『 chapter xxvi: HOSTESS WITH THE MOSTEST. 』

WHEN IT CAME TO FREAKY POWERS AND BEING happy with her life, she wasn't so skilled, but on the subject of throwing Ragers that people would talk about for weeks after, June Swan ( along with Elodie Littlesea ) was proud to say she had a few honorary doctorates. Being the Chief's daughter, it would've been logical to think that June would be cautious in how ' go-big-or-go-home ' she went, but it was quite the contrary. She would be conceited in saying that the attendees of the party usually covered for her, mostly because, it was June Swan and everyone rather be on her good side than on her list. She was like, Santa Claus, or something, minus the old age, fluffiness, and the thick white beard. June would also go as far as saying she wasn't even the planner, per say, for that was all Elodie — her friend prided herself in also knowing everything and anything about what made people have a good time at gatherings from a small to a simple kickback to a ultimate rager like the one they were planning now.

                    June was the Hostess with the Mostest rather. Because she made sure the party prolonged its good time range. From to girls table dancing to body shots or jumping in the lake or off the cliffs — there was always something more extreme than the last party. But June had been busy with her problematic self, and Elodie was missing her partner-in-crime, so, unfortunately, the Reservation and the kids of Forks had been missing out on a good time for a while. It would all change starting tonight, because June Swan and Elodie Littlesea were back using their doctorates and giving out lessons in how to have a great fucking time.

Which is why now, Elodie's house was blaring with music, people swaying to upbeat dance music that was filling the air. The log-cabin house was larger than most Rez residences and the two stories of the wooden beauty were packed to the brim. June smiled at people she recognized and waved to those who called her name but she didn't know, just to be polite, as she maneuvered her way around the crowed space. Anyone who noticed the blonde was enamored — June wore a sparkly blue dress, a few inches too short by some prudes standards, her feet adored in some pretty heels that Leah lent her with her blonde hair falling to her shoulders in their messy curls but styled with product and her electric eyes brightened from the smoky eyeshadow that Star insisted she put on for her. June finally got to the spot in the house where her friends were united — Lyanna sat on the counter with a drink in her hand, the brunette beauty wearing her long hair down and silky straight while wearing a black mini-shirt that showed off her long legs and an off the shoulder pink shirt that June lent her, her eyes as she chats with Leah, who's laughing at what some guy is talking to them about. June's eyes find Star dancing with some handsy guy on the makeshift dance floor, her smile iridescent and looking more carefree than she had in a while, her bouncy curls swaying as much as her skin tight velvet-maroon dress was. She vaguely wonders what Jared Cameron would do if he saw a guy all up on Star?

            June had a few drinks herself but it seemed that her freaky power was taking effect now, disabling her from getting the least bit drunk. June was also kinda glad that Bella stayed home, taking care of Willie as Daphne and Charlie went out for a date night, because then her buzz would've even more killed by her older sisters glaring and backhanded comments about getting over Jacob the wrong way.

She can't help but feeling that she's ruining her own fucking buzz by hanging with her friends and letting her mind drift off into that dark spot — the one that tells her to go home and paint and play with Willie and make him smile when all she wants to do is cry. I don't want to be here, she decides.

    June walked up to Lyanna just as Star came to them, breathless form dancing as Leah turned her attention to them. Leah grinned, "Someone's having fun." She directed the words to Star.

Star winked, "You bet your ass I am, Lee."

Lyanna grins, "I don't remeber Jared being so ... hmm, how I say ... white?" She laughs loudly, gesturing to the Forks native hot guy that Star danced with.

Star rolled her eyes, "I'm sure Jared would beat the crap outta the guy — don't know his name, by the way, maybe it's Dave? I don't know — anyway, I'd have to cause one major distraction to stop him from knocking some teeth out."

June smirks a bit, "Please tell me you're keeping your clothes on at this party."

Star turns to her, giving her a look. "It was one time!"

Leah laughs, "And we'll never forget it. Those senior citizens surely won't."

"How the hell was I supposed to know it was a adult day care Halloween party?" Star frowns.

"I think all the old people might've given you a clue—" June pretended to be thinking.

Star flipped them off. She took a chug of Lyanna's drink and shrugged. "My clothes are staying on, for the sake of the guys here lives, and my reputation as Jared's ... creepy obsession."

The girls laughed at their friend as she went back to the dance floor and began dancing.

"June!" Elodie tipped her cup to her as she approached, her brown eyes shining with joy and the result of four cups of beer. "There you are, come here and meet someone!"

June's eyes widened and she shook her head, "No, Elle, I'm good—" Her objection was ignored as Elodie pulled someone from behind June to the side of her.

It was a guy, roughly around nineteen, college student definitely. He was blonde and has sun-kissed skin, not from here it seemed, maybe some California dreamboat somewhere else but here, nothing but a strange plant in a garden with either vibrant or dull flowers. He was handsome, very much so, extremely, and was an option; someone that could definitely take her mind off of everything, even if it was just for one night. He smiled warmly at her, though and June felt weird giving one back.

                       Elodie smirked at her, the Quileute girl dressed in a green off-the shoulder dress that showed her beautiful russet skin. Elodie gestures to the guy, "His name is Travis, he goes to Washington State, he's passing by for a few weeks; tutors at the college I go to." She informed. "Travis, this is my best friend, Juniper, she threw this whole thing together."

Travis looked at June, his grey eyes shining. He looked around for good measure and smiled, "Nice to meet you, I must say, you throw one hell of a party."

               June shrugged nonchalantly, looking over her shoulder at the lively crowd. "Thanks, I'm the hostess with the mostest, what can I say?" She grins, but it feels forced.

He chuckles a bit, "Can I get you a drink?" He offers kindly.

June wants to say, no, thanks, I have a boyfriend– but her mind tricks her and she's left with the thought of no bitch you're single as a pringle. So she smiles up at him and says with enthusiasm, "Sure."

Travis and she head towards where the drinks are. Elodie winks as she gives her a thumbs up and vanishes in the crowd. He offers her his hand and June takes it, hesitantly, and she catches Lyanna's eyes at that moment, the girl raising a brow at the surfer boy who has her hand. June gives her a fleeting look before Travis pulls her through the crowd with him. They make it towards the bar and he pours them two cups of some fancy beer that Elodie somehow managed to snag.

                He offers her one, tapping with hers, "Cheers." He says with his easy smile. She nods to him and they take a chug. He looks at her, "I have to admit, this might sound lame, but this is my first real party."

June blinks in surprise. "I would've expected you to be the president of some douchey frat." She says brashly and curses herself but he chuckles. "Not that you're douchey—"

"Nah, I know, I look it," Travis smiles, not offended.

June grins, she looks down at her cup. "To be honest, this is the first party I've thrown in a whole. Elodie and I used to do this all the time ..." She says to him.

Travis nods, understanding. "Elodie invited me, said I needed to loosen up." He gives air quotes. "She also said her best friend was looking to rebound."

June wants to grab Elodie by the hair then. "Oh, no, well I mean I did just get out of a relationship but it was literally two days ago—"

Travis raises his hand, assuringly, his grey eyes widened in embarrassment. "No, fuck, I didn't mean—I know it was very misleading, I was just making conversation, like if you wanted to talk about it, if you want, it's up to you—"

"You're fine," June chuckles. He was sweet. "Don't stress, comrade, really. You're good." She pauses for a moment and he gestures for them to go out in the patio. She follows him, seeing only a few other people in there, mostly everyone was inside. It was a chilly night. Travis notices and gives her his jacket. She accepts it with a smile. She speaks again, "As for talking about it, why not? It was so sudden and without warning ... we were fine and he just left, came back and said we couldn't be what we were anymore."

Travis listens, genuinely interested. He sighs after she stops and looks down at his cup, "I've been there before; at least y'all weren't engaged, somehow that shit hurts worse." He says with a sad smile.

June only glances at him, hating pity and knowing it was a useless thing. June sucks in a breath, "It does, right? It hurts so fucking bad." She lets out a pained laugh which he follows up with a similar one.

"Well," Travis says after they laugh. His eyes soften as they meet hers. "As I'm sure you've heard  — He's a dumbass for letting a beautiful girl like you go, Juniper."

"Call me June." She tells him with a smile.

Travis smiles back. "June. I like it." He sets his cup behind him on the table and grabs her empty one. He extends his hand. "Wanna dance until it doesn't hurt anymore, at least not tonight?"

June eyes his hand hesitantly. She knows she shouldn't. She should deny him and go home, thank him for listening, and leave. But she's never been good at listening to herself. She hands him his jacket and he sets it on the chair, grabbing his hand as they smile at each other and go back inside. The song blaring through the speakers is some party remix of Lana Del Rey, her hypnotic voice letting June and Travis join into the groping and grinding of the people dancing. As they dance, oblivious to others, Star is getting a drink and smirking at June Swan getting down with some all American  hottie.

Star opens her mouth to cheer her on until she catches Lyanna rushing to her side, her brown eyes wide. "STAR! Abort the fucking mission!" Lyanna curses, her eyes going to the door of the house. "They're fucking here!"

Star coughs on her drink, "Who—"

Leah comes up, her face hardened. "Sam's here, and his little puppies." She practically spits.

Lyanna still looks frantic, "Okay, yes, but so is Jacob."

"And?" Star scrunches her nose. She gestures to June who's smiling so pretty as she dances with a hot guy. "Let him get a look at his ex grinding on some hottie while he kisses Sam's ass—"

"Exactly," Leah nods haughtily. "See what he's missing."

"Yeah, while I'm all for that," Lyanna says hurriedly as she turns Star's face to the door. There stands the Quileute cult looking downright murderous. "They look like they're out for blood and I rather not see Jacob murder the guy  — remember how Embry and Jared got when those guys at the shop just complimented us?"

                    Star catches Jared's face which is nothing compared to the sweet smile he usually has. He looked as enraged as Jacob. She slinks from view, looking back to Lyanna. "OK. FUCK."

But it's too damn late because Jacob seems to have some tunnel vision and spots his blonde ex girlfriend swaying her hips into some random guys hands as he gripped her. Star watches his features darken and Sam has to hold him back but Jacob yanks from his grip and moves to walk directly to where June is. Star and Lyanna and Leah all share a look and each let out their own course of fuck, fuck, fuck! They watch as Paul and Jared try and restrain Jacob who yanks the guy dancing with June by the collar, throwing him down.

                 June's shriek sounds out, "Jacob?!" She says in bewildered confusion.

Lyanna looks to Star, "Do something!"

Star looks bewildered, "Like what?"

               Lyanna and Leah stare at Star. The idea was something new and something they had joked about if shit hit the fan like it was now. Star sighed but nodded, grinning as she jumped on the table. "Guess I'm gonna have to strip after all." She muttered under her breath. "June you owe me, you're gonna have to name your firstborn after me, by the way! This ain't for free!"

Star got on the table and scanned the scene. June was rubbing her temples at Jacob who was going after the guy who was standing his ground but failing miserably — Star curses and jumped on the tables around her like a frog on a lily pad until she got on the center table, getting everyone's attention before things really got out of hand it the party turned into an all out brawl.

June tries to take control of the situation too and she turns to Sam helplessly, gesturing to the scene. "Stop him!"

"We're trying!" Sam retorts. "Jacob, ENOUGH."

            Jacob finally stopped after a few more seconds of struggling to get back to hitting Travis but looked different than what she was used to as he towered over the poor guy who was stupid enough to touch his imprint. The planes of his face seemed to have hardened subtly, tightened, and aged. June took note of how his neck and his shoulders were different, too, thicker somehow. His hands, where they gripped the window frame, looked enormous, with the tendons and veins more prominent under the russet skin. But the physical changes were insignificant. It was his expression that made him almost completely unrecognizable. The open, friendly smile was gone like the hair, the warmth in his dark eyes altered to a brooding resentment that was instantly disturbing. There was a darkness in Jacob now. Like her sun had imploded. He looks at June, suddenly aware of what he's doing, stepping back as Sam grips his arms, pulling him back.

Travis coughed up blood as he pointed to Jacob. "That your ex?" He asks weakly. June nods, giving him a pitiful look as she drops to her knees to help him up. "Good guy," He mumbles as he looks near collapsing. June calls over two guys from the Rez and tell them to set him on the couch, Elodie rushing over to help.

June looks to Elodie, she grimaces. "Fuck, sorry, go on; I got Travis." Her friend says, gesturing her to follow them outside.

June does so, rushing out the door and following the angry yells of her ex-boyfriend. She sees Jacob pacing as Sam grits out tight words at him that she can't hear. "Um?What the hell was that?"

Sam sighs, clenching his jaw. "June, I've got it, tell Leah to take you home—"

June ignores him and goes over to Jacob, who's still looking bloodthirsty. She shakes her head at him. "Two days. It's been two fucking days—"

"And it still didn't stop you from dancing with that noodle armed pale face, did it?" Jacob snarled at her. "What the hell were you thinking?"

She scoffs at him, "I'm thinking that I'm pretty single and he was nice and we were just dancing?" She said harshly. "Look, I'm not the one to blame, Jacob. You broke up with me! Don't give me that shit about what were you thinking? Because I'm not! I haven't been thinking for the past two days, you–you possessive-selfish-simple-minded asshole!" Nice one, June, she told herself. June was crying again by this time. Embry and Sam stepped further and further away as June's yells continued.

Jacob softened, his imprint was in pain once more and it was because of him, again. "Can you blame me, June? I'm sorry."

"Don't tell me sorry," She told him. "You didn't give me a black eye."

Jacob's jaw clenched, "I'm not apologizing to that guy."

"Why?" June frowns angrily.

"Why?" He repeats and laughs bitterly, looking over to Sam and Embry who keep their heads down. "He had his hands all over you, June! You think I'm gonna apologize to that asshole who had his hands on my—" He stops himself, taking a deep breath.

June stayed still. "Yeah, you can't say girlfriend, can you?"

Jacob pinches the bridge of his nose, "You insist on making me crazy, don't you?"

"He was a friend, I just met him—"

"No, not that," Jacob shakes his head. He looks at her, his eyes taking appreciatively over the tight fitted sparkly blue dress she wore. He might've been the luckiest guy in the planet, despite being bias, June was beautiful — she couldn't help it. "You're too beautiful for your own good, you know that?"

June feels the oxygen catch in her throat. She held up at finger at him, her tears streaming down her face as she did. "Don't start," she grounded out weakly. "Don't do that."

"Do what, ocean eyes?" He asks innocently.

   June glares at him, "Don't be sweet and apologize and make me feel bad about everything. Don't." She says helplessly. She wipes her tears away, looking at the crestfallen face he wears. June takes a shaky breath. "Just ... just leave me alone, Jacob."

Jacob stays still, Sam's warnings replaying over and over in his mind as he watches her walk away. Tonight was proof Jacob was a danger to her. Two days couldn't change that. No matter how much he wanted to, he had to put her first, but he kept hurting her and pushing her away and making her more afraid of him ... he was losing. And he hasn't a clue what to do.

June doesn't look back as she walks back into the house wordlessly, the party still in full swing, she says nothing to Lyanna and Leah who watch her with pity in their pretty eyes and their lovely faces as she gets her bag and her keys. She sees Travis, sitting on a couch with Elodie wiping his face clean of any blood left behind. He had a piece of a napkin tucked in his nostril, and he kindly smiles to her, his eyes telling her it was fine. But it wasn't. Nothing was done. She mouths, I'm sorry, because it is her fault. She put him in a situation that was only boldly set up for disaster. June turns before he can reply. The chilly air hits the exposed parts of her body and she doesn't question why she isn't cold. She reaches her moms car and gets in numbly, feeling more and more of the fake happy and carefree persona she cultivated for herself fade. She cries loudly in the car as she slams her hands on the wheel, earth shattering sobs coming from her, ones a wolf in the forest nearby can hear and feels like doing same.

•—•—•—•

HOLED UP IN HER ROOM, AS JUNE HAD BEEN for the past week, she continues down the path of self destruction by opening the leathery journal underneath her bed. The owner is long dead, but they share the same face, different complexions, same face, same fate, too, it seems. June thinks of how much she wishes she was living then, that she was Melanie and Melanie lived her life. Melanie didn't have a little brother or a doting older sister and loving parents; she had a power hungry father and a dutiful uncle and a strict betrothed who cared more about protecting the tribe than what his fiancé did during the missing hours of the night. June wonders what might've been had she been Melanie — she'd be dead. She would've picked Edward, she wouldn't have gone back, she wouldn't have killed herself because she didn't want to marry Ephraim. Melanie might've been alive now though, a vampire, and Edward would've never fell in love with Bella because he had Melanie. June shakes her head, it was terrifying to think of a world where Edward didn't love Bella.

                  June takes a shaky breath as she sits on her bed, looking at the already read journal entries of the dead girl, all while mentally preparing herself for another.

⋆
June 12th 1937

I'm never gonna leave this ground.

The Elders finally decided to let me know everything. The stories aren't just stories, they're the truth. That much I knew. The tales of the cold ones took shape in the man I'm in love with and the Spirit Warriors were embodiments of the man I don't want to marry, but the Spirits saw fit to give the other half of my soul to. But they speak of another story, the one about the Third Wife, the one they credit to the creation of any Mender after her. Her sacrifice for her husband Taha Aki wasn't in vain — she might've been a mere mortal, but any those from her bloodline after her death, would never be a mere anything ever again. The bruises and the scars and the nightmares and the deathless life ... they mean something after all. It's not a puzzle any longer. I, Melanie Alu Capote, am from the blood of the Third Wife. I am a Mender of the Quileute tribe. And I was born to die. There will never be anyone else for Ephraim, not for the pack once I leave this earth to further their strength, so the Elder's say. My death is certain. There is no fighting it. It's why Ephraim has held me high like some jewel, because in tribal standards, I am a diamond in the rough. I am the Mender, and since there hasn't been one since Taha Aki's time, I am a rarity. Once they wish to perish for the strength of the Mender to be absorbed by the pack. I'll die for a man, men, I care nothing for.

In my rage, I've announced my plan to run away forever, in front of the Elders, in front of Ephraim who's only ever given me indifference, I've declared my mission to have diamond skin, like the Cullen's. An outraged followed, which led me to running, to Edward finding me, to having sanctuary in their home, where I write this now.

Ephraim has declared war upon the Cullen's. I weep for the fact that I've put them in such a position. My dear friend, my Rose, assures me all will be alright.

Ive never known anything, but now, I know too much. And I don't know what to do. I don't know. I don't know.

⋆

                  June's eyes stay on the words, Mender, blood of the Third Wife. June knew that story, her grandmother Iris used to tell her about it all the time, before the prophetess gave her the death sentence, before she lived a deathless life. She wondered what Melanie meant by Ephraim having the other half of her soul, what the freaking Spirits had to do with that, and what exactly a Mender was and, most importantly, if June herself was one, too? The bruises and the scars and the nightmares ... they were for a reason. My death is certain ... the strength of Mender ... absorbed to the pack ... die for men I don't care for. Melanie wrote firmly, there was a double meaning behind it. June felt a chill down her spine as she thought of her own prophetic death. June knew how she was gonna die; she was gonna die beautiful, in a field of diamonds and the sun and moon in the sky at the same time. June would be damned if she died for men she didn't care for, for a pack? This wasn't how it worked. June would die for herself, for her fate to be met, without any divine intervention or Spirits to tell her otherwise. It'd all be done soon.

The blue-eyed girl who couldn't have a sleep without horrific nightmares will finally sleep in peace. June would die herself — before the bruises and the terrifying trauma that came from ripping a man apart, before the cynicism and the suicidal tendencies. Before, when June Swan was just June Swan, a peppy cheerleader with teen spirit and envied and overrated, when she was loved and blissful and happy. June can't wait to be happy.

June makes the trip to her grandmothers house before she can think correctly, the thought of being happy was clouding her thinking too much. June stuffs the journal in her bag, kissing her mother and little brother on the head as she passes them on her way out, throwing a bye and be back soon! over her shoulder. Once at the Reservation, Iris is waiting for her, two mugs in her hand — June gets out of the car and as soon as her feet touch the ground, weeds of flowers sprout and the bruises, while still painful, are numb to her at the moment.

Iris hands her the herbal medicine, "You've gotten to the last journal entry," Iris says knowingly, inquisitive blue eyes on her.

June nods, looking at her. She takes it out, touching the leather cover. "I want to read it with you." She says shakily, her voice hoarse as if she had been yelling. "I want to know what it means, for good, I'm done pretending it's not real and pushing it away ... the bruises and the nightmares and the death sentence."

Iris lays a soft hand on her cheek. There's a soft moment as the grandmother looks at her granddaughter. Iris nods, her lips pulling into a demure smile, "Let's go inside, yes?" She looks up at the sky as she take June's hand. "There's a storm coming, I can feel it."

And as June pauses by the door, she looks back at the sky. Almost as if she can feel the air shift, an equally tranquil smile takes form on her face, "I know," June says in a whisper. More firmly, she adds. "I can feel it."

note: merry chrysler,,,,i told chelsea. i was gonna make y'all suffer and wait to post this a bit later but nothing major happened except for jacob being possessive and beating up a guy who had his hands on his june :————) and star basically stripping to cause a diverison, her story will have a more detailed version that, lol, it's funny and jareds reaction isn't the usual goofball but more put your clothes on, woman. &&&! the journals are important!! everything i write holds significance even tho i feel like I over describe things???? im wayyyy to descriptive but i like to have a clear picture of what's going on idk idk. but yeah, make sure you 👀👀👀🔍📝 the fuck outta this 🌚🌚🌚 FYI!!! THIS STORY IS UNEDITED SO IF YOU SEE 162738399228 errors, yeah, that's me :)) one big error :))