Sanctuary

9. Baseball

Lena had a hard time settling into her new skin. Being a hybrid was... weird, to say the least. She didn't spend a lot of time as a wolf as it still felt odd. She heard others from the packs thoughts even though she wasn't welcome, not yet. They couldn't deny her as a pack member but they also weren't ready to welcome her onto the reservation because of the other half of her parentage. Vampires and werewolves were not supposed to mix.
Thankfully the Cullens still welcomed her with open arms. They had invited her along with them to play baseball in a thunderstorm. It didn't make much sense but she was along for the ride. "I want Emmett, Jasper, and Caroline." Rosalie said after she won the coin toss. "Obvious brawn but I think you've made a mistake Rose." Edward smirked as he looked to his team. Alice, Carlisle and Lena. Ever since her first transformation Lena's body had changed practically overnight. Where she was once just a string bean had formed to taught angles. She was fit and oh so fast. She could almost keep up with Edward in a foot race. Emmett had even wanted to arm wrestle to see but Jasper had said no.
"Looks like we're up against each other." Lena smirked up at Jasper. The two had confessed their feelings for each other but hadn't yet put a label on anything but there was plenty of stolen looks, secret kisses, and touches behind closed doors. It was hard to sneak around behind 5 vampires backs but it didn't seem like any of them knew. Edward was the exception as he had heard Jasper's thoughts after he returned from taking Lena for a drive. He promised to keep their secret until they were ready though. "Seems like it darlin. Winner gets a kiss?" He smirked right back at her. "Sounds like a win either way." Darcy replied before she took her spot on the pitchers mound. They played a good game but Edwards team had just edged out Rosalie's when Alice yelled for everyone to stop. Incoming nomad vampires. Everyone circled around Bella as they decided what to do. There was no time to get her out of there. "Here. Switch me." Lena took off her jacket and hat, taking Bella's from her and putting them on. "Lena-" Bella started. "It's fine Bella just stay behind us." Edward told her as he zipped Lena's jacket on Bella. Hopefully Bella's confusing scent was enough to mask Bellas. Jasper stepped protectively in front of Lena as they were approached by three vampires. "I believe this belongs to you." The tall dark skinned one pronounced as he tossed the ball to Carlisle. "I am Laurent, this is Victoria, and James" he introduced his small coven. The first thing Lena had noticed was their blood red eyes. She reached out and gave Bella's hand a squeeze, knowing she had to be nervous. "I'm afraid your hunting activities had caused something of a problem for us." Carlisle spoke, keeping his tone easy. "We apologize. We didn't realize this territory was claimed." Laurent offered. "Yes well we maintain a permanent residence near by." Carlisle told him. "Really? Well we won't be a problem for you anymore. We were just passing through." Laurent seemed sincere but there was something Lena didn't like about the blonde named James. He seemed flick his eyes from Jasper to Edward. "The humans were tracking us but we led them east. You should be safe." Victoria spoke up with a crooked grin. They asked if they could join their baseball game which Carlisle agreed to as he claimed some of them had to leave. "I'm the one with the wicked curve ball." Victoria claimed as she caught the ball. "Oh I think we can handle that." Jasper smirked at the redhead.
They were so close to pulling it off when the wind blew and James caught Bella and Lena's scent. "You've brought a snack." He sneered. Lena was first to Bella's side, her body quickly responding and transformed into a chocolate brown wolf. "And a pet." Lena snarled snapping her large jaws in his face. "You brought a human?" Laurent asked as the rest stood defensively in front of Bella. "She's with us." Carlisle said with finality. Laurent tried to ease the tense situation, backing off. James straightened but his eyes never left Lena. The odds were in the Cullens favor if it came to a fight but Lena hoped it wouldn't come to that. Laurent agreed they wouldn't hurt the girl and they would come to the Cullen house to see a different way of life. James apparently had other plans. As soon as Bella left with Caroline, Edward, Emmett, and Alice he took off after them. Without thinking Lena took off after him. She pushed herself to run as fast as she possibly could. Meanwhile Carlisle held Jasper back knowing they'd need his help to diffuse any situation that may arise. He ached to follow her, to make sure she stayed safe. He could only hope she would be.
Lena tore through the forest following James like a cat chasing a mouse. He was fast and more experienced than she was. He led her in intricate circles, slipping out of her sight just before they reached chief Swans house. Lena growled, angry at herself for not being able to finish it before anything started. She found the box of clothes she kept outside for instances like this. She joined Edward and Bella outside the house. "What are we doing?" She asked them, her eyes never leaving the forest line. "Im leaving forks." Bella said not giving too much away incase James was listening. "Im coming with you. No time to argue. Let's go." Lena followed Bella's lead as she stormed inside, starting a fight with Charlie. She was leaving forks so she didn't get stuck here like Renee. "I'll talk to her. I promise I'll bring her back." Lena told Charlie, hoping to salvage his feeling a little bit. She went out to her Cadillac, climbing into the driver seat. Lena glanced back at Charlie one last time before she pulled out of the driveway.