★★★★★

THREE; RILEY

     SHE WAS ASLEEP when it happened. He crept up on her, his cold fingers brushing her warm skin. She shuddered but her body settled, tiny breaths leaving her mouth. He could easily wrap his arms around her neck and strangle the life out of her, watching as she limped down in defeat. Those weren't Victoria's orders, especially when her werewolf sister could arrive any second.

     He snatched one of her shirts from the floor, the maroon colored fabric in his hands. He took a whiff of it, almost choking when the strong scent of wolf filtered through. He decided the material was enough, since Victoria wasn't specific on any type of clothing. Her instructions were crystal clear and Riley wouldn't disobey them.

     He chuckled lowly, Blaire's sleeping form twisting and turning. The wolf inside of her could sense the vampire in the room, but her human senses took over. She played it off as a bad dream. Riley's lips formed into a smirk, bunching the shirt and stuffing it into his pocket. "Don't worry," he grinned wickedly. He touched a framed picture of her and Embry. "She'll kill you. Won't hurt any of your little friends, but it'll be enough."

     He cocked his head when he heard the loud howl of an emerging wolf from the woods. "Goodbye, Blaire. We'll see each other again soon."

★★★★★

     She watched the waves crash against the shore in anticipation, expecting a flash of red before the vampire ripped her head off, grinning victoriously. The memory of her arm pinned against Blaire's windpipe was vivid.

     "Blaire," Embry scolded. He approached his girlfriend's hunched frame, her chin on her knees and hair flowing in the wind. "You can't be out here."

     "It was in my house," she murmured. "The vampire was in my room." Embry sighed, sitting down beside her in the sand. Nobody was in close proximity around this time, and Embry could barely see Blaire in the darkness. Blaire had a temper tantrum before she stormed off to the beach. She almost phased but Embry's soothing words calmed her down enough. The wolf was getting harder and harder to control and Blaire didn't know if she could keep it up anymore.

     "I'm sorry I didn't protect you," he apologized.

     When the word spread around the pack that a bloodsucker had been through Blaire and Dahlia's house, Embry claimed himself responsible. He should've been with her tonight, but she insisted he go home and spend quality time with his mother. If he was at the Thompsen home, the unknown vampire wouldn't dare enter.

     "It's not your fault," she consoled him, spotting the frustration on his face. "It's mine. I should've let you walk me home that day." He grabbed her hand and kissed the back of it. He proceeded to connect their lips and Blaire obliged. He pulled away, his nose touching hers.

     She could feel his breath hit her lips and the way his hair fell over his face. The wind was blowing it in front of his eyes, but Blaire could still make out the flecks of brown. He was a truly beautiful person and Blaire felt content that fate brought them together.

     "It's nobody's fault, okay? It's no one's fault except for that redhead," he mumbled, pecking her lips once more. She was captivating under the moonlight, even when her hair was sticking up in different directions and her eyes were washed over in fear. Embry promised himself he would protect Blaire until his last breath.

     "Blaire, Embry!" Sam called, noticing the two figures in the sand. "Meeting at Emily's house!"

     "Be right there!" Embry responded. He kissed her forehead and stood up, brushing the sand from his shorts. He extended his hand out to her and she placed her hand in his. "C'mon, bet you Emily just cooked up a lot of food."

     She laughed for the first time that night. Embry leaned over so Blaire could jump onto his back. He twirled the both of them around, becoming cheerful at the loud giggles that left his imprint's mouth. Emily's house wasn't far from the beach, and Blaire held onto Embry the whole time. She was grateful he could make her laugh in a situation like this.

     Blaire could sense the tension when she entered Emily's house. Everyone was in distress, despising the idea that a leech had passed by them and went through Blaire and Dahlia's house with no struggle. Dahlia was being comforted by Leah, who was getting accustomed to the fact that her and Dahlia were imprints. Kim was sitting on Jared's lap but stood to hug Blaire, who jumped off Embry's back. She embraced her friend and squeezed her tightly.

     "This wasn't a coincidence," Sam spoke, indicating the meeting was starting. "We didn't catch Victoria last night for a reason, and now it's apparent why."

     "You think the bloodsucker that went through our house is her partner?" Dahlia questioned. She shuddered at the simple thought of the vampire sitting on her living room couch, drinking her soda.

     "Her follower," he corrected. "He wasn't targeting innocent citizens. He specifically went to the Thompsen home and inside Blaire's room." Blaire fidgeted when Sam mentioned their appearance in her bedroom, the place she was supposed to feel the most safe. She didn't even know if she could go back and sleep under the covers.

     "Did he take anything?" Paul asked, crossing his arms. "Something from your room? Or food?"

     "I don't think so," Blaire shrugged. "I don't remember seeing anything missing."

     "You should inform your father," Sam nodded, thinking of the council member. "He probably wants to dissect the whole house."

     "He would," Blaire and Dahlia chorused. Their father physically revolted at the image of a vampire and if he discovered one of them had been in his house, he would start searching listings for a new one.

     "I don't get it," Quil voiced. "If the leech had a chance to strike and kill Blaire tonight, why wouldn't they do it? It would end everything."

     "Victoria wants something bigger," Blaire deducted. "She wants to put on a show. Plus, if they had murdered me in my sleep tonight, all of you would've went after her."

     "She wants a fight," Sam chewed on his bottom lip. "Wants Blaire all to herself."

     "We should call Jake," Jared mentioned. "Blaire isn't the only one Victoria wants, remember?"

     "You think the bloodsucker went through Bella's house too?" Quil contemplated the suspicion.

     "It's a possibility. Look, I'll call Jake and discuss the matter over with him. I want everyone to come back here tomorrow for another meeting," Sam planned, making his way past Emily to grab her telephone. Everyone murmured in agreement and dispersed from the home. Jared and Kim expressed their condolences to Blaire before they left and so did Quil.

     Embry opened Blaire's car door for her and she climbed into the passenger seat, thanking him. They waited in the car for Dahlia, who was speaking to Leah at the entrance. Blaire smiled when she saw how gleeful her sister was. "We're going to catch her, you know that?" Embry whispered, running his thumb over her hand, soothing her nerves. "She won't lay a finger on you."

     "I know. I just don't want you to get hurt." She stared into his eyes, scared of what Victoria would do to him if she got her hands locked around his neck. Embry scoffed, placing his hand over his chest.

     "Me? Are you kidding? I'm the strongest one," he boasted, pushing his chest out and flexing his muscles. Blaire chuckled under her breath, rolling her eyes.

     "I'm sure you think you are, Em."

     "Ah!" Dahlia threw her hands up in the air, opening the car door and sitting in the backseat. She stared up at the roof of Blaire's car, closing her eyes in delight. "I love my life!"

     "Good talk?" Blaire mused, observing her sister.

     "The greatest." Dahlia's smile spread from ear to ear. Leah was finally starting conversations with her and she was over the moon about it.

     "Let's hope it stays that way."

     Dahlia chatted about Leah's features the whole way back, not caring if Blaire and Embry were annoyed. Her talking ceased when they pulled up. They were all thinking the same opinion. They couldn't go up into the house where a vampire was. Their mortal nemesis. "We can't stay in here forever," Blaire brought up. Dahlia gulped back her lunch, Emily's fried chicken, and nodded.

     "Yeah. They're not here anymore anyway. We're safe."

     "Safe," Blaire scoffed. "I don't think we're ever know the feeling of safety." Then she recalled how protected she felt when Embry was around, and took back her snarky comment. Embry opened up the car door.

     "Alright, we should head inside."

     They finally dropped their doubts and retreated to their rooms. Embry checked every inch of Blaire's room and announced it was free from harm. He collapsed next to Blaire, snuggling into her side. She giggled as he kissed her face, starting at her forehead and moving to her jawline.

     "We'll be okay," he whispered against her cheek. "Everything's going to turn out okay."

★★★★★

     "Is he the one that reads minds?" Blaire asked. Embry emitted a boisterous laugh and nodded. She rolled her eyes and kept both hands on the wheel. Music from the radio flowed through her car speakers, the windows rolled down. "Which one can see the future?"

    "Alice," Embry answered, staring outside.

    They were driving from La Push to gloomy Forks. The meeting at Emily's established that Jake would check out Bella's house and Embry and Blaire would meet up with them. Embry wasn't too fond of his imprint being so close to a Cullen, but they had to lay a ground plan. Luckily, the treaty blocked the Cullen family from ever approaching Blaire's house, but it meant the pack had to divide shifts from Blaire's to Bella's. Sam had already assigned Embry to Blaire's, knowing that the shifter wanted to be by her side every single second. "She's the one with the pixie cut."

     "The one who controls emotions?"

     "Jasper."

     "Got it," Blaire tilted her head. "We're meeting Edward only, right?"

     Carlisle Cullen was friendly to her at the hospital, but she kept her distance. Ever since she wore diapers, it had been instilled in her brain that vampires were the enemy, no matter what kind of blood they drink. Caleb Thompsen would be offended if he knew Blaire was meeting with a bloodsucker right now.

     "Yeah. He won't touch you, trust me." They approached Bella's driveway, seeing Edward and Jake glaring heatedly at one another. Bella was pushing them apart and Blaire snickered in amusement.

     Edward was taken over with two new mindsets. The notorious Blaire Thompsen was walking towards them, her hand clasped in Embry's. "Jake," she greeted. Embry made sure they stood a few feet away from the trio. "It's nice to see you again, Bella."

     "You too, Blaire," she pursed her lips. Edward was going to shake Blaire's hand but decided against it after reading her speculation.

     "Blaire, this is Edward Cullen," Jake introduced. "His family will be guarding Bella's house, but we'll be taking shifts."

     "So you won't be near mine?" Blaire tried to phrase it politely, afraid he was offended by her question. "I mean-"

     Edward chuckled. She was definitely raised by the tribe. "No, it violates the treaty."

     "Good. I mean not good, but-" she stuttered, scratching the back of her neck. Embry cackled under his breath and Blaire elbowed his side.

     "I understand. We won't let Victoria get that close to you and Bella again," he confirmed. Bella slithered her hand in his, making Jake wince.

     He didn't comprehend why Bella chose Edward. Jake was a much better choice or at least, that's what he believed. He could offer her a human life. She didn't have to give up her existence for him. She could still breathe when she was with him.

     "Thank you," she spoke. She knew if it came down to it, Edward would protect Bella over Blaire, but the fact that his family would make any sacrifice for her was enough.

     "Can I call you later?" Bella asked timidly. She didn't have many girl friends, if you exclude Jessica Stanley and Angela Weber. Alice was potentially on that list, but she couldn't share vampire information with her human friends. She felt like her and Blaire were in the same situation and it'd be nice to converse about it.

     "Sure," Blaire hesitated, trying to find the deeper motive. Bella and her weren't exactly buddies, but there's a first time for everything. "Jake has my number."

     "We done here?" Embry inquired, completely over the encounter. "I have to get Blaire home before her father freaks out." Caleb had returned last night calm and collected, and Dahlia persisted they shouldn't bother him with the news. Blaire argued about it for a while, knowing her father would be upset when he found out what his daughters were hiding. She eventually conceded when Dahlia gave her a pouted look.

     "Do we have an agreement?" Edward asked. He wanted to clarify that both parties were clear with the plan.

     "Yes," Blaire nodded. "I won't go out without supervision. The pack will take shifts guarding my house, and some of them will trade off with your family for Bella."

     "Good. We have to keep order, guys. Victoria's smart," Bella sighed.

     "Don't worry," Blaire winked, smirking. "We're smarter."

there's been so many comments about blaire phasing or not that it's making it hard for me to decide, but i think i've settled on an idea.