She came slowly out of the dark, as I knew she would, her slim body moving gracefully toward the middle of the field. Swiftly and silently, I lifted my weapon. I felt warm, anticipating the kill. I released the tension on my bow and the white doe crumpled to the ground. I let out a sigh, grateful she had suffered no pain.

"Beautiful kill, although I would prefer it if you didn't kill my chosen animal," murmured the young girl next to me, her copper hair flowing down her shoulders.

"You said the next thing that came into the meadow was my prey," I replied teasingly. The meadow was absolutely stunning, even in the moonlight. The perfect circle had wildflowers everywhere, all the way up to the trees. But the smell that the meadow had was starting to bug my nose.

"Lady, what is this smell?" I asked the girl as she jumped off the tree and ran to the fallen doe. She pulled out the arrow in its neck and leaned down to whisper in the doe's ear. Suddenly, the deer jumped up, cuddled with her goddess, and fled to the woods. The young girl gazed at me for a second before answering.

"First of all, I am your mother, not your mistress. What is it that you smell? Explain it," Artemis commanded.

I took in a deep breath- and winced. "The smell is sharp; burning is a better word. I would assume it smells wonderful, but it's like I inhaled bleach." I wrinkled my nose and adjusted my jacket, starting to feel a little too hot. "Does this mean there's a monster out here?"

As soon as the last word was out of my mouth, I suddenly experienced a deeper burning sensation deep inside of my body. I felt extremely hot, although it was probably 30 degrees on this winter night. I took off my outer coat, and threw it to the ground. Artemis just watched- then sighed.

"I thought it would never happen. The Fates couldn't have been crueler. Really. We've only been in Forks for a week." She sighed again. "The best I do is at lease ease the pain. Get down here."

I stared at her quizzically for a second, and then jumped off the tree.

"I will have to leave you for a while, so use this gift well," the goddess murmured to me as she touched my forehead. The burning sensation in my gut lurched in response to her touch. "Be well my child," she whispered and then faded into mist.

I struggled with the feeling deep in side me for a minute, but I just couldn't hold the feeling back any more; it overwhelmed me. The fire flowed down my limbs, and I heard my bones move and lengthen, but I felt no pain. My clothes ripped as I got too big for them, and fur covered me where it fell off. It wasn't until my ears started to move that I began to understand what I was- a werewolf. Panic consumed my mind as I finished morphing. Then I felt others.

Who is this? I thought there wasn't anymore. Where is he? Question after question was being asked, confusing me and making the panic grow. Two voices rose above the rest though, making the others become silent. I whimpered.

Leave him alone! The voices thought together. Remember that this is a new one, and can hear both packs. Hearing about 20 people is probably scaring him to death! Keep silent and let us handle it. With that the rest of the voices faded out.

The stronger of the two voices at least understood where I was, gratefully. He's at Edward's meadow, Sam.

Finally I got fed up with the "he's". Letting all my fury out, I screamed with my mind, WHY DO YOU ASSUME I"M A GUY?!

I felt a storm of shock penetrate my mind, quickly followed by someone's hopefulness.

This will be interesting, Jacob. How close are you? the weaker voice, Sam, thought. Suddenly, a huge russet wolf burst into the meadow from the right side. Just seeing another wolf frightened me. I cowered as low to the ground as I could, all previous anger forgotten.

I'm here. She's really scared. It's OK. Everything's all right. The russet wolf came forward slowly and gently rested his head on mine. My name is Jacob, and I'm the Alpha on this side of the territory. I shivered, which made Jacob lick down my neck fur. I was so small compared to him! The wolf choked out a rough bark. Of course I'm bigger! You just changed.

You heard that? I asked. This was beginning to look bad. If they knew what I thought... I stopped myself from thinking those thoughts. Jacob cocked his head at me.

I guess we'll know sooner or later, he thought. I gulped. This would really suck. If only they could get out of my mind! Jacob looked at me again, a weird look on his huge face. He whined, and I felt something press up against my mind. Frightened again, my mind slipped from my train of thought and I heard Jacob again.

What happened? It's like you blocked us out, he asked me gently.

I... I have no idea... I managed to get out. I slowly became aware of my heightened senses. I could hear Jacob's deep breathing, followed by the even thump-thump of his heart. I even thought I could I could hear another wolf running toward us.

Jacob choked out another laugh. Yeah that's Sam...

I ignored him and continued to explore my senses. I could see much better than I did before, and I could smell the blood of the shadow-kissed doe. Then I noticed the sharp scent again. My nose wrinkled instinctively, and I sneezed.

That is a vampire's scent. If you choose to remain with my pack, you'll be smelling this scent a lot. You'd get used to it real quick. I fell into his mind and saw that he knew the scents. Bella. Edward. Nessie. But then he stumbled across a scent he didn't know. Sweet, like flowers.

Moonlace and lavender. I let him look at the flowers in my head. They're a few of my favorites.

Do you know- he began, but was interrupted by Sam entering the clearing. The pitch-black wolf seemed to glare at me for a second before his eyes flicked toward Jacob.

Stop patronizing her. We are here to work. He turned toward me again. First off, who are you, and do you have any Indian blood in your veins?

Umm... I am Michelle... Jackson, I think. Those who know me call me Michi though. I think I have a little...Kilute... no...

Quileute, Sam thought quietly.

Yeah, that's it! I have a little Quileute blood! I exclaimed.

You don't know your last name? Jacob asked.

Not really. I was cast out when I was young. My dad didn't want me and tossed me in a black river... I felt pity coming from everyone who was listening. No. It's fine really. The woman who I now call mother saved me really quickly. I have been living with her since then.

So how do you know your maiden name? Jake inquired, his large head coming to a rest on mine

…. My mother knows him… I liked how Jacob stayed near me, making me feel welcome, calm.

How old are you? And what are you doing out here in the woods? Sam commanded. He seemed to stand apart, wanting nothing to do with me.

I'm 15, and my mother and I were just celebrating my birthday by camping. Not together now though. She just dropped me off in the woods to go hunting. I tend to wander a lot, so she's not going to expect me for about a week or two. At least I asked this time.

You live near here? Jacob questioned.

Nah, we just go where the wind takes us. I guess I have to stay here now though, right? I laughed, but my fur was still on end. So what are my options? Are they go with Sam, or go with Jacob?

Jacob barked again. This one is entertaining. No, there is a whole lot more than that. It all depends on your view of monsters. There was a loose way that he said that term, as if he didn't really believe that the ones he was talking about were monsters.

Which monsters? I started to go through my mental checklist of the monsters I've seen- then stopped. My mind was transfixed on the image of a hellhound.

Jacob laughed again. None of those are real, silly. Those are all Greek myths. No, I mean vampires. One's like this. An image appeared in my head, a pale white person crouched in front of me, growling one of the worst sounds I've ever heard. Then I saw the eyes. Blood-red. The image withdrew from my head. My pack lives near some good ones. We are there to help protect them from the other bloodsuckers that want to kill them. They only drink animal blood, instead of the original human prey. We only have 5 in our pack; Quil, Embry, Seth, Leah, and Me. Our side is pretty quiet, and we don't really have a home. And Leah is pretty interested in meeting you. You're the only other female werewolf.

Really? I'm even more special then I thought... I replied sourly.

Jacob chuckled again. Leah is pretty excited that she's not alone anymore. Why aren't you?

I'm already special enough.

Anyway, Sam interrupted, my pack is about 3 times bigger than Jacob's pack. If you chose to join us, I'll be in charge of you well-fare, meaning you'll probably send the nights you sleep and the food you eat at my place. Emily will be happy to provide you with a school education, if you want it. We abide by the rules that Jake has laid down about his coven, but if any vampire crosses our land, we hunt them down. So now you chose. Bigger pack with a home or a smaller pack that guards our enemies? Sam asked, a somewhat smug tone in his voice, as if he knew I would choose his deal.

The loser thought that I was materialistic, that I wanted more, that I would know he was superior. Though I could tell he was older, he was not more loving. In fact, he was still across the meadow, staring at me, while Jacob remained by my side, sending comfort through our link, sending understanding of this new thing to me.

HELL NO!!! I CHOOSE JACOB'S PACK, YOU, YOU TWO-FACED CROW!!! I yelled, along with a few other nasty words that shouldn't come from my mouth at Sam. In fact, I didn't stop until Jacob managed to yell louder than my own thoughts, HE CAN'T HEAR YOU ANY MORE MICHI!!!

I stopped in mid-sentence. He can't?

Jacob cocked his head at me again. What in the world are you speaking? After you said 'I choose Jacob's pack', you kind-of switched to another language...

He was right. I've been trying to not think in Greek, but I was wired that way. I was made to be Greek. It's took me about 10 seconds to rearrange my mind and start again.

An older language. A dead language. And Sam can't hear me because? I asked while a snuck a glare at the huge black wolf. He bristled his fur in reply, clearly angry about my analysis and choice.

You chose my pack over his. You can only hear my pack now. Say hi guys. I got to finish speaking to Sam. As soon as he said that, the four consciousnesses that were the edge of my mind burst into focus. Excitement and pleasure filled my mind. I was one of them. For the first time in my life, others accepted me. No one spoke for a second- we just bathed in the excitement and joy as if it was sunshine. Leah was the first to speak.

Hey. Welcome to the pack little sis, she said gently. You'll get along fine with us. I'm just surprised you didn't get a hit from Sam when you chose us. Every one else chose Sam before, but Jake understands me, so he figured he could guess where you were coming from. And you cussed him out in another language... She sounded wistful, as if she would have done that herself, despite the consequences.

Yeah. Sam's gotten better, but stuff like that pisses him off, piped up another voice, someone about my age. I'm Seth.

Cool. So what do we do as a pack? I asked no one in particular.

Leah's mind turned down a dark path, but Seth's voice brightened. We help the Cullen's, the good family of –

MICHELLE! Jacob bellowed, nearly making me fall. But then I felt it. The water molecules in the air were being pushed apart. My training kicked in. I rolled to the side, to avoid Sam's first blow, but I was too slow in this body. Pain blossomed on my right flank as Sam lashed out with his paws. Cursing in whatever language I could think of, I wished for my human body. I was not used to this form yet, did not know its limitations. Sam leaped into the air, hoping to land on my back, only to be thwarted by a jumble of russet fur. Jacob was about the same size of Sam, so the outcome of the fight seemed to be undetermined. Jacob, though much stronger than Sam, did not have the experience that the older wolf had. Once again I wished for my human form, just so I could help Jake. I ran through the possibilities in my head. Heat made this body, so cold... I thought of the time when I was thrown into Styx. The black water seemed to come to my call, dowsing my spine with its icy waters. My form shuddered, and then slowly shrank.

I was human again, in Artemis' silver protection wear- standard to keep all her huntress' from the prying eyes of men. I quickly summoned my bow and cocked 2 arrows. I shot and was rewarded with a yowl of pain. Sam backed off of Jacob, who lay on the ground for a second, then scrambled to his feet, panting heavily. I drew another arrow as Sam turned his furious gaze to me, his right shoulder twitching around the arrow shafts.

"Back off, or this arrow goes through your head," I threatened softly, knowing he could hear it. Sam snarled, showing his fangs, but backed off slowly. "You have 'till ten," I muttered. "Ten. Nine. Eight. Seven. Six. Five. Four-" Sam let out an aggravated howl, turned around and hauled tail out of the meadow. I let the string go slack and returned the arrow to the quiver. I could feel Jacob's eye's staring at me in shock, probably noticing my black hair with the white ends and my eyes, the dark green followed by a bright blue crescent that followed the patterns of the moon. Refusing to meet his eyes, I went to gather my stuff, stopping a few feet short of my bag.

"Aw, crap," I muttered, seeing the only pair of clothes I brought ripped apart on the ground. Sure, I could walk around in the protection outfit, but I don't think I'd really blend in with a bright silver breast band and underwear that had a long piece of fabric in the front and back, showing my legs. That wouldn't go over well.

Then I heard something I never heard before- a slight thump of paws on the ground. I held my breath until Jake came over to my right side. He gently pressed his nose on my shoulder. I hissed and cringed away in pain. I had completely forgotten the slash Sam dealt me. I looked over to see the damage. A line went from the top of my shoulder all the way to my waist, dropping thick blood to the ground below. But as I watched, the bleeding stopped and the wound started to close slowly, and then sped up. In ten seconds, I had a puckered scar, and even that was healing nicely.

"What is this?" I muttered, not really asking, but Jacob looked up at the sound of my voice. He just looked at me. I could guess what he was waiting for. I just shook my head.

"No. I won't change right now. I'm not even sure if I know how. "I also need all my stuff-" Jake's head flicked up as he heard a sound unknown to my own ears. He growled softly for a second, and then turned and half-pushed me to my stuff, as if urging me to pick it up fast. I grasped the only strap on my backpack, slinging it over in an instant.

"Who's coming?" I asked, reaching the corners of my mind for names I heard. "The Cullen's?" Jake nodded his big head once, dove under my feet and stood back up. I sat on his back, my mind swaying from the speed of his actions. Then he turned around to face the other end of the meadow, where several figures walked out of the dark trees.

If I had never seen the gods on the 600th floor of the Imperial State Building, I would say that these beings were the most graceful in the entire universe. The five pale figures stopped at the edge of the meadow, a disciplined excitement in all their eyes but one.