Frau des Winters *Under Editing*

1.16

Charlie was forced to go to work after a lead on one of his cases finally showed itself. So Charlotte was left sitting on the couch with the bottle of vodka in her hands and a distant look in her eyes. Her once shaking hands had stilled and the tears had stopped rolling down her cheeks. She lifted her head slowly when she heard her phone start to ring. The special ring tone she had selected for Paul Lahote was barely able to break her from her trance. Barely. But it did. She snorted at the sound. How ironic. Wolf howling for a wolf. With a sigh she lifted it to her ear and answered.

"Hello, Paul."

"Charlotte... I... I wasn't sure you would answer."

"Well, I did."

"Yeah... Are you okay? No... What am I saying? Of course you're not. Charlotte, can we talk?"

"I thought that's what we were doing."

"Well, yeah. But like, can we talk in person?"

"I suppose."

"You're being formal again."

"I know."

"You don't need to be like that with me."

"I know."

"Then don't. How does coffee sound?"

"Horrible if you're the one making it."

"That was one time!"

"Who burns coffee like that?"

"Ugh, fine. Me. I burn coffee. How about that cafe on Main Street you like? My treat."

"Mama Joe's Cups of Joe?"

"Yeah, that's it. Say... Meet up in an hour?"

"I can't."

"What? Why?"

"I have been drinking."

"Ah, okay. What was your drink of choice this time? White or red?"

"Neither. Vodka."

"Damn... Okay, I will be there in 30 minutes? Unless you need more time to do that crap to your face."

"It's called make up. And 30 minutes will be good."

"Mhm, whatever you say. See you soon, Lotti."

"See you soon, Paulie." She breathed out and closed her eyes when the call ended.

She sat for a minute to recollect herself before she sat the bottle on the coffee table and headed to her room. As she walked up the stairs she stopped to look over the photos of her and Bella as small children. After Bella turned 10 she had stopped visiting, so then the photos from then on were only of Charlotte. Her sweet 16, her first prom (which was a total disaster because the boy tried and failed to get in her pants, Charlie may or may not have pointed a gun at him), her graduation, her first day of college, her and her old roommate Amanda before the fire, her and her dog, Rosco, before he passed, when she got her first car. A wall of memories.

Blue eyes teared up when she started finding the new pictures of Bella. Prom, her birthday, and a new one Charlie just put up of her graduation. Many people, including Bella, thought of Charlie as uncaring and quiet. But she knew better. Her Uncle was a loving family man. Could she leave him behind? She knew the Kings would want to turn her. And it wasn't like she was human anyway. So what did it matter if she turned? But all she could think about was Charlie. How could she leave him behind?

Shaking the thoughts away she continued up the stairs and to her room. Shutting the door behind her she gasped when she found a man sitting in her window sill. His red eyes told her he was a vampire, but he was wearing white so she guessed he was one of the guard members she had been told about. What was white for again? Oh... The Queen's Guard.

"H-hello?" She gulped and tilted her head when he avoided eye contact.

"My Queen." He nodded in greeting and stood to bow before her, keeping his eyes on the floor.

"Can I help you?" She asked and tried to calm her heart, he could hear it right?

"I apologise for the intrusion. I have been tasked with watching over you by the Kings. I did not mean to ease drop... But... You are going to coffee with Paul Lahote?" The man stood straight but still avoided eye contact.

"Yes, I am." She narrowed her eyes before remembering that vampires apparently had excellent hearing.

"My Queen, I must urge you to go with extreme caution. You are not yet aware of much about the Quileute wolves, but they can be very dangerous." His face looked pained as he tried to hide his concern.

"Paul wouldn't hurt me." But she didn't say it with much confidence.

"No. Mr. Lahote wouldn't hurt you. And it isn't him I am concerned about. It is not my business to inform you of their business, but you must be warned. A few of the wolves have not taken kindly to the reveal of your position." The man smiled as he tried to reassure her about Paul, but then there was a dangerous look in his eye.

"They are a threat?" Someone wanted to hurt her?

"Only a few. They are unpredictable, shifting when under the influence of rage. I know you were promised space from us, but I must ask you to allow me to guard you. Mr. Lahote has been being followed recently and I need to keep you protected."the man sighed and she noticed him fixing his sleeve.

"I trust you can stay out of sight?" A sigh of defeat escaped her lips as she realized she wouldn't be able to escape having a guard.

"Whatever you ask of me shall be done." His voice was firm.

"My Uncle... Is he being protected?" She bit her lip as she thought about wolves possibly targeting Charlie if they couldn't get to her.

"Yes. Master Aro saw to it personally to assign two guards to him." The man nodded.

"I see. And Bella is protected by the Cullens?" She figured that Bella was perfectly safe in the house of golden eyed vampires.

"Edward Cullen has not left her side." He sounded almost annoyed as he said that. As if the Cullen name brought disgust in him. They must not like each other. Perhaps due to their diets? 

"I want to speak in private with Paul. As private as possible. Can you stay out of sight, out of mind?"

"Yes."

"Thank you... Your name is Elias, correct?" She furrowed her brows as she tried to recall his name.

"Yes." He seemed pleased she remembered it, if the small smile told her anything.

"It is good to meet you, Elias. Thank you for the concern. You may take your post."she said to finally end their talk. She needed to change and get ready.

"Right away, My Queen." And then he was gone.

Charlotte sighed in relief and glanced at the clock on the wall. 20 minutes. She glanced down at her clothing and groaned. She would have worn them again, but there was dirt from her fight with the rogue. As she started to undress she stopped and shut the curtains. She was sure Elias was somewhere outside. She blushed furiously as she thought of how many times she had changed in front of the open window. She could only hope that maybe any male guards looked away or weren't watching her through the window.

She quickly threw on a pair of loose jeans and a black sweatshirt. She wasn't feeling well enough to dress up and it was only Paul. With her hair in a pony tail she wiped away her day old make up. Scowling as she finally got a look at her runny eye liner and smudged mascara. She opted for going make up free, only slapping on a layer of chapstick.

"Yo! Lotti!"

She yelped in surprise at the voice outside her bedroom door. Glancing at the clock she realized it had in fact been exactly 20 minutes. Now it was time to be face to face with her new best friend... Who apparently was more of a dog than she thought.