Seth's Pov
Joseph was pumped at the possibility of vampires. In his book, he's had all the transformation and none of the action.
"It's not all fun and hunting," I warned him.
"You say that, but I've read your thoughts." Joseph's seen the newborn vampire war in the pack's mind for battle reference and training.
Sam has had us on a tight run. With more wolves, we can cover more ground and fewer watches. Compared to the past, this makes going to school more convenient. Last year, most of the guys missed so much school that our parents were getting worried. At least those who know the secret.
Joseph muttered his annoyance.
Once we grabbed our lunch trays, we sat with everyone else who seemed tense about this, the imprints. Quil and Embry assured them that Layla's scent was clean and that she was very much still human.
From Jacob's mind, and what Bella had shared, turning into a cold one took three days of burning, writhing pain post being bit.
None of which has happened to Layla.
"It's a miracle that she's even survived," Kim spoke to her wolf, Jared, clinging to him.
"Why does this have to happen again?" April pouted, leaning against Collins.
"We'll handle it." He assured her, brushing back her short black hair.
Layla waved at us and sat down between tables again. It seemed like our pack still intimidated her.
Bored of the same paranoia talk, I listened in on Tiffany's table until Jacob returned to monitor his imprint.
"What about you?" She asked in a hushed tone.
"Hey there, co-stars." Daniel winked at Layla.
"Oh, no." She groaned.
"You mean Ahwoooo." Daniel pretended to howl.
"You can't say anything until the posters go up!" Paige shushed him.
"And who's to say roles won't change." Tiffany defied. I guess they were talking about the up coming play.
"That's right, you never did tell me earlier. What part did you land?" Jacob sat his tray down near Layla, still at our table.
"It's nothing important." She blushed a tint of red, dismissing the subject.
"So when is Jake going to tell her? I mean, her life is in danger." Collins asked Embry.
"Endangering all of us." April hissed under her breath.
This wasn't a subject to be mentioned in school, but it was a good question. One we all had.
"It's between the wolf and his imprint." Quil defended his cousin.
"Things are a little sensitive right now." I qualified.
"I think he's going to wait until they start dating," Embry answered the question.
"But it would make everything easier. She was there for the legends, right? So what's the problem?" Kim inquired.
Jacob turned his head, side-eyeing everyone. He could clearly hear us talking behind his back.
"The cliff kind of knocked some rocks loose, if you know what I mean-" I smacked Joseph upside the head for saying that.
"She's not crazy, Jo. Layla just doesn't remember some stuff." I defended.
"Seems awfully convenient," Joseph muttered again.
"He'll do a good job protecting her. Like how I'll protect you." Jared kissed the top of Kim's head, letting the subject drop.
Joseph groaned at the mushiness between the imprints that came after.
Jacob's Pov
"What's up?" I met Layla by her locker. She was leaning into it, reading a text message.
"Brianna finally got back to me." Layla turned to show me the pictures of that night.
As she swept through them. The final picture stood out from the rest.
There a musician draped his arm around Layla's shoulders, wearing the same jacket she had come home with. And when I looked closer, he and the girl behind him possessed the same crimson eyes. The color of the rave lights also gleamed off their skin oddly compared to Layla and her friend.
I took Layla's phone to show Embry and Quil walking up to us.
"Hey! You could ask." Layla squeaked.
"Did you leave with them?" I asked her.
Layla wedged herself in our huddle.
"I don't know, but they were the last set we saw before leaving." She informed us, reaching for her phone.
I frowned, looking to Embry, who seemed like he wanted to say something more, but didn't. He dropped back behind us in the hall to speak with Quil privately as I wrmt on with Layla.
I waited until biology to ask Embry what he whispered to Quil.
Layla was occupied with Elu, who was milking his dodgeball wounds from yesterday, putting on a show for the students around him.
"What is it?" I asked Embry in Quileute to keep our conversation private. He responded in the same.
"What if Seth was right? If one of the cold ones she ran into this past weekend had an ability?"
"Like the ability to impair someone's memory." I drew the conclusion Embry insinuated.
Layla turned to me about the lab, so we ceased the subject.
Could that be possible? Would that kind of vampire hunt her down then?
"Are you alright, Jake?" Layla's dulcet voice snapped me out of my thoughts. Her hand touched the side of my face to feel for my constant shifter fever.
"I'm fine." I took her hand away from my face and held it under the table.
That troubled me. A vampire that could possibly wipe minds.
What did Layla witness for that to happen... If that was what was happening?
Layla's Pov (Hours Later)
The full swing of school accompanied with its workload was taking its toll. Tinkering on Jacob's charm was giving me a break.
I was finishing up, softening its edges and preparing to stain the embossed to my liking.
When the evening chill swept in, alerting me to the late hour. I gathered the last items I needed to finish my handy work inside: a thin leather thread and needle.
I walked to the opposite end of the barn to turn off the lights. I felt a shiver run up my spine.
I turned around to see a figure outside the opposing end of the barn. One double door was cracked open enough for me to see out the other end.
The outdoor motion sensory light was delayed, and whoever stood in the darkness was just outside the light, away from my line of sight.
"Hello?" I asked, clearly startled by their presence. The figure turned as if noticing me.
"Are you looking for Syd?" I asked again, thinking on the off chance it could be Lee. The guy that Syd sometimes paid to help mow the property.
No answer. Another chill ran up my spine.
Maybe Matt was right, and these grounds were haunted. The thought made my blood run cold.
"Can you help me?" The smooth voice belonged to a male. One I didn't know.
"Grandpa!" I called for Syd, backpedaling for the house.
"Don't go." The voice cooed.
The motion sensor light timed out. The outline of the figure vanished, and I was in complete darkness.
"Syd!" I yelled for him. I heard the backdoor slide open.
Red eyes gleamed in the dark.
"It's you I've been looking for." It hissed.
"Layla?" Syd called for me stepping outside.
"Layla." It hissed lowly enough for me to hear.
I ran for it when a roar of a monster erupted and a blur of fur ripped the figure away.
Whatever it was, cried out hissing in pain.
I didn't care how or why. I kept moving until Syd met me catching my arm.
I nearly screamed when he did.
"What happened?" Syd asked. His crows feet wrinkles made his hawk like grey eyes look even sharper.
"A stranger. On the property. I don't think it was Lee." I gasped between breaths.
"Get inside and lock up." He instructed, stepping into nightfall with a shotgun.
I did as I was told and peered through the closest window unable to see anything in the pitch black.
He came back minutes later. Which felt like a lifetime to me. He set his gun down pacing towards the kitchen phone mounted on the wall.
"I think you're right." He grumbled.
I twisted around gripping the back of the couch. "What are you doing? Did you see something?" I asked him.
"I'm calling Billie. His friend Charlie is a cop and I have some questions." He answered me while dailing.
"Why don't you head upstairs and get ready for bed?" It didn't sound like a suggestion.
A hot shower would calm me down. There wasn't much I could do anyways. So helplessly, I headed upstairs.
Afterwards, I sat on my bedroom floor weaving beads onto the thin leather straps.
My charm was starting to resemble something like a dream catcher, without the web to snare bad dreams. The leather disk looked more like a shield than anything else.
I lifted it up admiring my creation. Not sure what to call it.
Jacob's Pov
We glathered to the secret place on the cliffs where only we wolves had access. It was much too difficult for humans to climb up here on their own.
Paul and Brady had struck a fire for the remnants of bloodsucker shredded out in the woods.
Embry had caught the scent first. It head towards Moon Ranch where I merged with him to rip it apart.
Seth and Joseph collected the ribboned peices behind us.
"Careful." Sam instructed young Joseph who was carrying the head of the cold one.
Its jaw opened and snapped startling him. He tossed the disboddied head to the ground like a bowling ball. The monsters dull red eyes tried to focus on us as it tumbled, hissed in the grass.
"Wait." I urged them to stop tossing peices into the fire.
Kelle kicked the head in. Black smoke choked into another plume.
"We could of interogated it," I growled.
"And you think it would have been honest?" Jospeh asked, checking his clean hand.
"Didn't you notice?" Embry started staring at the flames. The light flickered off our copper faces.
"The bloodsucker beelined for Syd's place."
"So what? They followed the scent." Brady crossed his arms.
"It means they knew where to look." Sam deduced.
My jaw flexed due to irritation.
"You think they'll be more?" Paul asked.
"The scent wasn't the same as the jacket either," Collins noted.
He was right. It wasn't the bloodsucker in the photos, or the same stench.
What did that mean? How many vampires are there in Seattle? I thought.
"The alert remains." Sam nodded.
"What happens if all the pieces aren't burned?" One of the twins inquired.
"Does it regenerate or..." Keme began.
"Will there be a crawling limb for all eternity?" Kelle finished.
"No one wants to find out," Brady answered for the pack.
I turned away to climb down the cliffs to track the scent in reverse to see if any other leeches were left in these woods.
Layla's Pov (The next morning)
It was weird. Most of Jacob's friends were missing or falling asleep in class. Sure, I was drifting off too, but I had a good excuse of a late night spook. To my dismay Jacob was amongst the guys out of school today.
Perhaps his perpetual fever finally caught up with him. I frowned at that. Myabe I could stop by later?
I filded with the charm I made Jacob in my purse, hoping he would show up.
After classes was theater. Measurements were taken by the local college fashion students. Their midterm exam would be the the costumes they made for us.
Mr. Thompson was set on this being a major production, including the entire community.
It was irritating. Not only would we be on display for our peers, but we'd be a public spectacle for the whole area come October in the old renovated Port Angeles theater.
A girl poked and prodded me with pins and a measuring tape wrapped around me where I felt like a mummy.
I looked ahead, distracting myself with Tiffany trying on white wigs and Daniel slipping on wolf paw mits.
A crimson velvety material draped across my shoulders for their reference.
"You're going to be such a cute Red. This shade is just your color!" The girl squealed in delight.
"And she's the perfect size for me to create a couple of options..." I tuned them out, murmuring a thank you as they draped another fabric over my shoulder.
I couldn't help but wonder how much crap I was going to get for playing Little Red Riding Hood.
I walked out with Tiffany after the fitting and script reading.
Apparently, Embry had snuck out last night, and he wasn't in school either. Ms.Call wasn't upset anymore, accepting her son's behavior. Tiffany hated this. For all the time her brother was gone, she had to pick up the slack at the local corner store.
I convinced her to walk the beach for shells before her evening shift.
The sky was golden, and overcast grey clouds hovered above us in long strips.
I couldn't go far, so I explored the darkened tide pools teaming with life.
Tiffany sat beside me after a while with a bucket of her finds.
"I don't like this." I glanced up from petting a starfish.
"Embry hasn't acted this way since Jacob left." She complained, brushing sand off the shells.
I didn't like Tiffany blaming Jacob, but I couldn't weigh in. She grew up with these boys and if they were up to something... she would know the signs.
"Do you know what he's up to?" I asked.
"I was hoping you would tell me." She glanced up at me, less speculative.
"How would I know?" I questioned, picking a barnacle off a rock.
"You and Jacob seem to be getting close." She trailed off.
"Everyone seems to think so, but I'm not so sure." I mumbled, watching a yellow speckled eel slither through the crevices of the pool.
Jacob hasn't answered any of my text messages since last night. It worried me to think that what he told me about them not being a gang might be a lie.
I shook my head. He had already proven to be good.
But was hiding something dangerously stupid I've done right, or good? Was it not a big deal to him because he was used to keeping secrets?
I was letting the second thoughts creep in.
I did know one thing. That I really liked him and didn't want to be disappointed.
Wednesday was nearly the same as before.
No Jacob. Half the pack of boys was gone. No returned call or text. My worry increased.
Seth assured me in English that he was fine and that Jacob was just sleeping it off at home. But then why hadn't Jake kept in touch?
I swung by after school to check up on him, but no one was home. I was too much of a coward to invade his house when he hadn't invited me over yet. So from there, I left for book club in Forks.
EJ was just as enthusiastic to see me as I him. It had seemed like forever since we'd seen each other. My hug lasted longer than most I've given him, but he didn't seem to mind.
Bookclub was a busy hour and a half. We hardly had a chance to talk about our personal lives. Iris had trouble reeling in the few students who seemed to only be there for a grade boost.
Towards the end EJ invited me over for dinner again, and I happily obiliged.
"Esme and Rose will be happy to see you again, too." He stated happily, climbing into Emmet's Jeep.
"Hope you're ready for game night." His young uncle grinned at us in the back seat.
"He's teaching me blackjack." EJ grinned.
"Is he any good?" I challenged. His booming laugh reverberated through the frame of the car.
EJ was right. Esme was happy to see me, and Rose seemed overjoyed to play the ever-perfect 1930s housewife. Emmet looked more content to watch his girlfriend than eat his food at supper.
After a couple of rounds of blackjack I found a new tradition was in the making. Wednesday nights now belonged with the Cullens. And per usual, they sent me home with more food than I needed.
I hummed to myself, driving home in the dark.
I began to drive slower when my headlights caught gleaming eyes hidden in the forest of La Push.
When I pulled into the gravel drive, I noticed Jacob waiting on the doorstep. He looked well and not at all sick.
That was a relief.
"Hey, Jake!" I smiled from my car. My enthusiasm melted his serious expression.
"Layla, where have you been?" He came over to hug me, holding me close like he hadn't seen me in ages when it had only been two days.
"Shouldn't I be asking you that?" I questioned, breaking the hug to pull the doggy bags of food from the back seat.
"Where'd you get all the food?" He asked, peering over my shoulder.
"At a friend's house for dinner. Want some? I have extra." I tucked an arm full onto his forearm.
"Sure."
"Did Syd make you sit outside?" I frowned.
"Its no big deal. I haven't been waiting long." He shrugged.
"Grumpy old man." I muttered under my breath. "Oh, Wait here! I have something for you."
Jacob tried to ask something through a mouthful of food while I headed upstairs to grab the charm. I hesitantly returned, wondering how he would interpret the gift.
I hid it in the sleeve of my sweatshirt.
Jacob had finished the food and was licking his fingertips when I approached.
"That was good. Who's place did you go to?"
"A friend in Forks." I shrugged. "Now close your eyes and hold out your hand."
Jacob smirked humorously and did as I said.
"It's ridiculous, so I didn't wrap it." I qualified.
"Okay?" He wiggled his fingers when I took too long.
"Don't take it too seriously, alright?" I asked, hesitant again.
Jacob scoffed a laugh as I placed it in his large palm.
He opened his eyes, and I observed his response. "What is it?" Jacob asked.
My face flushed. "It's supposed to be a good luck charm. Specifically, to block all my bad luck from you that is."
"You made this for me?" He looked at it with more wonder now.
The leather disk twisted to show an embossed wolf on a cliff howling at the moon. The edges were wrapped in thorns and tiny rose buds.
"Yeah. But, I um, I change my mind!" I went to reach for it, but Jacob held it high above his head.Two feet above me.
I tried to leverage myself against him for an extended reach.
"Why?" He wrapped an arm around my waist, holding me there against him.
I struggled uselessly.
"If I'm the one with bad luck, then that might not be a good luck charm." I looked up at him in earnest. Now noticing how close we were my heart kicked up a gear.
"I doubt it. Besides, no take backs." His smile widened making my heart jump.
"Jake." My brows furrowed in all seriousness.
"Don't worry about me." He hugged me. his husky voice lowered an octive. I slowly wrapped my arms around in return leaning into him with caution.
I didn't want to stay here at the risk of turning red.
"Does that mean you like it?" I whispered into his chest.
Jake pulled away enough to look at me.
"I love it."
"Good." I looked away first, after getting lost in his magnetic eye contact. Clearing my throat, I pushed off his solid, well-built, chest.
"I have some homework to finish. The wild life reserve presentation is tomorrow and-" Jacob took a step closer to me when I stepped back. He leaning in closer... was he going to kiss me? I held my breath too nervous to move. My heart drummed in my throat.
Syd opened the front door. He grunted, narrowing his eyes at Jake.
"Syd." Jacob greeted in a grumble and stood up straight.
"Get moving Black. We have to go over a few things." Syd ushered me inside nearly dragging me in by my shoulder.
"See yah, Jake." I smiled at him.
"Tomorrow." Jacob tried not to glare at Syd when he shut the door behind us.
"You have some new house rules." Syd huffed.
"What now?" I groaned.
"Your feet must be inside this house at 9:00 pm sharp during the week and 10:30 pm on weekends."
"What's wrong with midnight on the weekend?" I argued up the stairs.
"You're not going to be alone with a boy unless I have a little talk with him." Syd continued with his ridiculous orders.
"So you could scare him off with the shotgun like that rando?" I grumbled, embarrassed.
I stomped up the stairs showing my displeasure and excusing myself from the lame conversation.
I wasn't sure what I wanted with Jacob. A relationship wouldn't be practical since one day I would have to return to LA.
The thought saddened me sending me spiraling.
What was the sense of starting something we couldn't finish?
But I did know that I liked him, and enjoyed his company. The last couple days when he disappeared I was worried about him.
I swallowed a lump in my throat.
Was this survivors guilt after him saving me twice? Or was my growing fixation on Jacob a justified attraction?
I sighed longingly sitting in my bed to stare out the window. Hoping he was still there and willing sneak up here to see me again.
But Jake was leaving. Running off into the woods towards his house like I had given him an olympic gold metal.