I told Jacob to go spend a day with the guys, since after the water balloon war it seemed like they missed him (a fact that was later confirmed by Edward). He agreed, so I decided to spend the day with the girls.

Rosalie, Alice, Bella, and I decided to stay home since everyone else was gone for the day. Esme was with Emily, Carlisle was at the hospital working, and the others were invited to join Jacob and company. It was nice having the big house to ourselves. Movies, dancing, laughing, and just having a great time. We took the photos from our shopping adventure and made beautiful pages for Bella’s book with papers and trim courtesy of Esme.

About four chick-flicks, one vampire movie (which was good for what it was, but we laughed the whole time), and one pizza (for Bella) later, Alice’s face glazed over and she fell silent.

“Oh, no.” Rosalie noticed the change in behavior first. “Alice, hunny, what did you see?” Alice didn’t answer.

Bella put her arm around her. “Alice, it’s okay. We’re here.” Alice blinked once and I took her hands. Rosalie was standing, getting ready to get a phone if needed.

Alice looked right at me. “Lexy. Were you ever with any other coven besides us?” Her eyes were serious.

“A few small ones. We would always split because of our different views on our lives. Why?”

“Did any of them consist of a man with brown hair and a shorter woman, a blonde?”

“I don’t think so…” I thought for a second. “Wait! I did! Cameron and Venessa! Oh, no…” I felt a fear come over me, the fear that I don’t like to think about.

“Why did you leave, Lexy?!” Alice was getting anxious.

I wished I could cry, because I felt like I needed to. “I ran away from them. We were attacked by another coven and although Cam finished them off, it was too late for Vanessa’s little sister. She got mad that I couldn’t revive her, so she tried to kill me. But that was about 85 years ago! And in Maine!”

“Looks like she’s still angry. She found your scent near Portland, Oregon and she decided to follow it. The male – Cam, you said? – seems excited with the idea.”

“It’s all a game to them…” I whispered.

“You don’t mean…” Bella looked horrified.

“Trackers?” Alice asked. I nodded meekly. Rosalie was already calling Carlisle. I could see the blood draining from Bella’s face.

“They taught me, and although I’m good, they’re better. Amazing doesn’t even cover it.”

“Not again…” Bella looked like she was going to faint.

I took her shoulders and had her look at me. “I’m their target, Bella. They’ll only hunt humans when they absolutely have to when they’re tracking. They won’t go after you because it would be too easy. They only like hunting the more difficult prey while tracking, to hone their skills if anything. You’re fine with us.” She calmed a little, but was still pale. Alice brought her a cool cloth for her head. I took her chin in my hand and looked into her eyes. “Trust me. It’s how they are.”

“A lot of trackers are like that. They need a good hunt,” Rosalie said, dialing her phone.

“You better not be calling Edward or any of them,” Alice warned. “You know how they get.” Rosalie hung up the phone. She was most likely calling Emmett, but all it would take is one person to know around Edward.

“Carlisle said he has a lot of patients, so he can’t leave. But since Alice saw them in Portland, it means they aren’t there yet. So we’re okay for the time being. Esme’s on her way, though, in case the boys end up at Emily’s. Alice is right, the last person we need knowing about this right now is Edward.”

“He’ll either freak out and stay quiet around everyone or freak out and tell everyone. Either way he’ll overreact,” Alice stated. We all nodded. We know how he can be.

That’s when Esme came home. She ran right to me and hugged me. “Everything will be okay,” she assured me.

“I know,” I smiled at her. “Bella’s been through this and she’s still alive, right?"

“Hey!” was all Bella could say. We all laughed. If a human could survive a tracker because of this family, then I surely could. Because I am in this family now.