authors note - kinda another filler type chapter...things get a bit more interesting in chapter 7.

I was in the woods, running from something…no toward something. Trying to find something or someone. I stumbled, catching myself on my hands and getting up. I wiped my hands on my knees and moved foward. I had to find what I was looking for.

Something deep in my chest was pulling me toward… something.

"Bella?"

I stopped running and turned. "Edward!"

I ran into his arms. He had to be who I was looking for, I thought, breathing a sigh of relief.

"What's wrong?" He asked. It was then I noticed I was crying. I shook my head. I don't know what's wrong. I was still being pulled by some unknown force in the opposite direction I realized. I held tighter to Edward, scared if I went to find what was pulling me he'd leave again.

I jerked in surprise when a low growl sounded. Turning I saw my wolf. He is what was pulling me. I took a step toward him, but Edward grabbed my hand.

"No, Bella." He said gently.

"Let her go."

I turned, shocked to see my wolf gone. A man in his place. I couldn't make out his features in the dark. I pulled at my arm, desperately trying to get closer to this man.

Edward's vice grip held tight. "It's not safe, Bella."

"Edward, please? I...I need him." I begged.

With a start I woke up. Something was tugging at my subconscious, but I didn't know what. The dreams I was having about Edward and my wolf were weird but who was the faceless man? Suddenly Jacobs voice sounded in my mind from months ago...

'Legend claims that we descended from wolves'

He had told me that last year not long after we first moved here when I was trying to find information out about the Cullens...

I shook my head. Why am I even thinking about this, I wondered. I only had an hour before I had to be up so I decided to go ahead and get ready for school. Quick shower, no makeup and hair in a ponytail. I shrugged, staring at myself in the mirror. I have no one to impress. I nodded to myself and left the bathroom to get dressed.

Once I was dressed in jeans and a plain black T-shirt, I went downstairs and made some bacon and eggs. Mostly for Charlie's sake since that's his usual breakfast, but I was rather hungry myself. I was just putting the last few pieces of bacon on the plate when I heard a strange scratching noise. I looked behind me, not at all that surprised to see my wolf at the door.

When did he become my wolf, I thought, shaking my head. I made myself a small plate and grabbed a water out of the fridge before going out back and sitting on my usual spot on the steps.

"Hey. You took off so quick last night. Wasn't sure if I'd see you again" I mumbled, munching on my bacon. He really did take off quickly. After the weird first few minutes of him sniffing me he just sat there staring at me for a bit and then turned and took off.

He whined, his ears flat against his head. I patted his nose. "It's fine. I was just… well I was a bit sad, but it's okay right? You're a wolf, I'm a human.. can't expect you to want to hang out with me all the time."

He whined and scooted closer to me, sniffing at my plate. I wondered if he wanted a bite." Wolves eat cooked meat?" I asked, holding up a piece.

Shrugging, I held it out to him and he snatched it up, chewing once before swallowing. It was silent as I finished eating, tossing my wolf a few pieces here and there.

"Okay, I need to get back in and finish getting ready. Maybe we can take that walk today after I get home from work?"

One bark. I patted his head and went back inside. I quickly cleaned up the mess I made, leaving Charlie's plate on the stove for him and starting the coffee pot. It wasn't long before he came down, thanking me for the food and coffee before sitting down to eat.

"Everything okay?" I asked, leaning against the counter. "I was surprised you were gone when I got home and I didn't hear you come in…"

Charlie grunted. "Got called to the station on a case. I can't say much right now but listen don't go into the woods, ok?"

My eyebrows rose. "What? Why?"

He rolled his eyes. "I just said I can't say much."

"Oh, right."

I went to get my backpack out of the hall closet and was picking up my keys to leave when Charlie called for me. I leaned around the corner and raised my eyebrow at him. "Seriously, stay out of the woods. Promise me?"

Well crap. Guess my wolf and I wouldn't be taking that walk today. "Ok, I promise. I've gotta get going."

He nodded and went back to his food.

X

X

X

X

School dragged by. When I got to my first class and was bombarded by Jessica wondering how I was doing, I realized this was my first day here since the Cullens left. I knew then that it would be a bad dad. Everyone wanted to check on me. Am I okay? Am I heartbroken? Has he called?

I wanted to scream at them that it was none of their business, but instead I answered their questions in a clipped tone and tried to look busy with school work. My saving grace was Angela. She was the only one that didn't question me, just simply asked if I wanted to sit with her at lunch and go over stuff I missed on Friday. I agreed, but it was hard to concentrate. I kept catching myself staring at the spot that Edward and I use to sit with the rest of the Cullens.

Right after lunch is when the pain hit. So intense that I dropped my books in the hallway and stumbled. Something is wrong. Not with me, but something is wrong. Very wrong. I was suddenly incredibly anxious and worried, but it didn't feel like me, it felt almost like Jasper was messing with my emotions. I gasped for a breath.

Angela touched my shoulder. "Are you okay?"

I leaned against the wall for a moment breathing deeply, forcing myself to ignore the intense feelings that weren't my own. "Y-yes. I don't know what happened."

"Paul, go left. Try to get around her. Maybe we can box her in." Sam growled. I headed left, doing a wide sweep then coming up back around. The leech was fast. I wondered if all leeches were this quick. This was the first we've actually had to deal with. I couldn't lie, I was nervous, scared even. One bite could kill us, but on the flip side the wolf was completely confident and excited to get its teeth into a leech.

"Legend says they are fast, but we should be faster." Jared said, huffing.

"Why was she even there?" Sam wondered. I didn't know obviously but her being at Bella's made me more nervous. I had been patrolling near Bella's house when I caught the scent and alerted the guys. When I got to the house the leech was jumping out of Bella's window. She looked shocked to see me and ran around the house quickly into the woods across the street. I had to loop around, not able to risk being seen. That cost us time, but we made up for that quickly and was on her tail. She was just out of reach.

"Maybe she knows the Cullens and they sent her to check on Bella." Embry said. Being so new I almost wondered if he should even be here, but this is new to all of us. All of us were letting our wolves sort of take over, following the natural instinct.

"That doesn't make me feel better, Embry." Friend of the Cullens or not I don't want any leeches around my imprint.

Sam was in my view now, I came up the side having to turn slightly to run beside him.

"Where the did she go?" I wondered when suddenly she just disappeared.

"Hush." Sam said, slowing a bit. "Listen."

My head cocked to the side I tried to hear what he was hearing. Above us, branches were cracking slightly.

"She's in the trees!" I growled.

She fell...or rather jumped and landed right on top of Sam knocking him to the ground. I growled, jumping into action shoving her off him. She climbed another tree and I looked up to see her jumping from branch to branch.

Sam growled, getting up. We flew past trees trying to catch up with her. Sam was a bit ahead of me and suddenly was yelling at me to stop. I slowed and realized the trees were breaking up as we came up to a large cliff. The leech jumped out of the tree and off the cliff. We may be supernatural but a jump like that would break our bones. Jared and Embry finally caught up to us, coming up on our right side.

"Now what?" Embry asked.

"Now nothing. We can't make that jump. We have to let her go." Sam told us. "Were gonna have to up patrols, especially in Forks in case she comes

back."

"What about Bella" I asked. "The leech was at her house. In her room."

Sam sighed. "She's your imprint Paul, what do you think?"

I thought about it for a moment, trying to take out my conflicting feelings out of the equation. The wolf didn't let me think long though. She's ours. We protect what's ours.

"We can't leave her alone." I finally said.

He nodded. "Okay. Someone will be with her at all times just in case." He paused for a moment, staring at me. "You do realize this would be much easier if you'd talk to her. We can let her know what's going on and keep her in La push where it's safer."

Immediately I shook my head. "No one says anything to her. It'll be fine. I'm basically following her all the time anyway, so not much different, just need someone to keep an eye on things when I have to go home."

Sam didn't say it directly to me but I heard him thinking about how I just needed to get over my stubbornness.

I growled. "I'm not being stubborn."

All three of them laughed at me. Assholes.

The rest of the day went fairly quick. The intense emotions rolling through me slowly fading as the day went on. I called Charlie right after school, worried maybe I was sensing that something happened to him but he was fine. Eventually it all disappeared completely, leaving behind a slight ache deep in my chest. English was the hardest part of the day. All I could think about during the lesson was memories of Edward sitting right beside me.

Once school let out I headed straight to the Newton's for my shift. I really need to find a new job, I thought, as I walked in the store. Mrs. Newton waved as I passed her to clock in. Mike was already in the break room. He was trying to look busy but I could tell he was waiting for me. I quickly dropped off my bag and clocked in. Was almost out the door when he said my name. I sighed and turned toward him. He shuffled his feet for a few seconds.

"How are you?" He finally asked.

I rolled my eyes. "I'm perfect."

"Oh great. Listen this weekend we are planning to go to the movies. Thought maybe you'd like to come?"

"We?" I asked, leaning against the door.

"Well right now it's just me… and you but we could totally invite some other people."

"Okay, yeah I have a few people I can invite. It'd be a fun group thing. Friday after school?"

His shoulder slumped a bit. He was trying to get me to agree to a group thing to turn it into a date. "Okay yeah, I'll see who else wants to come."

"Cool." I nodded to him and went to take over the counter for Mrs. Newton.

As soon as I got home I plopped myself on the couch and let out a big sigh.

"Bad day?" Charlie asked from his chair, going over some paperwork.

I shook my head. "Just long."

"I know the feeling." He got up. "I gotta get back to the station, probably won't be home til late. Stay out of the woods."

"I know, dad. You told me this morning." I reminded him, watching as he put his gun belt and jacket back on.

"Just making sure you remember."

I crossed my arms, huffing. "I think I can remember simple

instructions."

"Good." He mumbled, dropping an unexpected kiss to my head on the way out. I rolled my eyes, getting up to go find something for dinner. I had just opened the fridge with the scratching noise started. I ignored it for a few moments, staring into the fridge. Nothing appetizing there. We should really shop more often, I thought as I grabbed my phone and called a local pizza joint. I ordered a large in case Charlie was hungry when he got home. I went to the door smiling at my wolf as I opened it and stepped out. He scrambled off the porch and waited for me to sit down.

"I can't go walking with you today. Something is going on, so I promised my dad I'd stay out of the woods. I mean chances are you could protect me from most

things, but still." I told him, petting his snout. He whined, nudging my cheek.

"Yeah I know it sucks. I ordered pizza. Not as good as bacon for a wolf I'm sure but do wolves eat pizza?" One bark.

I sat outside with my wolf until the pizza came and went right back as soon as the delivery driver left. My wolf sniffed the air, pretty sure he was drooling a bit. As soon as I held a slice out to him, he snatched it swallowing after only chewing a couple times.

"Well, maybe I should have ordered more." I said, taking a bite of my own piece. One bark.

"Don't you hunt for your food?" I asked. One bark. "Still hungry even after eating entire animals?"

One bark. I laughed. The wolf suddenly sat up straight, ears alert and growled.

"What's wrong?" I asked, feeling his nervous energy. No answer of course, not that I was expecting one. After a few moments he relaxed again, sniffing at the air and whining. "More pizza?"

He licked at the air, so I grabbed another slice and tossed it to him watching as he caught it. I ruffled his ear. "Good boy."

He let out a soft growl at me. Laughing I told him I was sorry. He can act like a dog but I guess he didn't like being treated like one. My phone rang, so I sat my pizza down and quickly wiped my hands on my pants to answer it.

"Hello?"

"Hey Bella!"

"Hey Jake. What's up?" I picked up my pizza again, nibbling at it. Covering the mouth piece to my phone I nodded my head toward the pizza and told my wolf to go for it when he let out a soft whine. I watched, slightly amazed as he attacked the pizza, eating the last 4 slices.

"Got any plans tonight?"

I checked the time on my phone. It was only 6 p.m and I didn't have any homework. "No. What do you have in mind?"

"There's a bonfire going on at first beach. Thought you might like to go?"

I thought about it for a moment. I liked hanging out with Jacob so why not. "Sure."

"Great. Get ready and head here anytime."

We hung up after a quick goodbye. I tossed the pizza box in the trash and patted my wolf's head. "Gotta go, but same place tomorrow?"

One bark. I smiled, going in and locking the door. I grabbed my keys and headed out, not feeling the need to change.

There were at least 30 people on the beach. I noticed most were local but there were some kids from my class hanging around.

"Wow, I didn't realize you meant party." I told Jacob as I climbed out of my truck.

He laughed. "Just a small one."

I rolled my eyes, meeting Jacob at the front of the truck. "Don't worry, just stick by me."

I looked up at him. He could tell I was worried? He grabbed my hand, pulling me toward the fire. Quil was standing there with a small group of guys.

"Hey Bella!" He called. "I didn't expect to see you."

"Jake dragged me out." I told him.

"We were just about to start a football game. You in?" One of the other boys said.

Jacob looked down at me. I laughed. "I'm a big girl. I'll be fine. Go have fun."

Jake smiled and they took off down the beach. I found a log by the fire and sat down, content to sit and watch the flames.

"Hey."

I jumped in surprise. I had been sitting there a while getting lost in thought. I turned to look at the person beside me seeing that the voice belonged to a young guy probably a bit older than me. Most likely from Forks with his ashy blonde hair and pale skin.

He held out a cup to me. I waved his hand away. Charlie has reminded me one too many times to never take a drink from a stranger at a party. "No thanks."

He shrugged, draining the cup before sitting it in the sand. "Suit yourself. I'm Alex."

"Bella."

"Why are you sitting alone?" He asked.

"I don't really know anyone here. Came with a friend and he ditched me for football." I told him, nodding my head toward Jacob and his group of friends.

"He's an idiot."

I laughed. "It's not like that. Really just a friend. We've known each other since we were in diapers…"

He snorted. "You may not think it's like that but I'm not so sure he'd agreed."

I shrugged one shoulder. "If that's true, that his issue."

He whistled. "Cooold."

I blushed. "I didn't mean it like that. We've just known each other forever it'd be weird."

"Sure." He easily agreed. "Wanna go for a walk?"

I looked at him for a moment. He seems harmless enough and it's not like we'd be far away. "Okay."

We were silent as we walked. Jacob gave me a concerned look when we walked past him. I smiled and waved at him and he went back to playing but I could feel his eyes on me still. Alex walked a bit further and sat down on the sand, right in front of the water.

"We could have stayed on the log, where sand wouldn't get stuck all over us." I said, sitting a few feet from him. I looked over and was glad that I could still see Jacob.

Alex laughed. "Too loud over there."

I shrugged and brought my knees up to my chest to lay my head on them. Alex scooter closer.

"So other than your known each other since you were in diapers friend, are you seeing anyone?"

I shook my head. "Umm, no. Just got out of a relationship so not

really looking."

He held up his hand. "I get that. How about someone just to have some fun with?" He scooted closer, grabbing my hand.

I yanked my hand back. "No thank you."

"Aww," He put his arm around my shoulder. "Come on don't be like

that. Fun doesn't always mean one thing.."

I pushed his arm off, standing. It wasn't really him making me uncomfortable, just a situation I wasn't use to being in. "I said no."

"Hey now, hold on." He grabbed my hand, forcing me to turn toward him. "I'm sorry, I didn't – "

"She said no."

Jacob was suddenly beside me. I looked up at him. His eyes were hard, face tense and once again he was trembling with anger.

Alex dropped my hand and held his up. "No harm meant we were just talking."

Jacob took a step closer, getting in his face. "The next time you are talking to any girl and she says no you let her go. Do you understand?"

"Jake, its okay. He didnt do anything." I told him, grabbing his shoulder.

Alex laughed. "Dude, you're being way too intense."

In response Jacob shrugged off my hand and swung his arm back, hitting Alex right in the jaw.

"When a girl says no it means no. Do you understand?" Jacob practically growled. Alex answered with groan from his spot in the sand.

"Jacob!" I yelled pulling him back. "Really, it wasn't that serious. He didn't do anything." His skin was like fire again. I touched his cheek. "Are you okay?"

He was looking down at his hands trembling. "No. I've gotta go."

I nodded. "Okay, lets… Jacob? Jake!" He had turned and ran toward the parking lot, not even looking back when I called his name. I ran back to Alex, making sure he was okay. What in the hell was that about?