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Chapter Text

I MEET THE BOYFRIEND

"¡Adiós Abuela!" I said, wrapping my sweet, old grandmother in a hug.

"Ten Cuidado mi Caroline." she admonished, holding me at arm's length. I was currently leaving Mexico to go live with my father Charlie and sister Bella in Forks, Washington. I had lived with my Abuela for three years because I had been. . .er. . . 'removed' from my old school. Renee had been furious, but it hadn't really been my fault. I'd only punched the kid in the nose, it wasn't like I dropped him off a building. My family wasn't Spanish at all, but my grandmother had moved here and picked up the language.

"Yo siempre soy Abuela," I smirked. She just stared into my eyes with her eyebrows raised.

"No puede escapar de problemas como su Abuelo y las galletas!" she barked out a laugh. I shook my head but grabbed my suitcase and handed it to the Taxi driver who was going to bring me to the airport to fly straight to Forks.

I could speak Spanish and English fluently, English being my first language. But, Abuela's English was slightly broken and Spanish was easier for her to speak. So we always spoke in Spanish.

I waved from the window as the Taxi pulled away. My wrinkly Abuela waved from the doorway as my Abuelo joined her. I was leaving Texas for the insurmountable future and starting over in a town I'd never been to, a father I hadn't seen in five years, and an obnoxious older sister who was more accident-prone than a hopeless five-year-old with the world's worst coordination. Great.

Chapter Text

Jacob had done a great job on the study. It had a single window and the walls were painted a light blue with a canopy bed in the middle. It was so beautiful! A dresser was on the left of the bed with a nightstand on the right. One whole wall was covered entirely in bookshelves and I felt like I was on Cloud Nine. It was gorgeous and I was in love. I would have to thank him later.

I turned the ceiling fan on high since I was sweating even though it wasn't even hot in my room. I opened the window to have a breeze flowing through the room.

I unpacked my suitcase and carry on bag in under two hours. I was awesome like that. My final object was a picture frame. It was very important and precious to me. I sat it on my nightstand and stared at it with sad eyes. It was Trishton and me sitting on a bench in a park in Mexico. We were both holding ice cream cones and laughing. My ice cream was slowly melting and was about to slip off onto him.

Trishton with his sandy blond hair and athletic build. We had been best friends, and he was the best person anyone could've hoped for. We both had a splay of freckles across our nose and my eyes were closed I leaned on him while laughing and he was looking at me with amusement on his face as his mouth was open mid-laugh.

I smiled faintly when Charlie called me from downstairs.

"Caroline!" he said. I ran down the stairs (literally) and nearly collided with him.

"You beckoned?" I said with a little bow. He chuckled and patted my head like a dog to my displeasure.

"Yeah. Your sister wants you to go over to the Cullens for dinner," he said with displeasure. Okay, so maybe Charlie had something against them.

"But I have school tomorrow," I pointed out. He shrugged.

"It's your call kid." I groaned, I was terrible at making decisions.

"Not tonight. Besides, I'm not hungry." I said. I think Charlie was secretly pleased I had chosen not to go from the glint in his eye that reminded me of an evil scientist. Besides, I still had to finish reading Eragon!

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I was on the chapter with the Shade (who was my favorite character personally even though he was kinda evil) when the front door slammed shut. Of course, Bella couldn't even close the door quietly. I bookmarked my page and meandered down in a rusty brown leather jacket that was worn out. But I wouldn't throw it out for the world because it had been Trishton's.

I was met by Bella and Edward in the kitchen with Charlie in the living room grumbling about boyfriends.

"Hey Caroline," said Bella as they noticed me.

"Sorry about dinner. I was trying to finish Eragon," I said, holding up my book.

"Haven't you already read that?" asked Isabella. I rolled my eyes and held my book protectively against my chest.

"Yeah. But it doesn't change the fact that it is an excellent book." I said passionately.

"Who's your favorite character?" asked Edward. I was surprised since he must've read it. "Mine is Eragon and his brother," he said, confirming my suspicions.

"I like Aya and Durza," I said with a smirk.

"Isn't that the Shade?" he asked me with his eyebrows raised.

"Yeah! But it wasn't entirely his choice to be evil! Was it?" I asked while Isabella stared back and forth at us geeking out. Edward looked thoughtful for a moment.

"Yeah. I guess it wasn't his choice," he said. I felt like his words had double meaning but didn't push it.

"You guys want some pancakes?" I asked. Isabella looked absolutely perplexed while Edward seemed amused. "I'm hungry now, and am craving pancakes with some syrup," I told them.

"I'll take some!" yelled Charlie from the living room.

"We already ate," said Bella.

"Okay dokey. Pancakes for two," I said and pulled a carton of Fude Ice Cream out and grabbing a spoon. I ate straight from the carton much to Bella's disgust.

"That's disgusting you know," she said. I stared at her with my eyebrows slightly raised.

"I'm aware," I said.

"But now none of us can eat it," she replied, sounding annoyed. I smirked.

"Actually, you could eat it. You just choose not to. So, you can't pin it on me when it's actually your fault." I said, gesturing at her with my spoon. Her jaw dropped.

"You are annoying, you know that?" she said. I cocked an eyebrow.

"I try," I said. Edward chuckled and pulled Bella into a long kiss. I dropped my spoon in the ice cream, turned around, and gagged loudly, pretending to barf.

"Get a room!" I yelled, pointing at the living room. Bella blushed a bright red while Edward merely raised his eyebrows on his impassive face.

"¡Nadie quiere ver eso! ¡Oye! ¡Estoy cegado internamente y no volveré a ver! ¡Mis ojos necesitan ser blanqueados mientras voy a saltar a un río para limpiar mis pobres e inocentes ojos de la horrorosa imagen! ¡Ustedes creen que están enamorados pero no es real! ¡Métanse en la cabeza! ¡Los locos! ¡Besándose delante de mí! ¡Nunca seré esa chica inocente de hace cinco segundos!" (Nobody wants to see that! Hey! I am internally blinded and will never see again! My eyes need to be whitened as I go to jump into a river to cleanse my poor innocent eyes of the horrifying image! You think you are in love but it is not real! Get into your head! The crazy ones! Kissing in front of me! I'll never be that innocent girl from five seconds ago!) I said rapidly, channeling my grandma's adopted Spanish side from living in Mexico so long while pressing my middle and pointer finger to my thumb and shaking it.

"¿Hablas español? Y con fluidez, muy impresionante. ¿No crees en el amor? Eres una chica muy interesante." (Do you speak Spanish? And fluently, very impressive. Don't you believe in love? You are a very interesting girl.) said Edward fluently. I blinked in surprise while Bella looked back and forth between us.

"El amor es una emoción falsa creada por una necesidad que no es real. ¡¿Y me llamas niño ?! ¡Solo soy unos tres años más joven!" (Love is a false emotion created by a need that is not real. And you call me child ?! I'm only about three years younger!) I retorted, my hand on my hip. He chuckled, but made no response.

"Where'd you learn Spanish like that?" he asked.

"Mexico, my Abuela," I said, taking another bite from the ice cream and savoring the flavor. "Well, I'm takin this with me," I said, cradling the ice cream in my hand and grabbing Eragon in the other, balancing them precariously.

"You can't just take all the ice cream!" sputtered Bella.

"Can! You just don't want me to!" I said loudly, not sparing my sister dear a glance as I went up to my room to scarf down the ice cream.

Chapter Text

I started school today. The thought of it made me extremely anxious and want to curl into a ball and not be seen. So, not great.

"Te echo de menos todos los días." (I miss you every day.) I said softly, stroking the picture of Trishton and me. I inhaled a deep breath, then exhaled.

"In with the new, out with the old!" I said, forcefully happy. I tugged on my ripped pair of jeans and forest green thin, long-sleeve shirt. As I'd swung my backpack over my shoulder, I paused and looked at a rusty brown leather jacket that had seen some days. I picked it off the end of my bed and shrugged it on carefully, It'd been Trishton's. I held up the collar to my face and inhaled the familiar scent; fresh pinewood and firewood smoke.

I paraded down the stairs slightly less cheerful. I usually didn't wake up this not-grumpy, but while I was taking a shower accidentally forgot that Charlie's water faucet worked the opposite way and stepped into freezing water. Later, as I was getting out of the cramped, small bathroom, I hit myself in the face with the end of the door in the eye. I'd purposely avoided looking afterward so I wouldn't see the damage.

But, as I came downstairs, it was evidently now very pleasing to the eye. (See what I did there?)

"What happened Caroline?" asked Charlie, blinking in shock. You see, the odd thing was that I looked nothing like Charlie. At all. '

"I got in a fight with a bear," I said dryly. He blinked, then turned back to reading the paper. It was probably normal for him for his older daughter to come back with clumsy resulted injuries, so why not his younger one too?

"What happened Caroline?" asked Bella as she came down the stairs. I sighed, honestly! One of the main reasons I didn't have conversations I deemed with people to be stupid was because I usually had to repeat things several times! And it was highly annoying on a whole new level! It made me want to smash my head against a wall several times while screaming on the inside. It probably sounds like an over-exaggeration, but that really is how I feel.

"I defended our home from a burglar," I told her.

"I thought it was a bear fight?" said Charlie with a small cheeky smile. I quickly popped four pieces of toast in the toaster and Isabella jumped to my high amusement when they appeared a minute after of slow roasting.

I buttered them and began to scarf down my first one when Charlie leaned over the table and took one, taking a massive bite out of my toast. I stared at him with an indignant look and he seemed to realize his mistake.

"Er, sorry. Didn't think you were going to eat all that," he said. I blinked with an 'unbelievable these people!' expression and he uneasily looked back at his paper.

"Caroline are you going to ride with Edward and me to school?" asked Bella. I scoffed slightly.

"Absolutely not! You think I need some 'big strong man' chaffering me about? I think not! I can walk perfectly fine with my own two legs," I sniffed. Charlie grinned, his shoulders shaking with silent laughter.

"Er-well. . .A simple no would have worked," said Isabella, sounding unsure of her response. I rolled my eyes and shook my head, finishing off my third and final piece of toast. I swung my backpack on my shoulder and slipped into my black converse high tops that I absolutely adored with my heart and soul. They were like the embodiment of joy into wearable fashion on your feet. I'd tried explaining it to Charlie, but he said he just didn't understand. I'd responded with, 'It's 'cause you're a man. You wouldn't get it,' and I think he was slightly offended but relieved that I'd stopped trying to explain to him the embodiment of joy in my high-tops.

I was out on the driveway that had a bit of ice on the edges when Isabella's boyfriend pulled up in his silver Volvo. I skidded to a stop on the ice at the end of the driveway, looking like a surfer, when Edward got out.

"Are you riding with us?" he asked, with that weird, old, formality.

"Nah. My legs work perfectly fine unlike sweet, incapable Isabella," I said in a mocking voice. His eyes narrowed slightly but not in a threatening way. More of a curious one.

"You're gonna walk the whole way?" he asked. I raised my eyebrows, looking around for something he could've been distracted by because he must've not heard me.

"Um, yeah. That is what I just said, isn't it?" I said slightly sarcastically. A smile twitched at the edge of his lips.

"Alright." he chuckled before going inside to retrieve Bella. I noticed though that he wasn't wearing a jacket even though there was a chill in the air, weird.

Advanced Spanish Three was my first class as I glanced at my schedule. Then Biology II, English, Calculating Complicated Algebraic Formulas and Advanced Mathematics, then P.E and Study Hall. Wow, who even names their math class Calculating Complicated Algebraic Formulas and Advanced Mathematics? That is literally the stupidest thing ever.

I had to ask for direction and nearly made it on time right before the bell rang.

"¡Ah! Debes ser Caroline Swan, la hermana de Bella, ¿verdad?" (Ah! You must be Caroline Swan, Bella's sister, right?) said the petite, Spanish woman.

"Sí." I replied quickly. I handed her my slip to sign and waited for her to give me a seat. She signed it quickly with a flourish and looked around the class for a place for me to sit. I was the youngest in the room much to my embarrassment and disappointment.

"Puedes sentarte con. . . ¿Qué tal allí con Jasper? ¿Te parece bien, Jasper?" (You can sit with. . . How about there with Jasper? Is that okay, Jasper?) said the Spanish teacher.

"Por supuesto señorita Daniela," (Of course Miss Daniela,) said an unruly, blond-haired, boy who looked to be around seventeen. He was extremely pale and his eyes were a goldish color. He had the same skin color and eyes as Edward, maybe they were related?

"¡Bien clase! Hoy trabajaremos en llevar una conversación en español con fluidez. ¡No se permite el inglés en absoluto! Te estoy mirando Max," (Good class! Today we will work on carrying a conversation in fluent Spanish. English is not allowed at all! I'm looking at you Max) said the teacher teasingly. There were two people at each table as I sat down next to Jasper.

I smiled and could literally feel my anxiety at meeting a new person reach a new sky-high when I suddenly remembered; I hadn't taken my anxiety pills this morning. I immediately became extremely more anxious at the remembrance.

Please, please, please, please, please don't let me have an anxiety attack on the first day! I thought frantically as I slowed my breathing down to help.

"Hola señora. Soy Jasper y tú eres la hermana de Bella, ¿verdad?" (Hi, ma'am. I'm Jasper and you are Bella's sister, right?) said Jasper with a friendly expression. I suddenly felt an overwhelming wave of calm hit me and sighed mentally. I became more relaxed and was suddenly grateful for the mysterious cause of my diminished anxiety.

"Sí, Caroline." I said, introducing myself. He nodded and smiled faintly.

"Tu hermana es muy simpática. ¿Te llevas bien con ella?" (Your sister is very nice. You get along well with her?)  he asked. I chuckled softly and thought about how Bella had used all the hot water this morning.

"Depende. Cuando usa toda el agua caliente en la ducha, entonces se enfrenta a un día difícil conmigo. Espicamente cuando ella esta besando a su novio en la cocina," (It depends. When you use all the hot water in the shower then you face a tough day with me. Especially when she's kissing her boyfriend in the kitchen)  I pretended to gag and he laughed.

"Ah, sí. Ese sería mi hermano Edward." (Oh yeah. That would be my brother Edward.)  he said. I raised my eyebrows, huh, didn't know that Edward had any siblings. Jasper seemed to sense my confusion and laughed. "¿No te habló de mí ni del resto de sus hermanos?" (Didn't he tell you about me or the rest of his siblings?)

"¡No! Y estoy un poco ofendido." (No! And I'm a little offended.) I teased. He chuckled and I noticed that he was staying as far away from me as possible. "No lo estés. A veces simplemente se le escapa. Sin embargo, para empezar, está mi novia Alice, has conocido a Edward, Rosalie, Emmet y mis padres adoptivos. Carlisle y Esme." (Do not be. Sometimes it just slips away. However, for starters, there is my girlfriend Alice, you have met Edward, Rosalie, Emmett and my adoptive parents. Carlisle and Esme.)  he said.

"¡Familia muy grande! Nunca debe haber un momento aburrido." (Very big family! There should never be a dull moment.) I noted. He chuckled and shook his head.

"Créame, no lo hay. Entonces, ¿por qué te mudaste aquí y no con Bella antes?" (Believe me, there isn't. So why did you move here and not with Bella before?) he asked curiously. I sighed and tried to think of the best way to explain it without explaining the real reason.

"Bueno, supongo que solo quería irme de México. Quiero decir, es agradable y todo y en realidad me iba a ir antes, pero. . .algo surgió y tuve que esperar un mes más." (Well, I guess I just wanted to get out of Mexico. I mean, it's nice and all and I was actually going to go before, but. . .something came up and I had to wait another month.) I shrugged.

"¿Viviste en México?" (Did you live in Mexico?) he said surprised.I nodded and he seemed to think back and smile fondly but offered no explanation. "Eso explica cómo sabes español con tanta fluidez." (That explains how you know Spanish so fluently.)

"Gracias, amable señor."  (Thank you kind sir) I teased.

"Por supuesto mi señora!" (Of course my lady!) he teased back. But, of course, he had to circle back to a subject I wanted to stay away from like a rabid dog. "Entonces, ¿por qué te retrasaste?" ( So why did you delay?) I sighed and the rare smile instantly slipped from my face.

"Uh, un funeral." (A funeral) I said quietly. Even mentioning it made my body feel weak and want to cry and never stop.

"Oh lo siento."(Oh I'm sorry.) he said, making me angry. Sorry doesn't fix anything, does it?

"Está bien." (It's fine) I snapped and wrapped my (Trishton's) jacket tighter around me. "¿Puedo preguntar qué pasó?" (May I ask what happened?) he asked gently.

"Claro, no significa que responderé," (Sure, it doesn't mean that I will answer,) I said cheekily, smirking. He thankfully moved away from the conversation. I was wanting class to end so I could go to the bathroom and take my spare Anxiety Pills that I kept in my bag thank god.

"¿Te gustaría almorzar con mis hermanos y yo? Bella se sienta con nosotros también," (Would you like to have lunch with my siblings and me? Bella sits with us too) offered Jasper.

"No se. . .Isabella puede ser un poco. . .mucho," (I do not know. . Isabella can be a bit. . .much,) I said, trying to look for the right word.

"Ah, sí, está un poco descoordinada." (Oh yeah, she's a bit uncoordinated.) said Jasper with humor.

"¿Levemente? ¡Todavía tengo una cicatriz del momento en que se deslizó por las escaleras en la casa de Renee y me trajo con ella!" (Slightly? I still have a scar from the moment she slipped down the stairs at Renee's house and brought me with her!) I said with amusement.

"Eso suena como ella," (That sounds like her) agreed Jasper.

"¡Muy bien todos! ¡Fue una clase excelente! Sin embargo, ¿quién era el MFS?" (Okay everyone! It was an excellent class! However, who was the MFS?) said the teacher, clapping her hands together.

"¿Qué es un MFS?" (What is an MFS?) I whispered, not taking my eyes off the teacher.

"Hablador más fluido. Lo inventó ella misma y alguien es elegido al final de la clase. Normalmente soy yo, pero parece que esta vez podrías ser tú," (More fluent speaker. She made it up herself and someone is chosen at the end of the class. Normally it's me but it seems like this time it could be you) he said quietly back. Wait-what? And indeed it was me.

"¡Carolino! ¡Eres el MFS de hoy! Felicidades," (Caroline! You are the MFS of today! Congratulations,) said the teacher. My eyes widened and a horrified expression worked its way onto my face. Jasper chuckled beside me, seeing my absolute displeasure at being pointed out.

Then, the class was dismissed. Finally, I relented. I turned to Jasper and sighed, "Nos vemos en el almuerzo," (I'll see you at lunch,)

Chapter Text

Biology was havoc. I already knew all the stuff and it was incredibly brain-killing boring. The rest of the day went by boring until lunch. I'd packed it in a paper bag this morning before Bella'd even gotten up. And, I'd packed an extra sandwich for Bella because I knew she'd forget her lunch like usual back when we were children.

Speaking of Bella, she met me by my locker to introduce me to her boyfriend's family. Cue gag.

"Come on Caroline," mumbled Bella in her usual manner.

"You are aware I have a nickname?" I asked. "I mean like, Caroline is such a mouthful," I rolled my eyes.

"Cal, sorry." said Bella. I followed behind her, more than slightly embarrassed and self-conscious of all the people staring at me, the new girl.

I've been told I put off a 'Don't Mess With Me Or I'll Murder You At Night With A Plastic Knife' vibe before. Especially by my dad, Charlie. He says it's slightly disturbing since he's a trained cop with a rifle in the house and a teenager like me scares him slightly. I was also very. . .offputting as Renee had put it. The day before I started seventh grade, she had been worried I wouldn't make friends. . .yeah. So, she asked me questions and told me to respond like myself.

"So what do you say if someone asks your favorite color?"

"I would turn to them and say, What is this, the third grade?"

"Alright. . .You don't need to be so. . .old sounding. Use some conjunctions in your sentences sweetheart!"

". . ."

"Alright. If someone asks to be your friend?"

"Bug off. This isn't the first grade. Grow up."

". . .I'm sure you're going to make plenty of friends! And if a cute boy comes up to you and starts talking to you?"

"Knee him in the gro-"

"Caroline!"

"Crown jewels."

Sigh.

I sat next to Bella in the last empty seat, surrounded by beautiful people. Great, was Bella trying to say that I needed to wear makeup or something? Try to look more like these people? I watched as Bella dug through her backpack, trying to find her lunch.

"Dang it, I forget my lunch!" she said, sounding exasperated. I merely opened my paper bag and took out an extra sandwich with a blank look. She stared at me for a second, then took it. I didn't miss how all her friends were just staring at me, weirding me out and more anxious.

"How'd you know I'd forget?" she asked me. I blushed slightly, not liking the attention. I looked down at the table and shrugged slightly.

"I've known you since ever. It would be weird for you not to forget your lunch," I mumbled. Bella seemed slightly oblivious to my sudden shyness but unwrapped her sandwich. I noticed that the Cullen kids all had school lunches, but none were actually eating them. I wasn't going to judge though, I'd gone through a time where I barely ate anything. . .

"Um, right. Caroline, this is Alice, Emmet, Rosalie, and Jasper," said Bella, introducing me.

"We've met before," said Jasper's familiar voice, "Just never speaking English," he said humor fully. A small smile twitched on my face as I began to eat to my pickle, mayo, extra-mustard, cheddar cheese, and turkey sandwich, just the way I liked it.

"You have Spanish together?" asked Rosalie, who was absolutely beautiful.

"Yeah, we were paired together for full conversational Spanish," I said, in a quieter voice than usual. Rosalie nodded slightly, showing she'd heard. The Cullens all had goldish eyes, making me curious but then again I had heterochromia eyes. One blue and the other just a lighter green, barely noticeable.

"And Caroline here is fluent in Spanish," complimented Jasper, making me laugh once and blush.

"Really?" said the huge man. "She may be great in that but in an arm-wrestling contest she'd have no chance against me!" he boasted. I took in his massive arms and agreed silently. I gathered a little courage and met his eyes with a superstitial look.

"Well yes. That would appear to be correct since I happen to have spaghetti noodle arms and you appear to have the opposite." I said cheekily as if I was talking to a ten-year-old. His brain seemed to have trouble comprehending what I just said before grinning.

"I like you!" he said boisterously. Making me grin a little.

"I've got track after this, what about you?" I asked Bella, looking at her.

"Math then P.E." she said. "And since when do you enjoy running when not required?" she asked, perplexed. I half-shrugged and laughed lightly.

"Dunno. It was just a thing some. . .friends and I did back in Mexico," I said vaguely. "Well, I've got to go." I said. Lunch was almost up and I still needed to change into my track uniform.

"Alright! It was fun having lunch with you!" said Alice, smiling and giving me a hug. I was slightly uncomfortable, having just met her but not wanting to embarrass myself accepted it stiffly, my arms like boards at my sides. And that was my first meeting of the Cullen family, and the weirdness only escalated from there.

Chapter Text

Track was my last class. I had done Track in Mexico too with the unwavering heat so this would be a piece of cake. Thanks to the constant exercise I had what Renee called 'curves.' I guess I looked alright. I mean, I wasn't ugly at all but maybe just on the brink of pretty? I don't know and I don't really care.

I slipped on the uniform the school had provided us with. I didn't like the shirt particularly though. It revealed the tiny crescent top of my scar that was barely visible unless you knew where to look. The thin scar stretched from the right of the base of my neck and snaked around to my third rib. It seemed to glitter almost in the light but I hated it. It was a reminder of . . .

I also had a small tiny scar next to my left eye below my eyebrow. I'd gotten that one in the attack- Don't think about that Caroline! I mentally scolded myself.

I happened to meet some of the other girls in the locker room and they seemed to be real works of art.

"You know this is the eleventh grade track class, right?" said a girl with long, sleek, blond hair. Ugh, hate her already. She was a total diva, you could see with the way she flicked her hair over shoulder with the overdramatic wide eyes in a look of disbelief.

"Yes, I am aware," I said, closing my faded red locker and turning to leave the locker room.

"Then why are you still here?" she demanded, one hand on her hip. I resisted the powerful urge to chuck one of the plastic water bottles on a cabinet next to me. I turned to her like I was talking to a five-year-old.

"Because that's what grade I'm in. This is eleventh grade track, right?" I mocked, raising my eyebrows and putting a hand on my hip like her. 'Diva' was taken aback and looked offended at my being for existence. I flashed her a condescending smile and left the room which had become silet in my wake.

First day of high school in eleventh grade, only fifteen, and I'd already made an enemy. Bella would be overjoyed.

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"Alright! This is our new student. . .what's your name?" asked the coach, leaning over in the drizzling rain. It was barely raining which seemed to be exceedingly rare for Forks.

"Caroline. . .Bella's sister," I said since this seemed to be the only way anyone remembered me, as 'Bella's sister.'

"Right, right. All the athleticism must've gotten passed down to you," she teased lightly. Ah, she must have Bella in her other p.e class. I nearly shuddered at the thought of clumsy, uncoordinated Bella in a p.e class. It was a very frightful thought.

"Alright, we're going to time your one lap runs to see how much you've grown since the beginning of school." drawled out the teacher. "Warm up, stretch. We'll start in a minute. Jessica, you're up first," the teacher beckoned at the girl who had been rude to me earlier who, speaking of the devil, came trotting up to me.

"Oh my god! I didn't realize you were Bella's wittle sister!" she squealed, patting me on the head. I gave her an indignant look, was I a dog?! "We totally got off on the wrong foot. It wasn't exactly my fault. . .but who's blaming you?! It must be so stressful on your first day of school in eleventh grade! You're like a kid genius or something!" she said, flapping her hands around in a way that made me thing of a duck.

"I'm so flattered. Thank you." I said flatly. She then galloped back to her friends while everyone resumed stretching. I loved school soooo much already. Only 107 days left.

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"Ready, set, go!" bellowed the coach, holding a stopwatch. I took off before the last word had settled in the air. In through the nose, out through the mouth. I reminded myself. The light rain splattered against my face as the soft padding of my shoes hit the track.

Ever since I was little, I'd noticed an odd thing. I had a nearly silent tread, hardly ever making a sound unless I stepped on the third from the top loose stair in Charlie's house.

"39 seconds!" said coach Huffs in an astonished voice. I'd never gotten that good of a score! Ever! Coach Huffs turned to the other blubbering girls over my score. "I don't know what training program they have in Mexico, but that is a champion in the making!" she crowed while reprimanding the other girls in a way.

I panted heavily, catching a bead of sweat. The rain was a very pleasant relief as it cooled me down after my fastest run yet. I grabbed my waterbottle and started to chug it when I noticed someone standing under the cover of a building lip from the rain.

I squinted my eyes, staring into the shadowed face to see it staring back at me. Oh my god, it was Bella's boyfriend, Edward. What was he doing at my track class staring at me with his arms crossed? I hadn't murdered anyone or you'd think I did with the way he was staring at me like a crime scene. He had been staring at the shimmery scar on my back.

I wasn't going to back down from a challenge as I saw it. I stared back with a stony glare as we had a mini staring contest.

Bella, me and you are going to have a conversation about your weird boyfriend. I told myself. This seemed to further confuse Edward though. His head cocked to the side as if he was hearing something I wasn't but it wasn't clear.

"Mr. Cullen! Can I help you?!" called the coach, having finally noticed the creepy stalker. And where was Bella? I thought that her and Edward were basically attached at the hip! I snickered slightly at the thought and Edward put on a pleasant face as he made his way toward the coach, baring a small slip of paper.

"Hi Coach Huffs. Miss. Jaline sent me from the office to tell you that a massive storm is coming and that you're advised to go inside." Edward said in a sweet, kind, convincing voice. My eyes nearly bugged out of my head when the teacher blushed-BLUSHED! Oh my god! What was wrong with these people?!

"Thank you Mr. Cullen. We'll be along in a moment." she said, twirling her hair like a lovesick teenager. I mentally vomited up my soul and watched it leave my body.

Edward was about to leave when he stopped and turned to Coach Huffs again. "By the way, I saw Caroline's run. It was pretty good. What was the time?" he asked. I narrowed my eyes at the cheeky fellow while he purposely ignored my steely gaze.

"39 seconds," supplied the coach in a girlish voice. Edward nodded, looking victorious before turning to me. "That's a great time Caroline!" he complimented. I didn't return any thanks though and continued my 'I'm watching you bucko' glare. He chuckled before heading back into the building where I guess he'd come from. Why had he been staring at my scar?

Chapter Text

School has been the same for a week until Biology. Bella and I were in the same class as well with her boyfriend and they sat at the same table together while I sat in the back with Casey Lavenson. She was alright but a bit too peppy and optimistic in my opinion.

However, today, when I got to class Bella and Edward, weren't there. Seriously? She was skipping with him? I didn't even want to know why. But soon, I figured it out.

"Alright, class! Today we are going to be doing blood-typing like last year!" said the teacher. I immediately paled and started shaking like a leaf. I couldn't do blood, not after the accident. He passed out the materials to the class while I stared at the edge of the desk, my fingernails biting into my arm, leaving tiny crescent-shaped marks.

My breathing became quicker and eradicate, I was having a panic attack. If I didn't get somewhere quiet soon, I was going to break down and start crying while having vivid flashbacks to the accident. But I was too late. People started pricking their fingers and all I could see was blood, blood, blood.

"Caroline? Are you alright?" asked Casey, her bleeding finger on the table. I felt incredibly light-headed as my vision swam. I was hyperventilating while the class started to stare.

"May I go to the bathroom?" I asked my teacher in a breathy tone, my face as pale as a sheet of paper. I didn't wait for a response and dashed from the room with my messenger bag on my shoulder. The door to the closest bathroom banged open as I scrambled inside and stopped in front of the sinks. I set my bag down and started fumbling through it, looking for my anxiety medicine.

I couldn't breathe at all.

"How would you rate your anxiety attack?" my Abuela would've asked. Ten being a, I need to go to the hospital. One a, give me a second then I'll be fine. This one was a nine, one of the worst I'd had. My hands were shaking so bad I couldn't open my pill bottle until small pixie-like hands took it from me and dropped two in my hand.

I didn't look who it was, taking water straight from the tap and swallowing the pills. They wouldn't kick in until another ten minutes though. By now, I realized I was full-on sobbing and hyperventilating. Someone grabbed my shoulders and looked me in the eyes calmly, it was Alice.

"Caroline, I need you to look at me, okay?" said Alice calmly with concern. "Can you breathe in deeply for me?" she asked like a therapist. "Slow your breathing down or you'll pass out." I focused on what the doctor at the hospital when the accident had first happened told me.

"If you're ever having an uncontrollable anxiety attack, just think about calm things. Like clouds, or grass. Kay? Thinking of calm environments may help you with your breathing,"

Grass. I pictured light green grassing on an open field, blowing gently in the wind as the trees surrounding the hill shook, shedding some of their leaves. Puffy clouds floating above carelessly without care. The beautiful blue sky.

Slowly, my breaths became less 'fish out of water' and more manageable. Alice wrapped me in a hug, patting me soothingly on the back while I slowed down my breathing until it was normal.

After a moment she released and looked me in the eye. "You alright?" she asked with her long eyelashes batting as she blinked. Of course, she would look perfect while I probably looked like a raccoon with my pink, puffy eyes and tear trails.

"Sorry," I said in my raspy voice. It always sounded like that after one of my attacks. She raised her eyebrows in surprise at me.

"What are you sorry for?! It's okay to cry sometimes. Do you want to tell me why?" she asked with her sweet caramel eyes kindly. I felt like I'd run a marathon and my chest physically hurt. She pulled me over to one of the benches situated on the walls and sat me down, maintaining eye contact.

"You know, Carlisle my father, he's a doctor. I've read some of his books you know," Alice said, rifling through her bag and handing me a tissue box. How'd she fit one of those in her bag? She just carry those around?

"Alright," I sniffled, acknowledging her and wiping my face. I didn't have to worry about wiping makeup off because I hardly ever wore any cause of my dark complexion and I didn't see the point in it. My skin had a way darker tan than Renee, Charlie, or Bella.

"You seem to be extremely traumatized," said Alice quietly, trying to look me in the eye. I maintained eye contact with the ground, noticing how 'lovely the tiles were this type of year.' When I didn't respond Alice pushed on.

"Did something happen Caroline?" she asked gently, offering me another tissue. I was silent for a moment, debating on whether or not to tell her. When I opened my mouth to finally talk, my voice was raspy and quiet, just above a whisper.

"Uh, my friend was murdered two and a half months ago," I said. All the life in me felt like it had been sucked out and I was just a bag of meat waiting to fall over. Alice's face was surprised, her eyes widened and her golden eyes held compassion, something I didn't want.

"Oh, I'm so sorry Caroline!" she said, then quieter, "How did he die?" This was the question I had been dreading.

"I don't even know. That's the horrible part," I said, tears slipping from my eyes without permission. This seemed to confuse Alice further, but she didn't push me. She just patted me on the back as we sat there in comfortable silence apart from my occasional pitiful sniffles.

"What was his name?" she eventually asked.

"Trishton Hayes," I said fondly.

"Do you want to tell me about him?" Alice asked, and truth be told, I did.

"He was my best friend. We'd first met in detention. He wasn't bad or anything, he'd just been late to class helping a freshman find their room. He had the softest brown hair that fell over his left eye and the kindest green eyes.

"We used to always crack jokes, tease each other, once we even had a race at my Abuela's house to the massive oak tree she had in the backyard and he ran right smack into it!" I laughed as Alice smiled from the corner of my vision. "He had a massive black eye for a week and whenever someone asked what happened he'd say he got in a fight with another boy to defend me. I'd always smirk at him and he'd shrug then I'd embarrass him and say that I could handle myself and if that anyone needed protecting it was him." I smiled softly at the memory. By now I wasn't really talking to Alice specifically, it was more of just talking out loud.

"The first time I saw him, we were both sitting in detention. He was wearing his rusty brown leather jacket that just became kinda traditional. We just kinda locked eyes and it was like the whole world froze. I knew that he wasn't normal, but it didn't matter. It felt like the universe was pushing us together," I sighed, then realized how silly I sounded. Alice's face looks panicked as if she knew something I didn't.

I blushed, looking down. "I sound silly," I told her, standing up. "Thank you, Alice, really," I said genuinely. She nodded, then I left with memories of Trishton running through my head.

Chapter Text

Bella's birthday is in a week. She turns 18 and she's so old! Trust me, Bella knows, I told her to her face.

"You're OLD Bella!"

"Gee, thanks Caroline,"

"Anytime,"

I still have to find her a present but have absolutely no idea what to get her. I plan on asking Alice for ideas when I go to dinner with the Cullens and Isabella tonight. Speaking of, I'd showered in cold water since I'd been feeling a bit under the weather and warmer than usual.

I didn't know what to wear, but the Cullens weren't people I really cared about how I dressed so I slipped on my usual, jeans with rips, combat boots, a brown shirt that came to my elbows, and Trishton's jacket. It was more of a security blanket if anything and it had that same campfire and pine smell on it still, three months after he'd moved onto somewhere better.

Edward would be picking Bella and me up, driving to his house where his family was ordering pizza. I guess Isabella just wanted me to get to know her boyfriend's family better in case they got married, which in my opinion, was utterly ridiculous. I'd never marry until I was ready to be a slave to a man, doing his dishes, clothing, cleaning up after him. Good riddance!

I tugged down the edge of my sleeve over my left wrist to hide a tattoo I'd gotten in Mexico. Abuela had technically been my guardian, but I'd gotten Renee's permission also, but Charlie didn't know and that's the way I'd like to keep it.

My tattoo was small, a bit bigger than a penny, but with black ink. It was a small heart with a book inside. Wrapping around the outside of the heart were the words, 'The Cover Is Not The Book.'

It was incredibly sentimental to me because those words had been part of Trishton and my first conversation.

"Carol? You ready?" asked Bella, using my nickname.

"Uh, yeah," I said, taking one last look in my full-length mirror on the back of my door. I would've absolutely adored this outfit if it didn't reveal a lot of the scar on my back and bring out the tinier scar above my left eye.

I descended the stairs to find Edward and Bella holding hands, making me of course mime gagging as Bella blushed and looked away. Edward just looked at me amused before opening the front door politely for Isabella and I.

"Pourquoi merci, gentil monsieur!" I teased as he play-bowed along, making me realize he understood french.

"Bien sûr belle dame!" he only smiled to my slight shock. Isabella only looked back and forth between us with an inquisitive look.

"It's french dear Isabella," I said, raising my left eyebrow slightly. She merely sighed at Edward and my antics before holding Edward's hand again as he opened the car door for my sister. I was pleased to find that Edward did not open mine for me, psh, like I needed assistance opening my own car door, puh-lease!

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To say Edward drove fast, was under-exaggerating. I was pressed back into the leather seat, holding onto the passenger seat in front of me for dear life.

"I think I'm gonna be sick!" I groaned, clenching my eyes shut. A light chuckle came from the front seat where the car ever so slightly slowed as it neared a beautiful house. I stumbled from the car, nearly falling over.

"So, something does shake you up after all," said Edward in a teasing manner.

"We'll see what shakes you up first!" I muttered. "Getting tossed off a building or run over by a car!" I knew Edward couldn't hear me, but still, I saw his shoulders shaking a little. . .with laughter? Cold? I don't know.

Edward had his arm around Bella's shoulders as he opened the front door. As I stepped across the threshold I was immediately tackled by a tiny pixie. I stiffened in surprise, before realizing it was Alice.

"Oh my gosh, Carol! I thought you'd never get here!" she squealed, holding me at arm's length to most likely thoroughly examine what I was wearing. She put a hand to her chin, nodding.

"Yep! I approve! The boots go with the shirt which in turn brings out your eyes," everything from then on became a jumbled mess I couldn't understand at all. "andohmygoshIcan'tbelieveInevernoticedthatyoureyesaredifferentcolors!Omg!Likeone'sblueandtheotherisgreen! That'ssocoolCaroline!" she exclaimed in one breath. I stared at her for a moment, my brain still trying to catch up with her 7000 miles a minute talking. I blinked, before shuddering.

"Sorry, blanked out there. Um, yeah it's heterochromia. Fewer than 200,000 people in the U.S are affected by it." I mumbled out as I rubbed the back of my neck. I didn't miss when she seemed to crinkle her nose, as if offended at the smell of my jacket. I just shrugged it off though.

"Oh! I have to introduce you to my family!" said Alice. I swear, every sentence she said ended with an exclamation mark. I let her practically drag me up the gorgeous stairs and up into a kitchen that was bustling. All at once, five beautiful people turned to face me. Alice stopped suddenly, sending me nearly colliding with her as Edward and Bella made their way up the stairs behind us.

"Caroline, this is my family! Carlisle, Esme, Jasper, Emmet, and Rosalie!" said Alice. I gave a shy smile, hiding partly behind Alice as I gave a small wave. I didn't know why I got like this around people. I had already met Esme, Jasper, Emmet, and Rosalie.

"Hi, Caroline. Bella and Alice have told us so much about you," said. . .Carlisle? I'm guessing that was him. I couldn't remember people's names for the life of me and a school bus of children which was embarrassing at numerous points.

"Heh, that's nice," I said, not knowing how to respond. Rosalie just stared at me before marching off, leaving me more than slightly puzzled. I mean, it sounds mean, but Bella I could understand if that had happened to her. I mean, Bella. Sweet Bella. Where to even start? She seemed to have a tendency to forget that her life wasn't everlasting and she wasn't impervious to everything. So, that tended to lead to many life-threatening accidents that often ended up with Isabella in a hospital.

I'd stopped coming to visit her every time after the seventeenth 'spill' and just sent her a 'Get Better' card with the word again underneath. I wasn't too great at human interaction if you couldn't tell.

"Come on! I want to show you around!" squealed Alice, dragging me away after one last look at her family who all seemed to be on edge for no apparent reason. Alice dragged me to her room, sat me down on the carpet, and began painting my nails in like, 5.2 seconds without my say.

Hey, at least they were dark blue, a color that I liked.

"So where'd you get that jacket?" she asked, taking a millisecond to look at it as curiosity crossed her face. I think this must've been the most serious I'd ever seen her.

"Oh, uh from Trishton," I said, not exactly eager to open up that can of worms again. And, thank god Emmet burst into the room after, his huge form taking up the entire doorframe. He let out a laugh while I took a liking to him, he reminded me of a villain from one of my mangas back in Mexico.

"I challenge you to Mario Kart!" he said dramatically, pointing at me. I blinked, before splitting into a grin that seemed to confuddle him. Alice froze, causing me to turn around to look at her.

"Come on kid! I want to best you with that silly grin!" said Emmet, yanking me from the room where Alice sat still, her eyes glazed over. He pulled me into a living room that was open to the kitchen while Jasper sat in an armchair with a controller. He avoided my gaze, instead, finding the remote interesting apparently. Hey, to each their own.

"Ready?" sneered Emmet, starting the game. I shrugged, might as well let him think he'll win so I could pull the rug out from underneath him later. Let's hope he hadn't bet on this game or his wallet would be a little lighter.

Chapter Text

Poor Emmet looked devastated as he lost for the seventh time in a row, Jasper now observing gleefully from his spot as far away from me as possible.

"What cheat are you using?" asked Emmet, our eyes glued to the screen.

"None," I responded, making him huff. He threw down his remote in defeat as I came in first again.

"The pizza's here!" called Esme from the kitchen. My eyes lit up as the two boys and I unfolded ourselves from the various couches and armchairs. A book on one of the numerous, amazing, beautiful bookshelves in the living caught my eye. I backpedaled, reading the title on the spine.

'Domande Filosofiche Ancora Senza Risposta' It read. Philosophical Questions Yet To Be Answered, now that is my type of book! Carlisle walked into the living room, stopping as he saw me looking at the book.

"Philosophical Questions Yet To Be Answered, huh?" I asked him, a small, bright smile on my face. He raised his eyebrows, a look of surprise on his face.

"You're quite the linguist aren't you?" he asked, walking over and standing over my shoulder with his arms behind his back. "I've heard from Jasper you speak Spanish, Edward French, and now Italian?" he said his question more a statement. I blushed looking at the wood floors.

"It's a bit of a hobby," I admitted.

"I can tell," he said as we walked into the kitchen where Bella sat at a bar with a plate of pepperoni pizza, Edward in his usual spot. A.K.A, basically attached to her hip. Esme gave me a motherly smile before placing a plate of two bacon and pineapple slices in front of me. My sister glanced at it before crinkling her nose.

"How can you eat that?" she asked. I gave her a blank stare before replying, "With my teeth," she merely sighed, by now used to answers like this.

"Besides, it's good!" I protested. "It's like if Hawaii was food!" I pointed out with wide eyes. She just stared at me blankly, not understanding the true gloriousness in this particular food.

"It appears that Caroline here has mastered four languages," said Carlisle, leaning on the countertop, looking at Esme and Edward.

"Really?" asked Esme, leaning closer with interest.

"Wait-you know four?" deadpanned Bella. I blushed bright red from all the attention, avoiding all eye contact.

"It's nothing really," I blushed.

Carlisle and Edward merely chuckled, making me feel a bit 'left out' of a joke or something. Suddenly, I brightened, remembering some of the books I'd seen on the ornate bookshelves.

"You have some beautiful books!" I said excitedly, the emotion showing in my eyes. Isabella seemed interested, I guess I'd never really been this excited about something since my stay here at Forks.

"You like books?" asked Esme. I nodded slightly, remembering the beautifully bound leather books of all shapes and sizes, some looking extremely old and others relatively new.

"Have you read the Illiad and the Oddysey?" asked Edward looking at me over Bella's head.

"Yeah, it was extremely fascinating," I said. "And Great Expectations, War and Peace, Gone With the Wind, Moby Dick, Murder on the Orient Express, the Full Volumes of Sherlock Holmes," I sighed, "Sherlock Holmes is one of my favorites," I said, staring off into space. Imagining my beautifully leather-bound deep green version back in Mexico. I'd wanted to take it so bad, but had left it because of a lack of space in my suitcases.

The kitchen was silent for a moment as everyone stared at me. My content, overjoyed demeanor of talking about my books disappeared as I shrugged defensively.

"I have a lot of free time," I told them. And indeed I had since I'd been doing nearly anything to get my mind off of the murder of my best friend. I instantly banished the thought even though my soul felt 15 pounds heavier with just the thought. I also didn't miss how none of the present Cullens were eating any food. But hey, maybe they just ate at a later time. Every family works differently.

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The nightmares come that night. I'm covered in sweat as I thrash around in my bed, trying to escape from the horrible nightmare that holds me captive.

"Carol! Caroline run!"

I dash forward, my feet finally listening to my commands. I heard a shredding sound but don't turn around as Trishton told me to. I hear female screams and low growls before something rakes itself down my shoulder to my opposite hip. I see a flash of fur in the corner of my vision before my attacker is tackled off of me, I pass out.

Later, the hospital tells me that I needed 127 stitches and they almost lost me from blood loss. My companion was nowhere to be found. I'm released later that night while the next morning I go for a walk. I go on autopilot, walking by the way Trishton and I had just been two nights ago before he went missing.

The stench of blood in my nose. Turning to find my best friend laying in a puddle of his own dried blood. His dead glassy eyes staring into mine. A shrill scream, I can't remember if it's mine or not. Trishton is dead because of me. Because I was a coward and ran while he held off the attacker long enough for me to escape, losing his life in the process.

I wake up, muffling my screams with my hand over my mouth. I've been crying in my sleep silently, something that happens occasionally with the same reoccurring nightmare. I try to slow my breathing as I switch out my pajamas for some not-sweat-soaked ones. I make my way effortlessly silently to the bathroom to splash some water on my face.

Get a hold of yourself, you idiot! I beret myself as I effortlessly pad back to my room. My alarm clock only read 2:49 am. I'm not feeling good. My room is extremely hot, baking hot exactly. My fan is on high though and I tell myself it was just from the nightmare. I know by now that when I fall back asleep it won't be dreams that visit me tonight, only my nightmare.

Chapter Text

I struggle with the single nightmare all night long. At one point Bella came up to my room because I'd fallen off my bed and started screaming, still asleep and trying to get away from my nightmare.

I swear though, at one of the nightmare-free moments I heard whispering from Bella's room. I slept with my door open a crack that night with my feet hanging off my bed. The next morning when Charlie comes to wake me up he tells me I don't look good. He takes my temperature and it turns out I have a fever.

"I dunno Carol. I'd feel pretty awful leaving you here," admits my dad.

"Just leave microwavable pizza bites, water, a.c, and a t.v remote and I'll be fine. I'm probably going to sleep all day anyway dad," I tell him from my place on my bed where I'm tucked up to my chin with three blankets.

"You sure?" he asks me doubtfully.

"Positive. Now go or you're going to be late!"

Bella comes and leaves me with a glass of water before she heads to school. I decide to take a nap to try and fight off the incredibly high fever that is making me feel awful.

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When I wake up from my four-hour nap my throat is as dry as the Sahara desert but all my water has been drunk. My head pounds in beat with my heart and my handshakes from lack of food. I think I go back to sleep because the next thing I know is that someone is holding me.

I feel the steady hum of a car and I fall back into the depths of sleep.

"Caroline? Can you hear me?" asks a voice I recognize. Leave me alone! I want to yell. Leave me to my sweet depths of sleep and darkness where I don't have to think! But the annoyance doesn't leave me alone so I open my eyes blearily.

"Hey Caroline, can you stay awake for me?" asks doctor Cullen. Wait- why is he in my house? Then I realize, this isn't my house. From the nasty smell, I was in a hospital. I appeared to already be checked into a room and I could see a silhouette of Charlie pacing outside my room.

"I need to prick your arm so I can get an IV in. You're extremely dehydrated and your fever needs to be brought down or permanent brain damage could be caused," said Carlisle. My feverish brain didn't take in anything he was saying though until he brought out a needle. My eyes widened in horror and I began to shake from head to toe. Carlisle turned around and noticed my fear before calling in another nurse. She held down my arm while fat tears rolled down my cheek as the needle was inserted.

I kept my eyes closed even after it was over before falling asleep again.

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"Bella, you're going to wake her up,"

"I'm being quiet!"

"Shh!"

"Why're ya'all so loud?" I muttered, turning over only to feel a thin, uncomfortable sheet.

"Did we wake you up?" asked Bella nervously as I blinked rapidly against the bright lights. I struggled to sit up as I noticed an IV in my right wrist making me pale and look away from it. I opened my mouth before closing it again like goldfish while looking around the room confused.

"You're in the hospital," said Edward. Of course, he was here. Couldn't get a moment of privacy with the guy attached to Bella's hip.

"Why?" I asked.

"Severe dehydration and an extremely high fever that could have caused brain damage if it wasn't bought down," explained Edward. I snickered quietly.

"I'm pretty sure I already have brain damage. If you can't tell, I'm not all put together in here," I said, tapping my temple before noticing I was in a hospital gown, thank god that I had my black sweatpants from when I'd gone to bed though.

"I think it's the medications," whispered Edward to Bella with a grin. I scowled at him before sticking out my tongue.

"Where's Char-dad?" I asked Bella from her seat on the couch with her adoring boyfriend. I mentally gagged at the thought.

"Dad had to go back to work. He already traded shifts with someone this morning and couldn't miss this afternoon," said Bella. I nodded, shifting into a more comfortable position. I winced slightly as my back twinged with pain from my shimmery scars. It happened sometimes even though they were healed. This didn't miss Edward and Bella though.

"Are you okay?" Bella asked, concerned.

"Yeah," I lied as my scars protested as if calling me out on my lie. Bella looked as if she was going to protest before the door opened and Carlisle was on the other side with a clipboard.

"Hello, Caroline. How are you feeling?" he asked pleasantly.

"Shitty," I replied. He fought back a smile while Bella looked horrified.

"CAROLINE!" she whisper-yelled. I looked at her with wide innocent eyes.

"He asked Bella!" I defended. Edward and Carlisle chuckled as he flipped through several papers on his clipboard.

"You have an IV right now with liquids to rehydrate you. So, you should be free to go tomorrow," said Carlisle, looking up before taking out a flashlight and checking my eyes. "I'll see you in an hour to replenish your liquids. Make sure you drink lots of water though,"

I nodded like the good little patient I was as Carlisle left. Edward followed after him while I had a staring contest with Isabella, winning every time. After three minutes Edward returned with a nurse following hot on his heels.

"I was told your back was paining you, dear," she said. My head snapped toward Edward where he acted innocent while I shot a murderous glare his way. The little snitch! The nurse had me sit up so she could see my back before she gasped.

I'm guessing it's my scars, I thought sourly.

"What happened?!" she exclaimed with horror. I tried to shrink in on myself if it was possible. Slowly, Bella made her way over with Edward following. Apparently, I was an artifact in a museum now! I heard all three of them take in a breath before I turned around and ducked under my thin cover. I tried to block out anything that was being said. Eventually, the nurse left but I heard one thing from Edward that made my head reel.

"Those were scars from a vampire attack,"

Chapter Text

I'm released the next day from the hospital. Charlie drives Bella and me back to the house in his cruiser while making his new mantra, 'Are you alright Caroline?' I swear I'm going to die of boredom at this point. I'm not allowed to get up from the couch unless it's to use the bathroom or take a nap. Bella demands I drink nine, nine! glasses of water every day! It's utterly ridiculous! Nobody can drink that much water without blowing up like a water balloon!

Bella's birthday is in five days and I still have no idea what to get her. School starts again today and I'm not looking forward to it. The school day is the typical, boring one except with 10x the work.

Spanish is next and I'm not very excited. My brain seems to be functioning in pure Spanish. There were several times when Bella asked me something and I answered in Spanish before realizing it. I'm just so tired I didn't realize I guess.

"Hola, Caroline," (Hello, Caroline) said Jasper. I gave him a weak smile before taking my place at our table. "Escuché de mi padre, Carlisle, que fuiste hospitalizado. ¿Cómo te sientes?" (I heard from my father, Carlisle, that you were hospitalized. How do you feel?)

"Aparte de eso, sigo deslizándome al español, bien," (Other than that I keep slipping into Spanish alright) I responded. He chuckled, a rare sound.

"También escuché que tienes algunos. . .cicatrices," (I also heard that you have some. . scars) he noted offhandly. I immediately became defensive and angry.

"Edward tenía derecho a decirte eso. ¡No es asunto tuyo!" (Edward had no right to tell you that. It's none of your business!" I spat furiously.

"Tienes razón. No lo es," (You're right. It isn't,) he admitted quickly. "Pero, también escuché de tu hermana Bella, crees que las cicatrices son geniales," (But, I also heard from your sister Bella, you think scars are cool.) he said slyly. I straightened up, becoming immersed in the conversation.

"¿Prometes que no te reirás?" (Promise you won't laugh?) I asked miserably. He nodded once.

"No es que crea que son geniales. Quiero decir, no saltaría de un puente a un montón de rocas porque pensé que me daría cicatrices geniales o algo así. Solo creo que cuando obtienes una, es una medalla o algo así. ¿Sabes? Como '¡Oye! ¡Sobreviví a esto y regresé con una marca genial! ' " (Not that I think they're cool. I mean, I wouldn't jump off a bridge onto a bunch of rocks because I thought it would give me cool scars or something. I think when you get one, it's a medal or something. You know? Like 'Hey! I survived this and came back with a good mark! ') I told him. He took this into thought for a moment while I blushed furiously at my ramble. I wasn't expecting however for when he pulled up his sleeves and revealed barely visible shimmery scars; exactly like mine.

"Digamos que me metí en muchas peleas," (Let's just say, I got in a lot of fights,) he chuckled dryly. I studied his scars for a moment, my brow furrowed before I decided to throw everything the hell away.

"Los míos son así," (Mine are like that) I said softly. "Ciento veintisiete puntos de sutura desde la cadera hasta el hombro opuesto," (One hundred and twenty-seven stitches from the hip to the opposite shoulder.) I shudder unconsciously as my eyes recall the incident unintentionally.

"¿Cómo sucedió?" (How'd it happen?) he asked gently. I don't even think properly before the words flow out of my mouth.

"Yo no sé. Mi mejor amigo y yo íbamos caminando a casa. Fuimos atacados. Él-él me dijo que corriera y lo hice. Hubo un aullido, luego algo me cortó la espalda y me desmayé. Encontré su cuerpo dos días después, mutilado y en su propia sangre seca," (I dont know. My best friend and I were walking home. We were attacked. He-he told me to run and I did. There was a howl, then something cut my back and I passed out. I found his body two days later, mutilated and in his own dried blood,) I pause, before realizing what I've told him.

"Sabes. Creo que lo amaba. Incluso cuando estuvo fuera por una semana con mononucleosis, regresó y me ignoró. Entonces nuestros ojos se encontraron y ... y. . . Ni siquiera se como describirlo," (You know. I think I loved him. Even when he was gone for a week with mononucleosis, he came back and ignored me. Then our eyes met and ... and. . . I don't even know how to describe it) I said helplessly. I saw Jasper's eyes widen before the bell rang and he dashed out of the room. I was suddenly angry, why had I told him that?! He had no right! It was like I hadn't been in control of myself. I felt miserable and on top of that it was getting warmer in this room and I was starving. God, I was like some rabid animal or something!

Chapter Text

Gym is my last class. We're supposed to be doing a Volleyball unit, which I do not look forward to at all. I never realized it but I have Emmet and Rosalie in my last-period Gym class. I end up playing against Emmet while Rosalie watched from the sidelines. We're practicing one-on-one bumps and I got paired against Emmet, of course.

He grins as he bumps the ball to me and I scramble to hit it back. This goes on a while, Emmet laughing as he hits it as far from me as possible while I dash around, struggling to hit it back towards him. It was going well until the Volleyball hits me square in the nose. I stumble back, clutching my nose as my eyes water. Great, I already had my emotional hit today, now the physical one.

I pull my hand away to see blood, great. I look up to see Emmet and Rosalie with wide eyes as they both dash from the room. . .Emmet and Rosalie. . .are. . .squeamish about. . .blood?

A lot of people crowd around me as I pinch my nose to stop the bleeding. The coach provides me with a napkin while I make my way to the bathroom. Of course, the one day we practice Volleyball there's no Track because of the traditional Forks rain. I'm so over everything about this stupid town.

*****

When I get back home I have a nasty fever again that I now realize never left. I don't get why this nasty fever won't go away and on top of that, I'm hungry and I just ate! At this rate, I'll be as fat as Santa by Christmas!

I've decided to get Bella a $50 gift card for a book store that she likes. But, I'm kinda broke so Charlie really bought it, but I'm giving it to Bella. Her birthday is in four days. I decide a nap will bring down my fever hopefully because if I tell Charlie he'll cart me back to the hospital quicker than you can say 'Acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or aspirin!'

I crash on the couch and am in pure bliss that Bella won't be home until later because she's at her boyfriend's house to discuss something with the family. Meh, I couldn't care less. Conversations that get me nowhere vs. an amazing nap. Please, it's not even a contest!

******

Bella's birthday is today. Holy crap, she's old! As I made my way downstairs with her non-wrapped gift she shot me an evil look with her boyfriend attached to her hip.

"Do you just sleep in the attic or something?" I asked him. He grinned cheekily as if there was an inside joke about sleeping in one's attic.

"Carol! Not today please," groaned Bella. I merely grabbed the replenished chocolate ice cream and ate straight out of it again while slapping the gift card down at the table in front of Bella. She jumped slightly while looking at it as if I'd handed her an Alpaca strapped with explosives.

"What is this?" she asked. God, her brain must be moving slower than mine!

"It's a gift card, Bella,"

"No! I know that!" she protested.

"Oh, good. You nearly had me worried for a second," I said cheekily, shoveling ice cream into my mouth. Charlie and Bella knew better by now not to ask about my eating habits. "It's your birthday present. Oh, and Happy Birthday! You're one year closer to natural death!" I crowed evilly. The duo both shot me a death stare and coming from Edward it was a bit unnerving, to be honest.

I ride to school with the two, hurl, lovebirds. When I get out I go straight to my locker, I pulled an all-nighter, finishing Eragon and crying when the Shade died. The nightmares are becoming regular.

I make it two feet from my locker when a squealing, over the top, person is in my face. I back up instinctively only to see it was Alice with Jasper hot on her heels.

"Hi Alice," I drawled.

"Caroline, my family is throwing a party tonight for Bella. Would you pleeeeeeaaaase come?" she asked in her never-ending exciting nature. I winced slightly.

"Parties aren't really my thing," I said slowly as if it pained me to say such. Alice pouted, giving me puppy eyes.

"Please!" she begged, taking my hands in hers. Woah, her hands were ice-cold! I pretended not to notice though. I glanced behind her and saw Jasper smirk. I suddenly felt compelled to give into Alice's request.

"To be honest Alice, I'm really tired. I think I'm going to catch up on my sleep," I told her, resisting my stupid emotions telling me otherwise. Alice thought for a moment before (I swear I could see it) a 'lightbulb' went off.

"You can sleep on the couch. With the fuzzy blanket," she told me seriously.

"How long?" I asked, my eyes narrowed.

"Twenty minutes,"

"Sixty,"

"Thirty,"

"Forty-five," I bartered.

"Deal!" she said quickly as we spoke rapid-fire to each other. "You just have to show up and you can sleep on the couch until Bella opens her gifts!" she squealed, clutching my hands and bouncing up and down.

*****

"Please be polite Caroline," begged Bella from the driver's seat. I rolled my eyes and grunted.

"I'm always nice Isabella," I smirked. I swear she looked like she was gonna cry. "And, I wouldn't be here if I hadn't been bribed,"

"You were bribed?" asked Bella incredulously.

"Man. Do you hear an echo in here?" I asked her sarcastically, looking around the car. She huffed in reply.

"Can I drive?" I asked after a moment. Bella looked at me for a split second before swerving and centering her attention on the road.

"Absolutely not," she said without hesitating.

"Why not?!" I whined.

"First off, Charlie is the Police Chief-" she started.

"Good! Then he'll cover me," I said seriously, trying to keep from laughing to see Bella's reaction.

"What?!" she said loudly before thinking. "Honestly, you could probably convince a vegetarian to change to an all-meat diet," she admitted.

"I know," I sighed. "I'm amazing," I snickered as we pulled up to the Cullen house. Before Bella even knocked Alice was there, pulling us inside. My sister was wearing a fancy dress whereas I preferred black jeans (that Bella had convinced me to wear since they had no holes or rips), my converse high-tops, a dark red, small, v-neck with a gray cardigan to top it off.

"First off," said Alice, looking my outfit up and down. "You have a pretty good fashion sense. I approve," she said seriously.

"Um. . .thanks?" I said as it came out more of a question.

"Now, you can go sleep on the couch and I'll wake you when Bella here opens her presents," said Alice, smiling amused.

We all climbed the stairs together after I left my shoes on the doormat inside. I was already feeling really sleepy and was huddled under an incredibly fuzzy blanket. I was out like a light.

Chapter Text

"Triston!" I shrieked, ducking under the oncoming pillow before smacking mine into him. He crashed into the couch and fell over the back of it. There was silence in the living room before I leaped over the couch to check on him.

"Oh my god, Triston! Are you alrig-" I was cut off when he pulled me down onto the ground next to him. My best friend had just disappeared for two weeks before coming back all buff, ignoring me. But for some reason, we were allowed to hang out again.

We laid on the floor while he tickled me. I screeched and flailed around, trying to get him to stop tickling.

"I give! I give!" I gasped. Triston smirked slyly.

"So what do I get for winning?" he asked, his eyebrow raised.

"This." I lunged forward and quickly pecked him on the lips, leaving both of our faces bright red. It was pouring outside and a huge burst of thunder echoed outside when the power suddenly went out.

"Triston?" I called, reaching out for him. I didn't like rainstorms which was I originally asked him to come over while my grandma was gone for her Bingo club.

"I'm over here Ro," he said, his calm voice soothing my nerves. Our hands met in the darkness before we moved to the kitchen to find a flashlight. I switched it on, nearly blinding Triston in the process.

We moved over to the couch, lighting several candles for light. We curled up on the couch. I was covered in a blanket and leaned up against Triston for his heat.

The rain had slowed down, making me drowsy. "I think I love you Triston." My sleep-deprived brain said out loud before I drifted off to sleep with the person I held most dear with me.

"Caroline, darling, Alice sent me to get you," a sweet voice said.

"Trishton- five more minutes," I mumbled.

"I'm Esme dear," I heard.

"Funny, but if you don't let me sleep Trishton, I'll knock you into next week even if you're on steroids and I have no chance," I yawned before blinking slowly and realizing I was in the Cullen house. I sat up to Esme smiling motherly at me.

"Alice asked me to get you for Bella's presents," she seems to be stifling laughter. I run my hand through my hair before standing up and padding silently behind Esme into the second living room.

"I can't believe you actually slept!" said Bella, giving me a disappointed look. I stared back, still half-asleep.

"Bella, that couch was literally beckoning me. And, I can fall asleep anywhere. It's a talent," I grinned while she ignored me, rolling her eyes.

"It's time to open presents!" squealed Alice, handing a present to Rosalie who in turn handed it to Bella.

"It's a necklace. Alice picked it out," she said stiffly. Okay. . .So we got some resentment toward Bella from Rosalie. Understandable.

"Thanks," said Bella awkwardly, making me want to smack my head against the gorgeous coffee table behind me. Emmet handed Bella a bigger box as she shook it, confused.

"Already installed it in that heap of crap ca-" Emmet started, grinning.

"Hey, don't hate on the car," interrupted Bella, smiling softly. I was hovering near Bella, dismissing a headache. The last gift was from Esme and she was smiling motherly as she gave it to Bella. She moved to open it but cut her finger.

"Oh," said Bella, before the blood hit the carpet. I watched, wondering why Bella looked so alarmed at the sight of a paper cut when I was suddenly thrown into the wall. Jasper lunged at Bella and me, looking like a feral animal.

And that was when it clicked.

The cold skin, the fear of blood, never-eating. They were vampires. They were like the thing that killed Trishton.

Chapter Text

I was frozen, in shock, as I watched the scene unfold in front of me.

Jasper was running at Bella and me with murderous rage in his now black eyes. Edward and Carlisle were trying to hold him back. Alice was holding his face gently, trying to soothe him.

"Shh, it's okay Jas. It's just a little. . .blood," said Alice, freezing. She turned to Bella who was looking at her bloodied hand. Carlisle was at her side in a moment, my eyes were wide in horror and confusion. They were the same things that killed Trishton. Suddenly all the stories clicked in my mind.

The tales Billy Black would tell me when I was younger. My grandma told me. Wolves and Vampires were enemies. That was why the woman chased Trishton down that night. Trishton had been a shifter. Oh my god, the revelation shattered my worldview.

I didn't even notice when Carlisle told me I was bleeding. The rest of the Cullens had left the room by now. I looked at Bella and she seemed to realize the look of knowledge on my face.

"He was killed," I said, not forming full sentences.

"Who?" asked Bella.

"Trishton. He was killed by them, vampires," I said, my voice coming out breathy. "Oh my god, I didn't believe him," I clutched my head, a massive pain attacking my head. I thought Trishton had been joking when he asked me over to his house to 'explain everything.' When Elijah, an older boy who Trishton hung out with all the time had laughed and told Trishton to let it be and I would believe him sooner or later I didn't believe him.

*****

"Hey, Caroline. Will you come over tonight? I have something I need to tell you," said Trishton over the phone. I could hear a burst of laughter from the background. Probably one of the boys he hung out with and the fact my best friend sounded like he was gonna wet himself he was so nervous.

"Was that Liam?" I asked amusedly.

"Yeah," said Trishton pained.

"Tell him if he doesn't get his nose out of our business I'll cut it off and he'll look like Voldemort," I teased. I heard another guffaw of laughter with more voices this time. "God, are you having a party at Elijah's house?"

"No," laughed Trishton. "But I'll see you tonight, at my place,"

"Alright, see you then,"

He had been right all along.

"Caroline, we've been friends for a long time. . ." started Trishton nervously. Elijah, Trishton, and I were all sitting in various armchairs and sofas in a half-circle in Trishton's living room. His parents were at work, they were Real Estate Agents.

"Yeah. . ." I said, perturbed.

"Well uh, you know back in July how I disappeared and came back but I ignored you," he stuttered a bit nervously. This was so unlike the usually confident, cheeky boy I knew.

"Yes," I said.

"Well, -I swear I'm not on Steroids-" he added quickly. "But the real reason I looked like this suddenly was because-"

"Because?" I asked. Trishton cast a glance at Elijah -who was like a mentor to him- who gave him a nod.

"I'm a wolf," he said quickly. I stared at him before bursting out in laughter.

"That's funny. What? Did you and all the boys rig this up?" I asked him, smirking.

"See? I told you she wouldn't believe me," groaned Trishton to Elijah whose shoulders were shaking with silent laughter.

"Look, Caroline," Elijah said, trying to restrain from laughing again. "We're shifters. You know Gabe, Liam, Charles, Peter, and Corvin? They all change into wolves. And you're Trishton's imprint,"

I wish I would've believed him. Because that was the last night I saw Trishton before th-the Vampire killed him. And one of those things was sitting in front of me now. I flinched away from Carlisle's gentle hands as he was trying to help me up.

Bella seemed to be trying to gauge my reaction because there was no way I would believe any stories she tried to cover this up with. My hands were shaking and I was still in shock at how such a good moment could've ended up like this.

"Caroline?" asked Bella carefully. "Are you okay?" When I didn't respond she looked towards Carlisle who was calm.

"She may be in shock. That was a rather big revelation to anyone, especially Caroline," he said complacently.

"What do you mean?" asked Bella.

"Let's get these wounds stitched up first," said Carlisle. My eyes widened further if possible. I hated needles, with a passion.

"We can use butterfly bandages on yours, Caroline. They aren't bad enough to require stitches unlike your sister's," soothed Carlisle. I followed behind Bella numbly into Carlisle's office where he used antiseptic on my wounds after removing the single, small piece of glass that had landed in my skin. Three butterfly bandages later and I was ship-shape. . .physically. I could hear Bella and Carlisle talking distinctly before Bella tried to get me to talk.

"Caroline? What do you think about souls?" she asked. Bella never really asked me questions so this was fairly odd for both of us. "Like Edward or Carlisle? Do you think they're damned?"

"I think if you believe you have a soul, then you do," I said, still sounding shell-shocked. They both thought on this for a moment.

"Well, you both are good to go. Edward can drive you home. If that's okay?" Carlisle asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Yes," said Bella quickly. I guess I didn't get an option. Carlisle had already explained that I couldn't tell anyone about their secret. Trust me, I was very good at keeping secrets. Like how my friends in Mexico were all wolves. My boyfriend/best friend was a wolf. He imprinted on me. He was dead.

I needed to talk to Billy.

*****

It was late at night later that. . .day I'd found out about the Cullens. But I needed answers and I felt a bit bad as I knocked gingerly on Billy's door, almost afraid he'd send me away. But he didn't, instead, he swung open the door and gave me a wild smile from his wheelchair.

"Happy early birthday Caroline!" he exclaimed from his wheelchair. Cheezus, I had almost forgotten in two days was my birthday. September 13th was Bella's and mine was September 14th.

"Sorry to bother you," I mumbled out. Billy's eyebrows drew together, he knew something was wrong.

"I think you'd better come in," he said, noticing the butterfly bandage on the corner of my right eye and the two on my forearm. I obliged and settled on the sofa.

"Jake's in the garage," he said, answering my unasked question. I nodded before swallowing, where did I even start with this? If I started, I wouldn't be able to stop. I hope Billy didn't have anything on his agenda for the next hour. Thank god my adopted uncle was a good listener.

"Billy, when I lived in Mexico I had a best friend. His name was Trishton DuPoint. There was a group of boys though that he didn't like. The oldest was 22 and was Elijah. The rest he went to school with; Gabe, Liam, Charles, Peter, and Corvin. They all disappeared for a week and when they came back they were seriously buff," I said quickly.

Billy looked like he was about to protest and kick me out of his house before I interrupted.

"Billy, Trishton imprinted on me," this stopped him in his tracks. He froze, taking me in as if he'd never met me before. "He died though. He tried to tell me with Elijah and I didn't believe them! I thought it was a prank and they let it be. But when Trishton was walking me home there was a woman with red hair. She followed us for three streets. Both of us noticed then sh-she attacked. Trishton told me to run and I did. He was a wolf, Billy. And he imprinted on me!" I said almost hysterically. He put a hand on my shoulder, trying to soothe me.

"Jake hasn't shifted yet but I'm expecting him to. Sam is the pack leader," he told me before sighing heavily. "Are you sure? That he imprinted on you?" he asked. I nodded.

"You need to talk to Sam," said Billy, wheeling into the kitchen and calling someone.

"Billy! I don't want to talk to anyone! What if they think it's my fault!" I whispered quietly while the phone dialed. He held up a finger, telling me to be quiet. I swear I just about died.

"Hey Sam, It's Billy. What? No. It isn't Jake. Actually, it's Jake's friend's sister, Caroline. It's easier to explain. No, Sam. Well, you tell Emily I said hi," he said before hanging up.

"Billy! Why did you do that!?" I practically wailed. He gave me a look before I put my face in my hands.

"I'll explain it if you want," my 'uncle' offered. I nodded, my face still in my hands.

Less than five minutes later someone knocked on the door heavily.

"Billy Black I'm angry at you," I moaned, not sounding one ounce of what I'd said.

"Hey Billy," said a huge man without a shirt. He must've been surprised at my appearance. I don't know the hell he was expecting but the first things out of his mouth were, "She looks depressed," I narrowed my gaze at him before snapping back.

"And you look like you're on steroids but we're not pointing fingers," I said snappily. He stared at me for a moment before chuckling. I stared out the window, watching the occasional firefly light up the night sky while Billy repeated everything I'd told him to Billy. There was silence before Sam looked pained.

"You probably don't want to answer, but what happened after he died?" he asked gently.

"He- had a name. Trishton," I said, trying to refrain from the urge to cry. "It-it was the worst thing you could ever feel," my voice was barely heard, just above a whisper. "It feels as if your soul is being ripped in two and you'll never be happy again," I stared off into space, memories of the days after Trishton's death. "Nothing is good anymore. You just want them, but you know they're gone. It gets dark. There's nothing to look forward to. You know you will never love again. You feel abandoned. Knowing that he's not coming back. You do things you regret later," By now I had fat tears rolling down my cheeks. "It feels like you're being stabbed in the chest. Again. And again. But the worst part was meeting with his friends. His pack. They all offered me condolences then were gone. They distanced themselves. I had no reason to be around them anymore," my voice cracked and I wiped my tears off on my hoodie.

"Caroline?" asked Billy gingerly. "What did you mean 'things you regret?'" I rolled up my left sleeve and they both stifled a gasp. Small pale scars marked the base of my wrist.

"Fourteen times before I realized what an asshat I was being. Some way to thank him," I scoffed, rolling my sleeve. "My poor grandma didn't know what to do. I was in bed for two months. Turned skinny as a stick," I chuckled wryly.

I stood up stiffly before looking at Sam Uley. "You wanted to know? There you go. I suggest you don't let anyone under the protection of your pack die soon,"

Chapter Text

When I got up for school the next morning, Bella was stuck in her thoughts. She told me Edward had been acting weird and wouldn't tell her what was wrong. Charlie fiddled around and I caught him smiling to himself occasionally. Before Bella and I opened the front door Charlie stopped us.

"Er-Caroline. I have a gift for you," he said, wringing his hands together.

"Okay," I said, perturbed at his odd behavior. He opened the front door and I tried not to scream in joy as a red Supersport Moter Bike sat there in all its glory.

"Ohmygod! A Supersport Moter Bike is a high-speed, high-performance consumer version of a racing motorbike. It has reduced weight, increased power for quick acceleration, and nimble handling. It can reach speeds of 190 mph!" I squealed out, leaping out the front door and jumping on it, running my hands down the side of the sleek thing.

"Thank you, dad!" I practically shrieked in excitement. He rubbed the back of his neck as I collided with him in a hug. "I thought you were against motorcycles?" I asked in an excited frenzy.

"Erm- I still am. But your mother convinced me you needed a ride and your grandmother told me that your boyfriend had one back in Mexico and you rode on it all the time," he admitted sheepishly. I ignored the jab at my dead friend and grabbed my messenger bag with my school books in it before hugging dad and Bella.

"I'll see you at school!" I said excitedly, slipping the full-face covering helmet on and revving the engine. Holy crap, screw getting a boyfriend, I was in love with this thing!

"Now! Don't let me catch you speeding on that thing! I'll-I'll arrest you!" said Charlie, trying to sound threatening. I think I heard Bella mumble 'She'll do it just to spite you,' as she disappeared into the house.

I sped off as the gorgeous motorcycle hummed with power and I turned sharp corners with glee. I made it to school in record-time, parking neatly in a parking spot. I ignored the looks I received as 'the sister to Bella Swan, the girlfriend of Edward Cullen had the latest motorcycle. Probably because I was too invested in gazing at my motorcycle one more time and taking the keys out of the ignition.

Today was going to be the best birthday ever.

"Happy sixteenth birthday Carol!" was what I was expecting from Alice when I arrived at my locker, where she usually met me. But Alice wasn't there. Huh. As my day progressed I noticed the absence of Rosalie, Emmet, Jasper, Alice, and Edward. Maybe they were taking a day off after what happened last night?

I skipped lunch, fully infatuated with the new book Bella had gotten me, 'Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde' I don't know how I had gone this long without reading this book, it was splendid!

When school let out I zoomed off on my motorcycle, getting home earlier than Bella while she talked with her friends. I was climbing the stairs to the floor Bella and my room shared, I heard shuffling from her room.

I knew Charlie was at work, and Bella was not home, or on her way. My natural assumption was a murderer or thief. Being the good daughter I was, I grabbed a pistol from the closet Charlie kept them in, holding it in front of me with the safety off in the way my dad had taught me. I kicked the door open and nearly gave Edward a heart attack, if it was still beating that is.

"OhmygodIthoughtyouwerearobberormudererandIalmostshotyouI'msosorryBellawouldneverforigivemeifIshotheronetruelove-"I rambled, switching the safety on the pistol on and leaning on the doorframe and clutching my fast-beating chest.

He gazed at me mournfully, as if someone had just killed his cat.

"What's wrong?" I asked, starting to pick up on the distressing vibes coming off him. "Edward?" I asked. He didn't respond, just staring at one of the pictures that were taken last night of him and my sister holding hands.

"Edweirdo?" I asked, trying to get a reaction out of him. "You're scaring me," I said, a bit of fear creeping into my voice.

"I- I'm sorry," he said after a moment.

"It's okay. But why are you in Bella's room and not at school. . ." the pieces connected in my head and he looked down at the wood floors.

"You're leaving," I accused. He didn't respond, finding the floor interesting.

"Edward, it's gonna kill her! You may be protecting her physically, but it's going to destroy her mentally!" I yelled.

"It's to protect you, and her," he said, more trying to convince himself than me.

"Bella doesn't want protection! She wants you in her life!" I said angrily. "You can't leave her Edward! I'm telling you, it will kill her!" I repeated. He glanced at me once.

"Alice says happy birthday. She's sorry she won't see you again. Jasper apologizes, Carlisle says you can read any of his books as long as you return them, Esme thought of you as her own," he relays, then is gone in an instant. In his place is a small envelope with a letter inside addressed to me in Carlisle's handwriting. I stare, picking it up before I hear the roar of Bella's truck and my heart clenches at what is about to happen to hers.

Chapter Text

Caroline,

I wish this letter was written to you under better circumstances, but unfortunately, it is not. Do you recall when you were in the hospital, and you had blood drawn? I had wanted to tell you this in person but under recent events, I am not able to. Certain events like these should always be told in person in my opinion, but this is the best I could think of. 

Caroline, when your blood was analyzed for infection in case dehydration was not the only culprit of the decline of your health I stumbled upon a stunning revelation. You are not Charlie Swan's child.

This may come as a shock, but you are indeed your mother's blood and Billy Black's. I have researched further into this and found that your mother had another reason when she left Charlie; she was pregnant with Billy's child, you. They both agreed that what happened would stay between them and Renee told Charlie it was his child. Meaning since the events of last night, you have Quileute blood.

After this shocking revelation, I am afraid I must ask one thing, however. You cannot let this letter fall into the hands of Bella. Edward has let me write this one letter to you for the reason I put this. She must not know, Edward would think it better for after he leaves Bella thinks you are still her full-blooded sister.

I hope you lead a wonderful life, fulfilling and beautiful,

Carlisle Cullen

I slid down my wall and stifled a sob with my hand as I reread the letter. Billy was my father. That was why he was always supportive, and kind. He always knew what was on my mind, and he had let me live with Charlie all these years without protest. My own father hadn't wanted me. My chest tightened at the thought as put the letter in my pocket and grabbed my motorcycle helmet.

I bet 10million dollars Edward had known what was in that letter and he was counting on the contents to send me to Billy and not Bella. And indeed it was. Ten minutes later after breaking the speed limit the whole way there, I knocked on Billy's door, trying to be polite. When Jacob opened the door and saw my tight, trembling figure he asked me what was wrong.

"Nothing Jacob. Could I talk to Billy, please?" I asked, strained. He hesitated for a second before opening the door.

"Dad! Caroline's here!" shouted Jacob, eyeing my practically fiery demeanor and shooting out to his garage. Billy wheeled in a moment later.

"Caroline? What's happened?" he asked gingerly as if he might set off a bomb.

"You wanna know what's wrong?" I snapped, thrusting the letter in his hands. He glanced at it, then back up at me before reading it. His face turned pale then stony before he handed it back.

"It's not what you think," he said, almost pleading. "We were drunk, I didn't want to ruin my relationship with your father. Renee agreed and it killed me to let you live with my best friend all these years. My own daughter referred to me as Uncle Billy. It hurt so bad to only see you several times a year. Then you and Bella stayed with Renee, full time. After that you moved to Mexico," he trailed off.

"Were you ever going to tell me?" I asked, tears welling up as I crossed my arms.

"Once you were eighteen, Renee and I agreed," he said. "And since you have my blood, that means you could be a shifter. You need to be careful, not let your anger get the best of you," he said.

"How dare you tell me to watch my anger!" I shrieked, exploding in a ball of rage. "You have no right to tell me what to do! You didn't want to tell your best friend you cheated on him with his wife and left me to deal with the consequences! You let your own daughter! Your daughter! Live with him because you didn't have the guts!" I screamed. He looked down, ashamed.

"I tried-"

"Well, you obviously didn't try hard enough," I spat. "I have a brother! Jacob is my brother!" I yelled at him. 

"Caroline, you need to calm down, you're shaking," he pleaded. My whole body was shaking and I was more furious than ever in my entire life. Angrier than when Triston's pack told me I should be dead from the severed bond. Angrier when my friends stopped talking to me because I was depressed. Angrier than when I realized I was terrible for cutting myself. Angrier than when I could feel a piece of myself die when Trishton did, knowing I could never love again because my one true love was dead.

The back door burst open and Jacob looked between me and Billy.

"What's going on?" he asked tentatively as if we were both grenades.

"I was just leaving," I snapped, slamming the front door behind me and speeding towards Charlie's house. I flopped on my bed and screamed into a pillow before realizing the house was empty and I could scream as loud as I wanted. I did, my voice breaking at the volume. Jesus Christ, my whole life had been a lie.

Chapter Text

Bella had been missing for five hours after she had followed Edward into the forest. I knew something had happened so I called Charlie.

"Hey dad," it took everything in me not to scream at calling him dad.

"Caroline? Is everything okay?" he asked, sounding worried. I never called him.

"It's Bella," I said, a sob building in my chest. The stress of today was catching up to me and even if we were only half-siblings, I had learned to care for her. "She went into the forest after Edward and she hasn't come back. It was five hours ago," another sob wracked my body and I could hear dead silence on his end.

"I'm coming home right now. We'll organize a search party. Can you call Billy for me?" he asked, going into overdrive. That was the last thing I wanted to do, but I would if it helped find Bella. He hung up and I glared at my phone as if it were the one who had confessed to being my father after sixteen years.

Birthdays are bad. I noted to myself. I dialed the number and waited for someone to pick up.

"Hello?" It was Jacob.

"Hey Jacob, it's me," I said. I heard an intake of breath from his end of the line before he responded.

"My -well our- dad told me what happened. It's kinda weird to have a half-sister now but maybe we could go to the movies and get to know each other like real siblings would," he offered. Sweet Jake nearly melted my heart with his kind offer.

"Um, yeah that'd be great Jake. But, could you put Billy on the phone for me?" I asked. I could hear him talking to his dad in the background before he came to the phone.

"Caroline, I told Sam and Jacob but I don't like how we left things-" 

"That sucks," I snapped before recollecting my temper. "It's Bella. Charlie told me to call you. She's gone missing. It was with Edward," I said, my anger visible in my voice. I heard an intake of breath from Billy, his mind probably going to the worst thought; that Bella was now dead, all her blood being sucked out by the vampire.

"I'll call Sam and have the pack comb the forest," he said quieter, practically whispering. I deduced that Jake was probably in the same room, listening.

"Okay," I said before hanging up abruptly. Please be okay Bella.

*****

Two more hours went by and there was still no sign of Bella. The sun had set long ago and the night was becoming incredibly cold. My shivering hands were a sign of that. I ignored Billy all night, even his direct confrontations.

Sam and the pack had arrived and had been searching the forest but they still couldn't find her. I had gone by the Cullens place at Charlie's request and come back empty-handed. They really were gone. . .

Charlie was now getting desperate in his search for Bella when I had a feeling to turn around. I was mortified, my first thought thinking Bella was dead.

I hit Charlie in the side of the arm to get his attention as he looked where I was.

"She's fine!" Sam said, answering our unasked question. Charlie ran over to Bella and picked her up from Sam's arms. Billy had said that he'd told Sam Uley and Billy about my real origins, meaning I got the same look Jake did from him. But instead of turning away, I gave him a grateful look.

Thank you. I mouthed. He nodded before I scrambled into the house after Charlie and Bella. If I ever had the unfortunate of meeting a Cullen again, I would rip out their throat for what they'd done to Bella.

Chapter Text

The next four weeks were horrible. Bella rarely ate, talked, or interacted with Charlie or me on any level. She went to school, came back, and sat in the chair by her window, mourning her boyfriend. If it was me I would've burned their house to the ground but Bella burst into tears when I'd said it.

I didn't have a Spanish partner anymore since Jasper had left and I was always assigned worksheets instead. I screamed internally. All and any phone calls from Billy were ignored. I went to the movies with Jake twice though.

"Caroline! Phone for you!" called Charlie from downstairs. I hadn't seen Sam since he'd found Bella in the forest. If I had the wolf gene then I was due to shift soon. If I didn't then I would stay human. I was a nervous wreck about all this and could see why Sam didn't tell anyone who was shifting about it because I was as anxious as a mouse playing chase with a cat.

"Hey Ro, are you busy?" asked Jake's voice from the other side. I hummed for a moment, thinking fondly of my plans to sleep all day. But I'd hang out with my half-brother if I had the chance.

"No, not really,"

"Wanna come over? We can go to the beach," I could hear his cheeky smile on the other side of the phone.

"Yeah, yeah. I'll see you in ten," I grinned and hung up.

"You going to see Jake?" asked Charlie, rubbing his hand on a dishcloth coming from the kitchen.

"Yeah. He wants to go swimming," I said, french-braiding my long brown hair over my shoulder in the hallway mirror.

"You sure hang around with him a lot,"

"Do I?" I paused, looking at him through the mirror. He raised an eyebrow.

"Yo-You aren't-erm- dating? Are you?" he asked. I gagged at the thought of dating my half-brother.

"No! Absolutely not!" I protested. He awkwardly shuffled back into the kitchen wisely as I slid my helmet on and mounted my motorcycle. Only breaking the speed limit in four places (which was pretty good for me) I pulled up to Jake's house. He opened the door and came out, brushing his long hair out of his face as -our father- wheeled out of the house.

"Hey!" he chirped.

"Hey Jake," I smiled. We embraced each other in a one-arm hug with my helmet tucked under one helmet. He fingered my braid, looking at it in amazement. 

"How'd you do that?" he asked, seeming interested. 

"It's a french braid," I said. "I could teach you if you want. I mean, with your hair you could use some lessons!" We both laughed. Billy was watching us from the porch with a happy smile.

I sat my helmet on my motorcycle and we sat on the porch step as I taught Jake to french braid. I pretended to not notice Billy watching us both fondly. 

"See? Not that hard!" I smirked as Jake laughed triumphantly. "You ready to go for a ride?" I asked, standing up and dusting off my pants. 

"Can I drive?" he asked, his eyes twinkling. I mirrored his face exactly, smiling brightly, "Absolutely not!" I said in the same peppy voice. He grinned.

"Think I'll crash your baby?" he teased. 

"Yes," I replied with a straight face. He stumbled for a response before I laughed. "I'm kidding. But you're still not driving my bike," I got on the front, handing him my helmet. He scoffed before I shot him a glare and he put it on. I revved the engine, speeding out of the driveway while Jake securely held me around my waist. 

The visor on the helmet was up and his eyes were ecstatic.

"I love the wind in my hair," I yelled back to him, keeping my eyes on the road.

"It's great!" he agreed. I pulled up on the beach and shoved my keys in my small backpack. He leaped around excitedly for a few moments, still feeling the rush of my motorcycle.

I shed my pants to reveal my two-piece green bathing suit. Jake was in his swim shorts and as we locked eyes we took off towards the ocean in an unofficial race.

"Ha!" I crowed, having beat him by a near second.

"That's 'cause you do track," he huffed, leaning over in the knee-length water. 

"Yeah, yeah," I waved him off, not even breathing heavy. I waded into deeper water before diving neatly into it and holding my breath, my black hair floating around me like ethereal energy. I was planning on scaring Jake and a couple of seconds later I could hear him splashing around like a maniac. He was spinning around and sending clouds of silt up and once his back was to me I pinched the back of his calves hard. He shot into the air and I could hear his screams from underwater. I couldn't resist laughing and inhaled a lungful of water. 

I came up, water streaming off my face while I choked and laughed at the same time.

"I THOUGHT YOU WERE A CRAB!" yelled Jake, trying to steady his fast-beating heart. I continued to choke/laugh and Jake smacked me on the back several times, trying to dislodge the saltwater.  

"Oh -cough! Hack hack!- my god! You thought -Hack! Cough cough!- I was a crab?!" I shrieked, doubled over with laughter. A wave pushed me over and I spun around underwater, trying to stop laughing with the water streaming into my open mouth. Jacob hauled me up a second later, worry written across his face.

"Are you alright Ro?" he asked, using his nickname for me. I nodded, now seriously coughing up water. After a moment a grin split across my face. "A crab?" I repeated. He blushed a furious red and didn't answer. 

We caught a few more waves bodysurfing and playing around until a literal crab skittered across Jake's foot and he screamed like a girl. I laid on my towel after that, both of us taking a nap.

"Ro," I heard and could feel someone shaking me awake. "It's Sam Uley and his cult," said Jacob sounding tense. I sat up, stretching the stiffness out of my back before noticing the fading sunlight.

"Jesus Jake! I was supposed to make dinner tonight!" I exclaimed, bursting into a flurry of activity while Jacob continued to stare at the three approaching boys.  "Jake, I have to go," I repeated. He nodded and slowly gathered his stuff, not taking his eyes off the guys. 

I gathered our collective stuff before Jake got on the motorcycle. Sam, Jared, and Paul were all staring at us and I gave them a small wave. Sam nodded before I took off, my motorcycle flying at ridiculous speeds that I enjoyed.

I dropped Jake at his house before flying to mine. I slowed to a reasonable speed because I still only had my bikini top on and jean shorts and didn't want to get in a crash.

"Sorry, dad! I was out late with Jake. We went to the beach," I yelled in the house after dropping my stuff at the front door.

"He isn't here. He had to work a double shift tonight," said Bella in her ghostly voice.

"Oh, okay. Have you eaten anything?" I asked, trying to be extra peppy. Maybe some would rub off on Bella. She shook her head after a moment and I immediately bustled into the kitchen to prepare food.

"What do you want?" I asked, glancing at her over the open fridge. She stared at me blankly. I was trying to be patient but she was getting on my nerves. "Bella?" I repeated, my voice strained.

"What'd you say?" she murmured. I huffed and waved her off. I couldn't handle more stupid, annoying Bella for much longer. I pulled out some hamburger meat and warmed up the pan while I went upstairs to change. I'd shower after dinner.

As I came back downstairs I wasn't surprised to see Bella sitting at the table crying. It was all she ever did. Of course besides the screaming every night. The screaming that interrupted my sleep. I get she was sad and depressed, but she needed to get over it. I gave her a pointed look and she sniffled before retreating up to her cave.

I turned on the radio, in a better mood than I'd been in a while.

Chapter Text

I cook the meat and add some onions and flavoring. The delicious aroma making my stomach growl. Jesus! I had just eaten some Pop-Tarts at Jake's house!

I got out the buns from the cabinet created two burgers for myself and called Bella down. Her eyes were bright red and puffy and she kept sniffling as I controlled my urge to yell at her to just blow her dang nose!

She took a piece of bread and sat down, picking at it. I grabbed my phone calling Charlie to see what time he'd be home.

"Hey, dad. Everything's okay," I added quickly. I heard a sigh of relief. "Just wondering when you're gonna be home. I made burgers,"

"Well. I heard a noise complaint so I have to come home early!" he fake gasped. I grinned, that was one of his excuses to get out of work early.

"And what's early?" I asked.

"About eleven," we groaned in unison. "How's Bella?"He asked tentatively. I glanced over at her from my end of the table to see her spaced out staring at a wall.

"She's seen better," I said quietly. Charlie was thinking about sending her back to Renee for her good.

"Okay. Well kiddo, I'll be back soon. Don't forget you have school tomorrow,"

"Night dad. I'll leave the burgers in the fridge under tin foil," I said then hung up.

"I've realized something," murmured Bella, causing me to look up. She sounded almost. . .angry.

"Yeah?" I asked, finishing my second burger and still having room for more.

"It's not my fault that the Cullens went away," she said, having the first conversation in a while.

"Of course not!" I exclaimed. Her eyes took on a hatred I had never seen before.

"It was your fault!" she yelled, standing up. Her chair clattered to the ground behind her.

"What?" I sputtered, confused. "How is it my fault?"

"If you hadn't been there! None of this would've happened!" she yelled. She glanced around before picking up a plastic cup and throwing it at me. I dodged it and it went clattering to the ground. This was where I drew the line.

"Bella. You know it isn't my fault! And if you throw one more thing at me I swear-"

"You'll what? Send Charlie away too? And Renee?!" she screamed. "Cause that's all you do! Send people away! Everything was fine before you showed up! I wish you weren't my sister and you'd never been born!"

"If the Cullens went away it wasn't my fault! If anything it was yours!" I yelled. She froze, a furious rage overcoming her. I'd never seen her this angry. This wasn't like Bella at all.

"My fault?" she seethed then picked up the closest thing and chucked it at me; a glass cup I had just dried. I instinctively raised my hands to block it and felt a searing pain in my right arm. I lowered it and saw a four-inch gash from my elbow to my wrist. Several more gashes covered my feet and hands from the shattered glass that now littered the ground. They were gushing blood and Bella suddenly looked apologetic.

"Oh my god, Caroline! I am so sorry! I don't know why I did that!" she said quickly. Bella grabbed a dishtowel and moved to cover up the largest cut that was bleeding all over the ground but I pushed her away.

"Get away from me!" I growled before noticing I was shaking. My head was incredibly dizzy and I was beyond furious. This was worse than the time I was furious at Billy. I was positively enraged. I slammed the sliding back door open, ignoring the fact I was barefoot and only in a thin black shirt and the jean shorts I'd been wearing.

"Caroline! I'm sorry!" yelled Bella from the house. "It wasn't my fault!" I spun around.

"Oh? Then pray tell who was controlling you to throw a glass at me!" I screamed. She flinched back, tears filling her eyes.

"It wasn't me," she repeated. I let loose an angry yell and slammed the sliding glass door shut. The whole thing shuddered and I stomped behind the house and into the woods, holding my shirt to try and prevent my gash from bleeding more. It was long but not deep and it hurt like hell. I was vibrating, shaking with fury.

 I wish you weren't my sister and you'd never been born! Echoed Bella's voice in my head. I was barely aware of a searing pain over my entire body before I could feel fur. FUCKING FUR!

Woah! Who is this? asked someone in my head. I froze, trying not to freak out. Blood was matting my front. . .paw I guess from the gash I'd received from Bella so kindly throwing a flipping glass at me!

Jared, be quiet. Said a more commanding voice. I could almost feel someone prying through my head and I fought back, struggling to keep the invisible hands out of my head. Caroline? Asked the same voice, slightly confused.

What the flipping hell. Was my clever response.

Oh yeah. That's definitely her! Laughed the first voice. I heard the equivalent of a sigh in my head from the second voice. Then I heard a twig snap behind me. I spun around on my four legs, my hurt leg off the ground. A silverish wolf was crouched in front of me.

Paul! Don't attack her! Said an authoritative voice. The silver wolf someone in my head had called Paul watched me a moment longer before sitting on his haunches like a dog. 

Sam, she's hurt. He relayed. Holy crap! WHAT? A moment later a huge black wolf and a brown-haired wolf appeared side-by-side.

What happened Caroline? asked Sam.

Bella. I seethed angrily. She threw a crapping glass at me cause she was angry. I could feel the amazement of the others. After a moment of that small fact settling, Sam spoke again.

This is Jared and Paul. Welcome to the Pack.

Chapter Text

I had been stuck in my wolf form for five days, losing my mind. I couldn't change back and Jared and Paul thought it was hilarious.

Charlie is going to be so worried!  I fretted.

Chill, Sam already told him you went on a once-in-a-lifetime camping trip with Jake's friends. Said Jared, lolling his tongue out of his mouth. Through the other's minds, I appeared to be a bit smaller than Jared, with black fur, and my two heterophoria eyes were the same. One green one blue. 

One of the three was always with me and I had gotten so hungry at one point I'd eaten a deer. The poor thing. I had cried and Paul had rolled around laughing.

Like Sam said. You just need to focus on shifting back. Said Jared, giving me my new mantra I must've heard 700 times over the past five days.

What do you think I've been doing?! I snapped. Jared huffed, the wolf equivalent of laughing. I dislike you strongly. I said angrily. I could feel Sam shift and his mind appeared a moment later in the wolf telepathy.

Still a wolf? he asked amused.

No, really? I asked sarcastically. He laughed and I could feel a bit of my annoyance melt away. 

Try again. Instructed Sam. I groaned but obliged. I focused on my human hands and feet. My black hair and soft olive skin. I opened my eyes, expecting to still be the size of a car but was surprised to see my skin, naked. The two wolves had turned around, a pair of clothing that appeared too big waiting. I slipped on the clothing, surprised at my now filled-out body. I was examining myself when I realized I had a tattoo on my right shoulder.

"Oh my god. Charlie is going to kill me. . ." I trailed off. Jared was of course laughing still in his wolf form and I shot him a dirty look. Sam nodded and I turned around so the pair could get dressed.

A moment later I was following both of them to Emily's house, still barefoot. 

"Yeoch!" I screeched, a stick poking out of the bottom of my foot. My eyes widened in horror while Jared watched on, amused before ripping it out. I punched him instinctively, watching as he went flying.

"OH MY GOD I'M SO SORRY!" I yelled, my hands covering my mouth.

"It's fine," said Jared, rolling his neck around. "Remember? Fast healing," And indeed when I looked back at my foot a small patch of skin had already replaced it, a bit lighter than my natural tone.

"Come on," beckoned Sam towards a small wood cabin. I could see both of them watching me carefully as we entered. They were probably worried I'd wolf out.

"Hi, I'm Sam's fiancee, Emily," said a woman in the kitchen. Sam kissed her and I looked away, noticing Jared and Paul sitting at the table with food laid out.

"This is the newest wolf, Caroline. Bella's sister," said Sam. Jared pushed a chair out with his foot and I sat down in it.

"Please, help yourself," said Emily, smiling. Even with her three scars, she was really pretty. 

"Thank you," I mumbled, taking a slice of toast from the breakfast feast. Sam and Emily sat next to each other while I was wedged between Jared on my right and Paul on my left. The three males piled their plates high with food while I stuck to one serving of scrambled eggs, two waffles, and three pieces of bacon. Sam raised an eyebrow but didn't say anything about the difference in the plate sizes.

"So Caroline, how old are you?" asked Emily politely. 

"I turned sixteen about four weeks ago," I said.

"That's exciting!" she smiled. "Did Charlie get you anything?"

"Uh, yeah. A motorcycle even though he calls it a death machine," 

"Well! It isn't a death machine to you no more!" laughed Jared. "You fall off, heal, and get back up!" he said like it was the funniest thing in the world.

"I guess," I said, still not completely comfortable in a new place.

"So, how's your sister?" asked Emily.

"Throwing glass cups," I said nonchalantly. She froze, looking at me to see if I was kidding. "Oh, sorry. Was that something I'm not supposed to say at the table?" I asked, actually serious. 

"It's fine," said Emily concerned, waving me off.

"These are really good," I complimented, taking two more waffles and drizzling them in syrup and strawberries. I didn't miss the happy smile that crossed Emily's face.

*****

I could feel the weight of every hair that was cut by Emily in an expert manner. She was humming a tune while she trimmed my long hair that once came to my mid-back.

"All done!" she smiled, waiting for my reaction. I stood up, shaking the hair off, and looked in the mirror.

"Thanks!" I said genuinely. "It looks really good!" she beamed before sweeping up the cut hair. 

"You can get in the shower. I have some more clothes that should fit you," she said kindly.

"Thank you very much," I said, not used to such kindness. She gave me a gentle smile, gave me a towel, and left. I quickly stripped down and stepped in the steaming hot water, a sigh escaping my lips. I could hear the four of them talking downstairs with my new enhanced hearing but couldn't determine their specific words.

I should probably call Billy, Jake, and definitely Charlie. The not-so-small scar that Bella had given me with her glass-throwing endeavor had healed over and turned into a thin pale scar. I scrubbed my new haircut with mint shampoo and conditioner, scrubbing the dirt and grime from the previous five days out. 

When I stopped the shower the mirror was completely fogged up and I drew a smiley face on it like I did when I was a child. I had definitely filled out nicely. I was taller and lithe, my skin didn't have a single blemish on it and my eyes showed brighter than ever. 

I quickly dressed in the white-washed jeans and gray shirt Emily had left. I brushed my hair and flounced down the stairs into the living room.

"Could I call Billy?" I asked. Emily leaped up and showed me the phone where I dialed his number.

"Hello?" asked Jake.

"Hey Jake," I smiled.

"I thought you died Ro! Dad told me you went on a camping trip with Sam and his cult," he said distastefully. I knew Jared, Paul, and Sam could hear him from the room over and I sighed.

"Not now Jake-"

"What do you mean not now? I haven't heard a word from you in five days Ro!"

"Jacob, can you put Billy on the phone?" I interrupted. He gave me an angry huff and yelled for his dad before the phone was fumbled from one person to another.

"Caroline?" he asked.

"Hey, Billy," 

"How are you?" he asked, sounding concerned.

"I just had the most splendid breakfast ever and I've decided that I'm probably a wimp, but I will never ever go camping," I said, referring to my five days as a wolf outside. I heard boisterous laughter from his side.

"I just wanted to call you and let you know I'm fine. I'll probably see you later," 

"Alright, Caroline. I'll see you later," he said fondly before the line went dead. I hung the phone back up and made my way back to the living room where everyone was looking a bit gloomy. I looked around for their source of sorrow, gently sitting down in the remaining armchair.

"Caroline, you can't be around Jacob anymore," said Sam after a moment.

"What? But he's my best friend," I protested.

"That's an order," he said and I fell silent against my will. "You also cannot tell anyone about the pack or shifting," he ordered, still using his Alpha voice. I stared at him for a moment before nodding.

"Okay," I said, a bit angrily.

"Paul can drop you off at your house," said Sam as everyone stood up. I thanked Emily again for the clothing and food and followed Jared into his truck. Most of the ride was silent except for the radio turned low.

"I'll definitely see you soon," said Paul, his mouth quirking up in one corner. I waved and watched as he drove away. I opened my front door and my enhanced nose picked up the smell of stale blood, mine, from the 'accident' days ago.

"Dad! I'm home!" I said. He came from the living room a moment later, smiling.

"How was your camping trip Carol?" he asked. Wow, for a cop he was pretty gullible.

"Great!" I chirped. I felt drowsy from my lack of sleep from the last five nights and the full meal I'd had and he picked up on it.

"Well, I'll let you sleep," he chuckled and left to resume his baseball game on the TV. As I made my way up the stairs I heard the creak of Bella's door. I was stronger and faster than her now. If I needed to defend myself, I would.

"Caroline?" whispered a sorrowful voice. My eyes glared a hole in her forehead and she cringed away. "I saw Paul dropped you off. How was your camping trip?" she asked.

"Fine," I said stiffly. "Got another glass tucked away somewhere you gonna throw?" I asked casually.

"I really wasn't thinking. I can't apologize enough," begged Bella.

"You're right. You can't," I said with a rude smile and slammed my door in her face. I was perfectly happy to hold a grudge for now. I flopped on my bed, the borrowed flip-flops falling off my feet as I immediately began snoring.

Chapter Text

"Carol! The phone's for you!" shouted Charlie from downstairs. My ears hurt from the loud yell even though it probably wasn't even that loud. I flop downstairs and scratch my head, fighting off drowsiness.

"Hello?" I mumbled into the phone, not bothering to ask Charlie who it was.

"Hey Ro! Wanna hang out today?" asked a familiar voice. I wasn't even supposed to talk to him but the Alpha order forced me to tell Jake we couldn't hang out anymore.

"Hey, Jacob. W-we can't hang out anymore,"

"What? I-I don't understand Ro. You're not making sense,"

"We can't be friends anymore. Don't call me, don't talk to me," I said forcefully before hanging up. I ran up to my room and slammed the door, crying my eyes out.

My phone chirped and it took all my self-control to not chuck it through the window. I glared at it and saw it was from Paul.

Paul

We're all wanted at Emily's

Me

Okay, I'll be there

"Dad! I'm going over to Emily's!" I bellowed. I started my motorcycle and it roared down the road, arriving at Emily's in 20 minutes. I knocked politely on the door and Emily smiled at me.

"You never have to knock Carol. You're always welcome," she insisted, allowing me inside.

"Patrol's today," said Sam's commanding voice. "Jared and Caroline have the beach. Woods are after. Caroline, you have night watch until 2 am. Paul will take over for you after,"

I nearly sobbed at the thought of the pile of homework that awaiting me and my lost sleep, but I nodded. Later Jared and I were walking along the beach when I saw a familiar person sitting in the sand and throwing it at the ocean angrily.

"Oh shit," I muttered. Jared raised an eyebrow at my rare cursing and looked to see Jacob staring at us before getting up and running over.

"What the hell Caroline?! You abandon me for him?" he yelled in my face. I wasn't very experienced with not shifting and Jared could see.

"Hey, leave her alone man," he said gently.

"Don't damn tell me what to do!" he yelled in Jared's face before circling back at me. "You joined Sam's cult?!" he accused, now screaming.

"Jacob, stop," I said. He pushed me by my shoulders, sending him stumbling back a few steps from my sturdy frame.

"Probably because you wanted a new boyfriend since your last one died cause of you!" he snapped, then realized his mistake. "Ro, I'm sorry! I didn't mean it,"

But I was already shaking while Jared pulled me away and towards the forest. I was breathing heavily.

"Ro, come on," said Jared, continuing to drag me away from the apologizing Jacob who I would completely maul if I shifted. He succeeded to pull me into the forest before calming me down. 

"Come on Ro," said Jared, slightly unsure how to comfort me.

"He had no place!" I spat, punching a tree and leaving a dent. Jared awkwardly patted me on the back making me turn to him as we stared at each other before cracking up at each other's expression.

After we caught our breath, leaning against each other wheezing Jared wiped tears from the corner of his eyes.

"It's time for you to patrol the forest. You got it?" he asked, raising an eyebrow. I nodded before shifting but instead of the ripping of the clothing, there was nothing.

"Dude! How'd you do that?" asked Jared incredulously. I focused on shifting back and my clothes were completely intact on me.

"I. HAVE. NO. FRICKING. IDEA." I said, amazed. 

"Damn newbie, already doing things none of us can," smirked Jared before saying bye and leaving me to patrol the forest. The sunset before I realized I hadn't texted Charlie. Crap. If he asked where I was, I came back late and he was already asleep. I hated patrols.

*****Time Skip*****

Bella and Jake started hanging out. I think their spite towards me drove them together. Embry shifted two weeks ago and I wasn't the newbie anymore. The pack and I still hadn't been able to figure out how I shifted and kept my clothing. Emily and I enjoyed each other's company and we worked in the kitchen all the time.

Today though, we were going cliff diving. To be honest, I was terrified but couldn't wait. Bella had somehow gotten Jacob bikes of his own to fix up. I got along wonderfully with everyone in the pack. I had on short jean shorts and a black tank top with a see-through coverup on top of my tank top. 

"Embry! Embry! Embry!!" chanted Paul, Jared, and I. Sam was grinning as Paul, Jared, and I pushed Embry toward the cliff edge. He protested loudly, smiling the whole time before we pushed him off. I heard the screech of a car with my enhanced hearing and saw my sister and Jake get out to investigate.

"Hey, isn't that your sister Ro?" asked Jared. I rolled my eyes and groaned.

"Yes," 

"Then we can't disappoint!" laughed Paul as he caught me by surprise and threw me over the edge. I turned it into a graceful 'swan' dive, screaming the whole way down. The cold water felt amazing on my constant 108-degree skin and I came up grinning.

"Wooh!" I cheered with the three guys still on the cliff's edge. I swam out of the water and saw Bella's horrified expression and Jacob's angry one. I ignored them. I jogged back up the cliff to where we had all secretly agreed to gang up on Sam.

One, Two, Three! Embry mouthed as we all leaped at him. It was a flurry of limbs but we pushed him over as he gave us an 'I Will So Get You All Back' grin before he hit the water with a splash. I squeezed the excess water from my hair and as Sam ran all the way back up, growling playfully all of us yelled and jumped off together. Sam jumped after us, creating a huge splash mixed with ours. The air was full of squeals, shouts, and the occasional, 'Embry! Your gangly leg kicked me again!' While all of us treaded water and wrestled.  It was the most fun I'd ever had.

Chapter Text

I love being part of the pack. It's like having a huge family that can read your mind when you turn into a huge-ass wolf. It's awesome! Today, Embry and I were wrestling in our wolf form (And I was totally winning!) when I picked up the disgusting stench of burnt sugar and cleaning alcohol. I immediately stopped fighting with Embry and howled loudly, letting everyone know something was happening. Sure enough not even two minutes later, Sam, Jared, and Paul shifted.

What is it Ro? Asked Sam. Everyone seemed to call me that now.

I smell a vampire! I practically shouted. Sam, Paul, Jared, Embry, and I leaped into action. Jared had the best nose and tracked the scent towards the border of Forks. We would have to cross the treaty line but since the Cullens weren't here there should be no problem. I had the best eyesight and saw the four vampires right away.

The vampires completely ruined French people for me because I could've never expected them to be terrorizing a little girl. The four Frenchie vampires took notice of us too late as I leaped onto a blond-haired one and tore into her. I severed her arms and head in under three minutes.

Ro! Move the child away from the fight!

  I shifted back and grabbed the girl, holding her in my arms.

"Can you close your eyes for me pretty please?" I asked with a disarming smile. She did so and I covered her ears, moving away from the fight. I watched Paul bite a male's head off while Jared and Embry worked together to kill another woman. Sam was taking on the biggest one by himself.

I put the girl down, bending to her eye level, and gave her a kind smile.

"Hey honey, could you stay right here for me? Don't turn around though, okay?" I asked. She nodded, her red curls bouncing all over. I shifted again away from the girl and grabbed the last male vampire's leg in my mouth, pulling it off with a cracking granite sound. It gave Sam the opportunity he needed and crushed the vampire's head.

I shifted back while the boys headed towards the forest to change. I pulled a lighter out of my pocket and lit the remains on fire, smoke filling the air. I picked the girl up again in my arms and checked over her to make sure she was okay.

"I'm Ro. What's your name?" I asked.

"I'm Lily," she said proudly. "And I'm this many old!" she held up four fingers and I gasped.

"Wow! That's so exciting!" I exclaimed. I was good with children. 

"How old are you?" questioned Lily as if it was the most important question ever. I pretended to look aghast.

"I don't have enough fingers!" I whispered in her ear. She gasped, looking horrified. I took on a sneaky look.

"But, my friend over there does!" 

She swiveled her head around so fast I had to duck from the oncoming red ringlets as she looked at the four boys.

"Are those your friends?" she asked. I knew the boys had heard the entire conversation since Paul and Embry were snickering slightly.

"Yep!" Sam made his way over to us, of course with no shirt. I was wearing my short jean shorts and a green tank top like I had been before I shifted.

"Sam, this is Lily and she's four years old!" I said excitedly for Lily. She nodded vigorously, confirming my information. Sam bent down to her eye level and gave her a nice smile.

"Hi, Lily. Do you know where you live?" he asked with a gentle voice. She nodded and pointed towards a blue, two-story house across the street. "Okay,"

"The boys and I will watch from here. Will you take her back?" asked Sam, standing up. 

"Yeah," Sam knelt down again and gave her a silly face.

"Hey, Lily. Did you see those wolves?" he asked. Lily nodded again. "Well, that's our secret, okay?" She gasped and covered her mouth.

"I've never had a secret before!" she whispered. Sam widened his eyes.

"Really? Well, you have one now!" he said, smiling. Lily giggled and said goodbye to everyone while I took her across to the house. I knocked on the door and a middle-aged woman met me at the door.

"Hello," she said, wiping her hands on a dishtowel.

"Hello, ma'am. I brought your daughter back because she was wandering across the street and almost headed into the forest," I said, pointing to where I'd found her and where the rest of the pack was waiting patiently. Paul and Embry just about fell over from laughter while I shot them a glare.

"Oh my goodness! Is she okay?" the woman inquired as Lily ran into the house, laughing the whole time and whispering about her secret.

"Yes ma'am. I found her before she reached the forest," 

"Thank you so much. I don't know what I'd do if one of those wild animals got her," I grinned, but for a whole other reason. The pack was supposedly the 'wild animals' in the forest and it brought me laughter to no end. "Aren't you Chief Swan's daughter?" she asked. I nodded and she took on a determined look.

"Well, you look nothing like him but you certainly have the kindness that man does. Thank you again," she thanked as she closed the door. I walked back up to the pack to find Embry and Paul literally rolling around in the dirt, clutching their stomachs with tears of laughter streaming from their eyes.

"What's so funny?" I demanded, putting my hands on my hips.

"Yo-you!" screeched Embry, pointing at me. "I-I've never see-seen you act like that!" he burst into laughter.

"It was hilarious!" agreed Paul. I scowled and hmphed.

"Well, you know what'll be hilarious? When I whip your asses in a fight," I said rudely. They both sat up and stopped laughing immediately but still hiccuping occasionally. "Because if I recall, I was the one who smelled the vampire first Embry," I bragged. Sam chortled with laughter before patting me on the back. 

"Let's go have dinner guys," he smiled. We all shifted and ran the whole way to Emily's. I was first at the table because I didn't have to put more clothes on and had helped Emily set the table. The table was laden with three racks of Ribs drizzled in barbeque sauce, 10 ears of corn, a pan of mashed potatoes, and macaroni and cheese.

"Wow, Emily! This looks amazing!" I exclaimed as Sam came in and kissed her on the cheek. Everyone took their places at the table, marveling at all the food before digging it in. Jared almost stabbed my hand with a fork claiming 'He thought it was food' while I kicked him underneath the table.

Sam relayed today's events to Emily while she gasped in horror at some parts and at others gave the hero of the moment a squeeze on the arm.  Tonight was good. 

Chapter Text

When I got home that night in wolf form, the phone rang the second I stepped inside.

"Hello, Swan residence," I said, picking it up while trying to see how far the cord would stretch to the fridge so I could grab something to eat.

"Hey, Carol. It's Billy,"

"Hey, Billy. What's up?" I asked while simultaneously opening the fridge to find the telephone cord wouldn't stretch that far.

"Jake went to the movies today with Bella but he came home angry. He's running a fever and every little thing ticks him off," I listened while stretching one foot into the fridge and nudging a Tupperware of cake.

"You think he's gonna shift soon?" I asked, somewhat paying attention. I grabbed the Tupperware with my toes and it fell to the ground. I jumped down to rescue it and as I got up, knocked my head on the fridge.

"Yeah. I tried calling Sam's place but he isn't answering,"

"Sam is on patrol tonight-" I grabbed a fork and started to eat the slightly smushed cake. "And Emily went to bed early,"

"I know it's a lot to ask, but could you come over in case he does tonight? I can wait for Sam in the morning but I'm concerned-"

"He'll get angry, shift, and maul you to death?" I asked nonchalantly. "Yeah. I'll be over in a 15," Then I hung up. Damn, I had worked so hard to get this cake and I wouldn't be able to finish it.

*****

I pulled up to Billy's house 15 minutes later with my overnight bag tied down to the back of my motorcycle. I hadn't even knocked when he pulled open the door and ushered me inside.

"You were the only person I could think of," he said, apologizing.

"It's fine. I didn't have plans anyway," I said kindly, plopping my bag overnight bag onto the couch. I heard a door open and was met with a sweaty, buff Jake.

"Caroline?" he inquired before realizing he was still mad at me. "What are you doing here?" he spat. Even though it was already 10 o'clock and the sun had gone down long ago, I thought it might be good to get him out of the house.

"I came over to ask if you wanted to go for a walk," I lied on the spot. He looked at me suspiciously.

"No you didn't," he retorted, starting to shake. Okay, I was not helping things.

"You're right," I admitted and pretended to be bashful and ashamed. "I-I came to apologize," His shaking stopped, so far so good.

"I should never have said that and it was wrong of me. I can't make you forgive me, but I brought chocolate ice cream," I grinned, knowing it was our favorite. He was deciding before he broke in and gave me a hug.

"I shouldn't have said what I did about Triston either. Truce?" he asked, looking like a kicked puppy. I nodded.

*****

We had settled onto the ground with pillows and blankets and decided to watch Inception, my favorite movie.

"I don't get what you find so great about this movie!" complained Jake as he took another piece of popcorn. "It doesn't have an ending!"

"Exactly," I said reverently. "It makes you decide. There's so much thinking with this movie, it's beautiful," I whispered in awe as we watched people shoot at each other.

"Yeah! It makes you think!" groaned Jake, taking a bite of the chocolate ice cream between us. I had left Sam a message on his phone and Emily on her voicemail. I was in literal pain though. Disobeying the Alpha order was even a miracle, but now I was in terrible pain from it. My head was pounding and my chest was on fire, but Jake was calm and not shifting currently so it was worth it.

I heard the shrill scream of the phone as Billy picked it up. It was Bella on the other end. I heard the whole conversation with my enhanced hearing and how Billy had warned Bella away, saying Jake was sick while he was oblivious. Poor Jake.

*****

The next morning I left early while Jake was still sleeping. I had the morning patrol and hated it. Sam had taken last night's patrol and he would wait until I shifted to catch me up. Once in the cover of the woods, I focused on becoming a wolf and was.

Hey Ro. Said Sam, knowing I hated mornings.

Hi Sam. I grumbled back. I was already exhausted, having stayed up until 2 am to finish watching the movie with Jake but now it was 5 am and I was working off of 3 hours of sleep. Sam read this thought and grew angry.

I ordered you to stay away from Jacob, Ro.

I only had to because Billy called me last night saying that Jake was angry and he was afraid Jacob was gonna shift and maul him! I protested.

Why didn't you call Embry, Jared, or Paul?

Because Jacob hates them and he knew me before I told him I hated his guts and to stay away! I yelled. He pulled back for a moment, thinking.

Not again. I will handle it and I applaud you on your quick thinking, but you need to stay away from him until he shifts. He ordered. NO EXCEPTIONS. He used the Alpha voice on me and now I was forced to obey. I couldn't be around Jacob under any circumstances until he shifted.

Chapter Text

I have to skip my first class today with my morning patrol. I arrive on the grounds during the second period and I'm sure that Bella knows. I was hoping she would ignore me as she had been. I rushed into the front office and the lady looked at me over her horn-rimmed glasses.

"Miss Swan. Why are we late this time?" she asked in an overly-sweet voice. My brain stalled as I thought of an excuse.

"Well, I got in the shower but the water was cold so I had to wait for it to warm up. Then my toast burned three times and I had to redo it. I locked myself out of the house and had to climb back in through the window because I left my house keys and knocked over a lamp in the process. I had to clean up the glass shards but since I killed the lamp I couldn't see in the living room anymore where I had left my keys so I had to go up to the attic to find another lamp. 

"But the attic stairs closed behind me and I had to jump on the door to get them to open again. I fell down the stairs with the new lamp and had to clean up that one too. So I went back up into the attic -but propped it open with a broom this time which took me forever to find- and found a really old light. So I plug it in and look around for my keys before realizing they were in my pocket the whole time!" I laughed, slapping the desk with vigor. The lady stared at me for a minute longer before blinking.

"Miss Swan, you could've just told me you slept in," I blushed and nodded, taking my pass. The day is very uneventful except for track. I have to be careful not to run too fast than normal which is annoying. I'm careful to never pass my 39 seconds record. Jessica complimented me behind evil smiles that I ignored.

I admit I was a bit sad I couldn't go to school with the rest of the pack in La Push even though Billy was my father. It made everything a bit harder. I was part of the pack after school but not during. I usually skipped out on lunch at school and Sam could tell when I scarfed down food as if I might never see it. A shifter needed lots of food at every meal because of our fast metabolism.

That afternoon however I was not expecting what happened. A quiet howl that normal people wouldn't be able to hear reached my ears. It was the pack call and I was expected to come.

"¿Disculpe señora Daniella? ¿Puedo ir al baño?" (Excuse me, Mrs. Daniella? May I go to the restroom?) I asked, flashing her a charming smile. I was her favorite student underneath Jasper but he wasn't here anymore so that position went to me.

"Por supuesto, señorita Swan." (Of course Miss Swan) I practically leaped up before she pulled me away to talk quietly. "Tómate todo el tiempo que necesites. Entiendo lo difícil que es en casa por la depresión de tu hermana." (Take as much time as you need. I understand how hard it is at home because of your sister's depression.) I put on a sad face and nodded, hoping she'd buy it. She did and the second the Spanish room was out of sight I dashed outside, dropping my backpack at the base of a tree and shifting.

What is it? I asked.

Vampires! Yelled Jared. Paul sent me the location through pictures of where they were and I ran as fast as I could, weaving around trees and underbrush. I arrived a moment later to see seven vampires. Two were already ripped to shreds as each member of the pack took one on. Female Vamp 1 grabbed Embry around the ribs, about to crush them before I crashed into her, bringing us to the ground.

Thanks! Said Embry gratefully. She ran at me and grabbed my left paw, trying to rip it out of its socket. I bit down on her hand and ripped it off as she screamed. I jumped on her chest and we went down, rolling around and punching, biting, and clawing at each other.

Who are these guys?! I asked.

Sam found them on the border. They said something about getting justice for the other people in their coven we killed. Answered Jared. Paul growled and I could feel his satisfaction at killing another vamp. Four were down and three left. I was still on mine, while Paul moved on to another. The vamp clawed at my face, shrieking like a banshee at the loss of her hand. I kicked her in the throat as she choked. I wasn't expecting it when she stomped on my left foot, a loud crack echoing around the clearing. I whimpered before grabbing her leg that continued to press into my broken leg and ripped it off. She yelled and rocketed towards me, her one hand grasping my throat and squeezing it. I panicked as she grew a cruel smile before Embry came sailing at the back of her head, taking it off in one go.

Thank you, I panted, pain shooting up my leg and coughing for the oxygen I had been deprived of. I shifted back and groaned, clutching my leg that was already healing, but wrong. My leg was twisted at an awkward angle and the bone was mending back together. I cursed a nice length of words that caused Embry to look at my leg in horror. My throat was bruising as the rest of the pack shifted back. I already had my eyes closed, trying to not scream from the pain.

"It's healing wrong," said Paul, glancing at my leg while I lay there panting on the grass. Jared had already lit the vampire remains on fire, sending smoke spiraling into the sky. Sam rushed over and knelt over my leg which was already half-healed.

"I swear to flarking crud that I will murder every flarking vampire I see," I seethed, cursing like a pirate. Nobody in the pack had medical experience so there was nobody that could treat me. Even Sam seemed to be at a loss as he scrambled for an idea.

"We'll take her back to Emily's. Embry, go get Sue Clearwater. She works at the hospital and should be able to walk us through this," said Sam authoritatively. Embry ran off in the direction of the Clearwater's house while Sam, Paul, and Jared picked me up. My leg was jostled and I cursed very loudly as they walked down the hill and towards Emily's.

Emily opened the door smiling before she realized what was happening. She rushed out of the way while the trio set me down on the couch. My leg was not like it should be at all. The bruises around my neck were disappearing but my left leg was completely useless at the angle it was. I heard a car roar up as I clenched my eyes closed and balled my hands into fists with my nails digging into them.

"Oh my god!" gasped a woman, Leah and Seth's mom. She immediately went into nurse mode, checking where it had broken and telling the others they would have to rebreak it to heal right. Emily gave me a rag to put in my mouth before Sam apologized.

"I'm so sorry Ro. We have to break your leg so it'll heal right," he told me. I nodded, clutching my eyes closed and biting down on the rag. I could feel four hands on my leg, Paul and Sam were about to break my leg. They pressed on it before lurching it up as I screamed, the rag barely muffling my pained yells. Emily had to leave the room while she was bawling her eyes out and Embry looked like he was gonna be sick. I could feel some fur sprout as my body wanted to shift. I resisted and fought down the urge to turn into a huge wolf in Sam and Emily's house as my bones continued to crack. I had tears streaming from my closed eyes and I could feel blood being drawn from where my fingernails bit into my skin.

"We're going to set it now," Sam told me.

"Hurry," I begged. Three more snaps and I could feel my bones start to heal again.

"You did great Ro," said Embry as Sue examined my leg to make sure it was back in place.

"I'm gonna hurl," I groaned. I felt sick to my stomach and my leg was throbbing as the bone healed and skin covered where it had been removed by the vampire. "Damn it. I had a Spanish quiz!" I complained. There was silence before laughter broke out in the room. Emily came back into the room, pale as a sheet and her eyes were puffy. Sam moved to comfort his imprint.

Sue left after confirming my leg would be fine. I was absolutely forbidden to move under any circumstances by Emily. The pack was a bit concerned I would still wolf out but Emily gave me all the chocolate pudding in the house to hold me over until dinner when I could finally get up. My leg felt brand new and the bruises around my neck were completely gone. We all sat down at the table with Corn, Potatoes, Burgers, Hotdogs, and French Fries. It was heaven. I ate three times as much as anyone else because of all the healing my body had done I needed the food.

I relayed what I'd told the lady at the office as my excuse while everyone laughed.

"You should come to La Push high school," said Embry.

"She can't dumbo. She'd have to tell Charlie about Billy," said Paul, the conversation mellowing out. I shrugged slightly.

"I've actually been thinking about it. I mean -he's my dad and I wanna get to know him," I admitted.

"That would be wonderful Carol!" agreed Emily. I smiled before becoming lost in my thoughts again.

Chapter Text

March 2nd, 2006

Two days after the Vampire skirmish it was my turn to patrol that morning. I rolled out of bed and fell to the ground, bringing my blankets with me. I fell asleep again before realizing I was late. I jumped up, tripped, and fell heavily to the ground again as my blankets twisted around my legs. I braided my hair while jumping into my jean shorts simultaneously.

I slipped on a loose tank top like always with a pair of flimsy flip-flops. Today was a Thursday but I would be skipping school all day. I would be lucky to pass this year. I had already put in a request to drop out of physical school but still receive all the classwork. Charlie didn't know though and I wasn't planning on telling him even if the school approved.

I climbed out my window and jumped to the ground, jogging into the forest as I shifted. 

Hey Paul.

Ro. You're late, he complained. I have school!

So do I! Do you hear me complaining? I retorted. He growled through wolf telepathy as I ran to meet up with him. 

I picked up the faint smell of a Vampire earlier, be careful. It came many miles down from the mountains.

Alright. I'll see you at Emily's. I said nicely as he dashed off to go to school on the Reservation. It was nearly mid-day when I heard a pained howl from a wolf. I ran as fast as possible towards the sound and nearly inhaled a leaf. It was Jake. I didn't know what to do!

I shifted back and pulled my phone out of my pocket, dialing Emily's place. The phone dialed but went to voicemail. I cursed and dialed again for the same reaction. A third time the other end picked up and it was Sam.

"Sam, I was patrolling like you said to and it's Jake," I said frantically. He cursed.

"Ro, I'll be there in a couple of minutes. Show me your location but don't let Jake wander off," he hung up and I slipped my phone back into my pocket, shifting into a wolf and showing Sam where I was. Jake was hurting my mind though with the extreme pressure. The first change was always the worst, having a terrible pain spreading through your body slowly.

Hey Jake, I tried to comfort him for only another painful howl to come from him. The sound of pounding feet came from behind me and a huge black wolf was there.

Sam, he's in pain, I whimpered, Jake's pain flowing over onto the both of us. We cringed as a sharp agony whipped through our minds. I laid on my belly and whimpered, covering my face with my paws.

There's nothing we can do. Said Sam, in the same amount of pain I was in from Jake before settling down next to me as we waited.

This must've gone on for half an hour as Jake slowly shifted. 7 o'clock was rolling around when Jacob finally stopped thrashing around on the ground and a massive russet wolf replaced him.

Wh-what happened? He asked frantically, whipping his head around. OH MY GOD! He yelled mentally as Sam and I stood up. Jake towered over me by a head even though we both had Alpha blood.

Welcome to the Pack Jacob. Said Sam kindly.

Sam?! Growled Jake, hackles on his back raising.

Jake, it's okay. I gave him the equivalent of a wolf smile.

Ro? He asked. I confirmed his suspicions as he took all of this in shock. This is why we couldn't be friends anymore? 

That was because of my Alpha order. I told her she wasn't allowed to see you anymore until you shifted. Explained Sam. Us shifters have tempers. When we get angry we have the tendency to shift and could hurt people around us. I could feel his regret when he said this, thinking of Emily's scars on her face.

So am I stuck like this forever? Asked Jake fearfully. I don't want to be a wolf! 

Well, you don't exactly have a choice bro. I laughed. He growled and sprang at me. I swatted him away like a cat as he prepared to launch himself at me.

Enough Jacob! Said Sam, using the Alpha voice. Until you're able to shift back, one of the pack members will be with you. I shuddered, remembering how I was stuck for five days.

YOU WERE STUCK FOR FIVE DAYS?! Yelled Jacob. 

Most of us weren't able to shift back for a week. Said Sam, finally chuckling before turning to me. Tell the pack the news. Jared is on the first watch. They should be at Emily's. Save some food for me! 

Yes Alpha, I teased. He smiled the wolf equivalent as I ran as fast as possible to Emily's I could hear Sam and Jake still conversing through the Wolf telepathy but I gave them the illusion of privacy. I shifted back while realizing I had skipped out on all meals today. Sam might not be getting any leftovers. 

"Hey Emily," I gave her a quick hug as I came through the always-open front door.

"You gonna tell me why Sam ran out of here like he was on fire?" she asked while smirking.

"Jake shifted," I said nonchalantly. Paul, who had been eating a bite of pizza, began choking. I slapped him on the back with more force than necessary while the pepperoni came flying out of his mouth and landed with a smack on Embry's head. He peeled it off slowly before he growled menacingly.

"Hey, if you shift in here Sam will have your pelt," I threatened. He glared at Paul a moment longer before settling down in his chair.

"You were there while he shifted?" asked Jared. I winced as the memory and the others seemed to catch the drift. "That's tough. You were the quickest first shift, didja know that Ro?"

"How long did he shift?" asked Paul.

"Thirty fricking minutes," I complained. Emily threw a metal spoon at me and I caught it without batting an eye.

"No cursing in my house!" she reprimanded even though I hadn't technically.

"Sorry, Emily. Oh right!" I exclaimed, everyone, jumping at my sudden loudness. "Jared! Sam wanted you to watch Jake first,"

"Great! Now Sam's gonna think I disobeyed!" he groaned, pushing away from the table. "I didn't even get to eat!"

"Don't worry, I'll eat yours for you," I grinned.

"Don't you dare Ro! I'll beat you up!" 

"I'd like to see you try!" I chuckled. "Sam's still waiting," He cursed as Emily scolded him for cursing before running out of the house and shifting. 

"I applied for the thing me and you were talking about Emily," I said. She looked up from the kitchen with excitement.

"And what did the school say?"

"They didn't respond yet! Can you believe it?!" I groaned. She gave me an encouraging smile.

"Well I'm sure they'll get back to you," she comforted.

"They better! I know how to catch a Science lab on fire!" Everyone stared at me, Paul's spoon halfway to his mouth. I shrugged. "Why do you think I got kicked out of my last school?" 

"Because you beat someone up?" suggested Embry.

"Psh! Don't be ridiculous," I laughed. He scowled as everyone resumed eating. Sam strolled in a moment later, giving Emily a kiss.

"I thought I told you to save me food, Ro!" He teased. 

"Oops," I grinned, taking a bit of the pizza.

"How do you eat that!?" groaned Embry, staring at my pineapple, bacon pizza.

"With my mouth," I said, giving the same answer I had to Bella all those months ago.

"No, really?" he said sarcastically.

"I know, right?!"

"Be quiet and eat!" 

"I am eating,"

"No you're not, you're talking!"

"I am?"

"You're so frustrating,"

"Thank you, I try,"

"Alright, alright you two. We get it," said Sam, holding his hands out in a peace-making way. Embry and I stared at each other before Paul kicked my chair out from underneath me. I fell to the ground with an oof. I stared up at the ceiling while everyone waited for my reaction.

"This is a very nice floor you have here Emily,"

". . .thank you?"

"Of course. Floors should be appreciated much more in my opinion. How about you join me Paul?" I yanked his chair out from underneath him as he grabbed onto Embry in a last-ditch attempt to stay upright. But instead, he brought the two of them down, and soon all three of us were staring up at the ceiling.

"I hate you, Ro," they said in unison.

"Awwww! I love you guys too!"

Chapter Text

A week later, Jake has succeeded in being able to shift back. Since he shifted, I'm allowed to hang out! We had a sleepover at Billy's again, this time watching a Fast & Furious movie. I fell asleep halfway through much to Jake's protests.

Bella was bawling her eyes out the other day because Jacob has 'mono' which is a complete and utter lie. I feel no remorse for her though. The vampires were her thing, but the wolves were mine. It was really nice not having to share something with Bella and it was all mine and none of her business.

Bella woke up early this morning, being incredibly loud. It was my day off with no patrols so I had decided to sleep in since it was Saturday but nooooo. Bella has to go and be clumsy like always! I mean, how the hell do you drop a bookshelf on your toes? How is that even possible? 

The pack had made plans to go on a run together and then have lunch. I might as well get up now. I met Bella in the kitchen while she zipped up some hiking boots.

"Where are-are-are you going?" I yawned. She looked up, not hearing me enter.

"I'm trying to find something in the forest. Do you want to come?" she asked.

"Bella, the forest is filled with dangerous animals! Haven't you heard about the missing hikers lately?" I asked seriously.

"Well, yeah, but I didn't think-"

"Exactly. You didn't think. Charlie and I will be the ones fishing your dead body out of a lake when you encounter a bear," I snapped. She crossed her arms.

"I don't think it's your business anyway," 

"It is when Charlie is devastated you died,"

"I'm not gonna die! Why? Have you seen something in the forest?" she pestered.

"No Bella. I haven't gone in the forest because Charlie told us not to," I lied.

"Well you sound like you have!" she shot back before stomping out of the house. Jesus Christ, she was going to get herself murdered.

I slipped on my usual clothing and shifted in the forest, deciding to keep an eye on Bella.

Hey Ro! Said Embry happily. Did you come to keep me company on my patrol?

No. My idiot sister decided to go looking for The Magic Treehouse or something today. She wouldn't listen when I told her not to go in the forest though. It only seemed to persuade her more.

Uh oh. Sam thinks all those missing hikers have been because of Vampires. They've been attacking a lot since those bloodsuckers left. He snarled slightly.

Well, the rest of the pack should be here soon. I said lazily, following Bella's scent slowly. Sure enough, the rest of the pack shifted as Embry caught them up to speed.

She's going to be the death of me! I groaned.

Ever since those bloodsuckers of hers left, she's been going suicidal! Complained Paul.

Honestly, yeah. I agreed.

She's not suicidal! Bella's just. . .an adrenaline junkie lately. Defended Jake. We followed her scent to a field that smelled faintly of Edward. This must've been where they had spent the majority of their time together.

The wind shifted and all of us bristled when it brought the smell of a vampire. This one's individual smell was almost like bread. 

"Bella,"

"Laurent!" cried Bella eagerly. I growled and lunged but Sam held me back.

Wait. He ordered. Jake and I were itching to kill the dark-skinned vampire getting closer to Bella.

"I didn't expect to find you here," said the vampire, Laurent.

He smells like another female vampire. Said Jared. 

"I went to visit the Cullens but, their house is empty," remarked Laurent as he strutted around. "I'm surprised they left you behind. Aren't you a sort of um. . .pet of theirs?"

"Yeah, you can say that," said Bella quietly.

"Do the Cullens, visit often?" asked Laurent curiously. Bella hesitated horribly.

"Y-yeah! All the time," she said. My god, she was so bad at lying it hurt my soul. "I'll tell them that you stopped by," stuttered Bella, backing away.

Sam! I growled.

Wait. He repeated. We are on the Cullen's side. If this is a friend of theirs, we can't kill him unless he threatens Bella.

"I probably shouldn't tell Edward," Said Bella, sounding in pain at even mentioning his name. "Cause he's pretty protective,"

"But he's. . .far away, isn't he?" Bella was silent.

"Why are you here?" she asked defensively.

"I came as a favor to Victoria," said Laurent carefully.

"V-victoria?" stuttered Bella fearfully.

"She asked me to see if you were still under the protection of the Cullens. Victoria feels it's only fair to kill Edward's mate, given you killed hers. An eye for an eye," said Laurent dangerously.

"Edward would know who did it! He would come after you!" Bella said pathetically. Laurent shook his head.

"I don't think he will. After all, how much could you mean to him if he left you here unprotected?" Laurent sighed, looking at the ground before back at Bella. "Victoria won't be happy about my killing you, but I can't help myself. You are so mouthwatering,"

"Please don't!" begged Bella. "I-I mean you-you helped us!" Suddenly Laurent was in front of Bella and holding her face while shushing her.

"Don't be afraid. I'm doing you a kindness. Victoria plans on killing you slowly, painfully, whereas I'll make it quick." he gently lifted Bella by the chin. "I promise, you won't feel nothing," He backed up a couple of steps and raised his hand to strike Bella down.

"I love you, Edward," she murmured. Sam nodded, giving me the go-ahead. Compared to the pack I was on the smaller size, but compared to a human or vampire, I was huge.

I snapped a twig as Laurent froze. "I don't believe it," he whispered as I emerged from the underbrush. My black fur stood on end as my different colored eyes glared at him with hate. I snarled and raised myself to my full height as the rest of the pack came from behind me. Bella watched with horror before Laurent took off. 

I raced after him, Sam on my right and Paul on my left. The vampire whipped around and backhanded me, sending me flying near Bella. I growled, sparing her a quick glance to make sure that I hadn't squished her. Bella took off and ran towards where she'd come from.

I ran full-steam towards Laurent before he ran at vampire speed for the woods. I was the most nimble wolf and had no trouble following him. The rest of the pack was hot on our trail and as Laurent glanced back, that was the only opportunity I needed. I pushed off the ground with my strong back legs and slashed at his face with my front. We fell to the ground in a flurry of limbs.

Let Ro take this one! Said Sam. The rest of the pack circled around to make sure he wouldn't escape as I ripped him to ribbons.

Laurent let out a blood-curdling scream as used my claws to rip off his arms and throw them. I glared at him as his last words were, "Such beautiful eyes," before I removed his head from his shoulders. I backed away, letting Paul and Jared break his remains into smaller pieces. I was too angry to be able to shift back so we buried the pieces so he could never reform.

Now, to figure out who Victoria was.

Chapter Text

I ran as fast as I could to the house which was faster than Bella on foot. It took me two minutes to calm down enough to shift back before I burst into the house with Bella hot on my heels. She ran right past me and into the kitchen where Harry Clearwater was talking with Charlie. Our eyes met and he could see the panic in them, realizing what had happened.

"Dad! I saw them!" Bella exclaimed.

"Saw what?" asked Charlie.

"In the woods! They're not bears!" she said loudly.

"Bells, wh-what were you doing out in the woods?" said Charlie, annoyed.

"They're wolves! I mean like huge wolves!" she panicked.

"Are you. . .sure about that, Bella?" asked Harry.

"Yeah! I just saw them- after something," trailed off Bella.

"I don't know Bells. Are you sure you didn't hit your head or something?" I asked. She glared at me angrily.

"Yes, Caroline! I saw them!" she repeated.

"Wolves? You saw them?" asked Charlie. Bella nodded, still out of breath. "Alright, well. Harry. You like going hunting? Getting some of your guys together?" My eyes widened at the thought of being shot at.

". . .Sure. Um, yeah I'll-I'll just. . ." said Harry.

"Wait a sec, Carol. Is that a tattoo?!" yelled Bella, lifting my right sleeve up. Charlie's head snapped up and he towered over me.

"When did you get a tattoo?" he demanded.

"Uh. . ." I trailed off.

"The rest of Sam's cult have them too!" said Bella accusingly.

"Sam is a good man Bella," said Charlie reprovingly. She hung her head.

"It's a temporary one," I lied. "Give it two weeks and it'll be gone. It was a prank some of the guys played on me," He stared at me before nodding.

"Alright. As long as it isn't permanent," I paled at the thought of having to hide the forever tattoo every day for the rest of my life. I shot him a nervous smile before retreating upstairs.

Great. Thanks to Bella Charlie was going to try and riddle me up as a wolf with bullets, yay.

Bella continues to try and call Jake as I take time from the pack to finish some homework. Three days go by and I sleep like a rock each night. But the morning I go for a run with Paul, Jared, Embry, and Sam to go get Jake so we can go cliff-diving after breakfast at Emily's the worst thing possible happens.

As we come out of the forest, laughing and pushing each other Bella comes running up to us.

"What'd you do?!" she yells. "What'd you do to him?!" she pushes Sam as he stumbles back a couple of steps. Paul becomes angry as do I.

"Easy!" Sam says to the pair of us. Paul and I had the worst tempers.

"What did we do? What did we do? What'd he tell you?" demanded Paul, getting in her face.

"Nothing! And you!" She whipped around to me. "You joined his gang?! What is wrong with you!? You can't hang out with Jacob, and then you can again! You're all over the place! Don't think I don't know you climb out your window and come back early in the morning!" she threatened. "I'll tell Charlie! You shouldn't be hanging out with-with them!" she shrieked.

"It's none of your business who I hang out with," I snapped.

"It is when they're druggies!"

"Bella! They're not druggies! Would you shut up?!" I yelled. She pulled her hand back and punched me. It didn't hurt, but I started shaking angrily.

"Bella get back!" yelled Sam, holding me back. I was too far gone though and started to shift. "Ro. Calm down now!" he used the Alpha tone but it didn't work.

I growled as I shifted, a ginormous wolf stared down Bella as all rationality was gone from my mind. Bella ran as fast as she could towards her car when Jake came running, jumping over the fence. Right before Jake and Bella collided Jake leaped over her, shifting on the fly.

Jake stood his ground, growling at me.

I leaped first while Jake tackled me to the ground, both of us tumbling around and snapping at each other with our teeth and claws. I kicked Jake into a tree as I prowled closer to Bella and she whimpered. Jacob tackled me, sending me and him tumbling around on the grass again. I bit into his shoulder as he howled in pain, plunging his claws into my side. Warm sticky blood came from both opposing sides, healing soon after but the blood matting our fur.

Jacob growled, biting me in the side of my neck. I slashed with my claws down his face as he yipped in pain. We backed up before meeting in a mess of fur again, rolling down the hill and crushing the boat before into the forest. I bit his hind leg, a clear snap was heard as Jacob howled and bit into my back.

Our fur was strewn with blood as our wounds continually healed. My anger wasn't directed at him but moreso Bella. This had been my thing. Vampires were hers, and this was my family but she had to come and ruin everything!

Ro! Jacob! Stop! Yelled Sam, using the Alpha tone. We froze to our spots, glaring with hate into each other's eyes. Ro! You have better control than that! He scolded. I didn't respond, still huffing with exhaustion as new skin crawled over my arm to heal a gash. I gnashed my teeth together in anger as they both stared at me.

I hate her! I spat. They both recoiled at my tone, having never heard it before. Sh-she's always up in my business! She thinks she's all that and I have to deal with her depressed ass since her bloodsucker boyfriend ditched her! It's me who has to make her meals, do her laundry, makes sure she doesn't do anything that'll break Charlie's heart! I'm the responsible one! I ranted.

Ro, I didn't realize. Said Jake. You know my dad would let you move in if you wanted. He said gently.

Well, I don't get that choice! It was made for me. I snapped. Now Bella is going to be attached to you at the hip. I loved- this! All of this! She wasn't here and I had a life away from her but now she's going to be in the middle of it!

The both of them were silent for a moment before Sam spoke with finality. We don't exactly have a choice anymore. She is human so Bella is allowed on the Reservation.

I mentally yelled in anger and stomped off, ignoring their calls in my mind.

Chapter Text

Bella spent the whole day in La Push yesterday, meaning I avoided it at all costs. I even took Paul's patrol so I would have an excuse to not come to dinner at Emily's. It was the fourth day of Spring Break and Bella was in La Push more than me. But today, Billy was going to tell Charlie about my real parentage.

We sat at the table, Bily tapping his knee nervously. He opened his mouth to speak when I heard two long howls and a short one; Victoria. I snapped my head towards Billy and gave him a big thumbs up.

"I believe in you! If you chicken out I'll roll your wheelchair off a mountain," I teased, rushing outside and shifting.

Victoria is back! Snarled Paul.

We're pursuing her 20 miles from the Canadian border. Said Jared. I sprinted as fast as I could with the constant pictures Paul was sending the rest of the pack. I arrived first. I had never seen Victoria, having been instructed to stay with Emily when she was sighted. Sam was worried the vampire would get past the pack's defenses and kill his imprint and the rest of the town. So, I was usually the last line of defense.

I saw Paul go flying into a tree, not getting up. I rushed over to him, trusting the rest of the pack to handle Victoria.

Paul? I asked worriedly. He didn't respond. Oh my god please don't be dead. Seven seconds went by and he wasn't breathing. I began to panic before his chest began falling up and down steadily.

I thought you were dead! I yelled at him. YOU STOPPED BREATHING!

Well, I feel brand new. He said, rolling his shoulder blades back as fur rippled from the movement.

She's gone. We chased her to the Canadian border again. Said Sam. We all ran back together, all starving with the energy we'd burned.

"Billy told Charlie," I announced at dinner. Everyone was still, waiting to hear his reaction.

"Oh, I don't know how he reacted. I left before then," I said good-naturedly. Bella wasn't here which meant she must've been at Charlie's. I left Emily's soon after, rushing to get back.

Charlie was sitting at the table with his head in his hands.

"Charlie?" I asked tentatively. I'd never called him by his first name.

"Hey Carol," He said, his smile not reaching his eyes. "I admit, it was definitely a shock. But you can still live here if you want," he said, his voice turning into a whisper at the end. "Or go live with Billy too. That's alright,"

"I-I want to get to know them," I said.

He nodded, "I had a feeling you'd say that. Billy already took all of your boxes that you had packed up," I walked back up to my room, trailing the empty walls of the room that had been mine for eight months.

I took the keys to my motorcycle, taking one last look at the house before driving to my new home.

*****

"Hey Billy," I smiled. He smiled back, inviting me into my new home. 

"Hey, Carol!" shouted Jake, wrapping me in a hug that lifted me off my feet.

"Okay, okay. Put me down." I teased.

Billy wheeled into the living room, looking up at the two of us who were taller than average people our age. "You two going to Sam's?" he asked.

"Yeah!" I chirped. " Well, I am. I have patrol and Jake has a date with Isabella," I teased. He punched me in the arm playfully. I said goodbye to Billy before hopping on my motorcycle and driving over to Sam and Emily's. The drive was so much quicker I was ecstatic.

"Hey guys," I grinned, sitting at the table and grabbing a brownie. Emily raised her eyebrow at my happy nature. 

"What's got you so happy?" she asked mischievously. I paused for dramatic effect. Jared, Paul, Embry, and Sam all waited for my news as I took a bite of my brownie.

"Tell us!" shouted Embry, slapping me on the back as I leaned over, choking with laughter.

"Alright!" I laughed. "I moved in with Jacob and Billy." There was silence before everyone began congratulating me. 

"As great as this is," said Sam, glancing at me with a smile. "It's time for your patrol with me." I groaned dramatically as Paul laughed at my pain. Soon Sam and I shifted in the woods and ran together.

Congrats on moving. He said.

Thanks. I wolfishly grinned. We were forty minutes in before we both picked up the same scent again; Victoria. I howled two long ones and one short one. Minutes later the rest of the pack showed up. Sam and I were already after her but I was faster. Even if I was a bit smug about it.

That leech again! Growled Paul. 

She's still going after Bella. She's relentless! Complained Jacob.

Same old, same old. I said dryly. The scent was getting stronger and I skidded to a stop when a huge-ass tree launched itself at me. I hadn't even seen her yet! I ducked, growling threateningly. My Alpha's hackles were raised along with mine as Jared and Paul arrived. Jacob was still a good three minutes away, having to leave him and Bella's date. 

We need to catch her Sam! Said Embry angrily. I shook the dirt from the flying tree out of my fur. Suddenly Embry tipped painfully.

The bloodsucker got me! He panted as the gash in his side slowly healed. I suddenly had a thought,

If mosquitos drink blood, aren't vampires just like the evolved version? There was silence through the wolf telepathy before everyone began laughing even in our dire situation. I mean, think about it! I protested, eventually joining in. We were silenced though when I was knocked thirty feet and into a tree. I whimpered, shaking my head and slowly getting to my feet. Sam and the others were fighting Victoria, so fast she was a blur. Various wolves went flying in different directions until we were all struggling to our feet.

She punched me in the side of my head and I yowled, flying into another tree. Blood seeped into my eye as I spun around, trying to spot her. Then she appeared in front of me and I froze. Red hair, red eyes, the same malicious look. I had seen her before. She was the one that had killed Triston.

Chapter Text

My moment of hesitation is what cost me. She recognized me from my smell of pine, campfires. and freshly baked cookies. Every person had a different smell depending on their personality, likes, and what they often did.

"I know you." she purred. "The little boy's imprint, yes? I was so angry you got away. Wolf or not though, I'd like to be rid of you." I was still frozen from the shock. This was Triston's killer. I screamed through the wolf telepathy when I felt her hands wrap around my neck tightly before snapping it. Victoria was tackled off of me as the pack had seen what occurred through my memories. 

I fell to the ground, my mouth was open in silent pain. I couldn't focus on anything; breathing, blinking, I couldn't even feel my own body. Was I dying? Or the absence of living? I was relieved but alarmed at the lack of pain. I was still connected to the pack as I floated through each of their minds, mine hazy and incorporeal. 

"Ro! Caroline! Are you alright?!" shouted Paul, freezing and spinning around, taking the brunt of an attack from Victoria. He yowled, his pain originating from his shoulder which, through his eyes, appeared utterly unusable. But just as quick as the numerous thoughts had come, they were gone. Along with my sense of smell, sight, and touch.

"Ro! Oh my god!" I heard someone yell. That was all I understood, words.

"Is she all right?"

"Paul, are okay?"

"It was the leech! She snapped her neck!"

"She's still breathing Sam."

"What are we going to do?"

-  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  -

Time was such an interesting concept when you couldn't remember anything. How to do anything. When I regained my sight I was staring at a plain ceiling. 

"Hello, Caroline." said a warm voice, before shining a bright light in my eyes. I groaned, wincing but unable to move my head away. "Can you tell me if you can feel this?"

"Feel what?" I asked after waiting. The man reappeared in my line of vision, with honey-blond hair and golden eyes with a perfect structure. I felt gratefulness towards this man, then horrible anger. Where had these underlying emotions come from?! I didn't even know this man! 

"Who are you?" I questioned, panic etching itself onto my face. "Where am I?"

"Caroline, don't you remember?" asked the man, cocking his head to the side with concern. "My name is Carlisle Cullen. Edward Cullen, my adoptive son, is your half-sister's boyfriend?" I struggled to shake my head, the feeling natural.

"I don't know you!" I said loudly, trying to get off the bed. The man's kind smile dipped into a frown.

"Caroline, I need you to lay back down. You need to rest, you were-"

"Let go of me!" I shrieked. The ornate wooden door burst open and several buff, tan boys scrambled to hold me down. "Get off of me!" 

"Jasper!" said Carlisle urgently. A grave-faced man with sandy-blond hair entered the room, by my side in a second. He gently brushed several strands of my hair from my face while whispering reassurances. I slowly fell back tiredly, my eyes drooping heavily from the sleep that had swooped in on me from nowhere.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -

When I finally woke up after my unplanned nap, I was sore all over and suffering a nasty headache. Merely a few minutes later, the same sandy-blond from earlier entered the room cautiously. 

"Caroline?" he asked tentatively as if I was a bomb about to blow. "How are you feelin'?" I placed a southern accent in his voice that sparked something in me.

"I know you." I said quietly, going to wipe a stray tear of frustration from my face only to find my arms strapped down to the medical bed I was lying in.

"That's right." he agreed. "Can you recall my name?" I bit my lip, reaching into the lengths of my mind to find I could not. He seemed to sense my defeat and took several steps closer, offering me a reassuring smile.

"That's all right. I'm Jasper Hale ma'am." He told me. The name sounded familiar, like something I couldn't quite place.

"Spanish." I blurted out of nowhere. Jasper's face brightened slightly, a lopsided grin taking over his face.

"Yes, we used to have Spanish class together and were partners." he told me. He glanced down at the straps holding me down and thought to himself for a moment.

"If I undo the straps, will you be calm for me?" he asked, one eyebrow raised. I nodded slowly, watching as he quickly undid them. I rotated my wrists, swinging my bare feet over the side of the bed and standing. I collapsed to the ground, Jasper catching me in the knick of time. 

He put a hand around my shoulders and supported more than half my weight, gingerly helping me walk. I was in a pair of sweatpants and a plain gray t-shirt that smelled like vinegar and bleach. I crinkled my nose at the horrendous smell.

"Caroline, do you want to go sit in the living room for a while?" asked Jasper as he rested his hand on the doorknob, still supporting my weight. I weighed my options; stay in the uncomfortable bed or a perhaps more comfortable couch. 

"Yes please," I said, my voice quiet. He swung the door open, revealing a living room stuffed with people. Three tan, buff guys from earlier were all sitting on a large sofa anxiously. I swear I could see the furniture bowing slightly.

On a two-person couch sat a pale, frizzy-haired teenager with an impeccable looking male next to her, his arm wrapped around the girl. 

All the buff boys sprang from the couch and shouted some variation of my name and surrounded me, making me lean into Jasper to get away from the boys who had surrounded me. 

"You're overwhelming her." said the pale boy with goldish eyes from his perch on the couch. The buff boys instantly backed up, offering apologies and sitting back down tensely. I examined the boy who had spoken up. I felt an overwhelming rage towards him and I marched forward, filled with new energy. I pulled my fist back and punched him in the face, sending him flying backward off the couch.

"You dick!" I shouted, before pulling myself back in horror and rushing to his aid. "Oh my god I'm so sorry," I said quickly, standing above the boy who was rubbing his jaw and giving me a sour look. "I don't even know your name and-"

The buff boys on the single couch were roaring with laughter as I was panicking over harming him.

"It's alright." he waved me off, standing up. "I don't know if you remember-" Jasper shot the boy a warning look. "But I'm Edward Cullen." he said smoothly, offering me his hand to shake. I hesitantly shook it as everyone introduced themselves. Jasper had offered -practically forced- me to sit in an armchair while he went to fetch 'his father.' 

I clutched a mug of hot chocolate which had been given to me by a kind woman called Esme. Apparently, some of their family members weren't in the house and were camping in the mountains.

When Jasper's father entered the living room the smell of sterile tools and antiseptic followed him. He must be a doctor.

"Hello, again Caroline. How are you feeling?" he asked pleasantly, quickly shining a light in my eyes. 

"Fine," I said my voice barely above a whisper. 

"Well, unfortunately, I have some bad news for you." he said gingerly. Everyone in the living room looked on with pity. Carlisle took a breath before offering me a sympathetic smile, "Caroline, you have amnesia."

Chapter Text

"Do you have pineapple?" The entire living room swivels around to look at me as I hold my slice of pepperoni pizza. Bella and Edward are in his room, Esme is in the kitchen with me, Carlisle is at the hospital, Rosalie and Alice are at the saloon, and Jasper and Emmett stayed behind. Jacob, Paul, and Jared left soon after the news of my amnesia, having to talk to a 'Sam.' 

After a moment Esme cleared her throat and gave me a motherly smile, "Of course." she peered into the fridge before quickly slicing it up for me. I gave her a grateful smile before sprinkling the slices on my pizza. I nearly melted when I took a bite of pizza and the gooey cheese and pepperoni mixed together in joy.

"Caroline. . ." Bella trailed off as she descended the stairs with Edward close behind. "Why are you crying?" she sounded like she'd rather be anywhere else.

"I don't know!" I sobbed, eating another slice. "But this pizza is so good!" By the time I had become full, two entire pizza boxes were gone as Emmett stared at me in concern. 

"That can't be healthy. . ." He murmured, looking between Edward and me for confirmation. Edward merely shrugged. As I cuddled deeper into the fluffy couch and my eyes drifted downward.

"Happy birthday Bella," I mumbled under my breath, missing the exciting looks between the house. I hadn't a clue what I'd done but apparently, it was. . .good? I was learning to lean into my feelings more because even though I had forgotten all my personal memories, I still reacted emotionally to things unknowingly. Much to my annoyance, everyone was still being incredibly vague about the incident regarding my memory loss.

-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-

"C-carol-line! It's f-freezing in he-here!" complained Bella, her teeth chattering as loud as Emmett's bragging when he beat me in MarioKart. "Can w-we turn th-the AC dow-wn?" Bella was currently wrapped in three thick blankets, two pairs of socks, a scarf, three winter jackets, and a steaming cup of hot chocolate. 

Meanwhile, I was practically dying on the other couch. I had stripped down to workout shorts, a sports bra, my own personal fan, and turning the AC down to 63.

"No." I denied sharply, fanning myself off desperately. Emmett let out a howl of laughter, pointing at Bella,

"Her lips are actually turning blue!" he doubled over again, slapping Jasper on the back and sending him jumping up from the couch. 

"~It's so hot~" I groaned, trying to turn myself over but instead falling off the couch and onto Jasper's feet. "Eeeew- Oh wait- hold up," I said, my eyes wide as I hugged Jasper's feet. "Holy crap! You're freezing!" I screeched, jumping up and tackling him onto the couch. He cracked a smile as I laid my head on his lap and my skin instantly became cooler due to his freezing touch.

I sighed contently, in the space between sleep and consciousness. 

-okay?

I don't know.

Cullen says she has amnesia.

How do you know?

When she tried to guess my name, she thought it was Bob.

Ha! She thought I was Larry!

You two do realize those are from VeggieTales, right?

. . .oh.

We should visit Ro-

No. You know what Sam said.

It's wrong on so many levels! Just because she temporarily lost her memory doesn't mean she isn't a part of the pack!

Jake,

No! He shouldn't be trying to get rid of Ro! We need her! And she's still part of the pack no matter what he says.

He's just trying to protect her Jake.

Yeah, there's a possibility she won't shift again. If she doesn't it's better to keep her away from all this supernatural stuff.

And-

I sat up with a gasp, startling Bella (shivering in an armchair), Emmett (who had been assembling a tower of cards), Rosalie (reading a magazine), and Jasper who had been sitting comfortably with his eyes closed while I laid on his lap to soothe my rising temperature.

"Caroline?" asked Jasper, "Are you alright?"

"Who's Sam? And-and wolves?" I questioned before clutching at my head in pain. "God!"

"Carol? What's wrong?" Bella jumped up, still clutching a blanket around her shoulders.

"Bella, stay back," warned Edward, who had appeared, putting a hand in front of her. "Rosalie, call Carlisle." The woman did so, leaving in a blur. I curled into a ball, clutching at my head and gasping.

"-voices. So many voices-" I cried, rocking myself. Esme scooped me up and held me as I wept in pain.

"Caroline? Can you hear me?" asked Carlisle. I didn't focus on the fact that he had been at the hospital a mere two minutes ago and was now crouching in front of me. "What's wrong?"

"She said something about voices," said Bella, watching on concernedly. 

"They're so loud, make them stop!" I pleaded as whispers filled my ears. Carlisle stood up, thinking before handing out instructions,

"Esme, take her outside, please. Bella, call Jacob to see if he can get ahold of Sam. Have him come here please."

Esme sat in the grass outside, still holding me gingerly as if I would break into a thousand pieces.

"Please!" My whimpers were drowned out by several heavy footfalls.

"What happened?" demanded a deep voice, two hands of the same temperature took me into their arms.

"She took a nap then woke up and started complaining about voices in her head." explained Edward, holding Bella to his side. "She was dreaming so I wasn't paying much attention, but several of her thoughts caught my attention. It almost sounded like your wolf telepathy." Edward shot them an accusatory glare.

"Maybe a buildup of stress and a lack of shifti-" Carlisle's kind voice was cut off by a deadly glare from the man holding me. 

"-rush out?" I murmured, repeating what the voices in my head were. "Something about Ro. I hope she's doing alright-"

"How is she doing that Sam? That's Jared and Jake right now!" The two boys seemed to have a silent debate before moving toward the forest. I shivered as I slapped my hands over my ears in an attempt to silence a new wave of voices.

"Ro, I need you to shift." said the man.

"Sam. Paul," I whispered, my eyes going right over the pair. We were in a clearing with rare sunlight pouring down on the trio of us.

"Ro. Shift." said Sam authoritatively. My body spasmed as the power behind his command took effect.

"Caroline Black-Swan, I demand you shift!" 

With a final cry, the blinding pain behind my eyes left. I wobbled to my feet as millions of memories flooded through my mind.

My friends.

My pack.

My family.

Jared, Paul, and Jake, all had pieces of my memories through the wolf telepathy, and shifting back was the only missing piece. 

I-I can remember! I shouted through the wolf telepathy excitedly. I remember everything!

Chapter Text

"Whaddya mean I'm going to Florida?!" I questioned Sam.

"I think it'd be better if you took a break after. . .everything." Sam explained. Emily was listening while flipping over sizzling bacon in her griddle.

"Florida is sunny. And hot." I complained.

"You'll be back in two days, alright? Bella and Edward are coming too," Sam tried to placate me.

"Am I supposed to be happy about that?" Sam seemed to be at a loss of how to proceed before Emily butted in.

"Caroline, I will have an amazing banquet prepared when you return. How bout that?" she suggested, giving me a heartfelt smile. That woman knew what she was doing.

"Fiiiiiiiiiiiiiine!" I groaned, running my hands down my face. Sam sighed, the tension relieving itself from his shoulders as Emily gave me a side-hug before kissing her fiance. Why do I agree to these things?

-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-

"Let's go to Florida! Great idea!" I said sarcastically, shifting in my uncomfortable airplane seat. Edward was in the aisle seat, Bella in the middle, and I squished between Bella and the airplane. I hit my head purposefully a few times on the seat in front of me much to the annoyance of the middle-aged woman occupying it. Bella pushed my head back into my own chair with a craziness in her eyes I'd never seen.

"This is a two-hour flight, Caroline! Behave!" she hissed, her eyes flicking in between the lady and me. I stuck my tongue out, crossed my arms, and stared out the window.

"Could you close that please?" requested Edward, moving away from the sunlight shining through. I groaned loudly, slamming the tiny window cover down.

"I can't win with you two!" I complained, whipping out my phone to play Candy Smash. As I matched the little icons for the next hour I tried my best to block out the rude whispers of the woman ahead of me. I shouldn't have been able to hear them so I ignored her. Twenty minutes later my phone died leaving me in boredom's cruel hands.

"Hey," I whispered loudly. Bella and Edward looked at me exasperated, ready for another one of my bored tantrums. "Hey, Edward,"

"Yes Caroline?" he said politely, albeit strained. 

"Wanna have an arm-wrestling contest?" 

"I don't believe now would be the right time-" My smile dropped to a displeased frown. "Sure." He corrected quickly.

We flipped the tray down and clasped our hands together, glaring into each other's eyes competitively. 

"Ready, set, go!" I announced. We both carefully monitored ourselves to be sure not to use any amount of crazy strength. It was a stalemate though thirty minutes later. We both quit as I prepared for a nap.

-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-

"Caroline, honey! It's so nice to see you!" Renee greeted as she enveloped me in a hug before pulling away and holding me at arms' length. "Oh my god! The heat is already getting to you!" she laughed. I grimaced and mustered a smile.

"Hey mom, how're you and Phil?"

"Oh we're marvelous!" she grinned, sighing happily before returning to Earth. "He also has heard of your Little League days and would simply love to play some baseball with you!" I nodded 'excitedly' before Renee turned to Bella and Edward, cooing about their lovely relationship. 

Our plane had arrived after the sun had set so Edward wouldn't be a walking disco ball. Renee's house smelled like cats and expired basil. As I crashed on the couch -the guest room going to Bella and Edward- Renee dropped a bomb on me.

"You'll never believe this Caroline! Charles and Corvin moved to Florida a few months ago and all their friends are visiting!" I froze, my breath stuck in my throat while Bella beat me on the back in an attempt to get me breathing again.

Finally, I choked out, "Elijah, Gabe, Charles, Peter, and Corvin are here?"

Chapter Text

May 18th, 2006

"Elijah, Gabe, Charles, Peter, and Corvin are here?" I choked out.

"Wait- isn't that. . ." Bella asked, looking to Edward for confirmation. He nodded once as I struggled to keep oxygen flowing through my lungs. 

"Honey, is something wrong?" Renee questioned, rushing over to the couch I was sitting on and wrapping her arm around me.

"N-no. Nothing." I said quickly, summoning the fakest smile possible. Gullible Renee believed it though. She stood up quickly and clapped her hands together excitedly,

"Well! I'm going to make my famous Ceaser Salad!" she announced before dashing off to the kitchen. After a moment Bella seated herself next to me, placing a hand hesitantly on my shoulder.

"Carol," she whispered, "you can't shift in the house," Shit. I hadn't even realized I was shaking. I stood up, brushing her hand off as Edward shifted near Bella protectively. I slid the back door open, tossing my rings and bracelet onto the coffee table so they wouldn't break if I could find a safe place to shift. If anyone from the pack went more than two days without shifting, it was almost like a hoard of bugs began to climb under our skin, urging us to shift. The nasty feeling wouldn't go away until we gave into the demand. Sam said it had something to do with that 'there were still vampires around' and it 'went against our very nature for them to be around us with being killed.'

"I'm going for a run. Let Renee know." I told Bella sharply before jogging out of the house. It was already past ten pm from the long plane ride. The chill in the air should have had me shivering but with my high temperature, it merely felt like the brush of a ghost.  

As I jogged through the unfamiliar neighborhood, I mentally cursed the deity ruling over this planet. I nearly stumbled off the sidewalk and into oncoming traffic when my phone rang shrilly. I answered it grudgingly, attempting to put my mind off the fact that I couldn't shift once while in Florida. Stupid forest-lacking Florida.

"Hello?" I asked into the phone.

"Hey Caroline," said an unwelcome voice. I froze, mid-step on the sidewalk. 

"How did you get my number, Corvin?" I demanded. Corvin had been Triston's best friend back in Mexico. It was just my luck that the twins, Charles and Corvin, had moved to Florida and the rest of their pack was visiting.

"Dude, your mom was practically giving your number out like free advice." Snickered the seventeen-year-old boy. "And trust me, she gives a lot of that out."

"Why are you calling me Corvin?" My voice shook. There was silence on the other end before Corvin sighed,

"Elijah wants to see you. He knew the second an unknown shifter passed into his territory."

"How do you know if it isn't me?"

"Cause I can smell it off you." Corvin chuckled. I tried not to be offended. "You also smell like a vampire. What's with that?"

"My sister's boyfriend." I said shortly, spinning around to look for any hiding spots Corvin could be lurking in.

"That's disgusting." repulsion dripping from his voice. "Why haven't you killed the anomaly yet?"

"Can't. There's a pact that prevents it." I huffed before running my hand down my face. "Where does Elijah want to meet?"

"The beach. He thought you might enjoy the good swells coming in." Corvin was so charismatic is was nearly impossible to hate him. "See you tomorrow at seven Caroline." The line disconnected as I shoved my phone into my pocket. I cursed loudly before punching the brick wall in the space between two shops I had made my way into. A large fist-shaped hole was left behind as brick dust sprinkled on the ground.

------------------------------------------------------------------

"So, Caroline, how have you been?" smiled Renee. I moved my lettuce around on the plate, my stomach growling like a wildcat.

"Fine," I replied over the awkward dinner. "I'm supposed to be going surfing with a couple of friends tomorrow."

"Oh! Really?" Renee exclaimed happily, clapping her hands together. "Your old surfboard is still in the garage!" I summoned a wimpy smile and chowed down on the meager salad. Edward was 'sleeping' while Bella and I ate. I was going to be starving later tonight. Stupid Renee and her stupid diet starving my wolfy need for an immense amount of food.

That night I 'slept' on the couch. I urged myself to not constantly berate Paul or Jared for details on how the pack was faring. I had to meet Elijah and his pack at seven in the morning tomorrow. Maybe they would be kind enough to bring lunch that Christy, Elijah's imprint, would have made.

I finally fell into a restless sleep filled with nightmares of Triston.

Chapter Text

In the early morning, I dragged myself from the lumpy couch, wondering if Renee had shoved bricks inside it.

I slipped my wetsuit on,  biting back several curses as the cramped bathroom seemed to enjoy bouncing me around its insides like a trampoline. I opened the garage and began to look for my old surfboard. When I finally found the old thing, I blew a layer of dust off and ran a hand tenderly over the carrier of numerous memories.

Elijah, Triston's friend, and pack leader had painted a beautiful sunset in the center with flowers crawling towards the center. However faint the paint was getting though, it did not deprive it of its' beauty. I loaded the board onto the top of Renee's old car and started it up.

As the scenery flashed by me I breathed in deeply before popping several of my anxiety pills. I hadn't had any of those for a while and soon enough my muscles relaxed. As I stared distastefully at the sand I hated with my entire being, I attached the surfboard's strap to my ankle before climbing aboard it and swimming in between the waves until I was sufficiently far out.

As I caught wave after wave I nearly forgot why I was here. But as soon as I saw the two silver cars pull up and the boys' scents carried over the sea salt, my heart plummeted. I stuck my surfboard in the sand before slipping a tank top and shorts over my short-sleeved wetsuit. I crossed my arms to hide my dread as Elijah, Corvin, Charles, Gabe, and Peter strolled up to me.

We each once-overed each other before Elijah led the group to a small picnic table on a slab of concrete. We all uneasily seated ourselves, our last meeting having ended up bitter.

"Caroline, do you know the pack laws?" Was the first thing from Elijah's mouth. My eyebrows furrowed before I gave him a 'duh' face.

"Yeah. What's that have to do with your little meeting?" I asked sarcastically, rolling my eyes. Gabe's jaw tightened with anger at my disrespect to this territory's Alpha.

"You can't come on other Pack's lands without permission from the Alpha." Elijah told me, "You also brought a vampire-"

"Hold up," I protested loudly, holding up my hands, "First off, I didn't bring the bloodsucker. He's an accessory to my half-sister." I said rudely, not willing to take crap from Elijah. "Second off, this isn't your land. Your permanent place of residence is in Mexico and you have to notify the other Alpha's of packs if you're planning on moving it." I waited for him to retort angrily but he just ran his hand down his face. Only then did I seem to notice the dark bags under his eyes, the stoop of his shoulders, and the pale complexion he had taken on.

"Hey, play nice wolfy," mocked Corvin, slapping me on the back. "Ya can't bite off our Alpha's head. He still has Alpha blood and you don't." Corvin's 'teasing' felt like a slap to the face. I stood up angrily, my eyes holding promises of pain if he didn't shut up.

"On the contrary, Corvin, I do have Alpha blood." I snapped. "I share blood with Jacob Black, a descendant of Ephraim Black, the first shifter of the Quileute Tribe." The boy's mouths dropped open before Corvin turned his head to reveal his neck as a sign to show he accepted my power over his. 

With a humph, I seated myself back onto the concrete slab and impatiently waited for Elijah to spit whatever it was out.

"You can't be here Caroline. Your sister is being hunted by a specific vampire and that has brought danger to this town." Elijah said, exhaustion lacing his voice. "And even though this isn't our territory, we are still bound to protect humans from vampires. And in this case, that means you have to leave."

"Or we could just end the problem here and now." spat Gabe, his face twisted up in disgust. Peter turned to Gabe and attempted to calm his pack brother down.

"Gabe, that isn't right. Caroline's sister didn't purposely-" Peter started before he was interrupted by the angry boy.

"I don't care about her sister!" he yelled, standing up and pointing at me. "She killed Triston!" His name sent a pang through my chest and I nearly doubled over at the pain of it. Peter was trembling from head to toe, ready to shift and murder me. Rare tears bunched in my eyes as the familiar scene repeated itself in my head.

"You're being illogical Gabriel," said Charles in his usual uninterested voice. "It was the vampire that killed-"

"I know who killed him!" screamed Gabe. "I don't care! If it wasn't for her, Triston would still be with us now and you know it!" I interrupted his screaming-fest with startling news.

"I know who killed him." My quiet statement startled the immature boys into silence. "The leech that's hunting down Bella killed Triston." My lip trembled before a tear slid down my face as I stood up.

"I'll leave your land and attract Victoria -that's the vampire's name- until Edward and Bella return to Forks. I apologize for trespassing on your land Alpha Elijah." I bowed my head in respect. "I swear on my life, Edward will not harm a single human. If he does, I will end him and kill myself. Please allow Edward and Bella to stay here for two more days, please." I waited, my head still bowed and facing the sand.

"I will allow your request. But you must return to Forks immediately." I nodded, showing I understood before leaving the beach. I gave one last glance at Triston's friends, pack brothers, and family before I left.

Chapter Text

"What do you mean you're leaving?!" exclaimed Bella, standing distraught in the living room while I shoved clothes in my duffle bag. 

"Last I checked Isabella, the word leaving means to depart, be absent," I said dryly, sparing a glance her way.

"B-but you can't!" she sputtered, throwing her hands around in such a way it reminded me of a drowning bird. "What will mom say! Why do you even need to leave?!" I sighed impatiently, slapping my hands down on the living room table before turning to her as a mother would to her shrieking child.

"That's pack business Bella." I said shortly before tossing the bag over my shoulder. Bella stared at me indignantly,

"SO? I have a right to now!" My patience had snapped and I grabbed Bella's flailing forearms, my eyes narrowing dangerously.

"You are not part of the pack. You are not an imprint." I said slowly and forcefully. "If our job wasn't to protect humans, you would be dead. I'm leaving. You're not going to stop me, or there will be trouble." The underlying threat was enough to mute Bella for a wonderful seven seconds.

As I opened the door, I crashed into a granite chest. Jesus Christ, I just couldn't get out of this house, could I?

"Where are you going Caroline?" asked Edward, confusion evident in his furrowed eyebrows. Not you too! I mentally groaned. Edward glanced between Bella and me, snippets of my thoughts and Bella's pink skin where my hands had gripped her arms. He growled, bending at the knees in a position to attack me.

"No. We are not doing this!" I yelled, pointing outside. "We are going to communicate like functional sentient beings outside! Now!" Edward stayed crouched low to the ground for a few more seconds before nodding. I gave Bella a pointed glare as I closed the front door behind me.

"You hurt Bella," he accused, his voice razor sharp.

"Not intentionally." I snapped back. "And I just put my life on the line for you, leech," I spat, my nose wrinkling significantly. Edwards's body language relaxed more as he must have seen the scene that had played out between the Mexico Pack.

"You're leaving," he stated more as a question. I nodded, biting the inside of my cheek. 

"I swear if you do something wrong just to piss me off, I'm gonna kick your ass all the way to Alaska, rip you to shreds, and bury every single, separate part of your body in the snow." I threatened, my eyes narrowing. A playful smirk grew on his face.

"Sure you will." He mocked. "Now get going Wolfy, and don't get in trouble."

"Was that concern I sensed?" I asked in an overly-sweet voice, ignoring the awful nickname.

"Goodbye Caroline." he said dryly, opening the front door of Renee's house and disappearing inside, probably relaying our conversation to Bella. I popped my earbuds in, heavy metal drowning out the world around me as I walked to the nearest bus stop. By the time I got to the stop, it was seven am. I had been walking for about two hours. Edward had been hunting far outside the city which explained why he hadn't been present in the house.

As I was bopping my head along to the music, the smell of another wolf drifted toward my nose. I cracked open my eyes to be met with Corvin. I blinked in confusion once before yanking my earbuds out.

"God Carol, you're gonna bust my eardrums!" he complained, sticking a finger in his ear before wiping it off on his shirt. I stared at him, the disgusting action still processing in my head. "Anyway," he drawled, reaching into his jean pockets and pulling out a small, finely carved, lengthy box, "this is yours." I took it from him slowly, raising an eyebrow as I waited for an explanation before opening it.

"It was Triston's." Corvin said softly, his chocolate brown eyes boring into mine. Instantly my outward demeanor wavered as I opened the box gingerly. Inside laid a simple necklace; a black string with a silver clasp at the end and with a charm. The main piece of the necklace was a wolf howling toward the sky, made of completely black wood. I inhaled deeply, biting back tears.

"He spent hours carving it for you, cut his fingers on accident so many times," Corvin chuckled before sobering up. "I wanted to reach out to you, but it was still so fresh, the pain, his death." I clutched the now-closed box with white fingers as both of us stared at the cracked concrete ground.

"All of us were devastated. Triston was the glue, holding our entire pack together. We all cared for you, really. It was just so hard to reach out because every time any of us looked at you all we could see was Triston laughing with his arm around your shoulders as you leaned your head against him." Corvin took a trembling breath. "I can't apologize for the pack's actions, but I can apologize for mine. And Caroline, there isn't anything in the world that could make up for what we- I - did. But I hope, someday, you could find it in your heart to forgive me." Both of us had silent tears streaming down our faces before I threw myself at Corvin. 

He flinched before realizing I was hugging him tightly. He wrapped his arms around me just as tightly as we held each other. Slowly, we released from each other's grasp. Wordlessly, Corvin undid the clasp on the necklace and slipped it around my neck. As my short hair flopped back against my neck and I held the wolf that was an identical copy to what Triston had been, I nodded to Corvin,

"I forgive you."

The bus pulled up to the sidewalk with a screeching halt, breaking the moment. We both offered each other a small smile before I climbed on the bus and he strolled away. But even with this singular happy moment, death was approaching quicker than ever.

Chapter Text

Twenty minutes from Forks, my phone started screeching demonically. I glanced at the unknown number before suspiciously answering it.

"Hello?" I asked.

"Oh gosh! Thank god you picked up Carol!" greeted Alice. I did a double take before glancing back at my phone.

"How the heck did you get my number?" I said loudly, receiving a rude glare from the old lady sitting behind me. 

"Edward gave it to me!" she responded peppily like there was no problem with my phone number being passed around like a hot potato.

"How did he- You know what? Never mind." I muttered, rolling my eyes and creating a mental note to give Edward a piece of my mind about handing out my phone number. "Why are you calling me Alice?"

"Well, Edward called Carlisle and told him what happened and he told your pack-" I tried my best to listen to Alice's rambling, rubbing at my temples from a migraine that seemed to come and go when Alice was in my presence.

"Anyway," she finally ceased yabbering and turning serious, "Victoria is back. I saw her in my visions which is why Edward took Bella to her mom's."

"What the hell Alice?!" I shouted, receiving another dirty look from the old lady. "Why wouldn't you tell me?! I can help!"

"You shouldn't be fighting vampires in your condition-"

"Screw that," I spat angrily, already moving to hang up. "I'll be in La Push in ten minutes." I pressed the end call button sharply resulting in another tiny crack to spread across my phone. I swung my bag over my shoulder and stomped to the front of the long-distance bus.

" 'Scuse me, mister, I need to get off here." I told the middle-aged man driving the bus. He glanced around at the forest surrounding the road on all sides before looking at me like I was crazy.

He shook his head, "I can't drop you off here to leave you to get eaten by some wild animal-" I growled, cutting him off mid-way.

"Mister, I am not in the mood for you to try and look out for me. Now pull the bus over or I will jump out I swear on Emily's chocolate chip muffins." I said slowly and forcefully. His face turned a shade of white I hadn't seen before he turned on the hazard lights and pulled over to the side of the road. 

I stepped out of the bus I'd been cramped in for the last fifteen hours before dashing into the forest. Once I was sure the bus pulled away I shifted, gripping my overnight bag in my teeth. I ran as fast as my four legs could to Sam's house, noting nobody was in the wolf telepathy. I grabbed clothing from a hollowed-out tree, slipping on the oversized t-shirt and sweatpants.

I barged into the house, looking half demented with my hair every which way, dark bags, circles under my eyes, and the pale look my skin had taken on. Emily balked at my appearance before ushering me to a seat at the table, serving up a batch of sugar cookies. I immediately began scarfing them down for fear of wolfing out and hurting Emily.

"What are you doing back here Caroline?" she asked after a moment, concern lacing her voice. 

"Ran into some old friends of a dead friend, they kinda kicked me out of Florida and almost killed ol' Eddie. I saved him by promising to kill myself if he did something bad. Ya know, the typical vacation." I summed up, my voice a bit muffled from the cookies in my mouth. I was surprised when a swift slap to the back of my head greeted me. I gaped at Emily, fuming at me from where she now stood.

"Caroline Alara Swan-Black! How dare you!" she yelled. I cocked my head to the side, eyes bulging in confusion. The back door flew open to reveal Sam who scanned the room for any threats before falling on me. His face quirked up in unasked questions before rushing over to his imprint. Emily now had tears dripping down her face. 

I sat, flabbergasted as Sam attempted to comfort his imprint.

"Caroline! What did you do?!" Sam demanded, fur rippling across his arms.
"I dunno!" I said loudly, banging my head against the sturdy, wooden table. As Emily relayed my story to Sam, Jared, Jacob, and Paul strutted in.
"Hey Caroliiiiiiii- what're you doin' here?" Asked Jacob. I clicked him off, my forehead still against the table.
"Caroline, a word." Said Sam with finality. Great, he was gonna punch me now or something for upsetting Emily. We exited the house, moving a good distance away so we could have a private conversation from the super-hearing pack.
Sam crosse his arms, uh-oh. That was never a good sign. "You put your life on the line for a bloodsucker?" He raised a single eyebrow as if I'd just said I was going to start talking to trees.
"Yeah, so? Bella would been all "boo-boo woe is me. My boyfwiend can't be nwear me!' " I mocked, wiping a fake tear away. Sam stared at me a moment longer before sighing and running his hands down his face.
"Why are you like this?" He groaned, staring at the heavens.
"If you find the answer to that, be sure to lemme know," I said dryly.
"Anyway, Carlisle Cullen wants to check on how you're healing. I told him to expect you tomorrow morning." Sam turned away like that was that.
"What?! Why did you agree?!" I said loudly, my eyes looking betrayed. "They smell like someone went overload in the kitchen with vanilla extract and cleaning supplies!"
"You're going Caroline." Said Sam, backing his command with alpha power. I scowled, pushing past him and into the house.
"Hey Ro, there's a bonfire happening tomorrow night, you're coming, right?" Asked Paul, his mouth full with food.
"Ew! Swallow before you holler!" I yelled and threw a blueberry muffin at his face. He easily reached up a caught it, grinning as he shoved the thing in his mouth.
"I dunno if I'm going to the bonfire." I shrugged before glaring at Sam pointedly who had followed me inside the house. "I may be a little busy trying to detox my nose from the Cullen's."
"Wait- weren't you like best friends with that weird one?" Asked Jacob.
"That doesn't narrow anything down."
"The one who looks like he's brooding and internally monologuing."
"Jasper?" I guessed, still trying to decide if my half-brother was talking about Edward or Jasper.
"Yeah! That one!" He cried victoriously as if he'd just beat an Olympic Athlete. I blinked slowly,
"Jasper and I weren't even like, friends dumbo."
"Hey! I'm not-" Jacob began to retort before Sam stepped in.
"If I remember correctly, Jared, Paul, and Caroline have patrol now." The Three of us grudgingly left the cozy cottage to patrol. Again.

Chapter Text

"We're all going to be on patrol every hour until Cullen's vision or something happens." Sam told us. It was currently 6 am and Jared was out on patrol. "Until we catch Victoria- Paul, wake up." Said teenager groaned and peeled his face off the table, mumbling incoherently. Jake's eyes were drooping every five seconds and I was only awake because of the ridiculously large amount of coffee in my hands.
"Even Ro is paying more attention than you two!" Sam scolded.
"That's cause you gave her coffee, which was such a bad choice. None of us get coffee!" Whined Jacob.
"My skin is literally purring like a kitten," I whispered, my eyes wide and unfocused. Sam groaned, running a hand down his face and sighed for like, 45 seconds straight.
"No more coffee privileges for Caroline," muttered Sam, scribbling his note down on a sticky note before slapping it to the fridge.
"As I was saying-" Sam began before a notification from my phone interrupted him. Sam looked ready to kill as Jacob drifted back off into dreamworld and Paul was drooling on the table.
I glanced at my phone, my hands shaking from the caffeine.

Jasper
My family wants to coordinate with the pack to formulate a plan to catch Victoria.

I relayed the message to Sam as he thought.
"You're going to go to the Cullen's and be our liaison."
"No fair!" I whined childishly. "I always have to go and be around the stinky, oversized mosquitos!" Sam ignored my pleas and waved me off. I huffed at his audacity before stomping outside and shifting.
Unfortunately, I wasn't focused on retaining my clothing and they shredded apart. I stared at the remains of my favorite Linkin Park t-shirt as hateful thoughts ran through my head.
'Stupid Sam making me communicate with bloodsuckers.'
'Ha! I'd rather be on patrol! Oh wait, I am.' bragged Jared. I sent him several fantasies of burrying him alive.
'You'd better start moving or Sam'll have your hide.' teased Jared.
'Stupid beta gets to do whatever he wants.'
'Hey! Sam offered the position of Alpha to you! You refused, that's your issue!' Jared said with an annoyed tone.
'Shut up you moron.' I snarled. 'I'd accidentally kill you all of I was Alpha. Besides, I'm terrible with that kind of stuff.'
'Come on Ro! You know I didn't mean it-' Jared's annoying voice cut off as I turned again. Alice must've somehow found out I had shredded my clothing because a sequined, crop top, incredibly short shorts, and a pair of flats were waiting for me.
"For Taha Aki's sake Alice! Pray tell, what fashion show am I going to in this monstrosity?!" I said loudly. I heard a 'Shut up!' back from the house as I muttered obscenities as I pulled on the clothing.
When Carlisle greeted me at the door we both did our best to hide the fact that our smells bothered each other.
"Who let the mutt in?" Rosalise said, her face curled up in disgust.
"Who let the bitch out of her kennel?" I retorted, flicking her the middle finger. She growled and lunged at me, nails extended like claws. Emmet and Carlisle were quick to catch Rosalie by the shoulders and calm her down. I stared her down, indifferent at her similar short fuse.
"Caroline, let's try to be civil." Carlisle requested.
"She started it!" I replied, my eyes wide.
"Geez, sometimes I forgot how young you are," teased Emmet. Once, I would've retorted back with teasing, but now I simply ignored.
I made myself comfortable in an armchair, rolling my eyes as I pinched the bridge of my nose.
Esme, Carlisle, Emmet, Rosalie, Jasper, and Alice all settled on the various furniture. A pang of jealousy hit me as they all curled up next to their mates.
Jasper have me a side eye that I ignored as he felt the sudden, strong emotion.
"Alice, have you seen when Victoria will be here?" Asked Carlisle. Alice's eyes glazed over as she, what I assumed, searched the future. After a moment the pixie shook her head,
"No. Just the same vision I've been having." She told the leader of the coven. Carlisle thought a moment before glancing at the vampire holding Alice to his side.
"Jasper is probably the best choice to stratagize with the pack." Carlisle told me. I cocked an eyebrow,
"Why?"
"I was a General in the Civil War." Jasper answered. I didn't miss how he left out which side he had been on.
"Alright." I said tiredly, rubbing my temples. Over the last day I'd only slept two hours as the pack constantly switched out patrols, on constant watch for Victoria.
"If Sam could possibly allow us on your land and vice versa we could-"
"Not gonna happen buddy." I chuckles dryly. "That'll happen when Paul goes to therapy." That was an inside joke with the pack when Jared had asked if Paul went to therapy to handle his anger issues because he should.
Jasper frowned. I could nearly see the millions of ideas streaming through his head.
"If the pack had some way to communicate with us it could help change the course of capturing Victoria." Jasper mused. I waited for his grand idea as I spun around in the armchair, nearly knocking over a lamp in the process.
As I spun back around to face the Cullen's they were all watching and waiting.
"Oh, is this the part where I have a stunning revelation that puts everything in perspective?" I asked before deadpanning, "Cause that's not happening."
"Maybe because your head is as empty as a coconut!" Snapped Rosalie.
"I don't hear you contributing anything princess!"
"What did you call me?!"
"Even with that vampire hearing you still didn't understand?"
"You're one to talk, you filthy dog! I should've killed you when I had the chance-"
"Rosalie!" Said Carlisle sharply. Rosalie and I were standing nose to nose, daring each other to make the first move.
"I'll let you know what Sam says Jasper." I said stiffly before letting myself out of the house.
As I shifted I didn't give a flying crap about the clothing Alice had loaned me.

Chapter Text

The funeral for Harry Clearwater is held a few days later. Sam, Jared, Paul, Jake, and I attend. Leah still hadn't been able to shift back so she was still hiding out in the forest.  Seth had mustered up the control to be at the funeral under my supervision. I hadn't been too close to the Clearwater's like the rest of the pack had so I was assigned to making sure Seth didn't hulk out or nothing.
"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to mourn a great loss. Harry Clearwater was a wonderful part of his community,"
Seth's body shook with silent sobs. I reached my hand over and held his, offering silent support. Even though Seth had been part of the Pack for less than a week, he was already like a brother to me. Sweet, caring, and optimistic Seth didn't deserve this. Sue was sobbing in the front row, Charlie rubbing her back soothingly and Billy offering her tissues.
The event was somber and depressing. The male members of the Pack had even put shirts on, showing respect to the grave situation. I stayed by Seth's side as people offered him condolences which he numbly responded to.
I pushed strength and siblingly love toward Seth through the Pack bond. He looked like a fricking wilted flower.
After the funeral with Sue's heart wrenching sobs as Harry was lowered into the ground, Sam took Seth back to him and Emily's house. I accompanied Charlie in taking Sue back home.
I would've preferred Sue to be screaming, throwing things, and cursing instead of the frightening silence she maintained. When Charlie dropped the pair of us off at the empty Clearwater house he watched Sue with worried eyes. I have him a reassuring smile before following Sue inside.
She was laying on the couch, her black heels kicked off haphazardly at the door. A couch cushion was stuffed in her arms like it was her last lifeline. Without a word I scoured the kitchen for a suitable meal, settling on chicken, beans, and rice.
I waited toleave until Sue had finished dinner and gone upstairs to her now-empty bed. Once her breathing leveled out I carefully closed the door behind me before beginning the long walk to Sam's.
The heavens even seemed to sense the loss of a wonderful man for they opened up and joined the Clearwater's in their tears. Not even two minutes later I was soaked through to the skin, my shoes making the annoying 'squilsh-sqalsh' sound that grated on my nerves.
I had reached my house before deciding to go inside and call Sam. I brought half the ocean in with me, I swear, as Billy stared at the mess I left behind.
"Hello?" I was greeted with Paul's voice. Paul often stayed at Sam's house to be away from his father as much as possible because of his drinking habits which usually turned violent.
"Hey Paul, how are Leah and Seth?" I asked softly.
"Uh," static crackled from the receiver as Paul must've turned to look into the living room to check on Seth. Leah must've been miserable, still stuck in wolf form and in the pouring rain. "They're not crying or anything. It's actually kinda unnerving." Remarked Paul. "Anyway, any messages I should pass on?"
"Uh yeah. Could you tell Sam I'm just gonna stay at my house tonight and to remember that I'm going to Bella's graduation in two days." I requested. Paul made a humming noise before there was a lot of background noise I couldn't pick out.
"Alright, I'll let him know. See you in a couple days Ro." The line clicked afterward, informing me the call bad ended. Billy had long since rolled back with an armada of towels to mop of the mess I'd made.
I waited for a joke before remembering the events of today. Billy passed the towels off to me before silently going to his room.
I dropped the towels in a pile, messily moving them around in a lazy attempt to remove the water.
I could hear Jacob's snores from his room as I padded toward mine. I curled up on my bed, in a tank top and sleeping shorts as I yanked my blankets up to my chin.
Questions bubbled in my head. When would the pain ever end? Why did it have to be Harry?
The one thing I knew for certain though was that the red-headed bitch had to be caught.

Chapter Text

Sam had me patrol the night before and I was showing it. Dark bags and massive circles rimmed my bloodshot eyes as I struggled to stay awake to the 'tear-jerking' graduation. Curse Bella's last name starting with an S. Almost two days ago, my last name had legally been changed to Caroline Black-Swan.

Billy had dropped me off in his truck, my motorcycle had busted something and Jake was fixing it in his spare time. As the smiling teens in bright yellow marched past, I rubbed my temples in an attempt to fend off an exaustion headache.
Charlie sat to my right, clutching a large camera as he (rarely) excitedly held it to his eye. The bouquet of roses I'd gotten for Bella were starting to wilt having been out of water for so long.
"Isabella Swan," stated the principal, handing my half-sister her diploma. Bella was beaming ear to ear, granted awkwardly, but nonetheless joyful.
After the lengthy ceremony I pressed the flowers into her hands.
"Congrats Isabella," I teased. She missed my recently cut hair, causing me to stick my tongue out at her.
"Hey, Edward's family is having a party tonight, you're coming, right?" She asked, blinking owlishly with her ridiculously large eyes. I shook my head,
"Naw. I've had enough of them for a while. Besides, I didn't graduate so it's be weird for me to be there." I replied, skillfully avoiding  Bella's invite.
"You're taking school online and you told me a couple weeks ago you'll have actually finished your senior year in the middle of summer." Curse Bella's lack of usual short, medium, and long-term memory loss.
"I'm throwing a party then," I lied easily, throwing Bella's heavy bookbag over my shoulder and carrying it with ease. I may be nearly as small as Alice, but matched her in strength.
Speak of the devil and he shall appear,
"Hey, you're coming to my party." Alice stated, excitedly placing an arm around my shoulder as if we were buddies. "And I've already seen it. No arguing. See you at 6!" Alice shouted, waving at me before jumping in her car with the rest of her siblings.
"I hate Alice sometimes." I muttered. "I'm wearing jeans and she's gonna suck it up. And I'm only going for the safety of the normies." I emphasized.
Bella clambered into the passenger seat of Charlie's patrol car as I slid in the back. Again.
I turned out what the pair were 'talking' about until Charlie pulled up to Sam's. Seth and, surprisingly, Leah, were sitting in rocking chairs on Emily's front porch.
I thanked Charlie for the ride before strolling up to the Clearwater siblings.
"Hey Leah, Seth." I greeted, collapsing in the remaining chair.
"How was the graduation Caroline?" Asked Seth eagerly, his young face brightening.
"Boring." I turned to Leah, "Nice to see you shifted back." I offered her a smile to which she tried to return. I could see something was on her mind and if she hadn't even talked to her own brother about it then maybe she wanted to talk to another female.
"Hey, wanna hang out until I have to go to this stupid grad party?" I asked, giving a lopsided grin. She hesitated before shrugging.
"Sure, why not?" I hopped up, startling Leah as I slammed open the front door.
"Emily!" I shouted into the house. "Leah and I are leaving! Bye!" I grabbed Leah's hand, tugging her over to Jake's motorcycle, which I'd been using over the last couple days, and tossed her the helmet.
"Where are you sitting?" She asked, eyebrows scrunched in confusion.
"I'm gonna run there," I stated like it was the most obvious thing. Leah realized before hopping on the motorcycle and revving the engine.
I focused on retaining my clothes as I shifted and galloped through the forest, greeting Jared and Sam as they were on patrol. I made it to my house mere seconds after Leah and shifted back, thankfully with my clothing.
I threw the spare key on the table beside the front door before kicking my shoes off.
"Make yourself at home." I swept several dirty dishes into the filling sink before flopping onto the squishy couch. Leah joined, her tense muscles relaxing.
"We don't age." She said out of the blue. I cracked an eye open.
"Yeah. . ." I confirmed.
"We can't have children." Said Leah softly, tears glistening in her eyes. Oh God, emotions. I wasn't good at this stuff. Hell, I wasn't even mediocre, I was terrible! I had to put a lot of good, positive emotions into this and think my next sentence through,
"Huh. Never thought about that." I mentally slapped myself repeatedly.
Caroline you nitwit!
Leah sniffed and I pulled her into a hug as the usually tough girl broke down crying. I held her, rubbing her back and offering the occasional tissue.
"Hey, it'll be okay," I soothed.
"S-sam and i-i we're supposed to b-be tog-gether," Leah worked out between gasps for air. "We w-wanted to have ch-children but now I c-can't even provide that if I even e-ever imprint!" I was stunned, I hadn't known that Leah and Sam had been that serious. I thought it had been a little childhood crush the way Sam's thoughts had made it out to be. Jerk.
"Hey," I said firmly, holding a red nosed Leah at arms length, " You are going to imprint on some wonderful, kind, funny guy who couldn't even begin to deserve you.
"And on the really really reaaaaaally low chance you don't, you can come be a nun with me."
Leah stared at me blankly. Oh crap, I'd messed up-
I blinked as Leah squeezed me into the hug tighter. "Thank you,"
I cleared my throat as she pulled away,
"Uh, yeah. No problem." We put on a movie, V For Vendetta, one of my favorites. Midway through a thought struck me,
"Aw crap! I forgot about the graduation party!"

Chapter Text

"I'm sorry, what?!" I asked in disbelief. 

"For once, I agree with Caroline!" shouted Jared, who was rarely upset. 

"I'm not working with the leeches!" 

"You have to be joking Sam!" 

Sam's eye twitched before he yelled, "Silence!" The Alpha command riddled the pack mute as we all glared at Sam while he cleared his throat. "We are going to work with the Cullens" he emphasized, "because there's a group of Newborn vampires running rampant. They're coming here to kill Bella." There was silence.

"It's the Cullens' problem, we should let them solve it," said Leah, her arms crossed as she leaned against the doorframe. The rest of us were scattered on various armchairs and couches throughout the living room.

"We have to protect the humans Leah-" started Seth, blinking up at his sister with his large eyes. "If the vampires are-"

"Shut up Seth," Leah hissed.

"Leave him alone Leah!" shouted Paul angrily, stomping up to her.

"Hey!" barked Sam. "We are working with the Cullens tonight. They're going to teach us how to combat the Newborns." Sam turned to me. "And you'll be the liaison."

"Aw fuck! That's not fair!" 

"Language!" Emily said from the kitchen, throwing a spatula. I easily caught it, tossing it between two hands.

"I always have to interact!" I whined, sliding off the couch and onto the carpeted floor. Sam ignored me while Jared looked on with pity. 

-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-

I shifted at the edge of the woods, regaining my clothing. "I'm going to communicate for them." I gestured to my pack who settled on the bellies and observed the Cullens. With my heightened Alpha blood, I was able to maintain a connection with the Pack even in human form.

This is so stupid.

"Shut up Paul." The Cullens glanced between the wolves and me. "We gonna start this 'amazing training' or what?" I asked sarcastically. Jasper stepped up smoothly, keeping an appropriate distance from the pack.

"There is a Newborn army headed this way. They want Bella and will be unable to sate their thirst when they encounter the town." Jasper's accent sent a jolt of nostalgia through me. He raised an eyebrow at my sudden fluctuation of emotions. I cocked my head as Sam's direct thought appeared in my head. I winced at the uncomfortable feeling.

"How do Newborns differ from you?" I repeated to Jasper. While he explained to the pack I examined Bella. She was as pasty as ever with her large doe-eyes that practically had hearts beating in them as she clutched to Edward. I rolled my eyes and turned back to Jasper, who had begun a demonstration with Emmet.

"Emmet has the brute strength of a Newborn. You want to always stay outta' their reach at all times." Emmet lunged at Jasper and he easily dodged the bigger vampire. I studied their movements before stepping forward.

"I wanna go." 

No Caroline. Sam said firmly through the pack link.

"Oh put a sock in it, Sam!" I retorted clambering down the hill and standing in the center of the makeshift dirt ring. Sam growled and stood up, his massive, furry form daring me to. It turned into a staring contest, Alpha against Alpha blood.

This went on for nearly two minutes before Sam backed down. I was the more powerful Alpha. 

"Don't blame me if yeh get hurt," Jasper warned, standing in position.

"Cute that you think I can." I retorted, smirking. "I won't even shift. That should make it about even, yeah?"

Be careful Carol! Seth thought fearfully. 

"I've got it, Seth," I murmured. The five wolves were stiff as Jasper and I circled each other. 

Jasper lunged in a blur. I ducked underneath his oncoming hands swiping my feet underneath his. He jumped about mine, sliding toward the edge of the dirt ring. We circled each other as we scanned each others' defenses before Jasper once again disappeared into a blur, zig-zagging toward me. I could hear the crunch of leaves as one of the pack members (probably Jacob) stood and growled threateningly.

"Back off!" I yelled over my shoulder, digging my feet into the dirt and thrusting my shoulder forward. I was going to use Jasper's own momentum against him. His strong body collided against my smaller, but solid, figure. I strained as my feet slid back a few feet, sending a cloud of dirt into the air. There were several bated breaths as everyone waited for the dirt to clear the air. I latched my hands onto Jasper's shoulders, throwing his weight over mine and sending him slamming into the ground. A heavy thud echoed through the clearing as I took advantage of Jasper's shock. I rolled him over quickly and pinned him underneath; his legs beneath my knees, an elbow in his back, and my arms holding his at a painful angle. I was breathing heavy and swung my head to remove a strand of my sweaty hair that required another trim. 

There was silence in the clearing before a shrill whistle emerged from Emmet.

"Damn cowboy, she beat your ass," He laughed boisterously. I caught myself grinning.

"Caroline, you won, let him go," said Bella, biting her lip nervously. The smile slipped from my face as quickly as it had arrived. 

"Actually," Jasper grunted, still beneath me, "She's done it correctly," I glanced back up at Bella smugly. "I should admit defeat first before she lets me up," I peeled myself off him, rubbing my aching shoulder. 

"And that is how you do it, gents," I mock-bowed to my pack before adding, "and lady," I returned to my post between Sam and Jared. 

You should not have done that Caroline! Said Sam loudly through the pack link. I cringed, shooting Sam a dirty look. You will listen to my command next time! Edward's eyes were bouncing between the two of us like a ping-pong match. Right, the mind-read thing. Ugh.

"Hey Sam," I said softly, "It may have escaped your notice, but just because I'm part of your 'Cult of Furries' " I paused as his fur bristled, "Does not mean that you can control every moment of my life. Remember that, and we'll get along perfectly. 'Kay?" 

Oh shit. You're dead. Paul said, and he was serious. The Cullens watched my interaction with the Alpha tentatively. 

If you wanted to make your own choices, you should've accepted the position of Alpha. Sam said, fury ringing his words. 

"You practically didn't even offer it!" I retorted, clenching my fists angry. Even as I was standing at my full height, Sam laying on his belly in wolf form, towered over me. His lips pulled back into a snarl as we battled mentally for more control. I finally glanced away and at the ground.

The rest of the late night was Jasper explaining tactics and tips to the pack. Eventually, around 5 am, the Cullens called the night for Bella. Did it not occur to them that Seth, Leah, Jared, Sam, Paul, Jacob, and I were all human too and that we required sleep also? Obviously not.

Looks like i would be skipping school for the next week. Yippee. The Cullens and Sam (through me) made plans to practice again tomorrow night and then work on the actual plan to keep darling Bella safe for the battle in 2 days that would decide the fate of the Cullens, the Pack of La Push, and all the humans in Forks, Washington.

Chapter Text

"Caroline is smaller than me, it literally defies physics an- and everything!" Bella sputtered, waving her hands around like she was attempting to squash a fly.

I rolled my eyes, "Yeah, and vampires make much more sense." I scoffed, waiting impatiently and tapping my foot against the dirt. Just get your stupid skinny ass up here and let's go!

A lowly, warning growl -that was deaf to normal humans- emerged from Edward. I rolled my eyes as Bella prepared to jump on my back. I was going to be carrying her up a mountain- a fricking mountain to ensure the arriving Newborns wouldn't be able to pick up on her smell.

"Isn't there anything else I can help with?" Bella pleaded, glancing at Jasper who waited much more patiently than I was.

"Your blood will be enough to distract the Newborns as we take them down." Jasper said. His southern accent gave me a grim smile as a burst of recognition, pain, and joy flooded through me. Jasper glanced at me, an eyebrow raised in question.

"And if the Newborns could feel 'motions, they wouldn' stand a chance." He smirked, one side of his mouth quirking up. "With all the emotional girls 'round."

My cheeks heated up as I jostled Bella -who weighed about as much as a bag of frozen broccoli- and began the trek.

"So how is life with the pack?" Bella asked awkwardly for a moment.

"Fine."

"How's Jacob?"

"Look, I ain't feeling all this small talk crap." I snapped. Bella was silent. "If you have something to say, then just out it. I may have all my life, but you don't." Werewolves stopped aging as we continued to shift. Once we stopped though, we began aging again.

"It's just been odd around the house without you." Bella began after a moment. I focused on avoiding any roots or deadly inclines. "Charlie doesn't seem to know what to do. I mean, he brought home a tub of ice cream before realizing you weren't around to hog it." I bristled uncomfortably as the guilt swamped me. The rest of the climb was quiet.

I let Bella down at the chosen campsite and laid myself on a rock to absorb the minuscule heat. Several minutes later Edward and Jasper emerged from the forest,

"Couldn't smell Bella's smell over your" Jasper paused, looking for a word that wouldn't offend me. "Scent."

"You aren't smelling the best 'Mr bathed in bleach'" I mocked before sobering. "Anyway, Sam wants to know who's fighting tomorrow so we can plan accordingly."

"Our entire family will fight," Edward answered as Bella resumed her position of clinging to Edward like he was going to evaporate.

"Edward isn't." Bella said boldly, jutting her chin out.

"Oh, oka- wait I'm sorry, what?" I said, my pissy mood evident in my tone. "You're telling me Edward isn't fighting?"

"He's doing it for me," retorted Bella. A deep growl worked its way from my chest as I snarled at Bella, "But all us wolves are fighting for your undefendable ass, but your 'darling boyfriend' isn't going to because you asked?" Bella, being stupidly brave, nodded.

"Right," I said sarcastically, "I forgot everyone around you risks their life for yours so you can have your chance at a 'happy ever after.' Why would you give a fuck about anyone else?"

"That's enough, wolf." spat Edward, stepping in front of my half-sister protectively.

"God, I wish you all would burn up and die," I hissed venomously, starting the engine of my motorcycle and revving it loudly, pulling away from the two vampires and stupid, selfish girl.

"Tomorrow, we fight," Sam said loudly with confidence. He had corralled the pack into his and Emily's house. The imprints sat with their boyfriends (and in Sam's case, fiance). "The imprints will stay inside the house- at all times." From his tone, it was non-negotiable. "You all," He stared at each of the wolves in turn, "will be here tomorrow morning, six am. We'll prepare for the fight then. You all know the plan." With that, we all went our separate ways. Jacob and I trudged back home exhaustedly.

Jacob immediately retired to his room and a mere 12 minutes later his ridiculously loud snores filled the house. I flopped onto my bed with every intention of sleeping before my phone buzzed. I groaned before flicking the screen open and staring at the bright screen blearily.

Jasper

I have a gift for you, Caroline. I figure it might be

Useful for the fight tomorrow.

Caroline

I'm about to go to sleep. And don't even

Think for a minute, I'm walking all the way to your house

Jasper

It's awfully important. Would the cafe on 9th street

Be suitable?

I pondered a moment before sighing.

Caroline

You have three minutes before I go home. Unlike you,

I need sleep for the fight tomorrow.

I grudgingly slipped on a pair of flip-flops and snatched Jacob's bike- it was nearly 1am and the sound of my motorcycle starting up would startle the entire neighborhood awake. I felt the dingy thing buckle underneath my enhanced werewolf weight as I fought back yawns and peddled toward 9th street's 'Crispy Coffee Cafe!'

Jasper was waiting at a table outside the window, a long, thin box in his hand. He glanced up as soon as he picked up my scent.

"I 'poligize for interrupting you so late," he said, dipping his head. It was difficult to stay angry at him with his charming southern air.

I muttered an incoherent response back as my brain sluggishly worked to even breathe. Jasper pushed the box toward me. I raised an eyebrow before opening it. My eyes lit up as they stared at the plain, but ornate daggers inside. They were sheathed with simple black metal and the hilts were entirely black with a simple silver design along the edge of the handle. I picked one of the two up, weighing it in my hands before sliding it from its' sheath.

I examined the reflective, shiny surface and then sniffed at it. The blade had an odd-tinged smell to it.

"It's dipped in vampire venom," Jasper explained. "Normal blades don' harm vampires, but Carlisle had these stored away 'fore he was a vampire and hunted them."

"Why give them to me?" I asked, surprised. "Wouldn't Bella be in more need of a weapon?"

"Frankly, Bella is a bit of a clutz. I wouldn' trust her to not accidentally stab herself." We both smiled, him chuckling softly as I barked out a loud laugh.

"Thanks, Jas," I grinned. "These'll be useful tomorrow if I need to shift from wolf back to human."

"No problem." He replied, standing up, "You're a good friend, Caroline."

Chapter Text

The black tank top and matching cargo pants I tugged on were worn out but sturdy, perfect for the fight against the Newborns today. I slipped the knives from Jasper into the belt loops and began yanking my hair -which was in desperate need of a trim- into a ponytail. 

I saw Billy's reflection in my vanity and met his eyes. "Where's Jake?"

"He already left. Had trouble sleeping." Billy's eyes were forlorn and dread emanated off him in waves. His hands clutched the armrests of his wheelchair, his wrinkled face displaying how the past year with Jacob and I had aged him sooner.

"We'll be fine." I offered him a light smile, "I've got Jakey's back." Billy chuckled at the nickname that horrified my little half-brother.

I winked, "you can't get rid of me just yet!" I gave Billy a hug before setting out to the packhouse for the Newborn fight.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Jared stared at me, his eyes squinting as he continually sniffed the air.

"What?" I demanded. The entire pack was on a nervous edge with the fight looming.

"Why do I smell vampire on you?" he retorted. Sam turned and sniffed the air before frowning, agreeing with his beta. I slid the knives across the table to the pair, grinning. Sam drew the knife, cocking his head before glancing at me.

"Vampire venom?" He asked, curiosity lacing his voice. "I didn't know that was possible." I nodded, smirking,

"It was a gift from Jasper." Sam's enlightened expression darkened but he offered no words or warnings. He handed the knife he had been wielding to me, hilt first, and I put it back into my belt loop. The other knife was being passed around so the pack could examine it -minus the imprints. Jared and Sam were overprotective of Kim and Emily- when there was a yelp of pain. 

I spun around, smelling blood in the air and my eyes landed on Seth. He held his palm away from himself as it dripped blood steadily onto the dark wood below. I rushed toward him, immediately putting pressure on it when the wound startlingly did not begin to heal.

"W-why isn't it healing?!" Seth said loudly, freaking out. Emily had run into the bathroom and I could hear her rummaging for bandages underneath the sink.

"It has vampire venom on it. . ." Embry realized. Emily gave me gauze and hydrogen peroxide to pour over the wound. Tears budded in Seth's eyes as he directed his attention away.

"Where did you learn that?" asked Leah after the pack had calmed down from the 'crisis'. 

"I took a First-Aid class in Mexico," I replied, rinsing my hands in the sink to rid myself of the blood from Seth. The knife now lay on the counter, sheathed and glared at with hate by Seth. "Yes, I know CPR Quil. No, I am not going to give you any." Quil groaned as I answered his unasked question. I carefully took the knife and put it in my other belt loop with its' twin. Turns out the knives caused as much damage -if not more- to shifters. 

----------------------------------------------------------------

"Seth's going to be with Edward and Bella at the campsite," Sam explained to Carlisle and Jasper in the clearing. "If the redhead brings others, Seth will assist." Sam was trying to keep the youngest pack member out of the fight. 

"Jared, Leah, Paul, Embry, Quil, Jacob, and I will shift and be waiting in the trees. Once the Newborns are in the clearing, we'll attack." Sam's eyes were furrowed with concentration. "Caroline will be between shifting and human form, she's going to help communicate between us." As unhappy as I was with the arrangement, it was important and I would fulfill it.

"Will she be vulnerable?" Carlisle asked, concern lacing his voice. 

I stepped forward, "I took seven years of martial arts and I have the knives from Jasper." My arms were crossed as the strained nature even got the best of me. Jasper was attempting to soothe the apprehension with his ability, but even Jasper could only do so much. 

Alice's voice piped up, "They're almost here." The pack shifted and took our place among the trees and the Cullens -minus Edward- in the center of the clearing. The massive wolves' ears were twitching as the thunderous crashing of the Newborns filled the air. 

Then, the vampires emerged from the opposite trees. There were nineteen of them and twelve of us, the odds were not in our favor. But, we had the element of surprise. The second the Newborns were in the center of the clearing the pack leaped at them. The Cullens leaped into action, working like a well-oiled machine. I bounded over the rock with the pack, shifting mid-way. I tackled a middle-aged vampire to the ground, tearing its' head off without warning. Another Newborn ran at me, aiming for my middle but was interrupted when Leah seized its arms with her deadly teeth and yanked them off. 

I've got you. She told me. The vampire screeched in fury, howling at the sky as I bounded over it, knocking its' head off in one go. Sam and Jared were working together, Alpha and Beta, Embry and Quil,  and Paul was a whirlwind of death.

I shifted back -focusing on keeping my clothing- and surprised a teenage Newborn, slicing her from the neck to abdomen with the knife. Her eyes held fear as I used my enhanced werewolf strength to push the knife through her neck. The sound of smashing granite was everywhere as the Newborn army was destroyed.

I saw a flash of red hair on the edge of the forest before it zipped away. It was Victoria and she was heading towards the campsite where Bella was. I shifted and fought my way through the battle to the edge of the forest, giving chase after the redhead.

Caroline! Where are you going?! Shouted Embry, his projected thoughts gruff as he shredded another vampire.

The redhead and two other leeches are going to the campsite! I replied, weaving around trees as my powerful legs pushed off the ground and propelled me forward.

The mind reader can handle it! Sam retorted. Suddenly the pack was bombarded with a wave of fear and anger.

Yeah, we really don't got it! Not at all! Shouted Seth. I increased my speed, sprinting up the mountain. Snow covered my fur and the stench of ginger and vinegar increased. I was now on the edge of the campsite and could see Edward struggling against the redhead and Seth with another. The kid was the one who had gone missing almost a year ago! 

A third vampire was cornering Bella who was hyperventilating, bellowing puffs of smoke from the cold air. I shifted mid-leap toward Bella with knives in my hand.

"Holy shiiit!" I yelled, twisting through the air haphazardly, "Bella, duck!" She dropped to the snowy ground like a pound of bricks, narrowly avoiding the deadly grasp of the 15-17 year old-looking vampire. I collided with him, wincing when the redhead screeched,

"Enrick!" The vampire I was fighting -Enrick- used my momentum against me, kicking me in the stomach and sending me flying over his head while he used that time to stumble to his feet. With my lovely tree-hugging moment (I had hit a tree painfully) I froze when I realized that my knives had fallen from my belt loops. 

Enrick and I glanced at the knives, then back up at each other and lunged. We scrabbled for the valuable weapons, sending snow into the air as Bella cowered away from us. I kicked Enrick in the chest, resulting in him skidding back several feet. I seized the knives, unsheathing them and situating myself. 

I glanced up to see the vampire flying at me. I attempted to throw myself to the side but Enrick slammed into my arms, which were crossed protectively in front of my chest, sending the knife in my left hand to fall to the ground. I was unlucky with the one in my right. As Enrick pressed down on it, sitting on top of me as I lay winded on the snow, the knife easily breached my skin and began to draw blood. 

The vampire venom would not turn shifters but instead cause overwhelming, agony. I shouted in pain as the dagger glided from my clavicle to my forearm. Blood now gushed from the lengthy slice wound as the vampire donned a maniacal grin. 

I shifted beneath the leech, kicking him with my hind legs as my right foreleg continued to stream blood. While the daggers had been useful, they were also harmful. My wound wouldn't heal instantaneously as usual due to the venom on the blades. I could feel myself growing lightheaded as my dark crimson life source flowed negligently. 

Seth had finished his vampire off and began circling mine.

I've got it, Seth! I growled, baring my teeth.

You're hurt, Ro! Stop being so self-sacrificing! He retorted. The pack glanced at the 'pictures' Seth was sending them through the pack link.

Stand down, Caroline. Ordered Sam. My hackles rose at the Alpha command directed at me. Sam couldn't give me Alpha commands if I wasn't within hearing distance or shifted. . . Caroline! Don't you dar- Sam picked up on my devious thoughts too late as I shifted back. My skin was nearly as pale as Bella's -which was saying something- as I wavered from side to side. My vision was turning static-y around the edges and my head was groggy. I was down one arm and Edward had smelt my blood the second it had arisen. A shifter's natural defense was that our blood did not attract vampires, if anything, repulsed them.

Enrick was grinning from ear to ear as I struggled to stand. The minor chinks in his skin had long since smoothed over.

"Bring it," I panted, the adrenaline beginning to dull my pain. The vampire and I studied each other before he ran at me, a blur. My reaction times were becoming sluggish as I narrowly evaded the leech. I stuck my non-injured arm out, attempting to stab him. Enrick slapped the knife out of my hand, zooming by.

I just needed a single opening! And nearly two milliseconds later, I found it. As the vampire sped by me, I jumped on his back and held on for dear life. I yanked at the vampire's head, feeling it protest as I put even more power into removing his skull. 

"WOULD! YOU! JUST! FUCKING! DIE!" I yelled. I wrenched his head one final time and it came flying off, sending me skidding into the snow. Edward killed Victoria just as I finished my vampire. Black was creeping into my vision as I gasped for breath, still losing blood.

Bella ran over, kneeling beside me and applying pressure to the wound. "God Caroline," she mumbled. Edward had already lit the remains of the Newborns on fire, sending smoke spiraling into the sky. My sister's boyfriend stripped his shirt off, tearing it into strips and creating a makeshift sling.

"Are you positive you can handle her, Seth?" Edward asked. He must've read Seth's mind. In response Edward gingerly placed me on my packmate's furry back, making sure I was secure. By the time we were down the mountain, Edward's shirt had been soaked through with my blood. Thankfully, my head had grown clearer and my vision was less blurry.

The pack seemed to be in one piece more or less (Paul had a broken finger and Leah a small laceration) but nothing that wouldn't heal. I, however, sustained the worst injuries. Carlisle immediately rushed to my side, analyzing my gash.

"If the wound wouldn't have been caused by vampire venom, it would have been fine," explained Carlisle in his calm, doctorly tone. "But you're going to need stitches and a sling for a couple of weeks." I scowled before spinning around to see Leah wrestling with a straggling vampire. 

"Leah, don't!" shouted Edward. My eyes widened in horror as the buff vampire grabbed Leah around the neck, intending to choke her. Jacob tackled the vampire to the ground, focused on keeping his packmate safe. I urged to protect Leah, but I was already leaning heavily on Carlisle for support. 

"Jacob!" I screamed, lunging forward toward the vampire coiling his arms around my younger brother's midsection. Carlisle held me back, preventing me from helping. "Let go!" I shrieked, tugging against him. There were numerous, intense cracks that came from the pressure the vampire was applying. The rest of the pack attacked the vampire, ripping him to pieces and rescuing my brother. Jacob shifted back, his mouth open in a silent, allowing scream as he coiled into himself in agony. I was passed to Alice who cradled me against her chest with sisterly love. 

"It'll be alright Caroline." Alice comforted, stroking my head. "Carlisle is going to make sure Jacob's okay." As soon as Alice knew I wasn't going to run off and injure myself further she released me and let me run toward my pack.

Sam glanced at my arm, his expression dark with anger because I had disobeyed him. "We'll take him back to Billy's." 

"I'll be there as soon as I can," Carlisle replied, standing and rejoining his coven. I stared after them before Leah wrapped an arm around me to support me.

"C'mon Ro," she said quietly. I could feel the embarrassment and anger pouring off her from when she had snapped at Jacob earlier for saving her. "We gotta go." As we jogged (walked at a faster speed with pain) My enhanced nose picked up a smell.

"Do you smell that?" I asked Leah, breathing in deeper with interest. Leah sniffed the air, frowning,

"Uh, no. I really don't." My eyebrows crinkled in confusion.

"What do you mean you don't?" I asked. "It smells like" I paused, "Thyme, lemon, and parsley." I could feel Edward's eyes practically boring into my soul. 

"Ro! We've gotta go!" Leah hissed, tugging on my left arm while I was in a daze. We made it to the treeline and into the thick of underbrush, invisible to anyone in the clearing. I glanced back to see four vampires in black hoods, strutting to meet the Cullens. The two in the center were related somehow and there was a ginormous vampire behind the duo. There was an average-height vampire that the scent that tugged on my nose emanated. He removed his hood to reveal neat-yet messy, black hair, a mischievous smile, but yet aloof expression, and the stature of someone who knew he was powerful. His eyes glanced up, towards the Cullens, but met mine. For the briefest of moments, I saw our future, hope and dreams, and what could become of us. 

Before I disappeared entirely into the forest, I realized with a start;

I had found the other half of my life.

I had imprinted.

THE END

See more of Caroline in her next book! 

Caroline - The Alpha