Chapter 8

• We've stopped near a gorgeous waterfall after a 30 minute hard run further up the mountain. There is a swimming hole and the girls instantly phase to their human forms, not even batting an eye in regards to their nudity. Our clothes have been left safely near an outdoor shower by the barn, miles away. Rose giggles when she notices I am still in my wolf form, with my back turned to them looking away.
• "Well, this is something you'll just have to get used to, Bella. When you are part of a pack you don't exactly have a lot of privacy."
• Leah disappears into a small shed nearby. She comes back wearing a tight black swimsuit, throwing a towel and some swimwear at Rose.
• "Leave her alone, Rose. Not everyone is as comfortable with their body as you. Bella, here's a bikini that I think will fit and a towel. I'll leave it over here by this rock and you can change behind it."
• I trot gratefully towards her, keeping my back to Rose. She chuckles.
• The girls are both already splashing around in the water when I finally tip toe out from behind the rock. I still feel a little self-conscious about showing so much more skin than usual. I've never worn a bikini before, and I generally hate going swimming outdoors. I don't enjoy the heat and would normally stay indoors during sunny weather (which was most days in Arizona). The weather here is much cooler, though, but, being July, the sun is beaming through the trees and after our run, I felt sweaty and in need of a cold dunk.
• There isn't an easy way to get into the water from where I am standing, and I quickly realize that the girls have jumped from the tall ledge into the water. Cliff diving. Great.
• "Come on, Bella! The water's great!" Rose shouts, smiling encouragingly. Leah smiles as well, but looks ready to swim over and climb up if I need help to get down. I make a quick decision and before I can change my mind, I run towards the edge and jump.
• Butterflies explode in my stomach as I fly through the air for a second before hitting the cold water below. My body tenses. Air gets stuck in my chest in reaction to the ice-cold water. Kicking forcefully to the surface, I can't stop from shrieking out as I sputter for air. The girls are laughing, swimming closer to me.
• "My God, that's cold!" I say, feeling my muscles start to relax already as my body grows accustomed to the temperature.
• "Welcome to Washington, Arizona," Rose says splashing me teasingly.
• We spend some time swimming, splashing, jumping off the surrounding cliffs. Rose and Leah are jumping from much higher ledges than I would ever dare jump. Eventually we finally find a ledge to relax on. The sun is shining directly above us and the warmth feels good after spending so much time in the cold water. I close my eyes, a feeling of contentment sinking into my bones. For the first time ever, I can feel my wolf relaxing as well. She is happy and spent from being able to run freely among her own. In Arizona, she always seemed to be on guard, probably because of the lack of space to run, but also because she was lonely. My father and I would often switch between phasing and standing guard, so we rarely phased at the same time. Wolves are meant to be a part of a pack and, for the first time, I could truly see the difference in my own wolf. I sigh deeply.
• "For someone who seems to enjoy the sun, you're not exactly tanned," Rose states, a silent question behind her remark.
• I stretch lazily.
• "I don't mind the sun, I guess, but the heat; I'd rather stay indoors all day than endure 5 minutes in the stifling Arizona heat."
• Both Leah and Rose grimace, obviously agreeing with me.
• "I hear you, Cuz. My wolf goes crazy if it's too hot," Leah replies.
• My thoughts are pulled back to the difference in size I have noticed between my wolf and theirs. Deciding to let my curiosity win, I sit up looking towards the girls.
• "So, are all of the wolves in your pack about the same size?"
• Rose and Leah share a quick look as though they are a little unsure of how they want to answer my question. Leah sits up to mirror my stance before answering vaguely.
• "The males are usually a bit larger than the females."
• "And the Alpha and Beta are the largest and strongest in the pack," Rose adds.
• They both grow quiet for a moment. I can feel that they are leaving something out. Rose, who is still basking in the sun with her eyes closed, huffs suddenly and rises to her feet.
• "I am really happy you and Charlie are back, Bella. Don't get me wrong. But I'm kind of pissed off at your Dad for not filling you in on stuff that directly affects you."
• She throws a rock into the water below us. Leah falls silent. Rose's shoulders rise as she takes a deep breath.
• "Your wolf is smaller and not as strong as ours because you're a half-breed. A halfling. Your mother was human, or a witch." She grimaces as though the word "witch" leaves a horrible taste in her mouth.
• "We are full-bred wolves with the shifter-gene coming from both sides of our family. That's why there is a large difference between our wolves, both in size and strength, " she stops letting her words sink in.