Disclaimer: This story is rated T+/ M (Mature) Content may be suitable for persons ages 17 and older. Will most likely contain intense violence, blood and gore, sexual content, and strong language.
Jacob's Pov
I draped the letter Layla left behind over my bedroom's floor air vent in hopes of salvaging what was left.
The contents were raised in blue ink through the envelope. I swear I didn't mean to read it. It just sort of happened.
From what I could make out. Layla wasn't spitting complete excuses on the beach. She was going through more than I thought.
A missing mother, an estranged brother living abroad, and the last part was a blur. I laid back on my bed, staring at the ceiling.
Quil was keeping watch so I could recover for a couple of hours.
"Sam lost the leech over that mountain pass." We should station some wolves along the cliffs." "And on the back side of the mountains where they keep disappearing." The guys whispered amongst themselves.
Layla wove around our huddle by the lockers. "Sorry." She apologized, wedging behind Embry.
I reached out, pulling her aside once she lightened her bookbag.
"Hey, Jake." She greeted me awkwardly. "Are we really doing this?" I pointed out her avoidance.
"I thought you wouldn't want to see me after the beach," Layla explained. "I think the point was that I wanted to see you."
"You know what I mean. I didn't think you wanted to be friends." "I told you I would always be there for you. I'm not going anywhere."
I brushed a piece of hair from her face and rested my hand there. Layla flushed a beautiful shade of pink and pulled away, to my dismay.
"But I am." She grimaced, turning to walk away. It took me one step to stride with her to class.
"What's so bad about living here? What does LA have that La Push doesn't?"
I am sure there are plenty of things, but I was curious as to what she was in a hurry to get back to.
"It's where my whole life is. My mom, friends, dance competitions, and..." Layla trailed off, worry lining her forehead.
She glanced down at her phone once we sat for our first class.
"Either way, I need to go back soon to visit." The fearful concern that flickered through her eyes worried me.
Layla's Pov
I didn't like bringing up home when I missed LA more each day.
I glanced at Jacob's profile. I'm sure he didn't mean any harm by asking. He was probably curious about my life back in California.
My eyes traced his straight nose and hovered over his mouth, remembering how it molded to mine perfectly. As if he could hear my heartbeat thrum faster, Jake caught me looking. I tried to play it cool, but his cheeky smile made me blush like an idiot.
I could accept my attraction to him. Only I couldn't act on it. It would be devastating to start something only to leave, I reminded myself.
I dropped my mechanical pencil, and it rolled towards Elu's foot. He picked it up, not without glancing down my shirt at my cleavage pressed up against the desk when I reached for the pencil.
I tugged up my V-neck and took out a spare pen instead.
Like some others who have tried to pursue me, maybe Jake just wanted one thing. Since our time was short, maybe fooling around was his only intention.
My heart sank at that thought, and I sighed deeply.
"Relax." Elu winked, setting the mechanical pencil on the desk. I nodded in thanks but rolled my eyes when he looked away.
In the hall, I contemplated disobeying Syd's orders. Maybe I could catch a flight tonight after practicing my role as Little Red Riding Hood.
The problem with that was theater practice would be first thing tomorrow, too. To skip or not to skip. I bit my lip.
"What's up, buttercup?"Jacob teased. I didn't answer, switching out my books between classes.
"I'm worried," I mumbled my thought aloud. I turned to face him with my back against the red metal lockers.
"About what?" When his black eyes softened like that, I wanted to tell him anything and everything.
Tiffany cut between us to request a ride to Port Angeles after school for practice.
I agreed and glanced at Jake apologetically as she dragged me to our class without him.
"What's with you? You've been quiet today." Tiffany noted from the back seat. Jacob looked at me as if he had the same question.
Kim convinced me to let Jacob carpool with us at lunch. Since we were all headed in the same direction, I didn't see the problem.
Though, I was surprised he didn't want to take his Harley before the bitter cold set in. I'm sure the guys at his Autoshop apprenticeship would have a kick out of his customization.
I cleared my throat to answer. "My friend Brianna was hurt the other day. I'm just worried about her...I wanted to visit, but Syd is vetoing." I tagged on, hoping not to elaborate further.
"What happened? Is she alright?" Tiffany probed anyway. "I'm not sure. There was...an accident. My other friend Ashley told me about it. I still haven't heard all the details from Brianna yet."
"I'm sorry to hear that. I hope Syd changes his mind." I pulled over to the curb so I could park behind the strip of buildings. "I'll let Mr. Thompson know you're here." Tiffany left me alone with Jacob, who remained in the car.
"Oh, Do you want me to pull up to the shop?" I questioned. "Go ahead and park; I can walk," Jacob assured. Two turns later, I swung into the overgrown lot.
Vegetation crept over the asphalt. The moss-covered trees leaned as if peaking into the industrialized port town.
"What happened with your friend?" Jacob questioned again. I cringed slightly, recalling the troubling photo. I haven't been able to stop glancing at it.
"It's a long story, and I'm not sure I know enough to share," I confessed; honestly, I didn't want to talk about Logan at all.
It felt as if I mentioned Logan too many times, like Beetlejuice, he'd be summoned here.
"Okay." Jacob nodded, hugging me briefly behind thespian theater.
"I'm here whenever you want to talk, okay? Embry is driving Tiffany back if you were worried about a third party." He suggested.
That was a concern of mine, but the greater concern was having too many tendrils wrapped up into Jake.
"Thanks, Jake. You better get going, or you'll be late."
Theater practice was grueling. I've had all my lines and stage directions memorized, but the repetitive instructions and alterations were tedious.
Daniel was goofing off in his role as the wolf. Then Mr. Thompson would him for acting like a scooby doo villain instead of an actual werewolf and then lecture me about the lack of stage chemistry. Then, the huntsman's fake knife kept falling apart at the wrong scenes, making the cast burst out in laughter.
With a half hour left, Tiffany and I stepped out for fresh air. The spritzing rain felt good on our faces after baking under the stage lights.
"Ugh, I swear if we don't finish act two again, I will lose it," Tiff whined, tilting her head back in the rain like I was.
"I can only imagine." Her lines were sparse until the second half of the play, so I could understand her frustration of waiting around for nothing.
"Tiffany, Mr. T wants to see you. Hurry up when you can." Harriet, a backstage member, mentioned cracking the door.
"That's a good sign." She grinned at me before heading in.
I sighed, admiring the contorted mossy green trees across the lot; at dusk, they almost looked like a collection of migrating swamp monsters.
I took in a deep breath. The fresh air here was better than the smoggy city streets of Los Angeles.
Then, someone I wished to never encounter again called my name.
"Layla."
My heart dropped into the pit of my stomach, sickening me.
I wasn't expecting to see him here, of all people.
Niccolo's Pov
"Good evening, Miss Moon." I moved quickly so that she had little time to process and respond to the abduction.
Frozen in place as she was, I swept my singer off her into the back of my vehicle.
Justina pulled the car down the street towards the docks, where Vitaly and Greta had set up an empty warehouse for the blood draw.
"I'm sorry for burdening you on such short notice." I amended.
Layla pulled on the door's lever repeatedly to find it locked. "Stop that."
"What are you doing with me?" She questioned, pulling herself far from me.
I forgot how sensitive this human girl was and sighed. "Calm down," I ordered. She instantly stilled.
"This is all part of your contract." Justina reminded from the front. Layla jerked her head to glare at my assistant and platonic friend.
Justina pulled up a section of the clipboard, a copy of the last page of her contract. Layla's signature bore witness to her.
"I don't remember signing anything. Return me to the theater." She demanded.
"I will. But first, I need you to be silent and obedient." I compelled her a third time.
The overuse of my powers increased my thirst.
Justina stopped at our destination with a lerch. I caught my singer from flying through the windshield.
Vi had picked what was available—an abandoned building between a forgotten hardware store and near a fish packaging factory.
It was enough to hide our scents. Not that we needed that.
"Ow." Layla winced under my grip as we walked into the cement slab building.
"Apologies, my Bella," I whispered in her ear for comfort.
She shivered in response. "We'll be done soon."
"The setup is in the office space upstairs." Vitaly lingered at the bottom of the metal staircase along with Greta, whose arms were crossed.
Dim beams of dusk hazily peered through the dusty rectangle panes of glass overhead.
I turned my nose up at the dingy place. I hated eating anywhere unrefined.
"I am sorry about this. You may speak. No screaming." I compelled, setting her in the office chair.
"If you were sorry, you'd let me go." She eyed the nurse, waiting in a compelled daze.
The nurse needed no further instruction to get started.
"Be still, Layla," I ordered again, coughing; my throat was so dry that sandpaper would feel soothing.
I leaned against the desk, watching a flicker of pain cross her face. She glared at me with hostile eyes, engaging my thirst.
She was much braver than the last time we met. My throat tightened and released as the smell of her sweet blood lingered in the air—one bag was almost filled.
This nurse was skilled. "Why?-" Layla squeaked, looking away from the needle in her arm.
"You're donation is important." I held my hungry gaze with her so that I wouldn't rip the IV cord into my mouth like a straw.
"Tell me, Layla. What is it that you desire most for my surprise visit?" My question would compel her and distract me from accidentally killing her.
"My mom-" "Ah, yes. We are still working on finding her for you." Surprise flashed in her eyes.
"Yes, that is why you signed the contract. You will be safe in my care, Layla. You need not worry."
Blood bag two wrapped up shortly, and the nurse left her work.
"I'll make it up to you on our next visit. You are free from today's compulsions." I helped Layla out of the chair, passing her off to Vitaly, who would return her to the miserable human world.
It was simple to compel Layla's father to provide any and all information on his daughter, including medical records, addresses, schedules, and banking. We'd sweep the area where she lived soon to ensure she was properly cared for.
When I heard my coven leave the premises, I bit into one of the blood bags.
The taste exploded in my mouth. The rich taste poured down my throat in the most satisfying way.
As I groaned with pleasure, the nurse screamed. I had nearly forgotten she was there.
Quickly, I caught the woman by the throat and tightened my grip so she couldn't make that wretched sound when I was delighting in my singer.
She shook, pathetically crying and attempting to free herself, making me spill a drop of blood.
My dark hiss silenced her. I hung the unfinished blood bag up with the remainder of my controlled patience.
"No one spills Layla's blood but me—no human, no monster, nor vampire," I growled.
She whimpered, cutting her nails on my marble-hard skin. With my temper bubbling up and spilling over, I ripped into her juggler with my teeth.
The nurse's legs dangled, twitching as I violently drained her dry.
"And I was planning to keep you alive for future visits."
I let her body drop to the floor before I crushed her chest cavity with one swift kick to ensure the vampiric change couldn't take place.
I shook out a pocketed handkerchief to wipe my jaw from the mess I made, then took the blood bag off the hook and lounged in the chair where Layla once sat.
"Hm, So much better." I indulged in her blood once more.
Justina's Pov
"It's not fair," Greta whined. "What now?" Vitaly hissed.
"He's going to kill her. Why can't we hunt more?" Greta complained again.
"He won't kill the girl." I rebuttled.
"I was talking about the nurse Vi left behind. You think those baby blood bags will keep Nicco fed?" She snorted.
I smirked to myself, ready to anger her with my new ammunition. "What is it?" Greta narrowed her eyes at me.
"Nothing." I giggled to myself. "Just say it. Greta has her mission, and I have mine to attend to." Vitaly lifted Niccolo's singer limp into the back seat.
"Niccolo had plans to keep her." I began to explain, drawing it out to bother Greta more. "Another human pet. Great." She rolled her eyes.
"As long as possible." I mused in a mischievous tone. "What is that supposed to mean?" Greta trilled.
"He's going to try to change her, isn't he?" Vitaly guessed correctly.
"Niccolo can't do that! I mean, she's just a child. What can she possibly offer him besides blood?" Her already high-pitched voice raised an octave.
"He's willing to wait," I smirked, circling the SUV to get in.
Greta shot the unconscious Layla a malevolent glare. Vitaly blocked the human girl's body with his own if she had tried to use her ability. Vi, Niccolo, and I are the only ones to whom she cannot subject her powers because of our leader's compulsion. I'd have to remind him to protect the girl from her as well.
I chuckled darkly, and Vitaly joined. Greta trembled in fury and took off on foot in a blur, probably to hunt to satiate her fury.
"You shouldn't have done that. Greta will get all spun up now." Vi chided. Our coven and underlying newborns were only allowed a set number of kills per quarter to lessen the suspicion of vampiric attention. We'd travel far out of our way to hunt when necessary and only take those for whom society wouldn't go searching.
"She'll have to get over it one way or another." I shrugged, relishing Greta's anger and brushing off Vitaly's warning.
Jacob's Pov
"Jake." Embry stood in Bob Garage's opening, mimicking Sam's stern expression, which meant wolf business.
After he had caught my attention, Embry sprinted behind the building towards the woods. I wrapped things up at the auto shop to meet him.
"A leech was in town. Sam caught the scent in the woods..." The distant wolf howl echoed. "And he's tracking it now," Embry informed me.
"Is it the same one?" I growled, jogging towards the treeline with him. "No."
We ripped out of our flesh and twisted into our fur. When our paws met the earth, we sprinted to join our brothers in hunting the bloodsucker.
Hunts were normally exhilarating for everyone, but some of us had more of an edge—something important to protect.
I wouldn't rest until all these treacherous leeches were ripped apart and burned. My thoughts added to the young ones' high through the pack mind.
They excitedly barked by the boundary lines of La Push as we pursued the trail. Quil met my other flank, and we sprinted in our triangle formation to block the pass they'd been using to escape.
"It's close. Watch for hikers and hunters." Jared told us. He had the best eyes out of all of us, and with the pack mind, we saw what he saw.
A tall, thin woman with a blond bob loomed over an unlucky hiker. His gurgled cry was silenced quickly. She snapped his neck.
The female hiker he was with screamed, backing up into a tree and tripping over a rock fearfully.
The vampire distorted the man's body and threw him over a ledge to mimic an accident, then lunged at the other hiker in a blur of speed.
She cackled manically, holding the human by her coat. "Scared?" The vampire hissed.
The human woman froze in the leech's grasp. "I could be merciful like I was with him and make you feel nothing." "Please." She begged.
"But it's more fun this way... When every emotion comes back full force like a live wire. Ready to catch fire and burn!"
As we sprinted toward the vampire trying to save the girl, the leech broke the girl's bones. The girl's screams were horrific, throwing her head back in pain.
The leech latched onto her neck, drinking her blood. Jared snarled, snapping at the vamp first.
The vampire hissed, twisting around and throwing the girl's body at Jared. He dodged out of the way.
She saw more of us coming; big glowing crimson eyes were crazed, only comparable to a possessed doll.
"Get her!" Sam snarled, taking the next snap. The vampire's cackle continued while taking to the trees to evade us.
Her long limbs were good at climbing, and she was almost out of sight again.
"Should we call for help?" Embry paused by the body of the human. Bloody and broken, she whimpered and writhed on the ground.
"We could get a Cullen." Seth offered. "You know the rules," Sam interjected, dismissing Seth's plea.
Embry shook his head; unable to put the girl out of her misery, he rejoined the hunt.
None of us wanted to kill a human before they turned.
"We'll worry about it later." Sam's eyes were still on the murderer circling back towards the cliffs.
Layla's Pov
I was beyond exhausted, forcing my eyes open to focus on the road.
"Do you want me to drive? I only have my permit, but I've practiced with my mom for almost all my hours." Tiffany was trying to be helpful, but we were almost at her mom's store.
"You sure you're not sick? You don't look so good." She eyed me worriedly. It's true; I felt weak and clammy.
I nodded, not wanting to speak, and pushed the speed limit.
Sam's fiance was outside the Call Convenience store. It looked like she was picking up a few items when she approached me about to take off again.
"Why don't you come over for dinner? The girls and I are having a game night." Emily invited us. Tiffany declined, having to stay to help her mother close up shop.
Too weary to turn down food, I agreed. Emily rode with me instead of walking.
She passed me a spare can of soda from her bag. "Here, you look like you could use something."
I cracked open the Sprite, sipping it at first. The sudden sugar spike gave me a high, so I chugged the rest down eagerly.
Emily laughed, assuring me she made a ton of food for this weekend.
Maybe I wasn't sick like Tiff said and only needed some sustenance.
It felt rude to down two plates of food as soon as I stepped into the Uley house.
"Don't be sorry. I make enough for everyone." Emily encouraged. "It's about time the boys ate our scraps." April, Collins's girlfriend, giggled.
"Are the guys coming over?" I questioned casually. "Maybe later." Emily set up the table for some cards.
Kim shuffled the deck and dealt for a game of blackjack with a concerned expression. We played a few rounds to break the ice and discussed fun, frivolous interests.
"So, how are things going with Jacob?" Emily asked as I deciphered which hand to play. "Um, good, I guess," I laid my cards down.
"Just good?" April arched a brow. "I mean, after the stargazing bonfire, we have thought-" "We're just friends." I cut Kim off too quickly out of embarrassment.
Did he tell anyone about after?
"It's okay, Layla," Emily assured me. "Jake and I... we're still getting to know each other, " I muttered, attempting to recover the perceived rejection of their friend.
Kim and April looked at one another with a loaded glance.
After an awkward silence, Emily rambled about her weaving machine getting stuck; the girls asked if she had plans to set up a merchant stand at the Powow up in Maca next weekend.
I excused myself to the restroom. Splashing some cold water on my face.
When I returned to the hall just before the living room, stopping short, I heard the girls talk about me.
"Are you sure? Compared to Bella, who was attached to Jacob's hip-" April was speaking. "She's just shy. Give her time to open up." Emily said.
"What's there to warm up to? It's been weeks." Kim reluctantly agreed with April, which, to my surprise, hurt because I thought we were closer out of the two.
I guess I wasn't making the progress I thought I was, friendship-wise.
"It's not always easy moving here or dealing with, you know." I heard Emily sigh.
"Sure, but your case was different, though." Kim's chair moved, and the fridge opened.
"True," Emily spoke hesitantly. "I guess the best we can be is supportive." Kim, sounding unenthused, cracked a soda can.
"And hope Bella 2.0 pans out? Are you sure Jake didn't grab the first girl he saw to get over the situation? I wouldn't blame him. After being in the wilderness for that many months," April cleaned up the spare plate sitting out.
"No, I disagree. I've seen how they look at each other." Emily's tone was a tad defensive now.
For discretion, I waited until they started talking about something else. Then I cleared my throat, rounding the corner to no one suspicion.
I played one more round and tried to be more friendly than before, though it was difficult after what I had heard.
The gossip made me wonder if everyone wanted to get to know me for me or if they only included me because of Jacob Black.
The home phone rang, and Emily flew over to the receiver. No doubt it was her fiance, Sam Uley.
"The guys should be back soon." She smiled, wrinkling the scars on the right side of her face. The news seemed to distract the other girls as well.
I pretended to receive a text from Syd and insisted he needed my help with something trivial.
Jacob's Pov
We had lost the female vampire in the mountain pass. The scent ceased, and the thing practically vanished out of thin air.
The pack searched the rocks until we found another vampire's scent, and then we traced that trail to the outskirts of Seattle.
With this new information, we could adjust our scouting from there.
Seth was unusually quiet, along with Embry, when we arrived at Emily's. I brushed it off mostly because the wolves held onto the somber sobriety of losing human lives tonight. No doubt our failure to protect two hikers would be plastered on the news first thing tomorrow.
We took our job seriously, and the weight of the burden we carried as 'protectors' felt heavy tonight.
I envied the wolves who could rush to their imprint and be comforted. I watched Jared embrace Kim and Collins kiss April passionately.
"Emily," Sam called her name intimately and opened his arms for her to enter. "What happened?" Emily saw the burden weigh on Sam's face.
He had the hardest part to play as pack leader. What almost took place today would have left a permanent mark on him and the pack.
If something like that were to happen again, Sam promised to take it upon himself to eliminate a bitten human before turning into a cold one.
Seth, with his empathy, disagreed and thought we should call a Cullen next time; there better not be a next time.
Sam said that would only apply if the vampire wasn't in our territory. Seth couldn't argue with the rules.
But I couldn't help but wonder if that's how they would handle things with Bella. 'If it wasn't on our turf. It didn't matter. Out of sight, out of mind, huh.'
"I'll tell you later." He mumbled, brushing his lips over Emily's hair, taking in her scent to calm himself down.
Then suddenly, Sam's head shot up."What is it?" Emily craned her head up.
"A vampire." Collins tightened his grip on April. "Who was here?" Sam growled.
I had already leaped over the table and busted open our front door, breaking their locks.
"Layla joined us. She left over an hour ago." Emily informed him. "Her human scent is there, too," Jared noted.
Not her. The image of the blond vampire killing that girl on the trail haunted me.
An innocent hiker died within seconds. I sprinted down the streets faster than any normal human being could.
An Olympic gold medalist couldn't stand a chance on their best day.
Moon Ranch was completely dark. No lights lit the home, but both cars were visible.
I slowed my pace and bated my breath, listening intently—two steady heartbeats. No potent icy sweet smell to be found.
Syd was snoring loudly from his room on the first floor. While Layla was up in her room, crying.
I climbed onto the overhang she called a roof; not daring to be discrete, I peered into Layla's window.
The curtain was partially drawn so I could see inside her bedroom.
She was asleep on her back. Hair tangled spread around her, and sweat crept on her brow, obviously having some nightmare.
"No, stop." Layla whimpered. I tugged on the glass to find the latch locked.
I couldn't reach her without making noise or breaking the glass. "Layla." I knocked on the window.
"What do you want?" She whispered, breath becoming quick and heavy. "Layla. Let me in," I responded, hoping she would hear me through her sleep.
"No! You can't!" Layla flung back the sheets and swung her legs out of bed.
She moved in a stupor, swaying with sloppy steps towards the door, and nearly ran into it before it fully opened.
I heard her feet shuffle against the hardwood until a loud tumble rumbled down the stairs, followed by a short shriek.
"Kowliehskah!" Syd's door flung open, and his loud footsteps thundered.
I jumped down and paced in the flowerbeds to keep myself from breaking in.
"Ow." Layla gasped. "What happened?" Syd questioned.
"Yeah, where am I? How did I get down here?" She sounded dazed.
"You must have sleptwalked. Your spirit has been uneasy."
They moved toward the kitchen. "What dreams are you having?" "I'm not sure. Can I go back to bed?"
"Are you sure? Maybe you should sleep down here." He suggested, his feet wandered, and a hall closet creaked open.
"What? And end up wandering into the woods in my sleep?" She scoffed. Syd didn't catch her comment.
I peered through the living room window when Syd left for his bedroom.
The dim light over the kitchen sink barely illuminated my view of Layla tucking herself in on the couch.
When her breathing became even, I tested the entrances to the house. I found one window unlatched in the laundry room and the back sliding glass door unlocked.
Like a bulgar in the night, I silently moved the slab of glass and tip-toed over to my imprint.
I knew what I was doing was illegal and stalkerish, but I needed to check on her.—warm, breathing, with clean human scent.
I brushed my fingertips against her cheek and let myself breathe out in relief.
"Layla," I whispered. She's my whole world in so many ways, and she'd almost been taken from me so many times.
"I can't lose you." I wouldn't let that happen.
I bent down to graze the top of her head with a kiss.
Layla's Pov
Jacob swung by this morning to hitch a ride to Port Angeles.
Syd was reluctant to let me go and only agreed to release me on the condition that Jake drove.
Sure, I felt just as lethargic as yesterday, but I could manage. Syd was already attempting to keep me from attending practice so I could rest from my fall last night. Despite Syd being Syd, he was still superstitious and didn't like my sleepwalking at all.
He took it as a bad omen. I told him it was just stress. The last time this happened was four years ago when my parents had their last big fight before the divorce.
My brother Zack had followed and kept me from walking into our pool.
Currently, I was too comforted by Jacob's presence to care about my proximity to him.
"How are you feeling?" Jake asked, his gaze remaining on me more the road. "I'm fine." My voice cracked dryly.
His expression made me self-conscious as if I were lying.
He pulled up to the lone diner in Forks.
"What are you doing?" I questioned. "I promised Syd that you'd get breakfast, late or not. They must have discussed that when I ran upstairs for my bag.
I heaved a heavy sigh. "Of course he did." If I fought Jake, I knew I would be late for sure.
"Can we at least get it to go?" "Nope." He matched my stubbornness.
I groaned, grabbing a plastic menu from the bar countertop, and sat myself down at the nearest booth.
Jacob already knew his order and proceeded to order for me when I requested nothing but coffee. I shot him a disparaging look when the waitress left.
His dark eyes bore into mine as he leaned his forearms onto the tabletop.
He looked incredibly handsome in his taught black t-shirt. Jake didn't have an expansive wardrobe, but this was my favorite outfit on him.
I hoped the way my eyes wandered was casual, starting from his muscular arms, to his broad chest, wide shoulders, up his thick neck, and up to his face.
I bite the inside of my cheek for a spark of pain. It was enough to suppress a blush but totally miss the question he had just asked.
"Here you kids go." Cheryl winked at us. I smiled sheepishly and went in on my freshly poured coffee, burning my lip.
Jacob wanted an answer, not touching his food.
"Um..." "I was asking if you ran into anyone weird yesterday before you went to Emily's."
"Oh." I set my drink down in guilt, realizing my fault.
"I'm so sorry about yesterday. I was your ride. I should have swung by the auto shop to pick you up."
"No, don't worry about that." Jacob's expression softened.
What felt like an interrogation melted into conversation. I was now able to eat now that he wasn't offended.
"I don't remember running into anyone new or different. I just went to practice and drove back with Tiff."
Jacob frowned and accepted my answer; with one nod, he dug into his thick stack of pancakes.
"Why do you ask? Is there something to look out for?" I asked intuitively.
He ceased chewing and lowered his fork.
The TV blaring in the corner of the diner answered my question. 'Two young college students were found dead off the Sunrise Ridge Trail this morning. A forest ranger who found the bodies claimed their death to be of unnatural causes...' The footage covered a marked-off area in the woods and panned over to the ranger.
'Our hearts go out to the families of this young couple. We ask locals to be vigilant for any suspicious activity and follow all safety guidelines...'
"That's why," Jacob mumbled, brows twisting in disgust.
"After what happened this past year, especially this spring, we all know what that means." A man at a table beside us in camo overalls smothered his food in syrup.
"Wolves." The old stout man with patchy facial hair across from him grumbled. "Not the work of a serial killer?" Cheryl stated, eyes grave, while she poured them another cup of coffee.
"Wolves are only ravenous in the dead of January. That doesn't make sense..." The words flew from my mouth.
"Mountain lion, then." The old men ignored me, carrying on their conversation.
"Don't worry about them, sweetie. Anything for them to hunt bigger game." Cheryl called over her shoulder.
When I looked over to Jake, he had cleared his plate.
"Eat. You have a place to be, right?" Jacob looked guilty and seemed lost in thought, which was strange for him.
He was always optimistic and decisive. I didn't like how his black eyes darkened.
This gloom didn't suit him. His gaze lifted, making me miss my next bite.
"Can you promise me not to wander the woods by yourself, Layla?"
I didn't answer, poking at my food.
"At least call me if you want to explore somewhere." He urged.
In LA, people went missing and were shot on the daily. I understood the danger, but it could have been an accident that happened to anybody.
"Don't worry. I don't think I'll have much time to go out in the woods."
"That's not a yes or no." He caught on to my evasive answer.
"Jake, I'm not going to call you to walk around Syd's property."
He scoffed in disagreement. "Are you trying to take Syd's job as my warden?"
"No, but you don't know these woods like I do." The fork in his hand bent in half. His displaced anger irrationally frustrated me.
"Fine, a compromise; I won't go outside of Forks alone,"
Layla's Pov
After theater practice, I wandered downtown for a late lunch.
I stopped by a local sandwich shop and picked something up for Jacob.
He still had an hour left at his internship, and I hoped my peace offering would mend our little tiff at breakfast.
Bob's Autoshop was busier than usual. All four garage doors were open, and the staff was working hard to turn out vehicles.
The front office was locked when I tried to enter. The blaring music from the shop reverberated.
"Jake?" The sound of drilling and bass muted my voice, but Jacob somehow heard me when I called his name again, rounding the elevated Sudan.
"Layla! Watch your step." He reached for me, helping me step over some thick cables.
One of the other boys whistled and turned down the tunes.
"What's up?" Jacob asked, beaming as if I was the best part of his day. My greeting smile grew, mirroring his enthusiasm.
"I can't visit you?" I asked self-consciously. "Of course you can." Jacob's husky voice made my heart flutter unnecessarily.
I accidentally shoved the take-out into his chest to keep him from getting too close.
"Ugh, I wish I had a girlfriend who brought me food." The greasy-haired boy in denim complained.
"We're just friends," I muttered, embarrassed. "Ok, 'Just friends,'" The other kid laughed, not buying it.
I rolled my eyes, heat flooding my face. " Thanks, Layla. Come on. I'll show you around." Jacob winked.
As he ate, Jake gave me a brief tour of the auto shop before he had to get back to work.
I stuck around sitting on a step stool, watching him tinker.
Jacob was installing new shock suspensions with his boss's direction.
I wasn't sure how long I'd stay in the grease monkey cave, but watching them piqued my interest.
Jacob seemed to be Bob's most knowledgeable apprentice in the shop.
How Jake moved made it seem like the tools were getting in his way.
My breath caught as I watched the muscles in his forearms twitch and move as he adjusted a spring into place.
Subconsciously, I twirled the piece of my hair as I stared. Jacob, feeling my intent gaze, glanced up at me from the pit and smirked as he jerked the part into place.
"Am I boring you?" He spoke, amused. "No," I nearly choked on my own spit.
Jacob wiped his hands on his jeans and stepped out from under the propped-up truck.
He had to wait for his boss's approval before the next step, and Bob was helping the youngest kid at the end of the garage.
"I was thinking maybe after this we could catch a movie..." My eyes dropped to the floor in hesitation; if it was a date, I shouldn't, right?
"If you don't like anything in town, Quil has a bunch of old movies to kick off the spooky season," He suggested.
Bob called Jake over, interrupting us. Well, if it was a group activity, then maybe that would be okay, but...
Jacob came up to me when his project was approved.
"I would, but I already made plans." I bit my lip, wincing at the burnt spot from this morning.
"EJ? Or is it Iris this time?" Jacob questioned, perturbed someone had claimed my time first. "Maybe both."
More book club essay submissions were coming up, and we had required movies and prompts to compare with the novels.
"Why not invite them down to La Push?" "Maybe, next time." I shifted my weight, standing in the mouth of the garage.
I don't know why, but blending my Forks friends with the core of the Quileute tribe I was still getting to know felt weird.
Besides, EJ had something important to tell me, and I wasn't sure I could speak with him privately with so many people around.
Jacob insisted on walking me to my car. We chit-chatted on the way, rescheduling a spooky movie marathon for Sunday.
EJ's Pov
I grasped the envelopes in hand and looked up at my adoptive parents, Emmett and Rosalie.
"All we need is a tiny stamp, and they'll ship it anywhere?" I questioned. "That's right, kid." Emmett grinned.
He liked to teach me about the human world with experience, while Rose relied on books. Both she and Carsisle were excellent teachers, but I preferred the freedom Emmett gave me.
Today's excursion was a lesson about the postal service. After my private history lesson at home, I wanted to try it out myself.
Carsisle had a few parcels to receive, and Esme had a few letters for our extended relatives in Denali, Alaska.
I couldn't understand why she didn't call them. I supposed if it weren't for formality, not all vampires were up to date with the times.
I arched a brow at all the bronze lockers with numbers carved into them and took in the plain space with irritating fluorescent lights.
Rose pulled a key from her pocket and glided over to the box I assumed was Carlisle's.
"What's up?" Emmett asked me. I looked down at the letters I was holding. "Can I send a letter of my own?" I questioned hesitantly.
He knew what I wanted. I've talked to him about meeting the rest of the Cullens and the Denali for a while now.
The Cullens here were unaware that I already knew who my real parents were. I didn't want to offend them by mentioning anything for fear of undermining them for taking such good care of me. Whether or not things work out, I will always love them.
"I'm sure you will soon enough." He ruffled my hair.
Emmett had told me about Aunt Alice—the Psychic who would call or visit when she saw that things were safe enough for a reunion.
I was increasingly aware that someone like me, a half-breed, shouldn't exist, at least in the Voltori's eyes—the vampires who ruled all others from Itlay.
Although I have reached the physical minimum age requirement to become an immortal creature of the night, what I am is still undesirable.
They might kill me anyway. If they ever find out about me.
So, baby steps were being taken as a precaution. Carlisle was coordinating a meeting around the fall break to meet with the Denali first.
"Hey, beansprout." Layla wrapped her arms around me. My face lit up, and I turned, returning the embrace. I wrinkled the parcels of paper against her back.
I missed you. Her thoughts echoed to me immediately under my touch. "Why am I a bean sprout?" I smiled into her hair, taking in her honey floral scent.
"You keep growing every time I see you. Look!" She pulled back, measuring our heights. Layla was right; I was an inch and a half taller than her now.
"Five foot three, one more inch than me." Layla smiled. "And a half," I corrected.
"Have you decided on which movie we're going to watch?" "I was going to study werewolves."
Considering the creatures were near neighbors, I should learn about them as much as possible.
"Iris picked that subject too. I guess I'm stuck with vampires." Layla laughed.
"You are." I smiled at my private joke.
"Speaking of Iris, can we invite her over?"
"I don't see why not." Emmett agreed before I could respond.
I knew he was trying to be helpful, but I wanted to be alone with Layla so I could talk to her about the real danger that surrounded her in La Push.
This could work in my favor, I suppose. I needed to ease into the topic of the supernatural before I could show Layla my ability.
It would be a gamble, but I hope to unveil the shapeshifters without exposing my family. This was going to be tricky.
"You're next in line, Bean Sprout." Emmett chuckled, enjoying my new nickname.
I approached the counter to purchase the glorified stickers that allowed passage of the post.
"Layla! Are you coming over tonight?" Rosalie rejoined us. "You bet."
After Layla tripped up the cement steps during her last visit, my family was wary about having guests.
I managed to win Rosalie over, who persuaded Esme, who coaxed Carsisle that it was a good idea to still have company to socialize me outside of a stressful environment like school. It made their human charade more believable, too.
"Of course, we'd love to have you for dinner." Rose smiled, wrapping an arm around my shoulders.
"See you at the house." We turned to leave.
"I'll pull the car around." Emmett offered so Rosalie wouldn't get her hair wet.
"Remember what we talked about." Rosalie reminded me. "I'll be good, mom," I whispered.
"I know you will. Oh, I forgot a box. I needed to mail Alice some shoes she asked for." She returned inside.
Outside the post, I bumped into an athletic blond kid who was taller than me—shrinking my joyous ego boost of being taller a moment ago.
"Move it." He intentionally shouldered me again to barrel through.
Where is she? The boy's thoughts and feelings flooded into me, making me feel icky and all wrong. Unlike any person I've ever met.
Repulsed, I shoved him in the chest when I saw Layla's face flash through his mind.
The image of her wasn't from here and now but his memories from months ago, and I didn't like what I saw or what he did.
A dark hiss ripped from my throat, and I almost lowered instinctively into a crouch.
"You want to go bro?" The blue-eyed kid sneered, finding my stance amusing.
I've never wanted to kill anything before; not an animal and definitely no human. Not until now.
I hissed again disparagingly; there were too many witnesses in this public space.
The heavy hand of my adoptive father fastened on my shoulder. Keeping me in place.
My teeth ached to bite into the disgusting person. If he weren't holding me back, the thought of dragging him into the woods appealed to me.
"Any trouble?" Emmett's tone was deep and threatened both of us. Rosalie exited at the wrong time, stepping between us.
Her eyes widened, taking in the scene. My jaw clenched, and my nostrils flared.
"Get in the car, EJ," Rose ordered.
The boy marveled at my adoptive mother. Eyeing her like a juicy bloodied steak.
"Leave Layla alone." My tone mimicked the severity of Emmett's, just not as subtle or calm.
The kid's eyebrows shot up. A superior expression spread on his face. "She's here?"
"Let's go." Emmett discretely dragged me off. I didn't fight him, although I wanted to.
"Weirdo." The kid scoffed.
Rosalie watched us from the corner of her eye. No doubt she would try to smooth over the situation.
I ignored Emmett's questions and watched them from inside the jeep.
Rosalie smiled ruefully as the ignoramus flirted with her.
When their conversation ended, the blond slipped inside the post office. Layla slipped out the opposite entrance toward her car, waving at us.
Rose rejoined Emmett and me; her amber eyes hardened into black spheres, and her golden locks bounced with each aggressive step.
Normally, she didn't mind the attention people gave for her beauty. So, I found it odd when Mom looked like what she was: a vampire.
"What's up, hot stuff?" Emmett was drawn to her hostility.
I rolled my eyes, trying not to barf in my mouth at what he was thinking about doing to her later.
Rosalie slammed the jeep door, shaking the vehicle.
"And can I have a piece of it?" Emmett winked. "Drive." Her throat flexed, and her teeth clenched.
"Angel," Emmett called her by his favorite term of endearment.
"If you don't drive, I'm going to lure that child away and kill him," Rosalie spoke through clenched teeth.
"Wanna tell me why?" He drove off slowly, entertaining the idea. He'd obviously give my mom anything she desired.
And if Rosalie wanted to be a vampire for once... Emmett glanced back at me. I pulled out of his grip to cease reading his mind.
I gave him an unimpressed stare and turned to watch Layla's car follow us.
At the moment, I wouldn't care what they decide. Unaliving the blond boy or not. I'm sure the Cullens could cover it up.
I winced at my thought process, not expecting to be so nonchalant about murder.
I guess my family had some right to worry about my vampire half, after all.
"The child called himself Logan King. He bragged about being from that same damn family who..." Rosalie's pained expression melted my anger and ignited Emmett's.
"Are you sure?" He asked. She gripped her mate's hand so tightly it cracked.
"We could go hunting later," Emmett whispered the offer.
EJ's Pov
Rose was still so tense she butchered several pots in the kitchen, preparing dinner.
I could hear whispers of Esme offering to pick up takeout and Emmett trying to calm her down.
I'm pretty sure if she didn't relax, Emmett would go bring back that kid's corpse as a present.
"Some house you got here. No wonder you guys hang out here all the time." Iris gaped at the high ceilings, and modern decore melted with the eclectic items throughout time.
"Want to give her the grand tour?" Layla questioned, becoming aware of the commotion in the other room. "Sure." I shoved them along to distract them.
"I hope you girls like Italian." Esme gave them a friendly smile but eyed me warily as she exited the house.
I assured her with a perfectly serene expression.
Just like Layla predicted, Iris was enamored with my bedroom. I let Iris paw through the library portion as Layla browsed through the music section.
We spent the majority of our time there and only began to watch Underworld in the movie room when Esme returned with dinner from Port Angeles.
Before long, Layla had to abide by her curfew, and Iris hitched a ride with her.
When I saw my guests out, my whole family, minus my Godfather, who was still at work, stood in the living space.
"Are you well?" I asked Rosalie with genuine concern.
"Yes, but this is about you..." Rosalie started. "I wasn't going to eat him." I clenched my fists at my sides.
"Your stance said otherwise." Emmett grasped my shoulder again.
He looked just like Edward about to pounce on a mountain lion. His thoughts and images rang through me.
"I wasn't! He just felt wrong." I defended, struggling to find the words.
I didn't want to expose my ability to them yet.
I know they had gifted coven members, so it wouldn't be that strange, but I didn't want to give the Cullens one more thing to worry about or monitor.
That and they were keeping secrets from me first. It was only fair if I had one of my own.
"What do you mean by it felt wrong, sweetie?" Esme inquired.
Rosalie and Emmett glanced at one another, suspecting perhaps I was like my Uncle Jasper. Who I also haven't met yet.
"I don't know. Can I go to bed? I'm tired." I marched off for the stairs.
"Please, tell us if something's wrong," Rosalie called after me.
"Sure." I slammed my door in frustration and stared at the empty space.
I started replacing the discarded books Iris rummaged through relentlessly when my ability surprised me with more memories that were not my own.
The images were in my mind, but I could see them projected out into the room like ghosts. My real parents, Edward and Bella, were positioned at the piano.
Chatting and laughing, I was drawn to my biological mother's giggle as my real father began to play the instrument in the corner of my room.
I abandoned my task and pulled off the sheet to the glossy grand piano to complete the picture I was picturing.
I didn't know how to play, but I sat next to the ghost of Edward and placed my fingers over the keys, mimicking the song he skillfully played for Bella.
When the song was completed and the images projected from my mind faded, I felt my family watching me from the hall.
"I know you're there," I mumbled. "How did you...How do you know how to play?" Esme marveled.
"The song's been in my head." I began to play the song again slowly. It helped to have a photographic memory with this ability. Whatever it was.
"If you don't mind, I would like to continue my alone time." Esme closed my bedroom door sympathetically, unable to meet Rosalie's sorrowful gaze.
"He's so much like him." I heard Rose whisper.
Layla's Pov
"You have no idea how exclusive these books are, Layla! Some of these have only ten authentic copies in the world!" Iris gushed.
I knew it would be hard to pry her from EJ's library. I smiled, shaking my head.
I was half listening when we passed my father's old farmhouse house. I was supposed to be upkeeping it, and the reminder made me feel a pang of regret.
"What's up?" She noticed my diverted attention. I briefly explained, nodding my head towards the house on the hill.
"Oh, if it's abandoned, who's that guy up there? Did you hire him to do something?" Iris pointed.
"What guy?" I slowed my car, although I was almost passed the drive leading up to the place. "I didn't hire anyone."
The vehicle at the base where the neighboring drives met was unfamiliar.
"Must be a neighbor." I haven't introduced myself to the other two neighbors clustered nearby. They were far enough apart that I didn't consider it until now.
What Iris said still bothered me. Was it a neighbor? Or did my dad hire help to cut back the weeded hedges because I was slacking?
Nonetheless, I drove Iris into town. She spared me no passing glance inside, no doubt edited by her new reads. Mrs. Turstin waved at me in her place.
Sunday
Layla Pov
Iris had smuggled a loaned book from EJ into mass, and it was my job to block her from the view of her mother or any religious figure.
Meaning I spent the majority of the sermon on my knees, propped up on the prayer bar.
When I was down there, I made use of my time thinking and praying over my situations to a God I hoped had mind-reading abilities.
Towards the closing of the sermon, I ran out of things to pray about. My mind kept running back to EJ's withdrawn and careful behavior yesterday. It made me feel like a neglectful friend again.
I hoped everything with his family was going okay. We didn't get a chance to talk the way I wanted.
"May the Lord bless you and protect you. May He smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you his favor and give you his peace..." The Priest passed our pew, and I elbowed Iris as I stood up, giving us both a bruise.
"Everything alright, Layla?" Mrs. Turstin approached us after the benediction. "Ugh, yeah. Just making up for last week."
"Ah, Catholic guilt." Mrs. Turstin gritted her teeth when she faced Iris.
"I had hoped some of that would rub off on you, missy." Iris's mother held out her hand for the non-religious material.
Iris made a face of true disappointment. "Well, See you at home-" She linked her arm with mine to leave.
"I'm sorry, Layla. Iris will be helping me with the potluck this afternoon, but you are always welcome to join us." Mrs. Turstin tugged her daughter in the opposite direction.
Iris mouthed, 'Shoot me.'
I giggled at her gesture and exited before my Aunt Mel could rope me into the full-day affair.
Jacob called to inform me of the spooky movie marathon options. The choices were between the many cheesy zombie chronicles and classic vampire trilogies.
I was still on lockdown with Syd. So, naturally, to include me plans quickly relocated to Syd's place, unbeknownst to him.
I had a feeling Embry and Quil wanted access to his big plasma screen anyway.
Plus, with the severe storm rolling in tonight, we had our own generator in case of an outage.
The pitstop I planned to the only grocer in Forks was now not only to gratify my needs for the week but also to entertain the overly indulgent teenage boys and whoever else they brought over. The way they ate reminded me of wild, ravenous wolves.
On the road, across the lot, and throughout the store, I had the odd inkling I was being watched.
I brushed off the strange feeling, attributing it to the ominous weather humming with electricity.
The misty rain was quickly turning for a down power as I loaded my haul into the trunk. When I closed the latch, I recalled a key forgotten item.
The freaking popcorn. I couldn't have a movie night without it.
Groaning, I braved the oncoming rain. I ran back inside to collect a few boxes of extra buttered popcorn and some candy, beckoning my sweet tooth at check out.
The sound of heavy rain clattering on the roof was discouraging, considering I left my sweatshirt in the car.
"Your change." The cashier handed me a bunch of bills and some coins.
ATMs were rare out here, and I had to break one of the mysterious hundreds left in my purse from the Seattle trip weeks ago.
I smiled apologetically, stuffing the change in my purse. The double doors opened with a delayed squeak as I prepared to jog across the lot.
I passed the plexy glass windows covered in weekly ad posters.
Outside, I huddled under the dripping overhang, willing for a break in the rain so that I didn't get soaked in my white cotton shirt.
In the midst of my mental pep talk, a perturbing male voice called my name. "Layla!"
The skin on my forearms rippled into goosebumps, and a cold shiver ran down my spine.
I had to be imagining things.
I slowly turned in the direction of the voice to see none other than Logan King.
The curse of the Beetlejuice quota must have been fulfilled.
A bewildered expression smeared itself on my face.
Shock kept me from bolting; negligence prevented me from calling the police.
I patted my pockets, realizing I had left my phone inside my sweatshirt pocket, and that was in the car.
Beads of water glistened in Logan's sandy blond waves. He ran a hand through the luscious locks and encroached on the space between us, tainting it.
His model strut was fluid, and the wide smile on his sunkissed face didn't reach his hostile ocean-blue eyes.
"What are you doing here?" I demanded, taking a step back.
"You've been avoiding my calls and texts. What else was I supposed to do other than visit you in person?"
"Avoiding you?" I shook my head, astonished and scared.
What calls? What texts? Not that I would have answered him, but still. The last interaction I had was at my sweet sixteen.
I scowled at him. "I honestly don't know what you are talking about, but you need to leave me alone."
I went to sidestep him and sprint to my car, but Logan caught my arm and yanked me towards him, keeping me in the ice-cold rain.
"Listen, Layla, I need you to stop playing cute." "I'm not playing anything!" I struggled to free myself. His grip tightened painfully.
Bruises began to bloom on my upper arm. "Let me explain." His smile solidified in place, enforced by the impatience bubbling up under the tempered surface.
I stilled in hopes he'd loosen his grip if I listened.
"Come back, Layla. Skip this dump of a town. We both know where you belong. Los Angeles, with me. Imagine it." Logan pulled me in so close his front was pressing into mine.
I think he was trying to force chemistry by proximity. The fake ass sultry face made me want to gag.
It was laughable how many girls fell for this blue steel-looking expression.
Through my disgust, I felt a sliver of fear slide down my throat as I remembered that night he drugged me.
He took my silence as contemplation.
"I'd make Liam regret fumbling you. Make any girl, including the ones he picked over you, Layla Moon, envious." His forehead grazed mine, and he reached up with his free hand, brushing his knuckles on top of my cleavage and over the hardened peeks detesting the cold.
That was it. I hurled my plastic grocery bag at him as hard as I could. Popcorn kernels exploded all over him.
"Jesus Christ, Layla! It was a fucking compliment!" He was faster than me, pulling us into the alley side of the store.
I made my feet drag since thrashing wasn't enough. "Don't touch me! Let go!" I screeched.
Logan pinned me against the brick wall of the building, and his hold around my throat kept me from screaming.
"Calm down! Can't you see I'm trying to help you?" "You're trying to help yourself!" I choked out.
"We can help each other. You get a free ride back home; my parents will help support your mom's claim in court, and all you need to do is vouch for my character in my case."
Which court case did he mean about my mother? Aside from the custody battle. What was going on?
Was the drug bust real on my birthday, then? How much trouble was Lily in?
My silence was interpreted as contemplation again.
"Of course, If you ask nicely, I'm more than happy to give you a little extra...support."
I went to kick him square in the balls to get him the hell off me. When he dodged, my heel clipped his hip.
My throat constricted in his grip. I couldn't breathe.
"We can talk more on the road, Layla. Don't be difficult about this." Logan reached into his pocket and pulled out a cloth.
I took the opportunity to spit in his face. It landed in his eye, making him hiss and drop the chloroform rag.
"You little bitch-" Instead of wiping his eye or reaching for the cloth, he went to strike me.