Mated (EDITING)

2. The (Un)Expected

EVA

Before I could gather up my courage, the door busted open with a bang and multiple people began to file in. With every new presence, my heart hammered faster and faster. Ness set a supportive hand on my arm reminding me she was right there with me. I slowly looked around the room trying my best to avoid making eye contact.

Suddenly I felt a wave of calm travel through the course of my body, the clamminess in my hands beginning to dissipate. I turned to peek at the man standing farthest from me. Seeing his small smirk, I knew he had helped in calming down my nerves. I set him a grateful nod.

"I have never met an empath before. Thank you..."

His eyes widened slightly. "Jasper Hale, maam. How did you know I was an empath?"

Before I could reply, a woman slightly shorter than me jumped out from behind him. "I told you she would know! She is extremely perspective." She practically sang. "I am Alice, Jaspers mate. It is so good to finally meet you. It is a shame I didnt see you coming. I would have had a room ready for you!"

I slowly nodded. She sure wasnt short on energy. "Im Evangelina. You can just call me Eva or EB."

The empath, who I now knew as Jasper stepped forward to reach out his hand to me. Hesitantly I shook it, feeding off the splurge of emotions coming from him. Happiness, curiosity, and excitement. "Let me introduce you to the rest of the family. This is Esme, Carlisle, Rosalie, Emmett, and Jacob. Carlisle was the one to tend to your injuries."

I felt relieved. It was good to know that Edward didnt have to be the one to see those marks.

The man named Emmett came up and placed a heavy hand on my shoulder. His size was intimidating and his grip much worse. I prayed for whoever had to go toe to toe with him. "Welcome in shorty. Hopefully, youll survive through the night with us." His voice was loud and filled with humor.

I laughed halfheartedly, slowly feeling my anxiety lurk its way back through Jaspers calm. I knew it was obviously a joke, but it had been too long since I had really trusted anybody. My thoughts were quickly interrupted when I heard a deafening yelp leaving Emmetts mouth. His mate Rosalie held the big man roughly by the ear lightly scolding him. "You are making our guest uncomfortable! Be more polite. Im sorry about him. He means well. I am Rosalie."

"It really is nice to meet you all. It's been a while since Ive been around so many people; vampire or human." Glancing at Jacob I gingerly added. "It's my first time meeting a wolf though." I was surprised to say the least. Usually I had feared the unknown. And Jacob was the definition of unknown. Even so something told me told I could trust this wolf.

Jacob returned my awkward smile. "Maybe after you get more settled in, Nessie and I can take you to meet my pack." The idea of meeting more like him though was scary. Just how big of wolves did they shift into? How many wolves were there? And more importantly, would they even like an outsider like me? As if seeing my hesitancy Jacobs smile became softer. "Don't worry. Theyre not that bad."

"Is there anything we can do to make you more comfortable dear?" The woman I now recognized as Esme asked me. Her voice was smooth and soothing. I couldn't help but feel like a child when she spoke to me. Not in a bad way. It somehow reminded me of my own mother whom I missed more than words could say.

"You've all done plenty. I cant thank you enough for helping me and bringing me into your home." I said earnestly.

Carlisle smiled gently at me. "We assumed you had nowhere to go so on behalf of my family, Id like to offer that you stay here with us for now. Ive heard nothing but remarkable things about you from Edward and in some ways, I see you as part of the family. Im sure in time we'll all find out why my son cares for you the way that he does." I glanced at Esme to see a bright smile plastered on her face. Everyone looked please with what Carlisle had said, especially Renesmee.