Naturally

Naturally (A Jacob Black Fanfic) -9-

"I think I'm about to piss my pants," I thought out loud. I didn't mean to speak so loud but unfortunately my voice carried out into the woods. I gaped in surprise and looked down at Andrea who was blushing more than I was. "Oops," I murmured. My eyes caught sight of something moving around the trees but they were so wide that I didn't get a full image. Andrea's face lifted up from the snow and brightened when someone finally cut our awkward silence.

The kid that stumbled out of the woods and off the steep incline to the beach was much younger than I was prepared for. He was no taller than six feet. Very short compared to the seven feet giants I remember but none the less still had the required wide, muscular build that's developed specifically for werewolves. I could still see it under the lanky, black jacket he was wearing. His eyes me ours and he gave a smile while walking towards us in long strides and in a matter of seconds was within reach.

"Hi, I'm Chris. I'm guessing you're her partner?" He asked, shaking my hand. Not surprisingly, it was hot enough to feel like it would burn mine if he held onto it any long.

"I'm Agent Bowen. Do you know how far the rest of the pack is behind?" I asked, also trying to keep a stern disposition so I wouldn't sound too curious or anxious compared to how much I really was.

"Not even a minute behind but their taking a little slower than usual. You should know they aren't exactly happy to see you." I shrugged my shoulder. "They wanted to keep this within themselves, you know."

"Eh, couldn't control the pest themselves? If they could, we wouldn't have been called out." Chris didn't say anything but a growl behind him alerted me that someone didn't like my comment. The person that came to mind was Paul and I couldn't help but look. My assumption was right. Leaping out of the woods was a very familiar werewolf wearing only a white tee shirt and actually very flattering darn washed jeans. He was very quick to confront us.

"Who are you?" He asked us, first to Andrea and then me. His eyes widened at my face and I felt it getting hotter. Did he recognize me? He couldn't speak for a moment, completely ignoring Andrea who was introducing herself.

"...this is my partner Mary Bowen." Paul kept staring at me, his confused face transitioning into disbelief.

"You look so much like her," he accidently thought out loud. "I'm Paul," he greeted, extending his hand. "Do you happen to be related to a Marisol?" I shook my head furiously. I didn't realize how much it would hurt to hear my name again from one of their mouths. It's as if my old name was some kind of acid, I didn't want anything a part of it. "Are you sure?" His face looked devastated. I had to keep my face still from contorting to my true emotion: anger. How dare he feel sympathetic now, after all he did to me! I couldn't keep a poker face and next thing I knew he was backing away from me. My glare was beyond vicious.

Soon a bunch of other wolves, 3 whom I recognized instantly, emerged from the woods, too. They were also eager to greet us, not as cold as Paul but not in the least friendly.

"Hi, I'm Embry Call. This is my friend Quil Ateara. Usually our pack leader, Jacob, would lead but he's out for an hour or two so we're taking his place until he gets back." I jaw tightened at his name, and his position, but honestly the news didn't shock me. He was going to take leadership one way or another. He mentioned it to me when we were together, when we were 2 months into the relationship.

"I'm getting sick of Sam. I'm tired of him taking control of my life and my plans. I want to do what I want to do, not what he commands me to do!"

"Then why don't you tell him so? Take control of your life, Jacob. You're stronger than everyone else, you know."

"I can't, he has his alpha voice, Marisol."