𝐨𝐧𝐞

I grew up with many stories and legends, all of which were told around the campfire as part of the Quileute history. I loved every last one, always leaning in for more whenever the elders got started. I did have a favorite, though, and it involved blood drinkers and wolves.

According to the legend, the Quileute people are the descendants of wolves, making them shifters. Only some of the men in the tribe are said to be gifted with the ability to shift, making them the protectors of the land and its people. They specifically protect the people from cold ones.

The cold ones are said to feast on human blood and their desire for it can drive them mad at times. They're nearly unkillable, which is why the shifters are so important. They're the only thing that can protect people from them. Their speed, strength, and healing abilities make them a fearsome opponent against the cold ones.

During the time of Ephriam Black, a pack of cold ones ventured into the Quileute territory. They claimed that they were different from others of their kind, they didn't feast on human blood, instead they killed animals.

They offered peace, wanting to coexist. So, ever the peacekeeper, Ephriam made a truce with them. If they stayed off the land, he would allow them to exist is peace. This clan was said to be the Cullen's. The very same Cullen's who now live in Forks, less than an hour away from the tribal lands.

Of course it was just a story, a scary bedtime tale told around a campfire to scare us kids from the woods. But something in the way Billy and the rest of the elders hated the Cullen's, told me there might be some truth to it. It also made no sense that Carlisle was mentioned in a story that's eighty odd years old when he only looks maybe 25.

It was definitely something to be wary about. Which is why I willingly obeyed Billy's orders to stay away from the Cullen family. Though, they were unavoidable at times. I'd definitely run into Carlisle around town on many occasions. Today was one of those unavoidable times, only with a different Cullen, one I had yet to meet.

I had run to the pharmacy, the one on the res didn't carry my medications and they were always late on getting the delivery so it was easier just to take the drive into town. Jake was waiting in the truck for me while I scanned the isles. I might as well pick up some necessities while away from the eyes of Ms. Call, the pharmacist on the res, who would most definitely tell Billy that I was buying condoms.

I grabbed the box off the shelf, turning quickly and not paying attention as I collided with someone, dropping the box in the process of it. I stumbled back, looking up at who I'd run into.

Pale skin, gold eyes. I immediately recognized him as a Cullen, but oh my was he not what I expected. The skin and eyes gave away his relation, along with the god-like good looks, but that's where the similarities to Carlisle ended. This man had dark curls, full lips that were pulled into a small smile, and strong, hard features. And his body was huge, he was nearly twice the size of me, in height and mass. He was made completely of muscle.

I had to will my mouth to not drop open at the beauty of this man. Sure, I knew Dr. Cullen was hot, but I didn't realize that trait applied to other members of the family.

As I pulled my gaze back up to his unnaturally golden eyes, I felt something within me shift, like a magnet set into place within my chest, pulling me toward him. It was a force I can't quite explain, like everything led me to this moment, right here... but that's insane, right?

I had to remind myself of Billy's warnings, of the stories I grew up with. Stay away from the Cullen's, sure, that's easy peasy. 

"Sorry," he said. The depth to his voice was way more attractive than should be allowed and I could've melted at just the sound of it. Shit, I'd just met the guy and I was already wanting to see more of him. Cullen's are bad, I reminded myself again.

I stole a breath, nodding stiffly. I gotta get out of here. I went to grab the forgotten box, but he beat me to it, bending over to get it off the floor. I blushed as he held it out to me. His smile shifted to a smirk as he handed it to me, "I think you dropped this."

"Thanks," I grabbed it, tossing it into my basket quickly. I went to turn and walk away but he was quick. His hand grabbed my arm, stopping my movements. His skin was cold as ice, but that wasn't the only reason chills ran up my spine. 

I glanced at his hand, then up at his eyes, raising a brow in question of what he was doing. "I didn't get your name," He dropped his hand, and I could see in his eyes that he didn't want me to leave.

"Olivia," I stated, forcing a small smile. The longer I stood in front of him, the more that stupid magnet set into place, pulling me toward the attractive stranger. This was bad, really bad.

He smiled a genuine one, his cheeks dimpling and his perfectly straight teeth showing. My heart rate increased at the sight and I knew I needed to run, because even though he didn't have fangs, I knew that smile would be the death of me.

"I'm Emmett," I didn't bother responding, only turned around and walked back up the isle, but his name stuck to my mind like a scratched record, playing on a loop the whole way home.

I hopped out of the tuck as Billy, Jake and I parked in front of Charlie Swan's house. Bella was due to move back home today and as a welcome home gift, Charlie had bought a truck off of us.

Bella and I were pretty close. When she lived here we would spend nearly every weekend together, when she moved away we would spend summers together, and then she stopped coming around when we were 14. We stayed in touch though, found each other on Instagram and often messaged back and forth. Needless to say, I was happy she was coming back.

Charlie walked out of the house with a grin on his face, making his way over to the driver side door to help Jake with getting Billy into his wheelchair. I smiled up at the man, "how goes it, Charles." I smiled, using the nickname I'd given him when I was 8.

He smiled over at me, giving me a look, "great now that Bella's back, do you mind running up and getting her? First door-"

"On the right, I know. I helped you decorate, remember?" I rose a brow, laughing with him before heading into the house that was as familiar as my own.

I quickly went up the stairs, my sneakers skidding on the top step. "Bella!" I called, knocking on the first door on the right before pushing it open. The brunette was stood over a box, in the middle of pulling out some books, when she turned to me.

She looked different than she did at 14, but not by much. She was taller and thinner, with long brown hair, but her chocolate eyes were the same as always. I smiled at her, my teeth showing, "welcome back, Is! Gah, I missed you soooo much!" I opened my arms, running toward the girl, who didn't protest as my arms wrapped around her small frame.

Isabella laughed, her arms wrapping loosely around me for a moment before we pulled away, "Liv, we talked yesterday."

I pulled away with a fake pout, "yeah but we haven't seen each other in three years, I was in major need of some Izzy time." I smiled, dropping the pout and instead turning to look around the room, "so, what do you think? Do you like it? I thought the purple would be a good color for you."

She looked around the room, like she was seeing it for the first time and then turned to me with slightly wide eyes, "wait, you decorated?"

I nodded, "yeah, Charlie couldn't do it himself. If I didn't help, you'd probably be stuck with brown tones and I could not let that happen to you."

Bella laughed lightly, beginning to pull more books out of the mostly empty box. "Well, thanks for saving me, I guess."

I smiled, "that's what friends are for. Anyways, Jake and Billy are downstairs with Charlie. They sent me up to fetch you." I quickly explained, turning toward the door. I watched Bella nod from beside me and together we made our way downstairs and out the front door.

Charlie, Jake, and Billy were standing beside the tucks, laughing about something when we walked out. Everyone's attention was immediately on Bella though, as we approached the group.

"Bella, you remember Billy Black," Charlie stated, waving a hand toward the man.

Billy smiled at Bella, "Glad you're finally here. Charlie hasn't shut up about it since you told him you were coming."

I laughed at that, knowing that Billy was telling the truth. Charlie had been nonstop going on and on about Bella for three months straight. It was adorable really.

Charlie rolled his eyes at Billy, "Keep exaggerating, I'll wheel you down the hill." He threatened. Billy just laughed, "Right after I ram you in the ankles."

I watched from beside Bella as Billy chased Charlie around the yard, trying to do exactly what he said. I was laughing while watching them when Jake approached us.

He smiled shyly at Bella, his long hair tucked behind his ears. "I'm Jacob. We made mud pies together when we were little."

Bella nodded, smiling slightly, god this was awkward. "Yeah... I think I remember..." She trailed off, looking toward the men, "are they always like this?"

Jake and I sighed, nodding, "it's gotten worse," I commented. 

Jake nodded in agreement, "it's the old age."

The conversation fell flat until Charlie and Billy came over. Charlie patted his hand on the hood of the orange truck, "so what do you think of your homecoming gift?" He asked, smiling at his daughter.

Bella furrowed her brows slightly, confusedly, "No way. The truck is for me?" Her eyes went wide as she looked over the vehicle. It wasn't the nicest, in my opinion, but it got from place to place alright and it was definitely Bella's style. Which is all that really mattered.

Charlie nodded at his daughter, "just bought it off Billy, here."

Jake smiled at Bella, "I rebuilt the engine and--" He tried bragging but Bella cut him off with a laugh, "It's perfect!"

She rushed over to the tuck, pulling open the door and hitting Jake with it, "sorry." Jake shakes his head and while they talk about the truck I go over to Billy and Charlie.

"Told you she'd like it," I smiled at them.

Charlie smiled back at me, placing an arm around my shoulder her brought me into a side hug. "You've been a lot of help, Olivia, thank you."

I leaned my head on his shoulder, taking a moment to soak in the fatherly affection. "Of course, Charles, anytime." I teased with the nickname again.