part 15

Jacob was pulling Seth into another room. Edward trailed behind them. The wolves explained to me the Alpha command. The double voice of the Alpha (leader of the pack) had the power to make the pack obey. When Jacob, Seth and Edward reentered the room, Seth seemed to be trying not to stare at me. It was evidently a difficult task. The wolves began to seem on edge.

Like a lightning bolt, Jasper ran to one of the wolves and placed a hand on his shoulder. The wolf soon dropped. Soon, Jasper was doing the same thing to the confused wolves left and right, two at a time. Edward obviously understood what was going on and caught each wolf, but they were starting to fight back. Edward and Jasper kept telling them to stay calm, but of course that did no good. "What are you doing Jasper" Carlisle asked, seeming concerned. "I had to put them to sleep. They were upset. They were going to make Juliet phase. Who knows what could happen in her condition? Emmett and I will carry them out and explain."

I was trembling. With a grimace, Jasper stepped closer to be. I could hear his teeth grinding as he calmed me down. I felt his agony, but I also felt his determination. The trembling became less noticeable and then ceased altogether. Jasper backed up, staggering slightly. Alice held his hand as he took a few minutes to rest. "Thank you. I'm so sorry" I said. He inched back so he wouldn't have to feel my remorse. "It's fine. Are you alright?" It was staggering. After going through that for me he was able to make himself ask if I was alright? I managed a nod.

Emmett had already finished dragging the wolves outside. Carlisle went to explain and Edward followed. Everyone came back in soon except for Carlisle, Edward, Jacob and Seth. Everyone looked at me differently. Sam said something to Esme and Esme told Alice and Bella. I could trace the secret being spread. Whatever it was made Rosalie angry. It amused Emmett and it put Jasper on his guard. Alice was hard to read. I saw a bit of the frustration she carried when the wolves blocked her sight. Esme looked sort of happy, but concerned. I braced for the worst.

Quil and Embry started introducing me to the wolves I hadn't met. Carlisle, Edward, Jacob and Seth came in part way through "... and that's Jared and Paul and this is Seth." I could tell Seth was significant to the conversation somehow. "Hi" he said, walking toward me (the others had just nodded or waved) I could see new details of the secret spreading. Even Renesmee knew now. Sam broke the silence "We'd better get going. I won't use the Alpha voice until this is sorted out." he vowed, looking a little weary. I found myself speaking "You don't have to do that" It didn't seem right to hinder them. They were the protectors of humanity. "No one's going to hurt you." Seth promised. He spoke in a soothing tone, but I caught an undercurrent of threat. "Of course not" Sam agreed. Jacob left with Sam and his pack, but he said he would be back soon, maybe with Leah.

Emmett and Jasper went outside to wrestle. Esme went to make sure it didn't get out of hand while Alice, Quil and Embry went to watch. Carlisle was called to the hospital he worked at. Edward and Bella played with their daughter. Rosalie spent some time with Renesmee, most of the time watching me and a bit of time glaring at Seth. He didn't seem to mind. He sat on the floor near the sofa I'd been placed on and we talked. Not about anything important. He asked me where I'd been recently and we started talking about L.A.

"What kind of things do you like to do there?" He asked. "Um... I like to walk around. Sometimes I talk to people" Not very often. "What to do you like to do in general?" He wondered. I wasn't sure what kind of answer he expected "Umm... let me think a moment... what do you like to do?" I hoped it didn't sound too weird. I wanted him to answer first. "I like to hang out with my brothers, cliff diving is fun" Edward growled at him "Not funny Seth" he vampire spat out each word. Seth laughed but said "Sorry Edward: tasteless joke" I decided not to ask. "I like swimming and playing ball with vampires" Seth continued with a reckless grin. He seemed on great terms with the vampires. Odd when his sister was so sensible. could he not see the danger? Then again, he was a danger too.

"I like umm... Rubik's cubes and music boxes and cars" I offered. Seth acted like I was an interesting person. In a good way. "Driving or building?" He asked "Fine tuning. I can't fix major problems I just like to tinker with little flaws. I look too young to be driving much in America Sometimes I do when no one's around." He smiled "Do you like driving?" he asked. Our conversation continued like that. As if the most trivial things mattered.