I took a deep breath in my half-awakened state. Something smelled lovely, a floral scent. I was surrounded by a soft warmth. It smelled like Alice. It felt like she was in my arms. Yes, I must be dreaming, I thought to myself. But when I opened my eyes, there was a beautiful girl curled up next to me. I rubbed my eyes to make sure, and blinked a few times. When I checked again, she was still there. Her hair was messy, short black spikes pointing in every direction. She was fast asleep. She looked so beautiful, and so perfect, I wanted to lay here and stare at her forever… But I knew that chores needed to get done.

I carefully moved to the edge of the bed, sliding off it as gently as I could. This bed was old and noisy. But I managed to stand without waking her.

I observed her again, her smooth and perfect complexion. She looked so young—it was hard to believe that she was twenty-one. She also looked vulnerable. The urge to protect her was overwhelming. I thought of her hard past and shuddered. I didn't want to think about Alice trapped anywhere. She deserved the world.

I kneeled down to kiss her. I brushed my lips every so gently against her forehead. She stirred slightly and I froze.

"Mmmm…" She mumbled sleepily. She looked at me with half opened eyes. And then she smiled—and it was a smile so breathtakingly beautiful and joyus, my heart shattered into a million pieces.

And then her eyes fluttered closed again. She fell back asleep.

I kneeled there, trying to catch the pieces of my shattered heart. I took slow deep breaths, and when I thought it to be reassembled I stood once more. Except the pieces of my heart didn't seem to be arranged the same way they were before—this version belonged to Alice.

I sighed in defeat. Even in a semi conscious state, she had so much power over me it was scary…

Maybe that's what her special power was. Maybe all the guards fell in love with her.

I shook my head clear. As much as I wanted to stay and ponder Alice's brilliant existence, I had chores to do.

I slipped on my overalls, and then my arm brace. Then it was down to the farm.

I tended to the chicken coop first. This was an easy one handed chore. I fed and watered the chickens and then stole a few of their eggs for breakfast.

Instead of forking the hay for Firerain's breakfast, I grabbed the whole wrapped bale and dragged it to the barn. I was sweating bullets by the time I arrived. Firerain gave me an indignant look.

"Don't look at me like that, it's my arm's fault your breakfast is late!"

I returned to the cabin. The sun had begun to rise—and there was still so much to do. I wiped the sweat off my brow.

But first, I needed to prepare Charlie's breakfast. I stepped up into the porch, then began to try and stomp off the mud and chicken poop from my boots.

The door swung open. In the doorway stood a small Alice, her black hair disheveled. Her hands were propped against her hips, and her eyes were narrowed in an accusatory expression.

"What do you think you're doing?" Alice asked in a stern tone.

I knew she was angry at me, but it was hard not to smile at the sight of her. She was so small, it was hard to pretend to be intimidated.. She had changed into a cute sundress, and paired cowboy boots with it. She looked so cute standing there, I wanted to whisk her away to cuddle with her.

I gave her a nervous smile, "Errr…. Just getting a head start on breakfast." I showed her the eggs in my pockets, to placate her.

She stared at me for a moment and pursed her lips. She was not satisfied with my answer. But she stepped aside to let me in.

I kicked off my dirty boots and placed my feet in some house slippers.

"Why didn't you wake me up? I could've helped you." She pouted.

I looked around for any sign of Charlie. When I did not see any sign of him, I swooped in and kissed her pouting lip. She was too tempting.

Alice gasped, not expecting my sudden attack. When I pulled away, her cheeks were pink.

"It was just picking up eggs for breakfast, I did not want to bother you with something so simple."

Alice looked a bit dazed as she spoke. She tried to remain stern, but I could tell it was a struggle. "So simple, huh? Then why are you sweating?" Alice took a finger and caressed my damp cheek. Her touch felt like electricity.

I inhaled her lovely scent, letting it fill my lungs. "Are you ready for breakfast?"

She looked slightly disappointed, like she'd rather stand there in the doorway, forever. "I suppose." Alice said.

I made my way to the kitchen, with Alice right behind me. I laid the eggs on the counter and ducked to retrieve an iron pan.

"So," I gulped. Last night's topic of conversation entered my mind. I didn't want to ruin the mood, but it may be our only opportunity to talk alone. "Last night…" I trailed.

I was fumbling with the lighter, trying to light the wooden stove.

"Yes?" Alice said.

Once the belly of the stove was lit, I closed the stove doors to let it heat up.

"We didn't finish…" Bella didn't know how to bring it up.

A mischievous twinkle lit up Alice's eyes. "Oh, right." Alice stalked over to me, her eyes suddenly very dark with lust, "We had some unfinished business…"

Alice cupped my hips and leaned into me, and I gasped. The effect of her touch was bewildering and wonderful. Almost immediately, my heart rate picked up, and an all too familiar feeling began between my legs. I could feel the need rolling off of her. It made my insides heat up. For a moment, that need was all I could think about. This was probably another one of her super powers. She was a professional seductress.

Her hand wandered upward, cupping my breasts through the thick material of my overalls. But even with that barrier, my body shivered with pleasure.

I swallowed hard, trying to regain my composure. "Our conversation…" I panted. Alice was making this difficult. But if I succumbed to the way her hands made me feel, we would never be able to talk. "You were scared of the future?"

Alice's hands froze on my breasts, but she did not let them go. "Yeah, I am afraid of the future."

"Why?" I asked, still breathless.

"Because…" Alice snuggled into my chest and wrapped her small arms around my waist. It was so cute. My heart squeezed. "It's my superpower," she mumbled into my chest, "I can see the future. Well—glimpses of it at least."

"Oh." Was all I could say.

I wasn't a believer of magic or the supernatural, but I believed in Alice. How could I not? Alice's very existence was magic. The fact that Alice wanted me—of all people—was a supernatural miracle. I'd sooner believe that bears could talk before believing a goddess like Alice would choose to be with someone like me. If I woke up one morning, and discovered Alice was just a dream, too good to be true, it would make perfect sense.

"I get glimpses of bad futures," Alice shuddered. I rubbed her back. "And good ones too. But every tiny decision changes the future… trying to chase a desired future is like trying to follow a single thread in a tangled sea of ropes." Alice trembled in my arms. "I don't know if I can do it."

"What future are you trying to follow?"

"The one that leads to you…" Alice said softly.

I stood there, puzzled. She wasn't making any sense. "I'm right here." I told her. "You already have me…"

But this did not seem to calm her, in fact, she held on tighter and whimpered.

She said something so softly, I could really hear. But it sounded like "For now…"

I opened my mouth to question her, but I heard Charlie's noisy footsteps approaching.

We broke away quickly.

"Good morning, Dad." I greeted him.

"Good mor—" he choked when he laid eyes on Alice, as if he expected her presence last night to be a dream as well. "Good morning."

"Good morning, Mr. Swan, thanks for allowing me to spend the night in your home. It's lovely."

Charlie choked again, this time his cheeks turned red.

"Er… this place? Um. Thank you. You are always welcome, Alice. And please call me Charlie." He stammered.

I smiled at their interaction. Charlie was awkward—like me. It was his genes that made it impossible to act with any sort of grace. But it was good to see that I wasn't the only one confounded by Alice's charm.

Then I noticed something. Charlie was standing up straighter than I had seen in days.

"Oh! Dad, how is your back feeling?"

Charlie gave me a grin. "Much better. I'm fact I think I can help with—"

"Not a chance!" I interrupted.

Charlie lifted his arms and stretched from side to side. "Really, Bells, It hardly hurts at all. I'm fine."

I sighed. Typical Charlie. The second he feels better, he'd push himself too hard, and hurt himself all over again. We had been down this road before.

"No way. You're still healing. If you jump right back into work, you'll be back where you started."

"But," Charlie paused. "You need help around here."

"Bella's right, Charlie." Alice said in a sweet, chime-like voice. "My father always tells his patients to take it easy after an injury. Even if you feel better, it's best that you don't push it. You'll undo all the healing you've already done." Alice looked at me with shining eyes. "And I'm here to help Bella. We'll make sure everything gets done around here."

"That's right!" I said. I looked at Charlie with what I thought was a confident expression. But he stared back at me with an eyebrow raised.

"It's really dirty work, I'm not sure your parents would want you to do it." Charlie said.

Alice put her hands on her hips, looking indignant. She opened her mouth to argue, but I spoke up.

"Yeah, I already tried to tell her. She refused to stay here." I hung my head. This almost-five-foot woman was impossible to reason with. "Don't worry, I'll have her do the light stuff."

Charlie sighed. "Fine. You kids be careful, ok? There are wolf prints on the outskirts of the property. And Mike said his father spotted a bunch of wolves in the forest."

I looked at him in dismay. "Wolves? But we don't really get wolves around here. It must've been coyotes."

"Mr. Newton was sure they were wolves. Abnormally large ones too."

"Ok." I agreed. But that couldn't be right.

Breakfast was an interesting experience. Charlie kept looking between us, unsure what to make of the smiling and blushing between us. I tried to be conspicuous. But it was difficult when a miniature goddess kept throwing mischievous glaces in my direction.

Charlie wasn't a big talker. He was usually quiet—like me. But he mustered up the courage to question Alice. "So Alice, I hear your family just moved in." He stuttered nervously. "Have you chosen a school yet? The Oakland Academy has an increasing number of girls in their roster. They were a boys-only academy just a few years ago."

Alice smiled her sweet smile, making Charlie blush. "I finished University a few months ago. I was an Art Major at University of Alaska, Anchorage."

Charlie's jaw dropped. He looked like mentally calculating a difficult problem. I didn't blame him. Alice looked fourteen or fifteen at most. "H—how old are you, if you don't mind me asking?"

"Twenty-one." She flashed a dazzling smile at him, temporarily stunning him. Or was it the realization that she was much older than she looked? She continued, pretending not to notice his speechless gaping.

I sighed. I couldn' blame him for being stunned either. Alice had that effect on people.

"Emmet and Rosalie are the oldest. Jasper is a year younger than Emmet. Rosalie has her own business, and Emmet works at the lumber yard." Alice added innocently. "Edward is my age."

"Ah, I see." Charlie finally said.

Alice and I finished breakfast first. I stood up to do the dishes.

"No, No." Charlie told me. "I got this."

"But—"

"It's alright Bells," Charlie stood up to collect the dishes. "I can at least do this much."

I sighed, and then agreed.

Alice headed to the door and waited for me, her hands on her hips. She looked so cute when impatient.

I took a look at her sundress and boots. She looked very cute. And the smooth white skin of her shoulders and neck looked very appetizing. I licked my lips.

"Uh—Alice," I eyed her perfect white skin. "Are you going out like this?"

Alice looked down at her outfit, suddenly frantic. "W—what's wrong with my outfit?"

I chuckled softly. I checked over my shoulder for any sign of Charlie. Then I leaned over and placed a soft kiss on her cheek. Her skin was sweet and soft under my lips. It made me want to stay here forever. Alice inhaled sharply, surprised by the kiss.

"Nothing," I whispered in her ear. She shivered. "You look lovely."

I bolted upstairs. She stood downstairs, confused.

I returned downstairs with a light shawl. Her skin wouldn't stand a chance in the harsh sun. I draped the shawl over her shoulders. And then I placed my straw hat on her head to shield her face and neck. My stuff was so worn, it seemed like blasphemy to place it on such a goddess, but it had to be done.

She looked at me with a raised brow.

"This will protect you from the sun. It's really easy to get sun burn out here."

"What about you, then?" Alice asked.

I laughed. "I'm pretty used to it already." I held out a tan arm and placed it next to her whte one for comparison.

"Ready?" I asked her.

She smiled.

We started with the animals, feeding and watering the livestock. She argued with me about shoveling animal feces, but had to put my foot down on this one. The shovel was heavier than she was. I discovered I could use my other arm, as long as I didn't try to lift it higher than my breasts.

"They're soo… Cute!" Alice exclaimed when we reached the goats. She ran up to them, a hand outstretched to pet them.

"Alice wait!" I called after her. The goats were pretty much assholes. They were moody and bit me all the time. I always found them to be a bit creepy—with their strange eyes that watched your every move.

But by the time I caught up to her, the goats surrounded Alice, fighting for her affection.

Of course the asshole goats loved her. Everyone loved Alice. I sighed.

After the goats were taken care of, I kneeled by the river to wash my hands. Alice followed me and did the same.

Alice plopped down on a large rock. "Phew!" Alice wiped the sweat off her brow.

"Tired?" I asked her. "You can go back in the house to rest."

She threw me a stubborn glace. "No way!"

I laughed. She was so feisty. I walked over to her and removed the hat to place a kiss on her forehead. Her forehead was slightly damp. Even her sweat tastes sweet on my lips.

"Mmmm." She sounded.

When I pulled away, a small hand grabbed my collar, pulling me back with surprising strength. For whatever reason, I found this incredibly hot. It sent a hot spike of arousal down to the lower half of my body.

"Wait." Alice commanded. "I wasn't done with you yet." This wasn't her normal bell-chime voice. It was slightly deeper, and serious.

"Oh?" A shiver ran through my body in anticipation.

There was a wicked glint in her beautiful blue eyes. A small smirk appeared on her face. And for whatever reason, more heat accumulated between my legs.

She kissed me then. I could feel the need coming from her lips—possibly from the unfinished business last night. And I couldn't help but return that need. I wanted—no—needed her too.

But a sudden howl pierced through the broad daylight. It sounded very very near. It was a loud, and pained sound.

We jolted apart. I swiveled around, making sure I was between Alice and the trees where the awful howling came from.

A flash of russet-brown fur swept through the trees for a moment, and then it was gone. It happened so fast, I wasn't sure if what I saw was real.

It was a wolf. Or maybe something else. That large reddish-brown creature was far too big to be considered a wolf.

"That was weird." Alice said, confused.

"You saw that?" My heart was racing with fear.

"No…" Alice said in a quiet voice. "That's the thing… I didn't see it."

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