In Another Life: Book Two - Taming the Beast

Chapter Four: I've Always Been Here

Cullen Residence - February 5th

"I think that's a delivery truck." Rosalie said, looking around at everyone gathered. The anticipation fell, and nearly everyone moved back inside looking disappointed. Brianna and Eliza hung around on the porch along with Leah.

"Who did they think was coming? Seriously, everyone we know is here right now." Eliza said with a chuckle.

"We all hope for something new to arrive, it is the nature of our existence. Made especially worse with immortality. The next thing is our reason to live." Rosalie said as she hopped down the few steps to meet the driver who handed her a relatively small package. She looked at the name on the address label and rolled her eyes.

"Emmett your game is here." Rose called with a slightly irritated voice, but she couldn't help but smile as Emmett came bounding out of the house.

"Oooh... this collectors edition was sooo hard to find!" Emmett said as he came to a stop at her side, and Rosalie tossed him the box as if it was a worthless piece of trash. He glared at her slightly, but started to turn it around examining the package.

"At least someone is excited." Eliza said with another small laugh.

"It's crushed on one corner." Emmett held out the package showing the damage, his expression more of a sad pout than any kind of anger.

"Sorry man, it was like that when I picked it up this morning." The driver gave him a soft salute and got back in his truck. Emmett waved a couple of times at him without looking and turned towards the house.

"I didn't know they still put out collectors editions." Eliza said, looking after Emmett. "Not to change the subject, but Brianna, have you gone hunting yet?"

"No, we weren't allowed." Brianna replied, causing Eliza and Rosalie to look at each other.

"I'll take her." Rosalie offered. Eliza looked at her curiously, begging for an explanation with a raised eyebrow.

"Eliza, you look like death, and I know you don't want to stray too far from your mom right now. Carlisle is still sourcing a shipment of blood to be delivered and in the meantime there is a big forest out there with a lot of animals still foraging for food." Rosalie motioned towards the forest, and tried to impart to Eliza how much she wanted to help.

"Are you sure?" Eliza asked, already relenting. In truth she just wanted to lie down and snuggle up to Leah while she waited for her mother to wake up. Maybe watch something mindless and romantic, like a rom-com.

"Absolutely." Rosalie gave her a genuine smile that managed to reassure Eliza who nodded at her warmly.

"Brianna, is that okay?" Eliza asked, worried Brianna still believed deep down that Amber eyes meant her harm.

"Yes." Brianna nodded happily, Eliza pulled her into a soft hug which Brianna tightened and lingered for a few extra seconds before pulling away and literally pushing her new sister back towards the house. Eliza chuckled and waved as Brianna followed Rosalie into the woods.

"This kind of hunting is similar to what human's do, although we have some advantages that make it quite a bit easier. First try to clear your mind and focus on your sense of smell." Rosalie explained, closing her own eyes so she could describe it more accurately. "It is a musky scent, different from the molds and dirt, it will feel like lines that weave through the woods."

"I can almost see it, that's so neat." Brianna said excitedly.

"The strongest scent is almost always the most recent.. Lead the way and along that scent line, and we'll see what we find." Rosalie instructed, opening her eyes to see Brianna's reaction. The girl nodded and took off almost immediately.