Chapter 2

"Hey kitty cat, how are you?"

"I'm fine, Ana. I just moved the last of my things into the house I found in La Push. I wasn't able to come to the property until today, so I had to do everything last minute." Catherine wedged her phone between her shoulder and ear while she carried a large stack of boxes into her new bedroom.

"Well, I can let you go so you can finish, I just wanted to be sure you got there safely."

"That would be great. I'll call you once I'm fully settled. Maybe you could come visit some time with Hamish? I'd love to meet him."

Ana's chuckle echoed slightly. "Yes, I know you would. Truth be told, I can't wait to introduce you to each other. You both mean so much to me."

Catherine smiled. "You know I love you, Ana. I'd be dead ten times over without you."

Ana's chuckle was a full belly laugh this time. "You know that's not true, kitty. Anyway, call me when you can! Take care, sweet pea."

They said their goodbyes and hung up. Catherine set down the boxes on her bedroom floor and put the phone on her new nightstand that was left by the previous tenants. She looked around the room and sighed. There was so much work to do. She had just decided to start with cleaning the downstairs when a quick inhale alerted her to a new problem. Something horrible smelling was close. She had never smelled something so repulsive in all her 85 years. Carefully, Catherine walked to her window. She didn't see anything but wanted to be sure she was safe. Nicole could use anything to her advantage.

Ignoring the fact that she was probably being stupid beyond belief, she raced downstairs to the front door. She stood in silence for a moment, before opening the door and stepping outside. The smell was five times worse. As if five wet animals were close. Catherine took a few more steps until she was off her porch. She crouched in a defensive position. Not a moment passed until three large creatures stepped out of the woods surrounding her home.

Catherine was shocked. They were wolves, but she could smell a faint scent of human, too. They were the size of horses, with the largest being solid black. They were all hunched with their teeth bared and snarling. Catherine knew going into the house was hopeless, but she also knew she couldn't take on all three. Not with her lack of blood and small stature. Quickly thinking which was the better path between fight and flight, Catherine decided flight would be best. So, looking to her left and right, she chose to run to the right—where she could faintly hear a river. That would give her some cover if need be, depending on how deep it was. With that thought, she bolted just as a silver wolf leapt at her, missing by less than an inch.

Catherine ran. She ran as fast as she could with an empty stomach. She could hear the three large beasts behind her and knew that if she stumbled, she would be a goner. Her feet could barely keep up with the pace she pushed. She could hear the river getting closer, but she could also hear two more sets of four paws behind her. 5. There were 5 wolves after her. If she could still cry tears, she knew she would be crying in frustration. Finally, the river was in sight. But the gap between cliffs was steep. No matter. It was a matter of life or death… or a less painful death. She knew she had to jump if she wanted a chance. So, gathering her strength, she leapt at the last moment and soared through the air, to the other side of the gorge.

The wolves didn't follow her, but they growled and snapped in irritation. Catherine was panting as much as a vampire could pant as she looked back at the beasts. She didn't understand what just happened, but knew she barely escaped death. Not knowing if they would follow her or not, Catherine turned away from them and continued to run at a slower pace through the new woods.

Several miles in, she could hear what sounded like loud thunder. And while there were clouds in the sky, there was little lightening. Curious, Catherine followed the sound. She made sure to keep her nose alert in case she came across more rancid dog smell. She crossed another small stream and many, many… many more trees before hearing distant voices. It sounded like they were in a panic. She sniffed the air, but no dog smells hit her nose. Only… one human and several vampires. Catherine stopped in her tracks. If these were enemies, there was no chance she could survive a fight. Especially when she could hear so many of them. But if she could get to the human, she may have a chance to outrun the wolves and get to her home and gather a few things. Yes, that would work. But she would have to be careful. Perhaps these vampires would share the human. She only needed a little to survive.

Catherine continued her slower pace and followed her ears and nose to where she knew she would find the vampires and human. Finally, after a few minutes of her jogging pace, she could see a clearing. From where she stood, Catherine could see a large group gathered in a protective circle. Not aggressive, but protective. Interesting. She continued towards them and slowed to a walk. There were three female vampires… and four male vampires. They all had such strange colored eyes… She was horribly outnumbered if this turned sour. Coming into the clearing, Catherine raised her hands in surrender.

"I'm sorry to alarm you… I was only passing through. I smelled… well, I smelled you and a human and thought… but I guess I was wrong. I'm terribly sorry, today has been quite the day." Catherine carefully edited what she was planning to say, avoiding the wolves even though that's all she could think about. That and the human blood so close to her. She swallowed helplessly.

"It is no problem. My family and I were simply playing a game of baseball. You are not imposing." A tall blonde said, taking a step in front of the group still clumped together. "My name is Carlisle Cullen and this is my family—my wife, Esme; Emmett, Rosalie, Bella, Alice, Edward, and Alex." He gestured to each individual. On the last name, Catherine stared at for a few extra seconds, before disbelief showed on her face.

"Alexander?!" She cried out. She took a step forward, stopping only when the one called Edward hissed lowly.

Alexander stepped out of the circle, with the small female following him. "Catherine?!"

They both grinned at each other and stepped closer without Edward interfering this time. They met in the middle and embraced quickly. Catherine was aware of the other female and knew how they could be if they were mates as it seemed.

"I don't understand. What are you doing here, Catherine?" he asked in a much less accented voice than the last time they were together.

"I… well, it's a long story." She muttered, still in shock at seeing her old, dear friend.

"She encountered the pack. She was running from La Push and heard us playing." Edward called softly from behind Alexander. Her head shot around to look at him in shock. Her eyes wide. Alexander placed a hand on her shoulder as he moved to her side.

"Edward is gifted and can read minds. You never get used to it." A chipper voice answered Catherine's unspoken question. The small vampire had come up to the two while they were talking. "I'm Alice!" she chirped.

Alexander chuckled fondly and gently pushed Catherine to walk. The three of them approached the rest of the Cullens and the human. Edward was still standing in front of the human, seeing Catherine's deep maroon eyes, darkened from hunger. Catherine swallowed again, trying to not breathe in.

"Alex, how do you know our guest?" Esme asked, taking her husband's hand. She looked at the younger vampire with curiosity. Esme's voice reminded Catherine of the way Nicole had once sounded. The way her mother sounded. She had to remind herself that Nicole was never her mother to begin with-that her real mother abandoned her when she was born.

"Jasper and I ran into her a long time ago. We spent a few years together before she disappeared…" He gave Catherine a sad and somewhat angry look. She didn't meet his eyes. Jasper.

"You know Jasper?" Catherine caught that bit of information and held onto it like a lifeline. Esme smiled warmly at the younger vampire.

"Yes, he is part of our coven."

Catherine looked at the ground for a moment, thinking of the time the three of them spent together, hunting and living as a small family. But if he and Alexander—Alex?—were part of this family, she couldn't stay here… she ran to keep them safe. She quickly determined she had to leave now. She couldn't stay. She built up the strength to say as much and forced herself to think it was the right move, when a sudden feeling shock and hope filled her, freezing her to her spot. Oh no… She closed her eyes before looking over her shoulder to her left. The southern gentleman himself… in his golden glory, followed by another blonde bombshell… He caught her.

"Catherine."

Crap.

"Hello, Jasper..." she whispered, barely looking into his eyes. He cautiously walked closer to her, as if approaching a wild animal-something she was close to being in her present state of hunger and self-preservation. She tried to step back, to prepare to run, but Alex's hand held her still and she knew even in her strongest, she was no match for the older vampire. Looking at the others in the group, she knew that even if she were able to get out of his grip, the others looked ready to catch her, if only to protect their way of being. Edward had yet to look away from her as he stood in front of the human.

In her moment of distraction, Jasper now stood only feet away from her. Staring at her. His eyes, the same odd shade of amber as the others with a touch of darkness, held such pain. She knew she was the cause of some of it. At one point, they had pledged to never leave each other. She had broken that promise, that trust. Alex stepped away from Catherine and placed his arm around the small Alice girl. Catherine looked at Jasper again and felt all the hope and love return-even though she knew it was enhanced by the man in front of her. Jasper and Catherine stood in a world of their own for several minutes as the others watched in confusion, happiness, and hope.

"This is so awkward..." a voice meant to be quiet broke their moment.

"Emmett..." Esme rebuked.

"There's a bigger storm coming... we should move this inside." Alice suggested.

Carlisle and Esme looked at each other as Jasper remained stone still by the woman he once loved and believed lost.

"Edward, why don't you take Bella home. We will meet you back at the house. Catherine, if you would, please join us at our home." Carlisle spoke in a way only a father, a patriarch could-leaving no room for argument.

Catherine closed her eyes, finally breaking eye contact with Jasper. She knew she was stuck. If she ran, they could follow, or she could be taken down by wolves. If she stayed, she had to face her past with Jasper and possibly endanger him even more, along with the ones he now called family. She started to protest, but hand on her arm stopped her. She looked back at Jasper and felt herself nod. She couldn't run anymore. She was so tired of running.

And by God, she missed this man with her whole being.

"Ok."