Chapter 5

I sat awkwardly in the passenger seat, silent, as Emmett pulled out of the parking spot. Alice sat behind us, and I couldn’t really see her all that well without shifting around obviously. The Jeep was opened air, but I still could smell Emmett easily, and he smelled very similar to Rosalie, and if I tried harder I could probably differentiate them, but I suspected Rosalie’s scent would be all over this male.

Alice’s scent was really permeating the air and I found it cancelled out most of the more unpleasant scent of Emmett easily. I found myself wondering about my own scent, if it was as unpleasant for both the vampires as Rosalie had hinted to. I didn’t like that thought at all, but I wasn’t willing to ask.

Once we got away from the traffic near the school I noticed we started moving faster, a lot faster. I felt for any sense of danger, but there was none, so I tried to relax. I still had trouble, because I wasn’t the one driving, and this speed felt ominous to me. “You know, I never did ask if I could die in fiery car crashes.” I spoke casually and stared out the side window. “I don’t think that was a possibility the last time our tribe had a pack.”

A small hand moved fast and I watched it collide with the back of Emmett’s head, apparently hard enough for him to feel it. “What you do that for Alice?” Emmett spoke rather loudly and I focused even harder on the road.

“That comment meant slow down.” Alice informed him and I started to see the trees taking a bit longer for us to move passed them.

“Well, why didn’t she just say that then?” He said, sounded a little like he was pouting. I glanced over at Alice and noticed her slight smile and the wink she gave me. My little warrior, my mind filled in and it took a lot to look away from her. “I was trying to figure out how mortal she was.”

“You and me both.” I muttered as I glanced at him again. “Thanks for slowing down. I don’t like going faster than I can sense danger.” I looked away and felt like kicking myself, talking about my sixth sense so casually wasn’t something I did; never outside of the tribe, for sure. No one said anything about it though, there was just some comfortable silence after my comment that helped me relax again. I was starting to suspect that vampires often had periods of silence.

“You know, I never met a werewolf before.” Emmett glanced at me and I could tell he was looking for something inhuman in me.

“Well, now you have. I wouldn’t suggest trying to meet any more.” I could just imagine how the pack would respond to meeting a vampire in person, which is what I was afraid of. These were Alice’s coven, and they weren’t as bad as the pack was determined to see them. They’d never seen a vampire feed on a deer rather than a human, or maybe that wouldn’t be as moving a scene for them without imprinting at the same time. “They aren’t really all that nice.” I thought of the growls that followed me to the La Push reservation border when I was banished.

“I could say the same about vampires.” Alice spoke up, “Other than my family, that is.”

“You ever fight a vampire?” Emmett asked and I looked to see him looking at me as if evaluating my ability to fight. It wasn’t like I’d fight one in this form, so I shook my head and sighed.

“No, you guys are the only ones around that we know of.” I sat back in my seat to quiet for a moment, before Emmett talked again.

“Maybe you and I could,” He started to talk, but Alice interrupted him.

“I don’t think that’s a good idea Emmett.” She sounded a bit firm, and I wondered what he was about to say. He didn’t finish it.

“So what star do you think you’ll write Rosalie as?” Emmett spoke up after a strange silence, where he seemed disappointed and Alice gave him a stern look through the rearview mirror, and I found myself lost.

“I’m not supposed to pretend she’s someone else.” I answered, feeling puzzled.

“Oh, well I think she’d make a good Marilyn Monroe.” He added and I noticed the smile just talking about her caused him. It made me wonder if vampires imprinted, and that lead me to think about Alice.

“I guess.” I didn’t really know much about old movie stars. “I could see her as a Madonna.” I muttered, trying to play along. While I liked Madonna’s music, the documentary I saw of her made me suspect that woman was actually a bitch.

Alice laughed, “Any reason why you say that?” I turned to look at her and gave her wide eyes, hoping she’d drop that.

“Yeah, whats so Madonnaish about my Rose?” Emmett asked, and I sighed heavily as I turned to sit properly in my seat while I tried to think of a way to save this one. He wouldn’t take the truth well, and I didn’t feel like a fight if he was insulted.

“Well, she sure isn’t afraid to say what she thinks.” I answered softly and rested my hand on the handle of the Jeep door, wondering if jumping out would hurt too much.

“Nope, she sure doesn’t.” He seemed to puff up, and I was stunned at his obvious adoration. It made me feel like maybe vampires really did Imprint. Could Alice imprint on me? “What about me? What star am I?”

I felt like I had been put into the twilight zone, he wasn’t really a vampire asking me about stars was he? This felt odd. “I don’t know you very well.” All I could see were bulky bodybuilders I had no name for when I looked at him, but an image of him as a lovestruck puppy also fit. Neither were things I felt comfortable saying. He looked a little disappointed, but then glanced up in the rearview mirror. “Well, then what about Alice?”

I blushed horribly as I turned to look at Alice, trying to get my mind to work up an answer. Her dark hair, flipped playfully in every direction, her pale skin and gentle eyes, “I don’t think there is anyone quite like Alice.” I muttered and looked down a bit. Her gentle touch on my shoulder had my heart skipping a beat, and I glanced at her.

“Aw come on, you have to play. What star is Alice?” Emmett pressured and I could see Alice watching me, leaning forward a little in her seat, as if she wanted to know what I’d say.

“I can’t really think of one.” I said after trying to think up something to say. I turned to look at the road and we were much further along than I thought we’d normally be at a more legal pace. I looked around at an area I didn’t think I’d ever been before as the car started to slow.

“Almost there.” Alice said as we turned off onto a driveway that looked like a one lane road into the depths of the forest. The mailbox sitting on the street is what told me it was a driveway, because I couldn’t see the house yet. There were a few twists and turns and I found myself sniffing at the air often, trying to determine what was coming up. The forest trees filled the air but I did smell some car had been by recently. That would be Rosalie and the other two vampires that went to my new school. I recognized the car as we parked next to it.

“They beat us here.” Emmett muttered and the speed made sense.

“Not by too much.” I told him, and he gave me an odd look. “The car exhaust smell is too fresh, they just got here a couple minutes ago.” I explained. Emmett gave me an odd look, like I’d really surprised him, and Alice laughed.

When he opened his door and stepped out I just sat still. As Alice leapt out from the back, I just took a deep breath. “How many vampires are in there?” I asked quietly as Alice opened the passenger side door and stared at me.

“Seven.” Her words made me cringe just a little, but I took another deep breath and nodded, while moving to get out of the Jeep. Alice backed away enough to let me. “I promise you won’t be attacked.”

“I know, I wouldn’t be here if I thought that,” I spoke softly, and glanced up at the impressively large house, and the set of expensive cars in front of it. These people were very different than me on many levels. I suspected if we’d taken the vampire/werewolf equation out, I’d still be rather nervous walking into such a nice place with obviously rich people. I had so many opportunities to make a fool out of myself here, and I didn’t like that. I didn’t want to embarrass myself in front of Alice.

As I walked up the stairs with them, towards the front door, I tried to focus my thoughts. I was going to ignore the scents no matter how bad they got.

This place was class and I felt bad stepping inside, thinking there might be some dirt on my shoes. Alice smiled welcomingly at me and the scent of the others came to me stronger than before, but of course it would be stronger. This was their home and they were all here. All right here, I thought as I looked into a living room and saw six vampires staring at me. The door closed behind me and Alice took my hand, leading me into the room. I moved rather slowly, and fought the desire to sniff the air harder, to identify each vampire there by scent. It might look like I was saying they were stinky, and I wasn’t going to suggest that, even if this many vampires in a space were a bit overwhelming.

I felt slightly abandoned when Alice let go of my hand and moved to lean against the arm of a couch. “This is my family.” Alice smiled at me and turned to point out the various members by name. Somehow, with them all there, I suspected Rosalie and I weren’t about to start our homework right away.

…………………………..

Chapter 6

“You know Rosalie and Emmett, of course,” Alice said as she brushed over those two, but I did notice Emmett waved at me, even though he’d been the one to drive me here. “This is our mother, Esme,” the brunette, slightly older female was introduced and the smile she gave me was welcoming. It made me feel better about being here and I gave her a shy smile back.

“When I heard you were coming to study with Rosalie, I went to the grocery store.” The woman’s voice was honey soft. I had a feeling that Esme was the epitome of a gentle woman, and my eyes widened a little. “So you have snacks. I hear humans do that, snack after school?”

“I , ah, thank you.” My voice was just as stunned sounding as I was and I blushed at that. I didn’t want to seem too shocked at everything, but that had really been a kind move. They didn’t eat, so they spent money and time for me. That was also a promising beginning.

“Yeah, but what do werewolves eat?” Rosalie asked, and there was a hint of challenge in her voice.

“What humans do, but only a lot more of it.” I gave Rosalie a smile that had too many teeth, thinking she wouldn’t understand the threat, but her eyes did narrow at me.

“Well, I did buy a lot, or at least that’s what my children said.” Esme smiled gently again and I focused on her.

“You don’t eat that much during lunch at school.” Emmett spoke up and I sighed. I couldn’t afford much at school, I ate what I could afford. I guess that would keep students from thinking I was bulimic, I tried to think of the positive.

The boy with bronze colored hair, who I had seen at school but never spoken with, finally spoke. “We can wait until after introductions for that.” He addressed Emmett, and then turned to me. “I’m Edward.” He had a sort of authority to his voice that irritated me, but then I wondered if he was the Alpha of this coven. He at least was higher in the pecking order than Emmett, I considered and I watched Edward give me a slightly amused smile that left me feeling confused.

“This is Jasper.” Alice said, putting her hand on the shoulder of the blonde male. I stared at her hand, before looking at him, and I felt a bit surprised at how intensely he was looking at me. He sat rather tensely. Alice leaned into him and whispered very quietly, but I could still hear it. “Still okay?”

He looked surprised and whispered just a quietly, “Her blood doesn’t smell good. I’ll be fine.”

“I’m Carlisle.” The older man, and still just as beautiful as the others, man stepped forward and I had to tear my eyes away from the gentle conversation Alice was having with Jasper. I was surprised he was coming closer to me and when he held his hand out to shake, I did it slowly. He was just as cold as Alice, the only other vampire to touch me. “Wow, you really are rather warm.”

“I know, isn’t she?” Alice added, sounding amazed, and I blushed.

“We do have some questions for you.” Carlisle spoke and glanced over at the others. “Why don’t you sit down.”

“Would you like a snack now?” Esme asked, even as she stood up. I started to answer, but she was already gone. I could see her move toward the kitchen, but I wondered if a human would be able to.

“Ah, sure. That would be great.” I didn’t talk any louder, because she should be able to hear me even in another room. As long as my stomach didn’t knot up that is, but food would be nice. I usually gorged myself on meat I got off of animals I hunted, to offset the grocery bills, but I was normally hungry all day long.

“Eat as much as you want, it’ll only spoil here.” Edward spoke softly and I felt I was missing something as he gave me a strange look again. But if they were feeding me, this should be a gentle interrogation.

A plate of food was set on the coffee table, in front of me, and a glass of milk. I looked at the wide assortment and large amounts of food with surprise. Esme could easily cater a pack meeting. “Wow, looks good.” I said and Esme seemed to be pleased. I knew they wanted me to talk, but I took a cookie and ate it while I waited for questions, it seemed the polite thing to do.

………………………………………….

Chapter 7

“Well, first thing we need to know is how does your presence affect the treaty?” Carlisle asked, leaning forward slightly.

I felt a wave of embarrassment, and apprehension. “I’m not a part of the pack, I can’t speak for them. Last I heard they were going to honor it, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they are just waiting for any of you to break it.” My voice lowered. “I’m hoping you won’t demand that I leave, because I’ve already been banished from La Push. I can’t set foot there any more than you can.” I hated admitting this, but I needed to be as upfront as possible, and hope that Alice would accept me. For her to do that, I needed her family to accept me as well.

“Why were you banished?” Carlisle spoke again, but I did notice Edward fidgeting and Rosalie looking a bit curious. I didn’t look around at everyone, I focused on the plate of food, just staring at it as I thought about this answer. There was just so much to my banishment, and I wasn’t sure it was time to talk about it all.

“I believe that vampires that don’t hunt humans aren’t a threat to us, and that we don’t need to be in a constant war ready state just because you are here.” I felt a slight blush to my face. This wasn’t completely true. I just couldn’t fight this coven, and the pack couldn’t accept that, considered me a traitor for that. I could see Carlisle was surprised.

“You were banished because you stood up for us?” Alice spoke and she sounded doubtful. It did sound odd, I’m sure. “Why would you do that?”

“It’s not like,” I sighed heavily and turned to look at her. “I didn’t have to say anything, the pack knew and then they didn’t trust me.” I could see confusion on a few faces. “How much do you guys know about werewolves?” I could tell they didn’t know about the Pack connection, or they wouldn’t look so puzzled. When no one answered right away I just sighed. “When we are phased, are wolves, we share a telepathic connection. We have no secrets like that, or at least we didn’t. I’ve learned to block them out now that I’ve been banished, but I didn’t have that back then.” My voice became a whisper, “When I felt doubt, they knew it. I couldn’t hide it, and they couldn’t change my mind. They wouldn’t listen to me.” I sighed heavily. I couldn’t really say that if it came down to the pack versus this coven, that I wouldn’t change sides, I can’t lie telepathically, and that was the last nail in the coffin for me.

“Well, maybe if we spoke for you?” Carlisle started to offer and it was sweet, wouldn’t work, but it was sweet. I just shook my head.

“Well, surely your parents,” Esme sounded a little upset and I looked at her. She was rather sensitive, compassionate, to care that much, that or the guilt of being part of the reason I lost my pack bothered her. Either way, I wished they didn’t feel that, or she, if she was the only one. I mean, she went shopping for me of all things, knowing I was a werewolf. Could the pack even recognize that kindness?

“I had to beg to be allowed into my father’s house long enough to grab a bag of clothes. If there weren’t witnesses, I doubt I would have been allowed in.” I spoke, my voice hard as I remembered that day. “So no, there isn’t anyone to stand for me.” My voice caught on that last word and I glared at the table as I tried to fight of tears. I would not break down, I would not, I repeated in my head. When that wasn’t enough I forced myself to remember Rosalie was here, and she’d use my weakness against me. It took vicious dedication, but I took control of my emotions again. A wave of calm helped me, and I was able to look up again.

“That’s not right, what about your mother?” Esme moved closer to me, actually moving around one of the others to sit closer, actually on the coffee table in front of me, moving the tray to the side gently as she did so. I found myself jerking back in surprise as she took my hand gently.

“I don’t believe this.” I heard Rosalie whisper almost quiet enough for me to miss, but not quite. Esme gave Rosalie a dark look and Rosalie went quiet, as Esme looked back at me. I just stared at the vampire, wondering what she was thinking, because that level of compassion in her eyes seemed too unbelievable. It made me reluctant to answer her question, because I wondered if she’d actually hug me if I did, and I wasn’t sure my mind could wrap itself around that.

I couldn’t stall anymore, and I couldn’t just not answer. “My mother’s dead. She died two years ago.” I left out that she’d been killed by a drunk driver, because I stared stunned as I was pulled into a hug. The scent of death around her wasn’t too strong, I wasn’t in danger of gagging, but I also knew I had to smell bad to her as well. Her body was rather hard and cold, and I wondered if Alice felt like that. That’s what kept me silent as the hug lasted long enough to get her scent all over me.

She pulled back and I took a soft sniff, to verify that yes, I smelled of vampire. I frowned a little, before covering it up. I was not going to insult this woman, even if she did get her scent all over me. I’ll shower tonight, I told myself and tried to reduce the amount I breathed, while also wondering if I could develop an immunity to this scent over time. Esme was kind, but I didn’t want to live in fear of her hugging me again.

Part of me liked the hug, the support, and I didn’t know what to do with that needy part of myself at the moment, so I just looked away from her, taking in the others in the room. They had no idea how lucky they were to have each other, I thought for a moment, imagining what life in this house might be like. This pack seemed more caring than my own had been, closer, and by virtue of inviting me here, more open minded. I wish my pack had been like this. Maybe if I wasn’t the only female it could have been.

“Esme dear,” Carlisle spoke, and she looked at him a moment, before patting my knee gently and moving back to her seat.

“Well, I see no problem with you living in Forks. It doesn’t affect the treaty at all. I trust you won’t tell anyone what we are?” Carlisle said and I started to relax a little as I nodded. His voice dropped to a more personal tone. “Where are you living by the way?”

“Oh um,” Lie, my mind screamed, not wanting any more drama for the day. I didn’t want to seem like a total pity case. “I found a decent place.” I could have said I was living with someone, but then they would want to know who. “It’s a half hour from school.” I smiled just a little and filled my mouth with another cookie.

I noticed Carlisle and Esme looking at Edward and I tried to listen for a superquiet conversation, but I heard nothing. Still watching Alice nod my eyes widened. “You guys have a pack bond?” I whispered, suspecting they were talking telepathically. When Carlisle gave me a questioning look, I elaborated, “telepathy?” I noticed a few looks being tossed around, and I was pretty sure I was right.

“Actually, just Edward is telepathic.” Alice spoke and I glanced over at him, a frown starting on both of our faces. That wasn’t a pack bond, it was an all out power. I slammed down the barrier I used to keep other werewolves out of my mind while I was in wolf form and watched Edward’s eyes widen a little.

He’d been in my head. My eyes narrowed at him. He opened his mouth to speak, and I did my best to not growl at him in his own house, surrounded by his coven. “How did you block me out?”

“What were you doing there to begin with?” My voice was harsher, and I thought frantically, trying to remember every thought I’d had in this house, around him.

“You get used to it, he’s always in everyone’s heads.” Emmett answered first, and I watched Edward grit his teeth. “No privacy around here.” That sounded familiar to me, the pack often grumbled about that. It was worse with me, but then they were amused that I had some of the same thoughts as the males at times, about pretty girls. Yeah, that didn’t last, a few thoughts about Alice had pretty much shown the differences between us.

“I only wanted to make sure you weren’t lying, that this wasn’t a trick.” Edward spoke up and I stared at him wondering what I should say. If I hadn’t had this experience before I was pretty sure I’d want to hurt him, a lot, but now I was lost as to what to think. “It isn’t.” He spoke firmly and I looked into his eyes as he glanced at his family. “You’re being relatively honest.”

“Relatively?” Rosalie sounded suspicious and I looked over at her to see her glaring at me.

“No one is completely honest Rosalie.” Edward spoke and I watched him, stare at me.

“Well, it is good to know.” Esme stood up again. “Would you like more milk Diana?”

I glanced at my half full glass, and then gave Esme a puzzled look that had her smile at me, “Ah, sure?” the woman took my glass and I just rubbed my eyes, with a sigh, as I thought about all of this.

“So how do you block me?” Edward added and I stopped rubbing to look at him.

“I had to learn to block out my former pack, they weren’t really kind to me after I left, and being able to hear their thoughts, well it wasn’t pleasant.” The thoughts the new one sent were rather cruel actually. He barely knew me before, and took the negative stories to heart. “Nights hearing how, well, nevermind.” I looked away. “I learned how to block people out because I had to.” Thankfully it worked on him too.

Esme held out my glass of milk and I took it, “Thank you.” I spoke softly to her. Esme patted my arm and smiled at me.

“Do you have any questions for us? Before you and Rosalie start your homework?” Carlisle asked and I slowly put my glass of milk down as I looked around at everyone. Questions, I could ask some? I hadn’t expected that. I was the intruder after all.

I glanced at Alice, and I thought I really should ask her any of my questions, if I could think of any. “Can I take a raincheck on that?” I asked, as my mind froze, because her smile made it hard for me to think. Alice nodded, and I got the impression she’d answer any of my questions. I smiled at her, and worried that it was too shy of a smile, before Rosalie stood up.

“I think we should study on the porch.” Rosalie said flatly, and the look in her eyes made me think she was insulting my scent again, so I just narrowed my eyes and nodded.

“Sounds like a good idea.” Roadkill, my mind finished the answering insult silently.

“Take her snacks Rosalie.” Esme scolded gently and Rosalie picked up my own personal tray of snack food to take with us. I grabbed the glass and thanked the nice vampires before following the mean one outside. Rosalie may be very hard to like, but at least putting up with her came with the invitation here today. That helped me maintain a halfway decent mood as she gave me a short, clipped, fake history that I could use on my paper.

………………………………

Chapter 8

Alice gave me a soft smile as she got into the car to drive me ‘home’. I had been grateful that she was the one to offer, because even though it was Rosalie that invited me here, I knew she would rather I walk back to town.

“So, where to?” Alice asked, and I noticed she looked a little uncomfortable asking. I glanced outside at their house and all the woods around it for a moment, considering her question.

“Can you take me to town?” I asked while I noticed Emmett watching us back out of the driveway. “I’d like to stop by work.” It was better to walk home from there, and then I wouldn’t have to tell Alice it was impossible to get to my shack by any road, because it was in the middle of the forest.

“Where do you work?” Alice sounded interested in the topic and I noticed she was watching me even as we drove forward down the private road from her house to the street. I knew she must have taken this road a hundred times, but not looking at it as she drove made me a little nervous.

“The Used Book Store.” I answered and watched the road for both of us, even though I’d rather watch her. “I work part time, some evenings and Saturdays.”

“What do you do for fun?” Alice asked as we pulled onto a real road. I felt awkward as I thought of what I did, and how different it was to what I used to do.

“Well, other than reading books I sneak out of the shop for a couple nights,” I blushed, even though I had my boss’ permission to do that. “I ‘hike’ a lot,” my voice went quieter, “in my wolf form.”

Alice shifted a bit in her seat and I watched her seem to hesitate. “I’ve never seen a werewolf, you know all shifted. I’d only heard stories from some of my family, you’re my first werewolf.” She looked over at me, “Maybe some time you could show me?”

I smiled, feeling a bit proud that she was interested in my wolf form. I knew from the others that I was a rather pretty cinnamon colored Red Wolf. By the standards of the pack I was rather delicate looking, but I was fierce, and fast. “Maybe we could go hunting sometime.” I asked, a bit upset with how shy my question sounded. Her look of surprise wasn’t comforting. “I have to hunt for my meat. It’s a bit too expensive to buy at the store, especially with how much I need to eat.” I explained quickly. I spoke more quietly. “I wouldn’t hurt you, only my body changes.”

“That’s not what I was thinking.” Alice stopped the car before pulling onto the road and turned to just stare at me. “You surprise me, people rarely do.” From the look on her face I could see she really meant it. “I don’t think hunting together is a great idea. It’s not a good idea to take humans with us hunting.” Her slight frown was thoughtful, and uncertain. “I have no idea how hunting together would turn out, and it could go very badly.”

I hadn’t felt the sense of doom when I’d suggested it, but I just nodded and sighed rather than explain that I would know if something would go bad. It was a bit too soon to reveal my sixth sense. Without proof, well, no one ever believed me without proof. My mom certainly hadn’t. “fine.” I gave her a small smile, dismissing the idea for now.

As she pulled into the road her speed picked up and I found myself trying to sense trouble as my heart beat a bit faster. “You really do have a nice home.” I finally spoke, eager for any topic to get us talking. I wanted to hear her voice. Alice smiled while still looking out the windshield.

“Esme worked hard on it, I’ll have to tell her you liked it.”

“She’s really nice.” I struggled with myself, trying to think of more to say as the car went quiet. “I didn’t really expect anyone to like me.” I spoke more quietly, thinking about Esme’s hug. “She’s different, I mean, I know I must smell, Rosalie says I do.” And yet, Esme hugged me. I still smelled like her, which was unfortunate but nice of her regardless.

“I have no idea what she’s talking about.” Alice spoke, air huffed out in a bit breath. I watched as Alice purposefully inhaled through her nose. “You don’t smell bad. You actually smell kind of nice, and wild, somehow you smell wild, I can’t really describe it.”

I stared at her, my heart seemed to stop as I watched her scent the air for me and smile. I wasn’t repelling her. “You smell good too.” I spoke quietly.

Alice smiled ruefully, “I heard we smell like roadkill. It’s okay, you don’t need to lie.” I felt shame as I heard the insult I threw at Rosalie coming from Alice’s lips. I vowed to be more careful in the future to not inadvertently insult the others. I’d have to try and take Rosalie’s insults with more grace than I had in the past, and maybe she’d tire of her hostility.

“You don’t.” I insisted. I smiled a little wickedly when Alice gave me a searching look. “You can tell Rosalie she’s the only one that smells like that.” Even if it was a lie, I didn’t want my insult to her to be spread to the nicer members of the family. My smile softened. “You actually smell very nice.”

Alice gave me a double take and her eyebrows drew together for a moment, before she returned her eyes to the road. I enjoyed watching her smile. “I’ll be sure to tell Rose that.” She glanced at me, her smile mischievous. “So you don’t mind that you smell like Esme?” I tried to cover up my grimace, but Alice laughed. “Esme likes you, you’ll have to endure that a few more times at least, until she’s convinced you know it.”

“I’m a big strong wolf, I can take it.” I smiled and her laugh was just beautiful. The trip into town was far too brief as we talked, and I didn’t want it to be over as we pulled onto the street I worked on.

It was a street you’d see in any small town. Small shops were along it and a few cars were parallel parked on the road. Most buildings were one story, with a couple being two. My work, the used book store, was across the street from a two story building, the gym. “Can I come in? I could use something new to read.” Alice asked, and I just nodded. Like I’d say no to more time with her?

“I get a discount, you can use it.” I never used it, because I just ‘borrowed’ the books. Alice just smiled.

“I think I can afford a few used books, but thank you. That’s sweet.” She gave me a cute smile and then glanced around and started to pull even with a car, to back into a space. That’s when the feeling hit me. I glanced around, wondering what caused it. I hadn’t felt it when I said she could come with me, so it wasn’t that. We were doing something wrong, something that would cause a problem.

Alice started to back into the space and it was more than large enough for her car, but the feeling was insistent. It wasn’t so intense I thought danger was ahead, I remembered how intense that was. I was nearly insane when my mother ignored my warning, and as she’d driven off with my uncle I was crying and banging my head against the wall trying to stop the warning bells. This wasn’t anything like that horrible night. I’d really scared my little cousin that night, and after the accident we never really talked about it, but he gave me odd looks and always had listened to me if I said not to do something after that. He knew. I think he’s the only person on the reservation I actually miss. I don’t think he would have banished me, and I don’t know what lies they told him about why I wasn’t there anymore. That hurt.

“Not this spot.” I spoke with a flat voice even as she was almost in it. “No, not here.” Alice gave me a weird look. “I don’t like this spot.” I said quietly, wondering what I could say if that didn’t work. That spot was actually pretty perfect, almost right in front of the store and plenty large enough.

“Okay.” I was impressed when she just pulled out of the spot and moved to the next one. The twinge I felt had me speaking again.

“Not this one either.” I said as she stopped the car to start the process of parking again. I got a searching look and a confused smile, before we moved on. We parked on a side street and Alice stared at me after the car was turned off.

“This one okay?” She smiled, so I knew she was just confused. I nodded, not really sure why the others weren’t okay. It was an odd thing to get warnings over. I got out and glanced at the rather impressive car again, as Alice walked over to the sidewalk. “I love that car.” She spoke fondly as she glanced at it. “I had to order it, they didn’t have it in stock and I still rarely get to drive it.”

“It is nice,” I smiled softly, “even if it is yellow.” Her fake insulted look made it hard to not smile more. “I thought vampire’s should have black cars.” I talked quieter as we started down the sidewalk toward my work, and I noticed someone pulling into a spot we’d avoided.

“And I thought werewolves wouldn’t know how to read.” She teased back and I blushed. “What do you read anyhow?”

I felt like lying, because lately I’d been on a vampire fiction marathon. I’d been reading Charlaine Harris, Kim Harrison, and Laurell K. Hamilton if I could ever get my hands on them. I read other writers too, but everything had vampires in them. I blamed imprinting on a creature I knew very little about. I knew the stories I read were just that, because it was still daylight and Alice wasn’t in a coffin. “Mostly fantasy.”

I lead the way into the shop and the older woman behind the counter smiled when she saw me, her voice raising. “I found another vampire book Diana.” She held it up and I blushed painfully as Alice stepped into the store behind me chuckling. “This one has a female vampire, and the person who left it said she likes women! You’ll like that right?” I stared at the title, Darkling, but I didn’t know that book. If a vampire, my vampire wasn’t behind me I’d be eagerly moving over to see it.

“Oh god.” I muttered and blushed harder. My boss, Erika, was so wonderful, but I really wish she wasn’t so eager to help me find books right now. “Thanks.” My voice louder, and I didn’t look at Alice as I moved to take the book being lent to me.

“I know you like reading about vampires, so I was thrilled something came in. You really helped me out with the new shelves, you just take this book. I don’t need it back.” Erika smiled and sat back down on her stool, her own book facedown on the counter. That’s when she looked behind me and smiled. I knew she was looking at Alice.

“Alice, this is my boss Erika.” I turned partly to see Alice and introduce her, and the amused look in Alice’s eyes really made me regret coming here.

“Hello ma’am.” Alice spoke and nodded politely.

“Thank you.” I held the book up and nodded my appreciation, before moving into the store, and out of sight of the cash register and my boss. I was still blushing painfully as Alice chuckled.

“Where would the werewolf books be?” Alice teased me.

“Those are full of shit.” I whispered. “So unreal.”

“Like those are accurate?” Alice nodded toward my newest book. I smiled and was about to ask what color her coffin was when Alice’s eyes seemed to dull and she just stared blankly at a shelf of books for a moment. I was starting to get concerned when her head shook suddenly and she turned partly toward the door.

The sound of screeching tires and metal crunching shook the windows and I looked out to see a car sideswiping the entire row of cars in front of the store, before coming to a stop. Alice didn’t move, she just turned her head and stared at me. “you knew.” It wasn’t a question and I felt my heart pick up the pace as she stared at me looking a bit shocked. “You wouldn’t let me park there because you knew.”

Erika was rushing out to see if anyone was hurt, but I didn’t smell any blood when the door opened. I didn’t felt any sense of need to act either. I just stood there staring at the small vampire in front of me and swallowed hard. “I sometimes sense things.” I admitted quietly, but I knew we were the only two in the shop now.

She just stared at me, and I felt exposed. “Psychic.” Alice seemed to be trying to see something that wasn’t there again. “Is that why I can’t see you? You’re psychic too?” She looked back at me, and it was my turn to widen my eyes as her words registered. “Can you see visions with me in them?” Alice asked me and I didn’t know what to say.

Erika came back in and looked at us. “Everyone seems to be fine, but I think Bert was way too drunk to be driving. Mr. Herbert is calling Charlie Swan.” My fists clenched as I heard he was that drunk. My arms started to shake and I took several shaky breathes as I glared out at the man now having trouble walking as he inspected the damage he did. A low growl escaped my lips and Alice’s hand rested on my shoulder. I looked over at her to see her concern.

“How about we leave?” Alice spoke even as she took my hand and started to pull me to the door.

“Drunk driver killed my mom.” I spoke even as I glared at the asshole that other people were keeping out of his car so he couldn’t leave. “I told her not to go, I knew something horrible was going to happen, but she didn’t listen to me.”

“She wasn’t getting in the car with a drunk driver, was she? You just knew something bad was going to happen.” Alice asked gently as we turned down the side street. I took another deep breath, fighting the urge to change and rip that man apart. He could have killed someone else’s loved one, all for a few drinks and arrogance.

“I don’t get visions. I just sense the wrongness in something. I have to interpret it and I can’t say what exactly is wrong. I couldn’t tell her why she shouldn’t go, so she didn’t listen to me.” I stopped walking and stared into Alice’s eyes. The sympathy and understanding was more than I’d ever seen in anyone else’s.

For the second time in my life, a vampire hugged me. It happened so quickly I didn’t even see her move, but my heart pounded once I felt and saw her holding me, her head resting against my shoulder. I was a full head taller, so I stared down into her adorably messy hair and slowly let myself hug her back. I let myself inhale deeply, taking in her scent. “I couldn’t imagine how hard that would be. My family knows not to bet against me. If they ever didn’t listen when I told them a vision.” Her words trailed off and she pulled back away from me. I missed her closeness as soon as I lost it.

Chapter 9

I noticed Rosalie staring at me from the corner of my eye as I was pretending to focus on the blackboard in English. I felt like a specimen in a zoo, and I clenched my fists, because turning to her and growling out ‘don’t look at me’ would be rather childish. I wanted to do it, but I was pretty sure she’d have a way to make me feel like an idiot if I did it.

I sighed softly as the class got increasingly boring. English and books had the ability to be interesting, I knew it had to be true, so why did every English class I take feel like a boredom endurance test? I turned to the side a little and looked at Rosalie, feeling the urge to poke her and see if she’d growl. It might cure my boredom, but I reigned in the impulse. Instead I stared at her, to show her how irritating it was.

I watched as her jaw clenched, and I couldn’t stop a small smirk as she gave me a quick glare. Her eyes returned to the teacher and I stared at the pale skin and the make up she used to try and hide the darkness under her eyes. I stared at the profile of her nose, and watched her jaw move, the muscles in it tense.

“What are you looking at dog?” she finally broke and subwhispered to me, her voice harsh and unfriendly.

“I was noticing your nose isn’t really centered.” I subwhispered back, doing my best to not laugh when her eyes widened. I could imagine it took all she had to not whip out a mirror and check, even though she’d seen her reflection for who knows how many years.

After class, I walked past the bathroom to our history class, and as I saw Rosalie slip out of it, a room she most likely wouldn’t need, I chuckled. I moved to walk past her, but felt fingers grip my shirt and saw her angry eyes glaring at me as she pulled me into the bathroom after her.

“Come on, it was funny. You must look at yourself for hours every day and still you had to check.” I teased even as I was roughly let go.

Rosalie glanced at the mirror, it was just a second, but I smiled. Her glare was cold when it came back to me. “Alice is thrilled to meet another psychic.” The blonde’s voice was hard, threatening. “You hurt her, in any way, and I’ll send the pieces of you back to La Push.” My eyes widened, surprised at her words. I felt the urge to say I’d never hurt Alice, but I just stared instead. Rosalie’s hostile expression was protective, I could almost admire that. “She is special,” I couldn’t disagree with that, I found myself nodding just a little at Rosalie’s words, but that got me that vampire’s hands on my shirt, shoving me back into the bathroom wall. “She has never met another like her, and she says you are. If you’re lying, or using her in any way, I don’t care how much of your stench gets on me when I touch you, I’ll rip you apart.”

I just blinked and stared as she gave me a warning look and then turned to leave. Slowly I moved to the mirror and tried to straighten out my shirt. I found a button was missing and found it on the ground. I pocketed it, so I could fix the shirt later.

I was late walking into science class, and I had a different shirt on. Being a werewolf meant keeping at least one change of clothes around. I’d learned that, and it proved useful now. My shirt was wrinkled and sloppy looking, from being at the bottom of my backpack, and I felt awkward about that, but I just kept my head down and made my way to my seat, with the teacher glaring at me the entire way.

“I don’t ever want to hurt her.” I subwhispered as I sat down, knowing Rosalie would hear me. “but don’t assume you could kill me too easily either.” I respected why she threatened me, but I couldn’t let it stick like that, I had to fight for my place in the new pack, even if they weren’t a real pack. I wasn’t letting her put me at the bottom of the pecking order.

……………………………

Lunch came way too soon and I frowned as I made my way into the cafeteria. I glanced around and cursed the teacher that slowed me down, because I’d wanted an empty table and they were all gone now. I couldn’t sit with Jessica again, because I didn’t want to be pulled into gossip or deal with her immaturity. I didn’t doubt I’d get a cold shoulder, I had gotten it in the halls after all.

I looked at the vampire table, and noticed that Edward, Rosalie, and Jasper were there. As I moved to the food line, I saw Emmett almost at the register, buying food he couldn’t eat. I sighed and wondered if I’d ever have the nerve to ask them to bag that food up for me so I could eat something other than meat. My lunch was my only other meal, and I struggled to buy things that would approximate a healthy balance.

I picked my selection, doing math in my head carefully as I did. I wanted money to have lunch every day until payday, so I was careful. I paid and then moved out of the way to study the room. Jessica pointedly looked at me and then away, so that invitation was revoked. I looked at the table with boys laughing and joking, and passed the table of cheerleaders with a sigh.

A waving hand caught my attention and I turned to look with wide eyes at the vampire table. Rosalie looked like she smelled something disgusting, and Emmett was chuckling. Jasper just sat staring at the food in front of him and Alice seemed to be bouncing a little in her seat as she motioned for me to come closer. I started walking that way and could hear the rumble of constant talking at the other tables increase as I did it.

“Is she gonna sit with the Cullens?” I heard come from a few different tables, and even Jessica’s voice carried to me. I didn’t know the answer to that question. If Alice wanted me to, I would. I wasn’t stupid enough to say no to that, even if the table, other than Alice was a bit stinky and Rosalie almost ruined my shirt. I didn’t have enough shirts to lose one.

“Sit with us.” Alice spoke, her smile and giddiness making me smile almost involuntarily. I could see what Rosalie was talking about; Alice was thrilled to be around me. I felt a wave of happiness and hope seeing this. She didn’t think I was weird, and yesterday would have sent many people running, but not her.

I didn’t sit right away though, I glanced at the others at the table. Rosalie’s teeth were gritted, I could tell by the tension in her jaw. At least that meant her mouth was closed. Emmett and Edward looked somewhat welcoming, and Jasper was hard to read, so I slowly sat down between Alice and Edward. “Thanks. I wasn’t looking forward to finding a place.”

“Least we can do, since you lost your friends defending us.” Edward spoke, his voice more serious than I’d suspect and his eyes moved toward Jessica’s table. I just stared down at my tray with a sigh, not sure how I felt about the fact that he was talking about more than just Jessica.

“I was thinking, maybe we could go shopping this week.” Alice smiled at me, and I started to smile back, but then a weird clash of emotions came over me. I didn’t understand it, so I found myself pausing to consider it. I was happy she wanted to spend time with me and apprehensive about it? I was thrilled I was going to get some one on one time with her and concerned?

“Well, I don’t actually have any money.” I told her, but I struggled to understand what my senses were telling me. When Alice turned to look at Jasper I was surprised.

“She relies on her feelings for her powers. Try and rein yours in.” She spoke to the blonde male vampire and I felt that strange clashing feeling retreat. Alice smiled at me again, “You don’t need money. Rosalie ruined your shirt, we owe you. Do you want to go?”

“It isn’t ruined, I just need to replace the button.” I spoke quietly.

“She shouldn’t have been threatening you.” Alice’s voice hardened as she glanced at Rosalie. I wasn’t sure how Alice found out about that, but the way she spoke made my heart sing. She was protective of me. She didn’t need to be, I could probably take Rosalie in a full out fight, as long as Emmett didn’t join in, but I liked that she was. “So can you come with me?” Her eyes were so hopeful, that I had to nod.

“I work tonight.” I went through my work schedule mentally, and I did need to hunt soon. I sighed as I considered hunting would take Thursday out of the running too, and I worked Friday night and Saturday morning. I needed the money or I’d ask for one of them off, but without every hour my boss could give me I’d be unable to wash my clothes or eat lunch. I couldn’t believe I was going to have to put Alice off for so many days when she wanted to spend time with me. “I get off work at 4 on Saturday.” I spoke tentatively, hoping she was available for that, because even that seemed like it was too long a wait. I could have her to myself, for a Saturday night if this worked, though, so I didn’t work the next day. I could stay up late.

“The shops won’t be open for long after we finally get started.” Alice sounded disappointed. “You can’t get off any earlier?”

I glanced down at my small lunch, the biggest I could afford and imagined what affect missing my largest shift of the week would do to it. Would she change her mind and not want to go with me if I couldn’t go earlier?

“She works for a living Alice, it isn’t fun money like it is with these other kids.” Edward spoke up, and I grimaced, realizing I hadn’t been shielding. I put it back up, but he just gave me a small friendly smile, very small.

“Oh,” Alice looked uncomfortable for a moment her eyes slightly widened in understanding. I felt bad that she was realizing this now. “I’m sorry, I wasn’t thinking.”

“That’s our Alice, once someone brings up shopping all else fades away.” Emmett teased with a big smile, but I could almost smell that Alice was embarrassed.

I didn’t mean to growl at him, but a soft growl escaped my lips in her defense. Emmett’s eyes widened and instead of scaring him, he looked amused and happy. The cool feel of a hand over my own stopped the rumbling growl and I turned to see Alice petting my hand. “No need to growl puppy, that’s just Emmett, being Emmett.” The way her lips caressed the word puppy made it a term of endearment and I blushed at hearing it. Her teasing smile made my heart skip a beat, and I focused instead on eating a few of my French fries, trying to not be awkward around her.

“Puppy,” Emmett chuckled and I just ate. I wasn’t going to ruin the pet name I’d been given by protesting, but I didn’t want him calling me that. Of course, what little I knew about him, saying anything would guarantee he would call me puppy often if he knew I didn’t like that.

As I glanced around, I brought a few more fries to my lips and the scent on them made me pause. I frowned and glanced down at my fries to see a full batch. I took another sniff of the fries in my hand and looked over at Edward, to see he had an empty container in front of him. Alice chuckled and I slowly started eating his fries. I must have been too distracted to see him switch them.

“If you feed a dog it’ll never leave.” Rosalie spoke coldly and I glared at her and made a show of my teeth as I bit into the fries. Alice’s pizza was suddenly put in front of me as well, but Alice glared at Rosalie.

“Good.” Was all she said, but I stared down at the food she gave me, getting the implication.