I didn't know what was going on. Once the pain disappeared I noticed how dark it was. It was unnerving, my hands cautiously extended in front of me as I fumbled to feel what was in front of me. When my fingertips brushed something solid I instinctually flinched back before slowly putting my hands on what felt like a wooden door.

The doorknob was cold and smooth as I turned it and let the door swing open. Immediately it looked like I was back home. My house looked unchanged from the day I'd left. I was relieved when I didn't see a pile of bodies in the center. It was quiet, void of children's laughter or the elders reciting hymns. Then I saw them sitting by the old tree where we usually held our funerals.

They sat around conversing as if it were just another normal day. My father looked up and smiled at me, "Cathrine! Come join us my child."

Looking at all of them, my dad, the elders, the pack. They all looked so happy, "What's the matter Catie-Cat?" Peter teased, "You look like you've seen a ghost!" The others started laughing.

"Don't make fun of her Peter, she's gone through a lot," a voice from behind me scolded. I turned around and almost cried, her face was the exactly how I remembered it and she was holding her old tea set that she would use every time we had guests over. I always knew my mom was the most beautiful woman in the world, and seeing her for the first time since her death I knew I was right, "Hi baby."

"Mom," she had set the tea on the table, her arms ready to catch me when I barreled into her, "I missed you so much," I whispered.

"I know."

The two of us joined the others and we quickly fell into our old habits. The guys and I threw food in the air to see who could catch it with our mouths while the adults watched and laughed along with us. Once the food was gone we rejoined the circle.

"So..." I trailed off at the question that haunted me the moment I went through the door, "Am I dead?" Dad shook his head, "Then what am I doing here?"

"You have to understand, we were planning on telling you all of this sooner but our time on Earth was cut short," Mako, one of our elders told me.

My dad looked at me sadly, "I presume you're aware of what brought you here?"

"Yes," I nodded, "I got bit," my hand traced the light scar that I noticed on my shoulder-blade.

Peter shook his head slightly annoyed, "Your luck is astounding."

My mother brought me into a hug while my father continued, "Our people haven't been put into a situation like this for many years. We only wish we knew the extent of the legends beforehand, maybe we could have better prepared you-"

"Prepared me for what?" I asked.

He sighed, "Do you recall ever hearing the tale of the Спящие волки?"

"The Sleeper wolves? Yes. They were the ancestors that were stronger and faster before the new generation cleaned them out. What about them?"

Alex shook his head, "I'm honestly surprised you always got better grades than me in school because you're the most clueless person I'd ever known."

"Cate, our tribe has carried on the legacy of the sleeper wolves for years, once the new generation was born it made the gene dormant until the member is bitten."

I was struggling to wrap my head around that, "I thought the bite was toxic?"

"It is," Mako nodded, "If bitten we are brought here, where we are then given the choice whether to allow the transition to occur-"

"What transition? What happens when it's done?" I questioned, raising my voice.

I looked up at Mom who gave me a small smile, "You'll be able to walk the earth as a creature from the ancient times. One of both spirit warrior and cold-one. You will be the strongest of both species, if you chose to go through with it."

I would be part vampire. Immediately I shook my head, I didn't want that. There are times where I could barely handle my anger, adding the uncontrollable thirst for human blood would only make it worse.

"Didn't that boyfriend of yours say he'd be okay if you were a bloodsucker?" Peter asked, eyebrow raised.

"How did you-"

He waved me off, "We've been keeping an eye on you," He smirked as he leaned in to whisper, "By the way, who was better in bed? Me or him?"

I couldn't help but laugh in his face, "I would tell you, but I don't want to bruise your ego."

Mom's hand grazed something around my neck, "He's a good boy," she told me. That's when I noticed I had the necklace on that Paul had given me, "He really cares about you."

I looked down at it before smiling, "He's amazing."

"Sweetheart, I'm sorry but you don't have much time. You need to make your decision," Dad frowned.

"But-"

Mom hushed me, "Don't you worry about us. We'll always be with you," she smiled, "Besides. You have people who are going to need your help."

"But the Volturi!" I stammered, "They killed you because of what we are. If I go through with the transition then they'll come for me."

"Never thought you'd be the one to back out of a fight," Tyler crossed his arms over his chest.

"Your family will help you," Mom reassured, "Your pack will be by your side," she put her hands on my shoulders, "You are going to be fine."

When she hugged me again, I felt myself shed a tear, I missed her so much, "I don't want to leave you."

"You could never leave me," the phrase sounded familiar. That's when I remembered the promise I'd made to Paul before the fight.

I wasn't ready to leave him, not if we still had a chance to give ourselves a life. I smiled at my people, they knew I'd made my decision.

"You're going to do great," Dad told me as he wrapped his arm around Mom.

Overhead I could see the sky darken. I got to my feet, turned and saw the door I'd come in through. I turned back to the others but saw they'd gone back to themselves as if I had never shown up. But seeing their faces, happy and untouched, I knew I was making the right choice as I slowly walked to the door. This time, the doorknob felt scalding, as if it was trying to repel me away. But I fought through the burns as I twisted the knob and walked back out. This time meeting a bright white light.