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.
Layla's Pov
I nuzzled into the warmth surrounding me on the couch.
This was the most sleep I'd had in days. Every time I closed my eyes, I'd relive one moment or another concerning the vampires in Seattle.
How long was I supposed to live like this? In fear, waiting to be eaten or killed. Whichever was first.
Despite my despair, a part of me was in denial, looking for ways of escape from that fate.
Would Niccolo hold my father ransom if I chose to run away? If I did, would the vampire and his coven come searching for me here?
How many people would be integrated, held for ransom, or worse if I rebelled?
I gripped the lovely, sturdy pillow keeping me warm. I clung to the comfort like my life depended on it.
"It's okay, Sweetheart. I got you." Jacob's husky voice made my eyes snap open. "What are you doing here?" I mumbled into his core, not wanting to move.
"Syd, let me in. You were asleep on the couch, and I didn't want to wake you." Jacob readjusted me in his arms.
We hadn't spoken much since last Saturday. I was numb, doing everything I could to keep it together. It didn't help that Jake was being pushy, demanding double-standard answers to where I've been and where I was going when he wouldn't bother answering for his disappearances.
Either way, I wasn't so much mad anymore. I was confused, hurt, and concerned for both of us.
At this moment, I was about to cry out of relief. His touch and warmth meant everything to me when so much was unraveling.
"Jeez, Layla, your hands are like ice," Jake complained lightly but shoved my hands up his shirt onto his burning skin. I sniffed, burying my face into his chest.
"What's wrong?" He asked. "I'm so cold." Jacob pulled me into himself completely and wrapped a wool blanket around us.
"You're so cold that you're going to cry about it?" Jake mumbled, half teasing. "Yeah," I whispered, pressing my cold nose to his neck.
"You've got a nose like a mutt." His throaty chuckle was music to my ears as the realm of sleep drew near. "Don't be rude," I mumbled.
"It's just an observation, honey." He hugged me tighter.
Jacob's Pov
"Hm. I've missed you." She whispered. I kissed the top of Layla's head, asleep in my arms. "Me too."
Moments like these made me feel whole.
The imprinting made me complete, but Layla recharged my soul in a way I couldn't describe, and I couldn't get enough of her these days.
The pack had no new leads in the village or outside of Forks. On the rare chance that Seth contacted the Cullens, they also had nothing new.
Logan King has disappeared without a trace. I'd do anything to keep Layla safe, and if that meant being an annoyingly persistent bodyguard, I would be.
I stayed on the couch as long as I could with her. Syd would have kicked me out sooner, but he let me stay past midnight.
I think Syd knew as well as me that Layla wasn't getting much sleep with those night terrors. I'd call them nightmares, but the way she woke up crying and sometimes screaming into her pillow wasn't fooling anyone.
I've been waiting for Layla to tell me about them, but she's been distant with me and everyone this week.
It makes me wonder what was truly bothering her. If she saw something terrifying in Seattle, or if Embry's theory of a mind-wiping vampire was correct.
I couldn't continue to watch her unravel like this. Tomorrow, I'd ask her.
After Syd kicked me out I sat on the roof, jutting out from her window, watching her sleep. It was good to see tonight was the first night Layla hadn't had any disturbances.
Jacob's Pov
"You've been quiet this week." I pointed out to Layla on our weekend commute. "Yeah." At least she didn't deny it.
"Midterms are coming up, and it's getting closer to my parents' hearing in November." "When will that be?" I asked.
"I'm not required to be there." She dodged my question. "Won't you? If your mom is going to be there." I pressed again.
And I would be there if she was going to Seattle.
"I'm not sure. I'm kind of mad at her for leaving without saying anything." That was fair, but I was certain Layla would change her mind.
"Have you been sleeping well lately?" She gave me a speculative look."Syd called Billie about it."
"Those old men gossip like old women," Layla mumbled to herself. "Well?"
"It's just a phase. It'll go away, " she answered, tightening her grip on the steering wheel. What are you dreaming about?"
"Most times, I can't remember exactly..." Layla glanced at me, the fear in her eyes palpable. "And other times?"
"I can't put it into words." "Can you try?" I questioned gently, placing a hand on her thigh.
"It doesn't make sense. There were these red-eyed monsters. I-I couldn't see anything but their eyes, and they wanted to pull me into this creepy cage they were in."
My grip tightened on her leg, and my hand traveled up as Layla braced a brake for a stray cyclist on the road.
"That's it?" She nodded yes and clenched her thighs together.
"Jake, you're distracting me." "Sorry," I said, removing myself from her and leaning toward her.
"Is that all?" "More or less." That meant yes, but she didn't want to tell me. "I won't think you're crazy, you know."
"There's not much to tell." Layla wouldn't mention anything else and refused the topic if it was reintroduced. I didn't like it.
Layla was turning into herself like a crab inside its shell, and it felt like the riptide was about to carry her out to sea, never to be seen again.
I had Seth and Embry guard Layla at the theater while I made up hours at my Autoshop internship.
Laylas Pov
Seth tagged along when I brought and ate Chinese takeout with Jacob at Bob's Autoshop; then, he refused to leave my side, even after I made plans to visit Iris in Forks.
Seth swore that he didn't mind waiting in the car as long as he could come. I wasn't going to make him do that, but we were going to have a talk about boundaries later.
Luckily, Mrs. Turtstin had no qualms about the extra guest; for her, the more, the merrier, but I wasn't so sure about Iris. Her first impression of Jacob wasn't so good, and Seth wasn't someone she knew, so I'd have to explain my dilemma another time. EJ joined us shortly after, completing our get-together.
After a while, Iris warmed up to Seth's sunny nature, and we watched the next movie for our book report—a werewolf vs. vampire movie.
I was wedged between EJ and Seth on the floor.
They seemed thoroughly amused, so I didn't have to worry about Seth being bored or left out. However, the movie was more gory than I would've liked to see, and something started turning in my stomach when the vampires began feeding in the film. I hoped it wasn't the greasy take-out we ate with Jake.
The vampire's prey's throat was ripped out. A fountain of blood gushed. The cold flashes came quickly, and my tongue curled like I was going to hurl.
"Layla? Are you okay?" EJ asked. I bolted for the back door and threw up over the railing into Mrs. Turstin's petunias. "Oh dear!"
I emptied myself, legs trembling, arms shaking. Then I felt Seth's hand on my back, patting it in circles. "I'm sorry. Can you drive?" "Yeah, I got you."
Thankfully, Seth had his permit. Technically, we were still breaking the law since no adult was with us. In twenty minutes, we were in the village.
"Are you okay?" he asked for the hundredth time. "I think it was the Chinese food. Don't you feel bad at all?" I asked, my throat burning from the stomach acid.
"Nope, " he chirped cheerfully. I rolled down the passenger window for air. I still felt shaky, uncertain if it was the grease, the blood on the screen, or both.
"Do you think Jake's okay? He still had another hour." My voice trembled with my next violent shiver.
"I'm sure he's fine. Are you sure you don't want me to take you to the doctor?" "No," I groaned.
I spent the rest of the evening either in the bathroom or sulking in bed.
Something in me felt particularly bold after my insides were cleared.
I took my cell phone to the forbidden room, the farthest from eavesdropping ears, and called the vampire.
It didn't feel real when he picked up. "Yes, mi la tua en cante?" Niccolo's harmonious voice purred.
I went quiet, and my confidence waned. "What is it?" he asked impatiently. "H-How is my father's new apartment?"
"He's already moved in across the city with Vitaly." So, my father was being kept as extra collateral.
"Can you have him call Syd with his new address?" I paced the floor. "Of course, my sweet aroma." "Okay, then."
"Tell me, why did you call?" The compulsion pulled at me. "I wasn't sure if this was real. I didn't know if you would pick up or if you would do as you said."
"I assure you that I am your reality, and there is nothing I wouldn't do for you. Have I not proven my loyalty by finding information about your mother or relocating your father?"
"Yes, sir." "You may call me by my name. No need for formalities with your blood sustaining me."
"Okay." I breathed out shakily as if I were about to hurl again. "Jean said some interesting things about your living situation."
I frowned into the phone. "I sent him to photograph you. Who knew you were stuck in a tiny village? Would you rather live here?"
"No, Thank you. "He also told me about the unfriendly locals, " he said casually, drawing each word. They don't always like outsiders."
"Hm. I supposed that's understandable. Have you met any other vampires by chance?"
"No, you and your coven are the first." Niccolo chuckled at the fearful tremor in my voice.
"You should think more highly of yourself. You're the only human that's lived to know of our kind."
"Why should I? If I'm going to die," I questioned. "Oh, I plan on keeping you for a long time. Have faith, trust in me to keep you safe," Niccolo mused again.
I was silent on the other line. This conversation was so bizarre and unsettling. "Tell me what you are thinking."
"I-I don't understand your want. The bloodlust, I don't get it. Why keep me around when you can be satisfied?" I whispered, staring out the rainy window of the darkened room.
"Someone like you only comes around every two-hundred and fifty years for me. I wish to savor every moment, every taste. I'm not as reckless as my past suggests.
"How old are you?" I couldn't hold in my sick curiosity.
"Early 13th century. Before the plague. If you wish to know anything more personal about me, I'd much rather answer in person."
"Sure. Speaking of next time, can we coordinate? My friends are getting suspicious, and my grandfather doesn't like my Seattle trips. He and my father don't get along and-"
"I'll take care of it," Niccolo assured me. "Who are you talking to? You're not supposed to be in here." Syd had snuck up behind me and plucked the cell phone from my hands.
His scowl twisted the wrinkles in his face. "Who is this?" After minutes of listening to Niccolo, he gave the phone back and walked out of the room.
"What did you do?" I asked in an anxious whisper.
"He'll fully support and cover you on your trips to Seattle from now on. I also told him to call Wren to patch things up."
I couldn't help but feel there were more instructions that Niccolo wasn't telling me.
"Thank you." I stammered out. "Goodnight, my Bella." Niccolo hung up.
Later that night
I was caught up reading Dracula when Jacob's sharp knock startled me.
"Jake!" I tossed my book on the floor and opened the window. Cool air rushed in, so I pulled the blankets around me.
"Seth said you were sick." Jacob handed me a can of soup. "I would've heated it up for you, but Syd's being stingy about letting me in."
"Thanks, but I'm not hungry." I can't keep anything down either. I thought to myself.
"Was it the vampire?" Jacob questioned. I hesitated to pick up my book, decided against it, and sat back up.
"What?" "The movie or the food." "Oh, the food, for sure... I was worried you or Seth might've caught what I have."
"Not a chance. We're good." I shivered violently and held my head. I'm safe with Jake and shouldn't feel ill at the mention of vampires.
The bed squeaked under his weight. "No. Jake!" "I'm going to take care of you." He took back the soup as he stood.
"What about Syd?" I hissed in a whisper. Almost on cue, Syd knocked on my door, and Jacob crammed himself into my closet.
"Yes, Grandpa?" He cracked open the door to check on me. "Do you need anything? I'm hitting the hay."
"No, I'm good." I reached for the book on the floor, but he stepped in the get it for me. I tried not to look at Jake contorted in the small space of my closet.
Syd backpedaled without looking behind the door. "Good night. Sleep well." "I'll try."
Jacob was about to step out of the confined space when Syd reopened my bedroom door. "Do you need a smudge?" he said, swinging the door, almost hitting Jake.
"No, I'm good." "Okay, then." Jake and I stared at each other, holding our breath as we waited for the sound of his steps to reach the main floor.
When the coast was clear, we burst out in stifled laughter. "Way to go. Now I feel like I'm harboring a fugitive." "Admit it. I got skills."
"Clearly, sign this freak up for the circus." I giggled. He sat on the end of my bed, eyeing me fondly.
"What?" "It's been a while since I've seen you smile like that." Jacob smoothed the back of my hair. We both knew I'd been gloomy for some time.
My heart beat in rapid succession. How was it that Jake could always make it come alive again?
I fought the overwhelming rush of emotions building like a wave behind me, ready to bring me back under its negative tide.
"I really want to be the one to make you happy, Layla." "You already do." I smiled with sheepish guilt.
He tugged my chin up with his fingers. "Can I kiss you?" The involuntary sharp shiver and tongue curl action came back.
I shoved his head away and bolted for the bathroom. I barely made it before the heave.
Jacob pulled back my hair, and I waved him away as my body convulsed, but he didn't bother to move.
"That was totally disgusting. You must have lost all feelings for me. It's okay for you to leave." I spoke, brushing my teeth rapidly.
"Nope. I've seen worse." Jacob snickered. "That's hard to believe." I took out my contact lens, gargled with mouthwash twice, and then held onto the counter for support.
"Let's get you in bed, you sicko." He let me lean on him on the way to my bed, and then Jake buried me in sheets, cocooning me in the quilts and sealing himself around me.
"You're not staying," I demanded. "You're still shaking. 'Sides, someone has to help you if you need to get up again."
I sighed in defeat and deflated into my pillow. Jacob's arm slid underneath, supporting me.
"Don't get caught. Syd might nail my window shut if he finds out." "You got it, Sweetheart." Jacob, with his throaty laugh, kissed the back of my head.
I thought my dreams would have been pleasant with Jacob near me, but I was wrong.
This nightmare wasn't the reoccurring memory of me blood-tapped and strapped to a chair or witnessing the blood drinkers.
It started off as a deceptively nice dream: I was running through the woods with Jacob. It was a warm day, maybe summer, with the green grass and all the flora and fauna blooming.
"Wait up!" I heard Jacob call from the forest. "Come on!" I giggled, enjoying the warm breeze blowing through my hair as I ran into a clearing with a large boulder protruding from the ground. I climbed it.
"Jake?" I called for him. The wind turned cold, and the sun went away—a large sweeping shadow claimed the meadow.
"There you are, my Bella." An icy hand, hard as granite, gripped me in place. One arm around my waist, the other gripping my jaw.
"Jake! Don't!" I yelled for him to stay at the edge of the clearing, out of sight of the monster now grazing his nose to my neck.
"You've been disobedient mi la tua en cante." "Layla!" Jacob ran at us. "Please don't!" I screeched.
"I warned you. You're mine." Niccolo hissed, his crimson eyes gleaming up at Jacob possessively. Then his teeth sunk into my shoulder.
"Nooo!" My scream muddled out Jacob's cry. The bite burned, and the venom ignited like fire to gasoline in my veins. Ruthlessly, it moved through me.
"Jacob, I-" The vampire snapped my neck in front of him, and I fell to the ground, my vision to the sky. A great big wolf leaped over me and attacked Niccolo.
"Layla." Jacob's hot hand burned my neck when he propped me up in his arms. I clung to him for immediate relief.
I gasped, taking in quick, heavy breaths. I listened for Syd's movement in the house. "He's at work," Jacob tilted me towards him.
The sun peaked through the crack of my curtain. "Okay." I blinked, touching my ghost-pained neck.
"What were you dreaming about? You called my name." He pressed, keeping one arm around me.
I bit my lip. "I don't want to tell you." "Why not?" I flew open the many blankets to get out of bed, but Jacob held me in place.
What was the point? If I told him, maybe he'd remember and run away if something like the dream were to happen.
So I shared the nightmare aside from Niccolo's dialogue, biting me, and about him being a vampire, which I literally couldn't do.
Jacob's black eyes darkened with a hatred I'd never seen in him.
"Jacob? I knew I shouldn't have told you. It's crazy." "No, I'm glad you told me." He peeled out of bed first.
After that, he only had two questions: Did I know the man with red eyes, and where was the meadow? I shook my head no to both.
"It's just a dream, Jacob." But if it weren't, you should have run. I thought, gripping the quilts.
Later that weekend
Layla's Pov
Syd waved an envelope in the air for me. "You got mail." He nudged open the door with his foot for a medium mountain of packages.
Bethany pulled through. "Your brother. The rest is from Beth." I snagged the letter and eagerly opened it.
'Hey Lay, I'm sorry I haven't been able to communicate for a while. Rules are super strict around here, and we only go into town once a month if we're lucky. Keep sending me stuff. I didn't mean to leave things like I did... as for Mom, I know. She's been in contact with me. Don't worry about us. Take care of yourself and enjoy school. I know Syd and Dad can be a pain, but you are the favorite, so it can't be that bad. I miss you and hope to see you sometime next year. Love, Zach Ps. You got this.'
I opened the rest of the belated gifts—nothing out of the ordinary. I carried them up to my room and set them down to pin Zack's letter to my wall.
The novelty and dopamine of opening gifts were declining. I stared at my brother's scrawl. It gave me a sense of nearness I've been yearning for.
"What's up?" Jacob hugged my shoulders, pulling me into him- a habit Jake was beginning to adopt when he saw I was spacing out.
He must have let himself in."Mom's been in contact with Zach, not me," I mumbled in self-pity. "Maybe he needs her," Jacob suggested.
I felt selfish, like I needed her more, but with the looming vampire, I knew it would be safer for Lily and Zach to never come back to me.
The lump in my throat bobbed when the realization of the depth of the losses I would face.
It made me hate Niccolo for finding and forcing some weird supernatural 'singer' bond I certainly didn't feel. All I felt was overwhelming fear when he was near.
Jacob squeezed me harder as if feeling the emotion roll through my body. He was keeping me together whether I asked him to or not.
I twisted around in his arms to look up at him. Maybe that nightmare was an omen. One day, I'd have to leave him too.
"Jake..." I was about to do something stupid. I was about to ask Jacob to kiss me when Syd came in to report on dinner.
Jacob dropped his arms, and I moved regretfully away. "Clearwaters are having us over. Let's go."
Once Syd left the room, Jacob turned to me. "Wait, what were you going to say?"
I wished I could tell him: I'd be okay because all I needed was him, but I couldn't admit it aloud. He would be pulled into my shadows if I did.
"It's not important." I chickened out with a forced smile. "Are you sure?" he asked.
I wasn't sure about anything anymore. I was torn between my selfish last bits of mortal life and sparing those around me.
It wasn't until we had dinner and played games at the Clearwater's house that the depressing thoughts of my short life crept back in.
Sue occasionally talked about her late husband, complaining about the delay in receiving benefits from his will.
It made me sympathetic not only to her but Seth and Leah who never hinted at the financial struggle.
After a couple of rounds of blackjack, Jacob noticed me becoming detached again. He wrapped an arm around my shoulders, and I jumped.
"Is everything okay?" "I'm Overthinking it. I'm worrying about Zach and Mom again." I collected the deck and placed the cards in the sleeve.
"They're okay. He said so himself." Jacob's warmth relaxed me. "Yeah, sure." I let out a heavy sigh.
Jacob offered to stay with me again. I told him to head home; Syd was bound to catch us one night, and it was starting to get too cold for him to be out there on the roof.
"You know I'll always be here for you, Layla. Whatever you're going through, I won't let you be alone." I wished I could hold onto his word.
I swallowed the reoccurring lump in my throat. If I let Jacob keep his word, couldn't I get him killed? How much was Jacob's life worth compared to mine?
More. So much more. "Okay." Tears flooded my vision when I looked up at him. "I'm okay." Damn, disobedient eyeballs.
His encompassing arms bound around me, sealing his promise. A promise I would have to immediately break if I wanted him to live.
In the following weeks, in an attempt to stop grieving, I tried to plot a way to free myself from the vampire.
I dove deep into vampire and werewolf lore with any resources I could find: books, tv shows, and movies.
I couldn't see myself as Buffy the Vampire Slayer. I wasn't and could never be strong enough to pierce a wooden stake through and un-beating heart of a vampire.
The ones in real life were frozen in time, crystal-like in matter. The vampires destroyed in front of me at Niccolo's penthouse were dismembered and burned.
So they couldn't do fire. That was something.
Sunday, I sat in a pew next to Iris and her mother. Mass was about to begin. Today was a dedication of a christening.
The Latin phrases few understood sounded off the cathedral walls. As I watched the baby dedication, an idea struck me. Holy water.
If I could get my hands on some holy water, I might be able to do some damage. Hope filled my chest, and I smiled wickedly.
"What?" Iris noticed. "Nothing. Do you think the priests give out or sell holy water?" I whispered to her.
"I dunno. Are you looking to take on some vampires?" Iris snickered, not knowing how right she was. "Maybe," I smirked back.
After mass, we met at her house for a study session. Iris was on about her werewolf rants again.
I supposed if my family had some extraordinary legend, it would be a hot topic for me, too.
"To this day, we do not know if werewolves are born that way or created by supernatural means. Shapeshifter, cursed, or blessed by the gods." Iris completed narrating her paper. "God." Mrs. Tusrtin corrected from the other room. Iris rolled her eyes.
If vampires were real, then couldn't the opposite being exist? My brows lifted. If I had a werewolf's help, then maybe I stood a greater chance at survival.
Iris was all about science, although science fiction was her key interest. I wondered if I asked her, would she laugh or take it seriously.
"Do you think I don't know if any of this supernatural stuff could be real?" I fed the question nonchalantly.
"Hm. Who knows? It would be cool." Iris kicked up her feet on the sofa across from me. That's what I thought she would say.
That night, I confided in my journal. I thought to rip out a page to send to Zach. If I failed, at least he would know what had happened to me.
That form of communication was short-lived because every time I thought of sharing its contents, my hands would move on their own and shred the documentation. I had to stop in order to keep my journal together.
My attempts at writing a letter from scratch were shot, too. Instead of shredding, my possessed hand would hold the pen until ink blotted out the page.
I gave up returning my journal back to the hidden compartment in the bed's headboard.
One week later
I had until November for the Holy Water to arrive.
I didn't know what Holy Water was officially 'Holy,' so I ordered some straight from the Vatican website and the Basilica here in America just to be sure.
A crucifix cross necklace wouldn't hurt either. Add to cart.
The plan was to drink some holy water before my blood was drawn, and if that didn't work, I could hide some up my sleeve and pour it on Niccolo directly.
"Ouch." The hot curler burned the top of my ear. "Sorry!" Paige unwound my hair into a perfect spiral.
Tonight was the opening night of the play in Port Angeles. Based on the grim tale, Little Red Riding Hood's play was re-written into a murder mystery romance.
There was no more room for mistakes and no more time for practice. I prayed the little town would snub this minor export in the arts.
Pounds of makeup later and a couple of adjustments, we were all prepared for the show.
My heart was ramming up my throat. It wasn't like me to have stage fright, but when I peeked through the curtains, every seat was taken, and so was the back balcony.
I scanned the crowd, packed like sardines in a can, to find anyone familiar.
Jacob and his friends were in the second row on the right-hand side. In front of him were Bllie, Sue, and Syd.
Jacob found me immediately poking out of the curtain. His smile banished the previous nerves and replaced me with new butterflies.
I mirrored his smile and winked at Jake before disappearing behind the red velvet. "Layla, get in position." Mr. Thompson lectured. "Okay." I breathed.
The veil between the cast and the audience lifted when the Amanda Seyfried song of Little Red Riding Hood played over the speakers.
The scenery's mobile backdrop shifted in a beautiful Grimm forest display. Some pieces glowed in the black light, giving the scene a twisted, mystifying fairytale backdrop.
All ran smoothly, give or take a few cast member's lines.
Toward the end of the first intermission, with everyone returning to their seats, I ran to the concession stand to find something to eat.
I didn't have time for dinner, and I hadn't had lunch due to rehearsal. I snuck through the side hall that stretched from the dressing rooms to the lobby.
As I was stuffing my basket, EJ snuck up behind me. "Theft? I thought Red delivered sweets." I passed him his favorite rock candy.
"I like to think of her as the real Robin Hood. Besides, I left money by the register." I grinned, popping a piece of chocolate.
It was the best I could do on an empty stomach. "Thanks. You're doing great. Hey, when you have time..." "You'll be the first person I make plans with," I assured EJ.
"Don't worry. I'll never forget about you." As I hugged him, EJ squeezed me tight, almost breaking the binding in my corset.
"Good, I'll see you soon." EJ was about to slip away when Esme caught us for a quick picture before returning to their balcony seating.
"Have you seen Daniel?" Paige frantically flew by me. "No? Is he alright?" I asked.
"He freaked out with all the fur being glued to him. I think he went this way." She ran into the men's bathroom.
I was about to head towards the dressing rooms when someone grabbed me by the arm—the contents of my basket jostled by movement.
"Oh, Jake!" I gasped. He apologized and, on his knees, picked up the fallen pieces of candy for me when I couldn't bend over in costume.
"You look like the real thing. You've stepped out of the storybook." Jacob complimented; his black eyes appraised me. "Makeup's a little heavy up close, though."
"I know, it's supposed to be. So am I making a fool of myself yet?" "Nope." When Jake went to stand up, I placed both hands on his broad shoulders to keep him at eye level.
"Be honest," I asked. His gaze flickered from my lips to my costume and back up to my face.
"I've got nothing to complain about yet." He grumbled the last part. Ah, the kissing scene. "I'll do my best." I sat on his propped-up knee.
"I wish you'd do your worst." Jacob rolled his eyes, smirking at me.
I heard Mr. Thompson marching down the corridor, calling for everyone to take their places. I pressed a noncontaminated candy to Jacob's lips.
"Will I see you after?" My thick false lashes flicked up. He took the mint in his mouth, greedily grazing my fingers with his tongue.
I stood up before he could hold me there. "Sure, sure," Jacob mumbled, and I swear I saw him blush. My teacher's footsteps clambered closer.
"Later," I whispered in a hurry over my shoulder to him as I retreated over the cast members-only section.
Jacob's Pov
Things were getting hard... for whatever ironic, flimsy reason, the red hood get-up was doing it for me.
It was probably because I'd already had her tight corset between my teeth. That and her mishap in the woods hadn't helped my fantasies of Layla.
I wanted to kiss those perfect red lips and thrust those ruffled skirts past her stalkings above her hips. If she would let me... I wish I could whisk her off stage right now, but all I could do was return to my seat.
It was annoying to watch those who hadn't given a second glance at her in weeks to be fawning all over her now.
Quil recommended I wait in the lobby until the scene ended. But I knew if I didn't sit through it, Daniel might have less incentive to keep things kosher.
I took a sharp inhale of breath and smelt something familiar, sharp and sweet. "What are the Cullens doing here?" My nose twisted in disgust.
"I dunno. Not much happens in this small town. They're probably just here for the show." Seth shrugged.
An excruciating forty minutes later, the moment came in the damp, dark theater. The wave of jealousy was difficult to manage.
The armrests I was gripping popped off my seat. "Cool it, Jake." Embry lectured me.
I let out a low, discrete growl of contempt as I set the pieces of the chair under my feet.
When the lights came on and the audience clapped, I couldn't have been happier. I bolted from my seat to meet Layla backstage.
"How'd I do?" Layla's red hood bobbed up to greet me while parents congratulated their kids.
"Amazing." I pulled my imprint in by her waist away from the crowded, narrow hallway.
She raised herself onto her tiptoes and hugged me tightly. I inhaled her comforting scent in the middle of our embrace, enjoying Layla in my arms.
Her smell was muddled with roses and a vampire's sickly, sweet stench. She pulled away first. "Let me change, and we can stop off somewhere to eat. I'm starved."
"No, let's go now," I held her in place. "But Jake, I can't go out like this.""I'll come with you." I forced my way through the groups of people clogging the hallway and allowed Layla into the dressing room. I eyed it carefully to make sure nothing was in here with us.
A set of four vanities lined each wall, a room divider parted down the middle, and another blocked off the back for a costume/coat rack situation.
Layla headed for the furthest vanity. I swooped in behind her, peering over all the dividers. "What are you doing?" She questioned.
"Nothing." Layla sat down and untied her red cape, letting it fall off her bare shoulders.
I watched her in the mirror while I double-checked the room. The scent was still strong. "Has anyone visited your dressing room?"
Layla stopped wiping away her makeup and locked eyes with me. "Just the flower delivery." She pointed to the corner with a dozen lush red roses.
I went to check the tab, but there was none. "They're...nice." I wish I had thought of it. "My father sent them."
Layla rinsed her face in the free-standing sink. "I didn't see him with Syd." I would have liked to meet him.
"He's not here." Layla plucked the thorny roses and set two in each cast member's space.
"Now, can you wait out here while I change?" "Do you need help?" I didn't mean that in a suggestive way, but her cheeks tinted pink.
"I don't think so." Layla disappeared behind the clothing racks.
I stepped toward her vanity, inspecting where the scent lingered. There was a water ring where the vase was first placed, and petals strung out into the trash.
I leaned over to pull out a crumpled piece of paper in the otherwise empty bin. "Where would you like to go?" Layla asked strenuously.
"Anywhere is fine." "I was thinking maybe the diner in Forks? Not many places will be open locally."
The reeking note read in elegant script, 'Congratulations on opening night—my sweet Bella. NF' The hair on my arms stood on end.
Weren't her dad's initials WM? "What the hell is this?" I hissed. As I marched over to her, I toppled the divider. "Jake!" Layla held up the fake wall.
She was dressed down to her ivory and gold corset and undergarments, which held her tall sock stalkings.
"I had a question," I mumbled, setting the divider back in place. "Can it wait? I'm going to need you to take a couple of steps back," She asked, embarrassed.
I did as she said, momentarily stunned. Then I heard a snap. "Ow, " she mumbled. "Do you-" "Stay over there, Black," Layla warned me.
"Okay, Moon." I listened to her shuffle around.
"I thought you said your dad sent you the flowers." "He did,"
"Then who's NF? And why is he calling you... Bella." I demanded, spitting out the last word painfully.
"I don't know." Layla dawned on her hoodie, zipping it up all the way. Her dark brown eyes defiantly glinted at me as she passed.
"Why are you lying to me, Layla?" She stopped short by the exit, taking my accusation with a frustrated expression. "It's from my father and his work."
Layla pulled out another slip of paper from her purse: 'I'm Proud of you, daughter, Love Wren.' "So don't worry about it."
I wasn't able to press the subject until later when it was just the two of us.
"Who's NF?" I asked out of the blue, walking her to her house. "NF?" Layla repeated as if buying herself more time to think. "The roses." I reminded her.
"My dad's colleague." I waited for a better explanation. "Mr. Foscari is his investor. I've met him a few times at the corporate dinners."
"Why not lead with that?" I asked, annoyed.
"I don't know! Maybe it's because I hardly know him, and maybe he was doing this as a nice gesture to my dad, " Layla spoke heatedly.
A tinge of guilt ate at me; it would have eaten me whole if it wasn't possibly the vampire stalking her and sending minions.
"I was really proud of getting through the first night without people booing me off stage or launching tomatoes at my face." Layla's words whipped, cutting with a defensive edge.
"I'm sorry." I went to hug and kiss her goodnight when she stepped away. "I want to be alone tonight. Please, don't climb onto my roof."
Layla's Pov
Why did the stupid vampire have to ruin this? Guilt weighed on me heavily as I marched up the stairs.
I felt inclined to call this bloodsucker and give him a piece of my mind, but I wasn't sure that would help my case. What would I say?
How dare you provoke the boy I'm in love with? I wish you would leave me the hell alone. Yeah, that would go over well. I thought sarcastically.
I don't want Jacob on Niccolo's radar whatsoever. Just then, my cell phone went off.
"Hello?" I answered with an attitude. "Did you enjoy my flowers?" Niccolo made my veins run cold.
"Oh, um, yes, of course. They were a surprise for sure." I fumbled over my words. "Hm. A surprise doesn't tell me you liked them."
"The roses were beautiful." "What did you do with them?" He compelled.
It wasn't possible for me to lie to Niccolo. I needed to switch tactics. Even though I wanted to be honest with Jake and lie to the vampire, it looked like the opposite would have to take place.
"Honestly, I didn't want my co-stars to be left out, so I divided the roses," I explained. "Did you keep any?" Niccolo questioned again.
"One," I whispered the answer. It was still sitting on the vanity backstage. "I see." At least he didn't sound too upset.
"I was thinking about coming to see your silly little play-" "Please don't." I blurted out. He laughed. "And why not?"
"Like you said, it's silly and childish." "I never said that. Who knows, it might be fun."
"How would it be fun when you can make anyone an actor?" I lowered my voice; my patience was waning with fatigue.
"Hm. Yes. I suppose you're right, but I like to watch you squirm." "I thought you meant me no harm." My annoyance superseded tiredness.
"You must think I'm a monster since I'm your predator." My silence confirmed this.
"Good. I am that, and you'll soon know you can't contain me from your life. I do as I please."
"You promised!" I had to lower my voice from the building frustration.
"I promised you a human life for the next eight years. I never said I'd be able to stay away from you." I was speechless, silent tears building and ready to spill over.
"You have to accept that I am where your life is headed, just as you are mine. I don't have the luxury of sleep to determine if something is a dream or a nightmare. Your scent is burned into my mind like a constant alarm clock, and after tasting you, my sweet." He emphasized the t.
"My throat aches while I try to satiate my thirst with another." Niccolo's confession disturbed me.
The bloodlust in his voice was palpable. I sniffed away tears, trying to keep silent.
"Don't cry. I am not angry with you. I am merely explaining my need for you. Do you understand?"
"How do you not hate me? Why?" A lump built in my voice, and I covered my mouth to control my reaction. I wasn't sure what I was trying to say or convey.
"Because, with my gift, no one is able to test my resolve or possess me the way you have."
I sucked in the tears finding a new reserve of strength. "Layla?" Inspiration struck.
"Do I make you feel vulnerable, Niccolo?" I whispered. I was perhaps finding a loophole of my own—a hoop of survival. He let out a low hiss from the other end.
That gave me confidence instead of striking fear for the first time. "I make you feel human," I spoke the thought aloud.
This was dangerous toying with a vampire. "Don't be ridiculous." He hissed low and short. So, feeling out of control of his senses made Niccolo feel vulnerable.
"I make you feel alive," I whispered, almost gloatingly, into the phone before I hung up.
Point me, although I didn't know what it would cost me later.
That night, I expected the vampire to show up to bite my head off or maybe send one of his coven members to abduct me.
I felt strangely at ease going to sleep, knowing I had some hold over this vampire.
The weekend performances went by more smoothly and quickly than I thought possible.
I believed the anxiety of looking over my shoulder would have slowed things down.
Jacob apologized when he didn't need to. I couldn't patch things up completely how I wanted; I wouldn't have Jake close if danger was near.
The flower scenario wasn't his fault, and I couldn't explain I had a blood-sucking, compelling vampire on speed dial.
I tried to keep things as natural and surface-level as possible. I could tell that this bothered Jacob, but he seemed content with the time spent together at school and commuting.
One week later, The third weekend of October
Jacob's Pov
"The Parking lot is already a madhouse. Once you wrap this up, I'll let you go," Bob told me.
"The Mrs.'s wants me to take 'er next weekend. Her friends are saying the play ain't so bad for Forks." He continued. "Yeah, sure." I was too busy running through what I was doing to care about small talk. The sooner I finished, the faster I could be there.
"That'll do it. Thanks, Jake." Bob dismissed me and closed the garage doors with a press of a button. I went over to manually lock the base of them for him.
As the boss said, the theater was packed. When Sam stood up, I saw our pack was four rows back near the peanut gallery of our classmates.
I took the aisle seat, surprised to see Leah with the Clearwaters. "What dragged you back to town?" I leaned forward in the squeaky seat.
"Eh, I was bored, and Seth raved about the play, so I thought, why not? One night of running won't kill me." Leah enjoyed running.
Some weekends, when the weather was nice, she would run across the North Plains or up to Canada, but I bet Sue missed her this time.
The lights dimmed further for the play to begin. The speakers played: 'Hey there, Little Red Riding Hood; you sure are looking good; you're everything a big bad wolf could want. Little Red Riding Hood, I don't think little big girls should go walking in these spooky old woods alone...'
A hand ran across my shoulder and felt up my back muscles.
"Oops, sorry, Jake. It's so dark in here that I had to hold onto something sturdy." Molly, giggled.
I ignored her, focusing on the play. "It's a Good thing you're so strong, " Molly whispered. Leah shot her an evil-eyed stare, making the girl fall back into her seat. I wiped my ear clean and refocused on Layla and the moving parts of the stage.
'What big eyes you have. The kind of eyes that drive wolves mad. Just to see that you don't get chased, I think I oughta walk with you for a ways. What full lips you have, They're sure to lure someone bad, So until you get to grandma's place, I think you oughta walk with me and be safe...'
Layla's graceful steps gracefully pranced towards Daniel, who closed the space between them.
'I'm gonna keep my sheep's suit on, 'Til I'm sure that you've been shown that I can be trusted walking with you alone. Little Red Riding Hood, I'd like to hold you if I could, But you might think I'm a big bad wolf, so I won't.'
Listening to the song more carefully, the words resonated.
'What a big heart I have. The better to love you with Little Red Riding Hood; Even bad wolves can be good. I'll try to keep satisfied just to walk close by your side. Maybe you'll see things my way before we get to grandma's place...'
He let go of her hand, and she twirled off for the first scene. The extended intro covered the backstage, adjusting the background into position.
The play commenced...
The intermission was here. The lights turned on. Patrons rushed to the concessions.
I got up to stretch when Molly eyed my pulled-up shirt and licked her lips lustfully. Awkwardly, I pretended not to notice.
"Want to switch seats with me?" Leah grumbled. "Nah, you won't be able to see the stage."
"That's right, Jolly Green Gaint." I rolled my eyes humorously at her petty joke. That's what Layla called me eons ago, bantering at her first bonfire.
"So, have you told her?" Leah questioned, pulling me from my thoughts. "Did Seth tell you about the cliff?"
"Yeah, but it's been two whole months. I figured the next pup that popped out of his skin would've started the next bonfire."
"There hasn't been anyone else." I frowned in confusion. "That's weird. There's been an extra voice in the woods."
"Extra voice? Have you told Sam?" I questioned. "Not yet. I figured I'd let you and Seth know. Ya' know, since we're a pack."
"Not anymore." "An alpha can never stop being an alpha, Jake." Leah laughed, sneering.
"What if someone is out there alone and confused?" Seth scolded his sister.
"Whoever it was didn't sound panicked. They were curious and cautious, and then they were gone." Leah shrugged.
"Are you sure? Where was this?" Sam loomed over us now.
"A couple of days ago by the Canadian border." She shouldered him in passing. The lights dimmed once more, signaling patrons to their seats.
Seth sighed at Leah's empty seat. Touchy, as always.
The dreadful scene came. At least I knew what to expect.
At the last moment, Daniel's hand slipped and kissed the corner of Layla's lips. Her eyes snapped open in angry betrayal, and my hands balled up into fists.
Layla had to play along until the scene passed and the curtains dropped. I went to stand up immediately when I heard a faint smack and crunching sound, along with some squabbling backstage. Quil and Paul burst out laughing while I tried to listen.
"That's a letter grade, Daniel!" Mr. Thompson hissed. "My nose! I think it's broken." He whimpered.
"He's bleeding everywhere," Paige whispered. "Stuff it up. Layla, you get a grade demotion, too." "What? Why? I told him not to touch me again."
"Again?" I repeated. "Jake, sit down or just go," Seth mumbled, concerned. I had no choice but to sit through this train wreck.
The audience whispered, oblivious to what we wolves were hearing and snickering about.
Minutes later, the act continued without explanation of the minor delay. Layla's victorious smile and the product of her punch were reassuring to me.
Layla's Pov
"It was an accident, Layla." Daniel followed me backstage. "Sure it was." "I barely caught the edge of your-" He almost ran face-first into Jacob.
"I swear...that it won't happen again," Daniel confessed, eyeing Jake with concern for his future. I wasn't sure if he was lying or if it was an honest mistake.
"Fine." I already gave him a fist full of reasons not to touch me without permission. "Come on, Jake." I hugged Jacob's arm and pulled him away.
"Was that the first time he tried something?" He asked, trudging behind. I dropped his arm outside of the dressing room.
"Can you wait out here?" I asked, looking at the floor. "Layla." "Please?" He sighed and stepped aside, letting me slip inside to change.
As I dispersed last weekend, a new set of red roses was placed on everyone's vanity. Seven full-petal cream-colored roses were on my table, pressed against the mirror.
Then, I unintentionally caught Jacob in the reflection. "Can we grab something to eat?" I turned around, blocking the vanity and its contents with my body.
"Sure." He stepped into me, reaching for something behind me. "After you tell me where these flowers are from." Jake plucked the card before I could find or read it.
"I don't know." "'Layla, You've inspired me.' Signed...no one." Jacob handed the card over and watched my observation of the note intently.
I had to lower Jacob's suspicion if the vampire was nearby. "Do you think it was my mom?" I whispered hopefully. Jacob's hard expression faltered.
"I don't know, sweetheart." He picked up my jacket from the chair and draped it over my shoulders. I didn't have trouble faining a sad smile. "Can we go now?"
"Yes." He seemed as eager as I was to leave. "But why didn't you tell me about Daniel's stunt?"
"I didn't want to upset you. When I told you it was fake, and then it wasn't like I thought, I still felt responsible even when I didn't do it. Then I was whisked off to Seattle." What a horrible series of events and a terrible explanation.
"It's okay, I forgive you." "Really?" I asked. "If you kiss me." Jacob stipulated leaning over so he was level.
I couldn't tell if he was messing with me, so I stepped toward him and craned my neck. This could be the first kiss I would've initiated with Jacob. I just wished it wasn't because of the stipulation or someone else's actions.
"Oh no, no, no!" An arm waved between us. "Forks High is seeing several severe cases of mono. I don't need my star-swapping spit." Mr. Thompson cut our encounter short.
Later that night
Exhaustion wasted me on the car ride home. I woke up with my milkshake removed and a french fry hanging out of my mouth.
It was just past eleven at night on the dash when Jake opened the passenger door. The cold air washed over me, reviving every nerve.
He helped me out onto my feet, and I stumbled into him.
"Thanks for driving me back, Jake. Hey, take my car home, okay? It's too late in the season for you to be walking in the cold."
Jacob pulled me close, cupping my face. He opened his mouth to say something when his whole demeanor changed.
"Layla, go wait in the car." He shoved off. "What? Why?" I blinked, startled by the sudden change.
Jacob bolted inside the house. I froze for a moment, blinking stupidly, then ran after him.
"I told you to wait outside." He barked, running up the stairs. "What happened? What did you see?" I followed him.
He didn't answer me, checking every room, closet, and cranny.
When Jake kicked in my bedroom door, papers flew. He spun in the room, looking everything over.
"Jacob?! What's wrong with you?" I rushed over to close my window, circulating the loose papers in the air.
"I thought I saw something." He muttered. I controlled my facial expressions to mask my fear.
"Well, it seems like nothing to me. Maybe you should get some sleep." I softened my voice, trying to downplay his outburst and gaslight him for his benefit.
Jacob didn't move. "You already turned over the whole house," I reminded him. Syd's headlights shone in the distance.
"Please call me. For anything. If you hear something, have a nightmare, hell, even stub your toe."
I stopped seeing him out and watched him leave from the top of the staircase. Jacob paused to face me, waiting for my response.
"If it makes you feel better, then sure. I'll call." He reached up, cupped my face, and kissed me sweetly.
"Night Layla." Then Jacob disappeared.
Picking up the papers around my room and stacking them on my desk, I found a single black rose that had fallen off the desk.
A red ribbon was tied to the stem with another note. With a shaky breath, I flipped open the tab, and a thorn sliced my finger. 'Call me' ~NF.
It was an instruction. I didn't want to find out what the vampire wanted, but I wondered what would happen if I disobeyed him, so I lay on my bed for hours in an attempt to get some sleep. I tossed and turned until I finally caved.
"Hello, Layla." Niccolo sounded irritated. "Niccolo," I muttered tiredly into the receiver.
"And may I ask what you were doing?" "Having a life."
If I was going to attempt to get out of his arrangement, I had to test my boundaries with the monster while I still had a hold.
"Hilarious." He hissed. "What, is the black rose a symbol of you coming to reap my soul?" I twisted the rose in my stained fingertips.
"No. I've already told you I'd like to keep you like a fine wine. But I suppose if you are following the five stages of grief towards the acceptance of your fate with me, denial is the first step."
I listened to him rant. "According to the language of flowers, the black rose means change and courage. Qualities like mouthing off to a vampire, for example."
"I suppose no one else can." I mimicked his insolent tone."You think you're being cute." Niccolo sounded amused now.
I wanted to push his buttons to see how far I could go, but I was too tired and needed to reel it in.
"Flowers don't speak, and little displays don't impress me." I yawned, feeling delirious with tiredness. "But if flowers could say anything at all, I think they'd laugh."
"You are an odd girl," he noted. "And you're an incredulous..." A weird, dry, gasping sound left my mouth. I was unable to physically say the word, and I was fading fast.
"Vampire." He laughed, finishing my sentence. "Sure, get some sleep, my Bella. Dream sweet dreams of me."
When Niccolo hung up, I cursed him. The compulsion settling in was going to make rest impossible.