at the table to dig in.

Joshua Black Pov

"What made you want to come visit?" Sue asked, parking her car right in front of Jeremiah's house.

My ride was still out of commission from the wreck so I had to find another support for transportation. I should have come straight here after I left Port Angeles.

"To be honest, I was thinking of leaving town for a while but after I went home from Forks with dad last night I knew I couldn't leave." I answered looking at her. "Grandma remember a long time ago before mom moved away for college, she came here to stay with Jeremiah?" I asked.

"Yes, back then she was having a very hard time with Harry's death… among other things." She recalls.

"I remember her saying that if it weren't for Billy and Jeremiah she wouldn't have made it through. I need that kind of support right now."

"Joshua, Leah turned to both Billy and Jeremiah because her actual father died. Jacob is still here, he'll support you if you talk to him." She says.

I shook my head disagreeing. "It's not how you think. Dad and I are too different. He doesn't understand me."

"All children feel that way towards their parents."

"No. Not Daniel and Sarah. They seem to be all dad and mom care for at the moment. While Caleb and I get pushed to the side."

"That's not true." Grandma disagreed.

No matter what I say she won't get it.

"I asked you to drive me here because last time I visited Jeremiah he told me he was sick. I hadn't told anyone at the time and I needed to find some meaning to what I should be doing. Not to mention he asked me to keep things quiet. If anyone can help me right now, it's him. Before I went away for medical school he believed in my music, it's been awhile since I picked up one of my guitars."

One which I still need to get fixed. I have four guitars in all.

My black fender stratocaster mom bought me when I turned nineteen, and my blue Les Paul Jeremiah bought me three years ago, both lay under my bed untouched. They are my favorites, my other two Les Paul are always for backups.

"I can only imagine what you're going through Josh, and whatever it is you're searching for, I do hope you can find it." She smiled, running her hands through my hair. "Go talk with Jeremiah, I'll wait right here for you."

"Thanks, Grandma." I said opening the car door and getting out.

Jeremiah house was big and white, with two stories, a wrap around green porch, and green shutters. The front door was wooden and red.

I used to have so many good memories of this house on birthday visits here. Almost every two years Jeremiah would throw a party for himself having only been married twice. His first wife divorced him as she was human and didn't understand his devotion to the wolves and his second wife died at childbirth.

"Can I help you?" A voice said as I stepped on to the porch and I looked over to a bench where a short blonde hair, green eyed girl sat.

I stumbled back, she didn't look familiar. "Who are you?" I said.

She stood to her feet. "You came here, remember."

"My … father-figure lives here."

"Oh really." She said tossing the book in her hand on the bench. "Well who may that be?" She said, flashing her fishy eyed pale eyebrows at me.

"Jeremiah."

She bit her bottom lip, then held out her hand for me to shake. "In that case, I'm Lauren. Lauren Mallory." She said and I assumed she was a family friend or nurse or something.

Lifting my hand, I shook hers.

Her palms were freezing cold and I snatched my hand away.

"Who are you?" I was confused. She didn't sparkle like a vampire but her beauty a-line like them.

She laughed. "I just told you, what are you slow?"

"You know what I mean?" I snapped back.

"Well your skin temperature isn't so comforting either." She smirks.

"Hybrid?" I guessed. Oddly other hybrid's were known to have warm skin like humans.

"Looks like you aren't so slow after all."

"How do you know Jeremiah?"

"He's my uncle." She answered.

"Oh." was all I said. Jeremiah never mentioned having a hybrid niece in my entire life.

"Come on in, I'm sure Jeremiah will be happy to see you." She said nicely and I followed her inside.

I can't believe I never met her before.

Walking into the house the first room we stepped into was the living room. It was a bit smaller than the last time I visited. The main corridor runs from the entrance and through the house to the kitchen, ending in garden doors leading outside to another room. There are two living rooms, connected by sliding doors that are usually open. The kitchen is confusing because it has three entrances. I remember always playing hiding and seek with Daniel back when we were younger.

Before and after Sarah was born, I would come to this house whenever my mom needed a getaway or a breath of fresh air.

"Dad, you have a visitor." Lauren said, moving towards the couch.

"Dad? You said he was your uncle." I said and glanced over at the T.V, as 'The Golden Girls' was on the screen.

I smiled amused. Mom used to watch that show with Sarah when she was little.

"Shut the door," Lauren said looking at me and I did what she said.

I walked over to where she kneed down.

Jeremiah laid on the couch half-asleep. "Oh, I must have drifted off." He muttered to her.

"It's alright. We have company." She says.

"Do we?" He asked her.

"Hey, Jeremiah." I said walking into view, beside Lauren. "Long time no see." I smiled kneeling in front of him.

With pale skin, and tired eyes, I wondered how much time he had left.

"Joshua…." He sang, holding out his arms.

I laughed. "Hey." I said, hugging him lightly.

"So happy you came." He said after I leaned back a bit.

"How are you feeling?" I asked.

"I'm alright, still kicking." He laughed tiredly, then suddenly his laugh turned into a hard cough.

"Here, drink this." Lauren said, grabbing a glass of water from the table near the couch.

To my surprise there was a photo of my mother and me also on the table.

"Thank you, dear." Jeremiah said, sitting up to take a sip of water, then laid his head back down, closing his eyes.

"He needs his rest, you should go." Lauren says.

"No,'' I said standing on my feet. "I'm staying."

She sighed. "Look, I have to be back in Forks for work tonight. I'm not going to be late, because you want to overstay your welcome."

"You live in Forks?"

"Yes, and I'm not leaving you here with him. I don't know you." She said, Couldn't blame her.

I sighed, "Look at that photo." I said pointing to the one on the nightstand. "That's my mother and I."

"What?" She said, confused.

"Yeah, when I was three. We took that here when we visited. Jeremiah is like my grandfather. You can trust him with me."

"Your mother is Leah Clearwater?" She said completely surprised.

"Yes."

"Jeremiah talks about your family all the time when I come. I traveled all over the world for work, and I recently took a break. I'm actually reading your mother's second book right now." She said happily.

I smiled at that. "Oh wow, Really?"

She knows about the wolves, vampires, and why hybrid-breeding was at an all time high sixteen years ago.

Yet, Jeremiah kept her a secret from us.

Makes sense now, she's a hybrid and Jeremiah is an Elder of the Makah Bay Reservation Wolf Pack. Vampires and Wolves never got along, well some of them.

"So what do you do?" I asked.

"I model. I'm a model."

"Oh, nice." I stated. Never met a model before.

"What about you?" She asked.

I exhaled.

Currently I'm a loser.

"I um…. I'm a.. Med student, sorta."

"What the heck does that mean?" She laughed.

"Honestly, I dropped out. Though whenever I decide to tell my parents.. i'm not sure what will happen."

"Really? Why did you drop out?" She asked in a much softer voice.

"Because… I … I really don't have a passion for it. I don't know what I want to do with the rest of my life. I thought I did but… I don't want to disappoint my parents."

Lauren nodded. "I get it." She said and something told me that she really did.

"Even though my real mother died giving birth to me." She said walking over to sit on the other sofa. "Everyday I wonder if I make her proud."

I slowly moved over to the sofa where she sat and lowered myself beside her. "What about your father?"

"He was a vampire for two years before my mother became pregnant with me. He raped her," I flinched as if she just punched me. "Jeremiah is my stepfather. He took care of me for years, after my mother passed."

"He never said a word." I stated.

"At times he and I never saw eye to eye. I was always leaving and would only return when he needed me."

"How old are you?"

"Technically, I'm 39 years old." She said and my eyes widened with amusement.

"Wow."

Shyly she laughed. "I know, weird huh?"

"I've heard of stranger things." I admitted. "So you lived here in Washington your whole life?" I asked.

"Pretty much yes, and I lived in Canada for a while. Had to always keep to myself so no one would find out what I am. People know me as being standoffish and snobby. I repeated Forks high school three times. Port Angeles high school two times, but only went to school on reservation once. It only lasted a day, you can guess why. Every year I just jumped to a new school and hoped nobody would notice. I was never the stay at home all day type."

I laughed. "Same here." I then thought about what she mentioned earlier while reading my mom's book. "So you like my mom's books?"

"I love them. I actually feel much more free now that the world knows. I hated having to hide who I really was. I hated not fitting in with the wolves that Jeremiah cared for so much. He dedicated so much of his life helping others, I can't imagine not being here when he's sick. I actually wish I could bring him along to travel with me." She said and I wondered if she wanted to meet my mother.

"Hey, How would you like to come back to La Push with me?"

"What?" She laughed lost.

"Yeah, come with me to La Push. Meet my mom and family and let Jeremiah stay with us. For a bit."

"Ahh I don't know…." She said standing on her feet unsure.

"Please," I begged, getting up off the couch. "You won't have to stay long if you don't want to, and by the time you know it you can get to work and Jeremiah will be comfortable with me. My mom just got back from Tokyo, she'll love to see Jeremiah. They have no idea that he's sick, so I know they'll want to help you out."

"Jeremiah is no burden to me."

"I know but," I paused. She was really pretty and I laughed more here in seconds than I have in weeks. "I really like talking with you." I admitted.

She smirked.

"I promise, you won't regret it." I encouraged.

"I guess I don't mind going, that way we can get to know each other better."

Lauren glanced down at Jeremiah.

"Alright, fine."

"Really?" I smiled so happily.

"Stay here while I go pack some clothes."

"Alright, no problem." I said, then watched her take one step at a time towards the staircase.

She was hot for a thirty-nine year old hybrid.

Sarah Black Pov

*Dream*

First time being in his room.

Nothing but computer games, cards and leftover food everywhere.

This is such a guy's man-cave.

"Well, this is interesting." I spoke.

"What do you expect, stripes on the walls? Purple carpets? Photos of my cat and pet snake?" Embry says.

"You have a cat?"

He laughed. "Definitely not."

I smiled and looked over at the television. Where he had even more computer games.

"So do you have any movies?"

"Nope."

"Not even star-trek?" I asked.

"We don't have to watch movies."

"Oh, so what do we do?" I asked jumping on his bed.

"I can show you better than I can tell you." He smiled leaning down towards me.

When his mouth touched mine, I closed my eyes.

His lips were wet and cold, I imagined a Slurpee instantly.

. … … .

In a flash I was on his porch.

"You're my friend. My best friend. I will never leave you alone at a time like this."

"Thank you." I smiled.

"You're the sweetest person I know."

"Sweet, but will kick your butt in any game." I say.

"Is that a challenge?" He said tickling me.

His touch made me want to kick and run but unable to move fast enough. "Okay, Okay." I screamed in laughter. "I give up, you can kiss me now."

"Even when you have a boyfriend." He said jokingly with a smirk.

Not a hint of a smile cracked on my face at those words.

"Why would you say that?" I am definitely angry.

"Hey, I was just joking." He said smiling but it didn't at all seem real.

"No, What do you mean when I have a boyfriend?" I said angry.

"Just meant when you get older...don't be such a baby."

"You're such a jerkhead." I snapped.

"I was joking."

"No, you meant to say that. Like if you'll never be with me like that."

"Sarah?"

"No." I yelled. "I'm your imprint and your MINE!"

It was silent.

I was shaking.

He was still, as a rock.

The fear in his eyes had a hidden message.

I turned to leave.

"Wait. I'm sorry." He said, grabbing hold of my hand.

I paused, not turning. "I was wrong to say that, okay. I… I've just … just been seeing you growing. Can you blame me for not thinking you're going to get older and leave me?"

"Shut up," I said, shaking my head and pulling my arm from him. "Just shut up.." I wanted to scream, but ran through the bushes back towards the car.

Ethan's car was there in place as I ran and opened the back seat door.

"What happened?" a girl with red hair asked as I got in and slammed the door.

"Nothing. We can go now." I said looking at her rather than to the mirror. I thought of my mom.

If my mom was here she would tell me to calm down before I do something I regret.

The girl instantly started driving forward towards First Beach, and all I wanted to do at the moment was forget all about Embry.

*End Of Dream*

...

Opening my eyes, I exhaled feeling my bed underneath me.

Rolling over off my pillow, I caught myself as I was on the very edge of the bed.

Lifting my head to look at the clock, it read 10:04am.

Thank goodness mom said it was cool for me to skip school for a day or two, she even called to ask her best friend Elena, my new principal who was a former nurse, to ask my teachers to email all my homework to me.

Think I'll go to school tomorrow so that I will be able to go to the dance. Best part of skipping school, no mean-boring teachers. No annoying bells.

Though, I do like being around people my age. I like almost all my classes except math and health, mainly because of the teachings and teachers. Only time I usually skip school is when I'm sick, which rarely ever happens.

The other best part of skipping school today is getting to sleep in, but the last thing I want to do is dream about vampires or fighting with Embry.

After yesterday Embry and I are in a good place.

We didn't talk about our feelings or anything, but yesterday felt as if we were best friends again.

We joked and talked about movies and wolves as if we were us again.

It's like ever since I developed feelings for him I can't manage to balance the 'friend' part of it all, all I can seem to focus on is the imprint-thing.

I hope he and I can really talk and get everything out in the open very soon. I just want things to go back to the way they were, way before I started to fall in love with him.

Climbing out of bed, I walked out of my room towards the staircase.

"Mom, How many times have you seen this?" I heard the sound of Joshua's voice and I slowly walked down the steps.

"Shh. It's rude to talk during a movie." Mom said and I looked over to see Caleb, Dad, Mom, on one couch while Joshua and a girl I didn't recognize on the other sofa.

"Finally, you're up." Mom said as I moved to the back of the couch where Josh and his friend sat.

"Hi." I faked a smile. She doesn't seem to be upset that I cut my hair anymore.

"Go get dressed, the school dance is tomorrow. We should go shopping for some clothes and dresses." Mom said happily. "Keira will be going along with us."

My dad's youngest sister is more antisocial than Henry.

"Aunt Keira? Why?" I was confused.

"I'll tell you in the car." Mom said.

"Fine…" I said then looked at the girl that sat next to Josh, she had a pixie cut blonde hair and pretty green eyes. She didn't look familiar at all. Yet, one sniff of her heighten-sweet and rusty skin it was clear she was a hybrid.

"Sarah, this is Lauren." Mom stated.

"Hi." I say.

She smiled at me. "How's it going?"

"Jeremiah is asleep in Caleb's room, he'll be staying with us for a bit." Josh said.

"Okay." I nodded, still a bit tired. I'll visit Jeremiah when I get back home, I haven't seen him in a few months. "Well I'll go get dressed now." I glanced at the teleivation, and the picture looked very old and fuzzy. "What movie is this?"

"The Great Gatsby." Dad answered.

"The 1974 version." Caleb added. He's been reading the book for the last four days. He would have finished it if it wasn't for constantly working at the cafe.

I turned back for the stairs, maybe a nice cold shower will wake me up.

I used to like shopping with mom, now I just order things online or wait for mom to buy me something whenever she goes out. I believe I'm just getting lazy.

*One Hour Later*

"What's your favorite color?" Mom asked Keira.

"I like the color orange." She answered as we searched through the dress rack.

Orange wasn't an odd color for a dress, but I would suggest a pink and orange pattern.

Sometimes I feel strange hanging out with Keira. She's older than I am but it's still odd if I was to call her aunt Keira. She's so young, and my brother Joshua is older than here.

I sighed looking around the vintage store. Forks has plenty of dress shops, the one we were in also sold books.

"I'm surprised how well you two are with the transformation. How do you feel?" Mom asked, looking between Keira and I.

"Fine." She and I both said at the same time.

"Okay… wait, what about this one?" Mom said holding up a floral-print off-shoulder dress with a pink pattern.

Keira just shook her head and I scrunched up my face. "Not for the school dance mom, jeez. What do you think this is, flowers in the attack?" I stated.

Since Henry had no other friends except Hazel and I, he had no other girls to ask to the dance. So uncle Seth told him to ask Keira because she's family and wouldn't say no. Keira's high school days are over but The Reservation doesn't have rules on how old a date has to be.

"That movie is super old, How do you know about that?" Mom said putting the hideous dress back in its place.

"Well actually it was a book series before the movie came out and then the 'Lifetime network' made its own movie series on it. Caleb put me on it." I said honestly.

"Oh.. so what is going on with you and Sam's son? Billy mentioned something about you two earlier." She asked me to change the subject.

"Nothing. He's just a friend, mom." I say.

"You were at the club with him." She said in a tone which wasn't really a question. She hasn't even found the time to yell at me about it. I know she couldn't possibly be alright with me going out late that night.

"He knows I love Embry."

"Everyone knows that." Keira said in a duh-tone and mom laughed

Everyone except Embry... Well, sorta.

"Just tell me you'll stay away from him, for now on. Trust me, you don't want third parties for you and Embry. The relationship you two share can only be between the two people- not three." She said, speaking of Ethan.

"Mom, thanks but I'm allowed to have friends." I stated.

"Your dad thought the same thing a long time ago." She noted.

"Mom?"

"Fine. whatever, you can make your own mistakes because that's the only way you'll learn." She rolled her eyes.

"Mom, don't worry. No one can take Embry's place. There's no one like him on earth, which sucks because if he leaves, I'll have no one."

"You'll have me. You'll have, Jacob. your family, we'll all work through it." She stated.

I nodded in reply. I didn't want to think about Embry right now.

Mom suddenly held her stomach and I too also felt something in mine tug.

She must be hungry, but as for me... an aching twisted as I thought of a future without Embry Call.

"Alright, let's move on to another store." Mom said fast. "As soon as we find something for both of you, the sooner we can get to the beach."

"Oh goody...a tribe meeting about the vampires…. Sweet." I muttered sarcastically.

Daniel Black Pov

Opening the front door to the house from a long morning walk. I was met with three pairs of eyes.

Dad, Joshua and someone I didn't recognize all sat at the kitchen table.

"Have you been out all morning?" Dad asked and I glanced around the room.

"Yeah, Where's mom?"

Josh bowed his head a little not making eye contact with me 'Obviously still feeling guilty about making a move on Hazel'.

The girl sitting across from him was definitely a new friend. From where I stood, her smell was similar to a vampire, but it was mixed with the hair follicles that were boosting sweat... and vampires don't have sweat glands. She had to be half-human, and half-vampire. Sometimes whenever I phase I can smell the vampire blood in Hazel's veins from her hybrid father Noah. It's weird, but it's been like that since I imprinted on Hazel, and it has always kept me on edge whenever I shift into my fur.

"Shopping." Dad replied. "Do me a favor and warn me before you leave the house."

I rolled my eyes. "Dad, I'm not five. I can handle myself. Besides, those leeches won't be back." I said then looked at the stranger at the table. "Who's she?"

Josh looked in my direction rather than towards the girl.

"Lauren." She spoke to me.

"Her and Jeremiah will be visiting for a bit." Dad said.

I looked down the hall, knowing that's usually where guests stay. Back when Caleb and Sarah were newborns mom had the room as a nursery a few months after their first birthdays, before moving them upstairs to their own rooms.

"Jeremiah's here?" I say. It's been a while since he visited.

"He's sick, so he's resting." The Lauren girl said to me and I glared at Josh.

"Well at least you have someone to keep you company." I said and Josh's eyes glared at me with pity. "Do you have a boyfriend, Lauren? Joshua is very friendly when it comes to unavailable girls." I stated.

Josh rolled eyes. "Don't start."

"What did I miss?" Dad said, looking between us.

"Ask Josh." I say.

"You know not that it matters, I'm single." Lauren clarifies.

"That's surprising for a half-vampire. You people seem to always have humans and vamps throwing themselves at you. Did you know that both Josh and my young sister shifted yesterday because of things like you?" I said, stepping forward. "Things like you just keep popping up."

"Why is he shaking…" Lauren mouthed.

"Whoa." Dad exclaimed, standing from his chair, arms out. "What the heck is your deal?"

"Nothing, I'm fine." I snapped.

"No. You're not." He said, grabbing my face, turning my head to look him in the eyes. "Did you shift this morning?"

"No." I said angrily, moving away from him.

Dad narrowed his eyes.

"Look at his hands." Josh muttered, and I looked down.

Tight in a fist, I hadn't noticed my hands were clenched.

Opening them, they were stained with blood.

"When was the last time you phase?" Dad asked.

"I don't know, a while." I mumbled.

"You can't hold that aggression in for so long, so stop trying. It's controlling you." Dad said angry at me. "It builds and builds."

"Don't you think I know that?" I snapped back. He's always treating me like a kid.

"Then handle it and stop letting whatever that's getting you upset trigger it, just so you can suppress it. That's how people get hurt." He shoved me back a bit. "That's how some die, by being so close to a ticking time bomb." He said and felt my heart beating out of my chest.

I couldn't help breathing fire. I wanted to rip all of their heads off.

"Count." He said and I remembered when I first phase five years ago, how I had a hard time then. Back then Dad suggested it even though I never had a problem with anger, I only had a problem with shifting back to human form.

Out of fear I did all I could to keep from shifting.

One,

Two,

Three,

Four,

"Out loud." He said with a threatening tone.

I exhaled. "One… two… three… four…" I said feeling even more claimer. "Five..."

"Go for a run and figure out how to control it."

"I can't." I said through gritted teeth.

"Learn. Go shift." He ordered.

"You know I won't be able to shift back fast." I almost whispered.

"Then I'll help." He said and I closed my eyes for a second. "Go now." He ordered again.

I sighed not taking a second look at Josh or his hybrid friend Lauren.

I turned around to head for the front door.