wild ↣ p. lahote

xxix. snow

JANUARY BLED INTO FEBRUARY and the weeks began to blur together. Aurora's life fell into a routine of school, hanging out with Liam and Ethan, dinners with Parker, and time on the Rez. Embry and Quil had also since phased into wolves, bringing Sam's pack to a total of six. Although he had been hesitant to be a pack leader, with each additional member his strength as a leader only grew.

Aurora and Paul hadn't had any other "moments" since their conversation in the yard of Sam's house. But he was always just there. Leaving her extra snacks before Jared and Jake got to them all. Offering her his sweatshirt if she ever got cold. Walking her back through the trail late at night. Sometimes she could even swear she saw his golden eyes lurking from the forest, watching her small cottage. But she was probably imagining things. He hadn't made any other moves or hinted at any desire to be anything but good friends. He still had his moments of anger, usually directed at Jake and Jared, and after every burst of hotheadedness he would avoid her for a few hours. Like he was ashamed. Aurora didn't know how to tell him she wasn't afraid of his temper, not anymore. It was like something had shifted between them. She knew he would never, could never, hurt her.

But they remained nothing more than friends, despite how badly Aurora wanted to feel his breath on her skin again. Barring a few brushed fingers and shoulders here and there, the two barely even touched. But every time she was in his presence, his warmth beckoned to her. She wanted nothing more than to curl inside his warm frame, nuzzle into his chest, and just let go. But, although he had claimed to have feelings for her, after a month he had yet to act on any of them. Aurora was beginning to wonder if he was the kind of guy to say those kinds of things to every girl. To make her feel special. She tried not to let the thought bug her too much. It was all just so confusing.

Bella began to spend more time with the Quileutes, becoming a friend of the pack, especially Jake. At Aurora's request, the two even had a girls day one weekend that involved coffee, shopping, and small talk — three of Bella's least favorite things, yet Aurora still saw a smile on Bella's face a few times.

Bella hadn't quite recovered from the Cullens the same way Aurora had. She frequently missed school, her limbs had grown thin, and she had developed a penchant for chasing adrenaline that Jake only encouraged. The two never really spoke about the vampires, instead choosing to focus on lighter topics. For the most part, after weeks spent looking at colleges and spending every available minute at the Rez, Aurora's mind had all but forgotten about the family.

Until one night in the beginning of March.

Aurora had just arrived back at her house and taken a long shower to rid the damp of the trail air from her bones. Exhausted, she sat at her vanity, quickly braiding her hair before she headed to sleep. She stared mindlessly in the mirror, mulling over her homework assignments due the next morning, when a shadow flickered past the window behind her.

She froze, eyes locked on the reflection of the window in the mirror. For a long moment, she saw nothing but the swaying of the trees in her yard. Slowly, she set her hairbrush down and stood up, tiptoeing to the window while clutching her necklace. She peered out, eyes scanning the darkness for any movement. She was met with nothing but the stillness of her yard.

Aurora exhaled. She waited a moment longer at her window before stepping away, shutting the curtains behind her. Just as she stepped back to her vanity, a loud crack resounded outside her window. Aurora whipped back around, staring at her drawn curtains. Her heart pounded in her ears as she stood, frozen. Something had hit her window.

Something wanted her attention.

Slowly, Aurora snuck to the corner of the window, pulling her curtain back ever so slightly to peer down at her yard. Her window was cracked from where something had slammed into the glass. Her breath catching, Aurora scanned the yard and the treeline beyond.