Shifting Moon Ch 17

A.N.

This beach trip is the reason I had to take a week to re-write this chapter and a significant portion of what comes after. I initially had a fight happen between Paul Lahote and Thomas that was instigated by Lauren. This would create a break between Thomas and the Tribe. I didn't like the corner this put me in, so I decided to just have a slight separation between Thomas and the Tribe instead of a total breakdown for now. Hope you understand and enjoy the new (To me) route taken.

(Thomas POV)

The next morning, I woke up much later than usual to a surprising brightness at my window. It being my off day from working out, I usually let myself sleep until I woke naturally. For the most part, I was still up before the sun, but today was a rare exception, it seemed. I wondered if I needed more sleep due to my shifting or if it was my conversation with Edythe.

I got dressed and went downstairs to find Bella awake and apparently in a very good mood.

"Morning Thomas. Did you see that the sun is actually out? It was so bright it woke me up, so I decided to make breakfast early. I can't wait to get to the beach today. I hope the clouds stay away until we get home."

This was a rare side of Bella, she was talking in rapid fire short sentences and couldn't keep her eyes away from the window. I had only seen her like this the first couple of days after school was out for the summer. I decided it had to be because she missed the sun so much since moving here to Forks.

In no time, we were driving to the parking lot of Newton Outfitters to meet up with the group and head to First Beach. As Bella pulled in, we saw Mike standing next to his car and parked nearby was Lee in what I soon found out was his mother's minivan. After everyone gathered together, the seating separation was 4 into Mike's car, not counting him (Jessica was quick to declare shotgun). 6 plus Lee in his mother's minivan and that left one out to sit between me and Bella. Lauren was about to call dibs, when Bella asked Angela directly if she wanted to ride with us. I wasn't too sure if Bella caught the look of daggers Lauren was sending her and Angela or not, but didn't bother pointing it out either.

Mike assured Bella he wouldn't go too fast so her truck could keep up. Bella in turn thanked him but told him not to waste time and get to the beach so everyone could soak in as much sun as possible. Not like she would get lost driving a few miles on her own. I was sure I saw some happy looks from his passengers, especially Jesica. We took the risk of rolling down the ancient windows in the truck and enjoyed the slow drive on a sunny day. About the time La Push Road turned into Ocean Drive, I caught the first glimpse of the sea, and it was more than I expected. The salt in the air made my nose wrinkle at first, but I soon got used to it and actually started to enjoy the smell.

I had tuned Bella and Angela out when they started to discuss the pros and cons of the boys in school. I knew bringing up Ben would be a bad idea just yet, so I just took in the surroundings. As we got closer, I could make out the crescent shape of the beach, the water was a dark grey and went on as far as I could see. The terrain was very rocky, with more than a few cliffs. It looked impressive.

When Bella pulled up next to Lee's minivan, I got out and started to look around like a tourist. The group was on the beach, someone had even managed to bring a surfboard. Jessica was walking back from a small building in a wetsuit. I wasn't surprised it was her that wanted to go surfing, she was a very sport-oriented girl and very competitive to boot. As we walked up, I heard Mike talking about people going to collect firewood so they could build a big bonfire to hold off the chill. I volunteered for that, as I wanted to explore anyway.

Lauren quickly offered to join me to point out what wood was usable and what wasn't, because everyone knew I had never been to the beach before. I would have been more enthusiastic if she hadn't spoken in such an insulting tone, but I still didn't stop her from going with me.

After walking for a while, Lauren pointed and spoke, "We could look over there, no one from the group can see us. So... We could wait there and do whatever, until the others find enough wood for the fire. That way we could enjoy ourselves and not have to work at picking up wood. Unless you want to show me some anyway."

{This girl is about as subtle as Bella's truck.} I had zero interest in any alone time with this teen pregnancy, just looking for a person to land on. {Time to play dumb}

"I doubt there would be much wood in that area, let's look over here. If we collect too much, we can just leave it for the next people. I am sure it's better to get the wood above the shoreline to dry out anyway."

Then I intentionally dragged her through the roughest patch of rocky terrain I could so she couldn't walk next to me too often. She kept accidentally bumping her hand into mine as we walked. Soon I didn't have to worry about it as my arms were full of firewood, Lauren was even carrying a piece in one of her hands as we headed back to the group.

When we got to where the fire pit was, I placed my armful off to the side and separated out the dry and wet wood. I figured if we left the wet wood close to the fire it would get dry enough to be used if we were there long enough to need it. After I finished, I moved next to Bella who was sitting on a large bit of driftwood that looked like it had been placed here on purpose for seating, just close enough to the fire to be comfortable but not burnt.

Mike was telling Bella about the salt in the wood making the flames of the campfire different colors. So far as I could remember, this was the first time Bella had actually seen a campfire in person, so the subtlety was probably lost on her. It didn't take much effort to tune them out.

I sat there and just looked at the sky and the Ocean taking it all in. The Pelicans floating on the short waves, with the seagulls and an eagle floating overhead. After a few minutes of inane chatter from the group, I was feeling restless, so I stood up and walked to the edge of the water and just focused my eyes and thoughts forward. Looking at just how big the Ocean actually was and letting the crashing waves block the voices from the group.

After a while, I had turned my gaze on a small island that was just north of where I was and thought to myself, {It would be easy to swim to it and look around one day if I wanted to.} Not much time after that thought, I as much felt, as heard someone walking up beside me. The lack of overwhelming perfume stench told me it wasn't Lauren. That alone made me smile a bit, her voice was starting to grate on me.

"We called that Island A-ka-lat, in the old language. It means 'Top of The Rock'." The short laugh that followed had a tinge of ridicule in it.

I turned to look at who had spoken, and my eyes widened. She stood about 5ft 10 and had long sleek black hair and the most perfect copper skin tone. Her almond-shaped eyes were a soft mix of brown with specks of grey, framed by eyelashes the girls in Phoenix paid to get glued on. I recognized her from the day on the cliffs in the forest. Though at that time I didn't get close enough to take note of her beauty.

"Well, it's... Descriptive at least. What do you call it now?"

She pulled her face into a sneer, "James Island. And that small one next to it is called Little James Island on American maps."

"Hmm, think I prefer A-Ka-Lot."

"A-ka-lat." She corrected.

"My name is Thomas," I said as I offered my hand to her.

She shook my hand with no hesitation, her grip firmer than I expected. "I'm Leah. Leah Clearwater."

The name was familiar, "Clearwater? As in Harry Clearwater?"

"You know my father?"

"Well, know of at least. I know he makes the best fish fry batter I have ever tasted. He gave some to my uncle and it was great. Thank him for me if you think of it."

"I will. So, why are you standing out here instead of sitting with the group?"

"Well, I don't much like crowds. They make me uncomfortable. So, I wanted to get closer to the Ocean, it makes me feel small. Or like there is more room around me, I guess. It just feels peaceful." I was having trouble explaining the way it felt to myself, much less to someone else.

I glanced over my shoulder at the group I came with and saw a smaller group walking up to them. This group had some familiar faces in it, Jacob, Sam and a couple of other boys I didn't know.

"FUCK, I can't even escape him here. I can't wait to leave this shit hole town and its shit people. Nice meeting you again, Thomas, sorry I was a bitch last time we met. Bye." Leah walked away quickly, her back ramrod straight and making an obvious effort to not look at the incoming group of Quileute's.

I returned my eyes to the small island, thinking about Leah. I had a pretty good idea she was Sam's ex, it would explain the anger that radiated off her like heat. A few moments later I heard the heavy tread that was easily recognized as Sam.

"Hey Thomas."

"Hey Sam. How's it going?"

"Jared shifted last night, so I am no longer a pack of one. It was a bit weird though. I heard and saw him as soon as we were both wolves. Talking wasn't nearly as hard as it is with you."

I just nodded at what he said, still looking at the small island.

"The village used to be on that island. It was out far enough for protection and still close enough to make hunting possible. Now it is a place we spread the ashes of our chiefs and elders. We consider it a place of great spiritual power to this day."

I nodded my head, "A-ka-lat, according to Leah."

Sam sighed sadly, "Yeah, I saw her over here. She is still angry, and I can't blame her."

We both lapsed into silence and just looked out over the Ocean.

Sam and I stood in silence for a good 5 minutes, each lost in our own thoughts. Sam spoke, breaking the silence.

"The council is still deliberating on your situation. They were shocked that you are not a Wolf warrior but a Bengal Tiger instead. Something like this has never been known or even thought possible."

I sighed at the tone of his voice, "How many want to brand me a danger? Or am I to be labeled as a mutation of the true blood?"

"How did you... Did someone tell you?"

I looked at Sam, "No, it was a guess from the caution in your tone. Old people like things that are the same, new is not comfortable to them. Only the known is safe, if they don't know me, there is a large chance they will fear me."

"No one thinks of you as a danger to the tribe. But, well, you are right that we... they are cautious. There are also the rumors that you are close with the Cullens. Some elders find it strange that one of our blood can stand to be so near them. Even in this form their smell is... Unpleasant to me."

I looked at Sam a little closer, he was acting a bit different. His friendly face from before was looking a bit forced. Like he was trying to be open and friendly instead of being that way naturally.

"You are acting weird, Sam. I know I haven't known you very long, but you seem off today. What's up?"

Sam looked away from my searching gaze, back out to the Ocean. "I feel the settling of responsibility lately Thomas. I am now a Pack Leader with Emely and my tribe to protect. I will not shrink away from my responsibilities as my father did. I will protect those that rely on me. Right now, the Cullens are the closest danger to the tribe, and you are close with them from what I hear. I must know where you would stand if it came to a fight between the two groups."

With little thought I answered him, "I would stand on the wronged party's side, if I even took a side at all. The Cullens have been here for over two years, from what I understand, and have done nothing to break the treaty. Why the sudden concern with them?"

"When you have no chance of fighting back, it's best to endure. But now the tribe has me and Jared. If they try and attack, then we need to be ready. I need to know that I can count on you as well."

"I think you are wasting time on a non-existent problem. Definitely protect your borders from any trespass but don't go looking for trouble. Your only danger would be from wandering Vampires. From the little bit that Edythe has told me, covens of the size the Cullens have are unnatural for their kind. Vampires that hunt humans tend to stick out, and sticking out in large groups is a bad thing for them. I can act as a bridge between the Cullens and the tribe. With their permission, I can tell you about the Vampire's habits and practices."

Sam took in a deep breath, "You think they would do that? Betray their own kind?"

"I don't know. But I don't think they have much love for the Vampires that feed on humans. I definitely believe they wouldn't stop us from defending ourselves. I plan to meet with them later today, I can bring up the idea then and see from there."

"A part of me hates them. The Cullens. But I also realize that the part that does is only there because they are here. This… Change in me has brought personal strength and a love I cannot express with words alone. But that gain has come at a loss as well. Leah deserves better than what I am doing to her, but I cannot deny my feelings for Emily."

Sam just sighed. I decided to change the subject.

"What does Jared think of his new shape so far?"

Sam smiled, "He loves the freedom of the Wolf shape, he seems to want to spend more time in it than in his human form. If he wasn't worried about his mother missing him, he would stay that way as long as he could."

"I am sure a big part of that is because he didn't wake alone. I am still not sure how I kept from panicking when I realized I had changed shape. Though I do agree that the new form gives a sense of strength and freedom I didn't know existed. I have a meeting with the Cullens tonight, if you would like me to talk to them. I could offer an olive branch from the tribe."

"No. I would need to speak with the Elders before anything like that can take place. I think for now, we will rely on the treaty and build our strength. More will awaken soon, I can feel it." Sam turned his gaze to the 3 teens he arrived with.

I could see Jacob and Bella returning from their walk along the beach. Bella looked a bit cold the way she was rubbing her arms.

"I am going to head back to the fire, something tells me these calm days won't last long."

The rest of the afternoon was spent in normal teenage fashion, Lauren turned her attention to a boy Sam had brought with him, named Paul. He was loud and a bit obnoxious, so they got along well. Jessica managed to get her surfboard on the water, but there just weren't really any waves above 3ft. It looked nothing like the surfing competitions and movies I had seen, but as that was the extent of my knowledge about surfing, I couldn't say anything.

Eventually, as always happens in this area, the weather turned from sunny and cold to cloudy and cold. Leaving the Quileute's to tend the waning fire, us city kids packed up and headed for home. By mass agreement, the driver would take everyone in their vehicle home instead of everyone going to the parking lot where we met and making their way from there.

The drive back with Angela was where Bella and I started suggesting to her that she ask Ben to the dance. We were both rather shameless in pointing out how obvious their attraction to each other was to those who looked. Angela put us off with a "I'll think about it." answer and we knew better than to push. Well, okay, Bella signaled to me that my pushing wasn't helping, so I turned my attention to the window as she and Angela talked about girl stuff.

I was looking forward to my time with Edythe later this evening and once we dropped Angela off, I texted Edythe and told her I would be home as soon. I figured I would have time to shower and change clothes, but I guess I wasn't the only one excited to meet. As soon as Bella pulled into her parking spot and turned her truck off, the sound of Edythe's Roadrunner reached our ears.

Watching the yellow classic car pull into the driveway, it was hard not to just stare at Edythe in the driver's seat. A sort of peace settled over me looking at her. The usual tightness that kept my muscles stiff, finally relaxed a little. A smile on my face, I walked over and opened her door for her. Holding out my hand to help her out of the car. It was a useless gesture, but it still felt right. The idea that she would stumble or need any help to stand was laughable, but it was still the polite thing to do in my opinion.

"Hey Sunshine. How was your day?"

Edythe took my hand after a short pause, "It's better now. How was the beach?"

"It was very eye opening. The vastness was humbling to be honest. I would have liked to share the moment with you, but I feel that way about everything new lately."

I am sure that anyone watching would say I was laying it on a bit thick and cringe, but this being a totally new experience for me, I didn't know how to hold back. I didn't want to hold back my thoughts. I wanted to be as free with her as I could be. No worries that she found my words corny or holding back just in case she didn't return my feelings. I decided to be true to myself and hoped that she would do the same.

When Edythe stood from the driver's seat, she let go of my hand and leaned her head into my chest. Then she wrapped her arms around me in a hug that got slowly tighter.

"I can smell the salt air on you. Also, a bit of girl's perfume. Usually you don't have a scent, it's like smells fall off you after a time."

"That's probably Angela, she rode in the truck with me and Bella. We are trying to get her to see that she and Ben are perfect for each other."

Bella gave a greeting to Edythe as she walked to the door, "Hi Edythe, are you guys coming in?"

Edythe pulled her head back from my chest to look up at me, "Are we?"

I smiled, "Yes, at the very least I need a shower and change of clothes if I am meeting your parents."

Looking down at Edythe as she looked up at me was a sight that made my heart race. Her pale face with her plump lips slightly pressed together and her butterscotch eyes looking at me questioningly. It was a sight I stored away in my brain right next to the mental picture of her in math class.

Edythe smiled and placed her ear over my heart, "My, what has your heart racing dear?"

My face went red, but I plucked up my courage, "That would be you, sunshine. Only you can make it race that way."

To make my point I leaned down and placed a kiss on the crown of her head. I really wanted to take her chin and lift her face up so I could kiss her lips, but my courage only took me so far this time.

Her whole body seemed to turn to stone, and I worried that I had done something wrong. But after a moment she seemed to come back to life and keeping one arm around my waist, she turned toward the front door of the house. We walked together until we reached the steps, and I nudged her to go first. Once we stepped inside, I closed the door.

Bella called from the kitchen, "I will keep Edythe company while you get ready, Thomas, if she is okay with it, that is." When she finished talking, Bella was standing in the kitchen entryway.

I looked at Edythe, "I will try and be quick."

(Edythe POV)

I watched Thomas disappear up the stairs to his room and spent a moment wishing I was going up there so I could see his room. See what his space looked like, would it be clean and organized? Or would it be messy and have his often-used things just scattered around? My thoughts were interrupted by Bella, who was still standing in the kitchen doorway.

"Can I get you something to drink?"

"I would love a glass of water, if that's okay."

When she turned to head to the sink, I followed her into the kitchen. Being mindful that normal people were more relaxed when sitting, I pulled a chair from the kitchen table and sat down. Looking around, I could see that though it was small, the kitchen was well cared for. The cupboards looked like they had been painted by someone with questionable taste years ago. These colors belonged in a warmer climate, the lack of light in the kitchen made them seem muted and out of place.

When Bella placed the glass of water in front of me, she took the chair closest to me and noticed I was looking around.

"They were painted when my mom and dad were newlyweds. She loved vibrant colors, and they were at that point where Charlie did anything she wanted. I don't think he even changed the curtains in here after she left. I don't think he changed anything in the beginning because he hoped we would come back eventually. Then after the divorce was final, he just avoided coming in here and ate out. He is a very stubborn man, my father."

I smiled, "Is that where you get it from, you think?"

Bella blushed a bit, "What makes you think I am stubborn?"

"Thomas told me that he would have better luck convincing a bear to hibernate in the summer than get you to change your mind once you're set on something. Or someone." I said the last with a bit of a point.

Her blush took on a deeper shade, "I don't know what you're talking about."

A silence fell and the sound of the shower running upstairs intruded on my mind. {How I would love to be up there with him.} I was again drawn out of my thoughts by Bella.

"Are... Are you serious about him? Thomas, I mean?"

I took a deep breath, {Damn this girl smells good, how can Edward handle it smelling so much more to him.} Getting my mind back on track, "I am Bella. He is so much more than anyone I have ever met. The little bit that I know tells me that there is so much more to learn. I also think he feels the same way about me, I can see he is more... Natural when talking to me. Unlike the forced way he acts towards some of the girls in your group."

Bella nodded her head, "Yeah, you and Alice are the only girls he has ever spoken to me about with any emotion. Jesica and Lauren don't even register in his mind other than the fact that they are around him sometimes. I am pretty sure they have already asked him to the dance, after I refused to help them ask anyway."

"Are you not going to ask anyone to the dance? I am pretty sure no one I know would turn you down."

Bella looked down at her hands. "No, I don't dance. Besides, I gave so many excuses it would look bad if I changed my mind now. I would just make a fool out of myself anyway."

The room lapsed into silence for a few moments until Bella spoke again. "I wasn't trying to be nosey or interfering with you and Thomas, it's just... Well, Thomas has a lot of hurt in him, and the next few weeks are going to be rough for him. He... had his mother taken from him a few years ago and the anniversary for that is coming up soon. It's not made any better that it's the day after his birthday either. It really isn't my place to get into more detail, I just want you to know. He seems to really like you, and I don't want his erratic emotions over the next few weeks to mess that up for him. He deserves to be happy, and hopefully you can help lessen that pain for him. Listen to me ramble on, I am sorry."

"All I hear, is a sister worried for her brother. I think I am understanding you a bit more, Bella, and I hope we can be friends. You are a genuinely good person, and you would be surprised how few of those there are out there."

The two girls then just sat and talked about little things like school and clothes, Edythe asked more about Bella's mom. She could easily tell by the way Bella talked about Rene, that the parenting roles had been messed up from a young age. Rene had been lucky that Bella didn't resent her for that. Not many kids could handle it as well as Bella apparently had.

Before there silent pauses could turn into award silences, Thomas came down the stairs. He was wearing dark blue jeans with a tucked-in white V-neck t-shirt with a white button up that was open and untucked, a pair of grey vans completed his look. His slightly damp hair and flushed skin drove all of my thoughts to a halt.

The simple boyish smile on his face told me that he noticed my pause and it amused him that he could do that to me the way I did to him on occasion. I was glad yet again that I couldn't blush and make things worse for myself.

"Are you ready then?" I asked.

Thomas looked over at Bella, "I don't plan to be out too late, don't want to push Charlie too far on a school night. So, no later than 10:30... Ish?"

His last comment was more of a question towards me than anything. "That won't be a problem. I can have you back by then easily."

Before I left the kitchen I paused and turned to Bella, "Do you mind if I get your phone number? We could hang out and talk more if you want."

Looking baffled that I would ask, Bella nodded her head and gave me her number. I called it until her phone rang and then ended the call and pocketed mine. "Now you have mine too, if you have questions about anything. It was great talking to you Bella, I look forward to it more in the future."

Thomas followed me out the door and made his way to the passenger door. We both opened the door at the same time and sat down. I started the vehicle and placed my hand on the shifter that was next to my knee. I noticed Thomas taking in the interior of the car and was happy with his pleased expression. About the time I pushed the thumb button and slid the gear back on into reverse, the burned CD I had in the new age stereo kicked in.

House of Pain by Faster Pussycat started coming out of the speakers at a moderate volume. It hit me then and there that I had no idea what music he liked to listen to.

"We can change the CD if you would like, I don't know what music you like though."

Thomas smiled and shook his head, "Don't laugh too much, but I love these old power ballads. Today's music is ok, but the older stuff feels more genuine, you know what I mean? The 70's and 80's with their big hair and showmanship were way better than today's singers who are only good on CD or MTV/BET. I don't know much about the industry, but back in the day I understand the money was made off live shows. Now it's a CD popularity contest and how good your video looks."

The next song was I'm Alright from the Caddyshack movie by Kenny Loggins and I was astounded when Thomas started singing along. When he saw my amused look, he defended himself, "This was one of my mom's favorites. I grew up watching that movie with her."

I took the long way home so I could see more of his reactions to the mixed CD, but even though I didn't drive as fast as I could like Edward does, it was eventually time to turn down the drive to home.