North Star

10. Games

Emmett tackles me to the ground, a huff escaping my mouth. I feel us flip over and then I'm kicked into the air.

One second later I'm snatched from the air onto the ground, Leah's huge paw on my chest, holding me down. She lightly growls at me to stay down, flaunting her victory. She was suddenly shoved off of me and pinned down with Seth's wolf. They wrestle, scratching and clawing playfully to get the other off.

Distracted and slightly entertained by the fun the two are having in front of me, I don't notice Emmett stalking towards me, ready for another round of tossing me around. I get up swiftly, ready to make a run for it.

He runs towards me now and I run toward him. I don't plan on doing anything, just swerve around him, somehow. He smirks, approving of my sudden ambush, not knowing I'm not going for him. He extends his arms out as though were to go for a big bear hug and I dodge him, going under his right arm, sliding along the forest floor and standing up hastily.

I was surprised at how easy it was to defect him, as though this were a natural and instinctual thing for me to do. Almost like I was hunting, but I'm not, it's just a separate sense in me.

It looked as though he somewhat awaited me to do that but he didn't expect me to since I'm the wuss right now.

"Nice one, Cristal," he laughs, giving me huge props with a thumbs up. His support didn't last long, though. His face turned stern then, ready to come at me again. I turn and make a run for it but Leah turns up in front of me, crouching and growling, ready for my next move to possibly snap at me.

I groaned, really not wanting to play. I don't know how to play their game without breaking something of myself. I'm not scared that I'm going to hurt them, because I'm sure that I can't. When I woke up I was sure that I would hurt Nessie because she's human, only part human, but still. These guys are different, full of vampires and wolves, with experience. They can hurt me. Perhaps if Emmett wasn't a buff giant and these wolves weren't so huge and intimidating with killer claws and teeth, then I'd reconsider playing wrestling with them.

"They're not going to hurt you, Cristal. Give it a shot. You never know, you might even have fun," I hear a voice from outside the circle. Edward and Bella finally returned, and to watch the show it looked like.

I don't know they won't hurt me, not on purpose at least. I can't wrestle these guys, I'll die! I don't know if you're aware, but I've never done this before. I fiercely pushed the thought into him.

"Just try it. We can join you if you would like," Edward suggests, Bella nodding eagerly, wanting to join. I looked at them doubtingly. Size shouldn't matter, right? It's all about experience?

"We're tougher than we look, trust me," Bella laughs, responding to my dubious look as she and her husband walk up to my side.

"No! We're outnumbered now if you two join and you're going to cheat and tell your wife our next moves! Plus, I finally found a fair match for me," Emmett protests. We all turn to him and he looks ready to throw a tantrum.

"Cristal highly disagrees with that. And I do, too, for that matter. The poor girl doesn't even know how to fight, even if it is playfully. Plus, your strength is no match for her, and you're using that to your advantage," Edward justifies.

"Alright, fine. I won't deny your claims, but just watch and don't join or tell her about the next moves. It's not fair," Emmett whines.

It's not fair? How? It'll help me out a ton and I could use the help.

"I actually don't feel like playing, though. You can play with them?" I ask Emmett as I begin to walk slowly backwards.

"Oh, come on!" he exclaims.