My back hit the soft grass causing a light "oomf" to escape my mouth. This was the ninth time so far? I lost track.

"You were so graceful this morning, what happened?" Andrew stood over me extending his hand to help me up.

"Well when someone kicks your feet out from under you, you fall. I'm pretty sure that's just basic physics, but you wouldn't know anything about that being two centuries old." I sprung back up to my feet ignoring his hand and thought that my new found balance was strange but made me hopeful for a clumsy-less future.

"You need to be completely aware of surroundings. Where you are relative to the world around you." He stepped closer to me and gently rested his hands on either side of my face. "Close your eyes."

I did as I was told and slowly I felt his hands fall away. "Now I want you to just breathe and feel. Feel everything around you." His voice had taken on a hypnotizing tone.

I took a deep breath not feeling anything but stayed still and continued to do as Andrew had said.

A few moments of silence had pasted and Andrew had interrupted it. "What do you feel?"

"I feel... Nothing." I opened my eyes to see disappointment grace his features.

"You need more practice." He sighed and took a step back.

"What am I supposed to feel?"

"That, I cannot tell you or else you will look for it next time. You need to be able to find it on your own." He have a small smile before swiftly trying to sweep my feet out from under me once more, but I was prepared and jumped up landing a kick to his arm that blocked his ribs.

Training with Andrew was becoming easier and easier as the days flew by. Even though I had only been here less than a week I felt a change in my body that overshadowed any harboring negativity at my father and Andrew. I wasn't angry anymore that I was forced to live here, I was relieved that I was someplace where I wouldn't be confused as to what was happening to me. That changes that are happening , however, are slightly unsettling. Just this morning after Andrew's weird reaction to my injury left me confused, but when I cut myself shaving in the shower it started to knit itself back together instantly. It explained his reaction only slightly though. If I was part of the supernatural now, why would my healing be out of the norm? I'm a freak in the natural and the supernatural world. Great.

Rummaging through the cabinets to find a glass I heard a creak in the ceiling just above my head. Pausing for a moment I heard only silence and continued going from cabinet to cabinet. Finding the place where the glasses were kept I grabbed my drink and started towards the stair when I heard another creak. This time I froze completely and waiting for another noise to follow ,but again, found only silence.

Setting my water down, I tiptoed up to the top of the stairs where I heard a distinct grunt coming from the door that sat just across from the weapons room. "Hello?" I called out and then mentally slapped my self for doing the one thing that got people killed in horror movies. During my mental chastising my hearing had sharpened and I could hear breathing coming from the same door I heard the grunt. I could've simple just gone back downstairs to Andrew and ask him if there was another person in the cabin, but my rational thinking had checked out and my feet were carrying me in the direction of the door. The closer I got the sounds of metal hitting metal very faintly came to my ears.

Holding my breath, I grabbed the doorknob and eased the door open half expecting something to pop out and say "boo!". What I wasn't expecting was a very tall and very built guy using some contraption that belonged in an expensive gym somewhere. His back was to me so all I was able to see was his shirtless back and dark hair that reached to the middle of his back. He turned his face slightly and his profile showed strong cheek bones that could cut diamonds.

"If you take a picture it'll last longer" the harsh words slapped me back into reality making me realize that I had been standing there like an idiot with my mouth hanging open.

While I picked my jaw up from off the floor, I mumbled a quick "sorry" and left for my room before I had the chance to make a fool of myself anymore than I already did.

Making it to my room -without another incident- I grabbed the toiletries I needed for my shower and skipped towards the bathroom hoping I didn't bump into anyone else that was staying in the house. The knob for the shower was difficult, but after using it a few times I got the hang of it and the warm water came spraying out and hit my back loosening my sore muscles that I knew would be perfectly fine within a few hours. I let my self relax and thought about my encounter with the ridiculously gorgeous guy that apparently lived in the house with me.

The few days that I had been here I missed quite a few things. Normally I'm more observant and aware of my surroundings than most people are and yet it had just dawned on me that I'm probably not the first or only person Andrew has taken in. His cabin is very large in size with several doors that could all be bedrooms holding people just like me. I mentally "bopped" myself on the head for my lack of observation and decided that on our way to Port Angeles I would ask Andrew more questions.

My shower was quick and after I pulled on a simple pair of skinny jeans and a blouse that Alice had bought for me- thankfully Edward had forgotten several things in his rush to leave me behind forever- I dashed to my room to blow my hair out and apply mascara.

The questions that had flown through my mind while I was showering came to back to me easily and I wondered if my good memory was supposed to be developing at such a fast rate, but decided I would just add that question to the list.

When I opened my door to the hallway I was grateful it didn't creak and poked my head out listening for any other people that I would bump into on the way down to the kitchen. Now that I was apparently super human, my hearing had drastically changed along with my balance. With Andrew's training, so far he had taught me how to sort out different sounds and also how far away they were. An hour into the training though, he stopped abruptly when I could hear a a bird landing on a branch five miles away and he couldn't. I guess that's another question.

Deciding I would practice on my own I close my eyes and held my breath searching for heartbeats and breathing patterns. Turning my head slightly, I heard four different sets of heart beats through out the house. Shocked by what I heard my eyes flew open and I searched again for the sounds and sure enough I heard them again. One was in the kitchen, which I assumed was Andrew waiting for me, another set of heartbeats and breathing came from down the hall where I had my embarrassing encounter, but what surprised me the most was that I heard the other two above me, in the attic. I cocked my head to the side, listening one more time and when I confirmed that there were only the four I stepped into the hall and closed my door gently.

Walking down the stairs and into the kitchen I caught a glimpse of Andrew talking on the phone with a frown but when he caught my eye he smiled and I found myself smiling back.

"We'll talk about this later." He hung up the phone without breaking eye contact. "We have quite a few things to discuss."

"Well I have quite a few questions to ask." I crossed my arms defensively expecting an argument but he sighed and nodded his head causing his wavy hair to fall from behind his ears.

"I thought so. I'll try to answer them to the best of my ability." Before I could respond he grabbed his keys and wallet off the counter and walked towards the front door. "Let's get going first and then you can start the interrogation."

The dirt driveway that led to the main road held my trusty truck and a black BMW I didn't recognize. He didn't make any comments as we walked in its direction so I could only assume it was his. Reaching the passenger side I slid into the seat and was bombarded with new car smell. "Did you buy this car recently?"

He laughed while starting his car. "Really? That's your first question? I purchased it a few a weeks ago in Seattle."

"Oh." I was quiet for a few moments watching the terrain as we drove through the small trail. His car was much smaller than my truck so the branches barely reached and you only heard the slight scrape of a stray leaf until it opened up onto the highway. "You said that once we turn eighteen that we start to change."

"I did."

I looked into my hands that sat in my lap not knowing how to phrase my question. "So our memory expands right?"

"Yes." His reply was short so I looked at him expectantly. His green eyes met mine briefly before they faced the road and he sighed. "You retain information. When you see a flyer or read a book you will be able to very clearly recall what you saw."

I furrowed my brows. "Wouldn't all the information just start to pile up?"

"Like I said, you have to recall it. When your doing something your mind is preoccupied but once you see something that bares resemblance or is similar it gets recalled and you can remember the details." His explanation made sense so I asked my next question.

"When we turn eighteen how long does it take for the transformation to happen?"

"For a normal hunter it's takes anywhere from six months to a year before they completely grow into there genes." Normal?

"And for an abnormal hunter?" I looked at him and noticed his hesitation.

"Bella, you should know that hunters have politics." He looked over and continued. "But instead of a president we have royalty-"

"Like queens and kings?" I didn't understand what this had to do with hunter transformations and when my brows drew together in confusion he saw my expression and continued on quickly.

"Yes except there is only a king or only a queen. When they marry someone they may be considered royalty as well but there are no princes or princesses." He paused to take a deep breath. "Over three decades ago our king had committed suicide and we haven't had a leader take over yet." He looked at me searching my face for understanding. "Do you understand what I'm saying Isabella?" The seriousness in his expression worried me and my stomach twisted uncomfortably.

"Yes." My voice cracked slightly and he returned his gaze back to the road.

"Our royalty is not based on who is related to who. So when he passed, his many sons or daughters were not able to take over."

"What is royalty based off of?"

"Gift."

"What do you mean by Gift?" I turned in my seat then to look at him directly.

"A hunter with Gift is a hunter that grows into there genes quickly. Their body is taking the power that they're born with and speeding up the process to unlock much more powerful abilities they posses." He dragged a hand through his wavy hair and continued on. "Normal hunters only have the basic abilities. Speed, strength, quick healing and agility. Some have a few extras depending on how their body reacts to the power inside them, but when a Hunter with Gift is born they have exceptional abilities. Healing that only takes a few moments, speed that could break sound barriers, enough balance to walk across a strand of floss. And of course extras."

"What extras?" He laughed lightly but it was strained.

"The list goes on but the most exceptional extra that defines a hunter as royalty is Command. When a royalty gives you a command you must listen. And you can't go against it. You must do what they say because as much as you might not want to listen, the power in your body will follow the command. It's like you have no control over your own body."

"So that's why they become royalty?"

"Pretty much." His statement was nonchalant and when I looked over he had a carefree smile that lit up his eyes and completely changed the mood in the tense atmosphere. His attitude change was sudden, but pleasant and I decided to change the subject.

"How many other people are in the house?" He sighed and pulled into a parallel parking space close to the restaurant. Talking had made the drive to Port Angeles go by quickly.

"There are four others. Jason, Macy, Angelina, and Derek."

"How many hunters do you train at one time?" I had only heard three extra people earlier but considering his last reaction to me being able to hear so well I kept that to myself.

"Derek and Angelina are hunters, but Jason and Macy are werewolves. Werewolves help us hunt when we have targets that are exceptionally good at hiding their tracks from us. Macy is training Jason while I'm training you, Derek and Angelina."

"Why haven't I seen the others?"

"Derek usual holes up in his room working out or reads in the library and Angelina practices combat with Macy. They also go to Seattle a lot to shop. Jason is almost always out of town on missions when he isn't training." I sat back in my seat for a moment letting the information sink in. Derek, was probably the one I had seen. Before my face had time to blush I hurried on.

"How old are they?"

"Macy is twenty-four and Jason is twenty-six. Derek just turned twenty-one, and I think Angelina turned nineteen a few days ago." He looked me over before un buckling the seat belt. "Ready to eat?"

"Sure." I met his emerald eyes with my brown ones and I felt my stomach flip but pushed the feeling down and unbuckled my seatbelt as well. I wasn't done questioning him for now and I hoped that we could talk about it more on the way home.

We walked towards the restaurant and couldn't help but size him up while he was in front of me. Anyone would be dumb to not realize that Andrew was absolutely gorgeous. Before Forks I would have glanced at him and appreciated his looks then go about my day but something in his eyes held a deep past. Like you knew he was older and wiser. And then there was Derek. Despite his harsh words I couldn't help but remember how amazing he looked pulling on the weights while he worked out. Well you were standing in his bedroom like a love sick dork. I told my inner reason to stuff it and reminded myself that I had just been through a terrible break up and needed to concentrate on my changes.

We had eaten our meal in a comfortable silence and every once in a while i would look up and catch him staring at me. Of course I was flattered but it only reminded me of what I used to have before Edward left so I ended up losing my appetite and pushing my food around my plate. When we had arrived it was a little after sunset so when we went back outside toward his car it was pitch black with the clouds blocking the light from the moon and only a few street lamps casting an erie yellow glow on the street. Since it was the middle of the week I wasn't all that surprised to see that the town was almost completely deserted with only a few cars parked in front of stores.

Our walk to the car felt slow and the darkness of the evening was slowing becoming heavier and heavier. I glance around nervously not really understanding why I felt the need to bolt but when I looked at Andrew he looked as calm and collected as he usually did and not showing any signs of the distress I felt. As if sensing my change in emotions he looked down towards me.

"What's wrong?" Andrew had matched my quickened stride easily and unlocked his car doors. He furrowed his brow and when I felt the hairs on the back of my neck stand up I saw the understanding flash in his eyes. "Never mind, we need to go." He reached my door first and flung it open practically throwing me in and appeared in the driver seat seconds later.

"What took you so long?" My heart was beating rapidly and I could hear Andrew's heart rate increasing.

"When did you feel it." He ignored my question and his voice held an edge. "When!"

"As soon as we stepped outside!" I had never heard Andrew shout before and it startled me into raising my own voice.

As soon as he had the car started he pulled out of the parking space quickly and easily. The quiet atmosphere weighed heavy on my chest and I had trouble breathing until we reached the highway.

"Why did you feel it before me?" The question caught me off guard but I didn't answer thinking it was rhetorical and fired off a question of my own.

"What did I feel in the first place?" My voice had cracked and I'm sure I sounded as freaked out as I felt.