Turn Scars to Stars [2]

Bonfire

GUYS, BOOK ONE (Darkness Will Come to Light) HAS REACHED 100K READS :o I'm super psyched. I know Twilight isn't for everyone, so I'm thankful to anyone who gave my story a try <3

Questions!

What do you like most about this story? (Ex. Mel's relationship with Jasper or the consistent theme of living with anxiety, etc.)

What should be changed or improved in this series? (Constructive criticism helps me become a better writer!)

Thank you, my lovelies <3

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"Keep up, baby Cullen. It's time to see how the other half lives."

"The other half?" Mel questioned Jacob. The butthead in cut-offs had dragged her out of bed from a nap, which left her still half-groggy. The cool night air slowly woke her up as they walked down the road.

"Shifters, of course. Tonight, you're going to learn the legends of my people."

"Wait, I thought this was a casual bonfire gathering! Why am I going to a sacred bonfire when the tribe hates me and my family...?"

Mel tried to keep up with Jacob's long strides, but her shorter legs were practically running to stay with him.

"We don't hate you." Jacob shot her a grin and a wink.

Mel stopped mid-step. "Why did you say it like that? What's going on with all of you?"

"I don't know what you mean."

Without waiting for Mel to respond, the Quileute boy took off ahead of her across the sand. A bonfire was already lit and floating embers glistened in the air as dried driftwood popped.

Mel continued walking at a slower pace. She took in the faces of Elders and pack members, many of which were familiar, but some were new to her.

Seth appeared behind her from a path through the forest. He touched her arm to catch her attention. "Hey."

"Hi." She smiled, but her eyes remained on the Elders who appeared to be watching their exchange. Lowering her voice, she admitted, "I feel like I'm intruding. I don't belong here."

Seth stepped around Mel to stop her from moving forward. "You really believe that?" Her eyes locked with his, and she sighed.

"I don't know."

"You wouldn't be here if you didn't belong, Mel," Seth insisted softly. "You're as welcome to the pack as any i--as Emily is."

"Is it a supernatural thing?" Mel guessed. She had ties to vampires, which ultimately tied her to the wolf world too.

"Something like that."

Chatter increased as Paul pulled up in a sun-faded truck with several others in the extended bed. The boys laughed and fooled around as they hopped out of the truck.

Seth led her forward before she could get trampled. "There is someone I'd like you to meet, if you're okay with that?"

Mel nodded. "Sure."

The heat of the flames brushed Mel's back as Seth took her into the circle to make introductions. The brunette girl stuffed her hands in her hoodie pocket to hide their shaking.

"Melaina, this is my mom, Sue."

An older native lady with the same radiant smile as Seth stood from a log bench to pull Mel into a hug. The Cullen girl felt out of her element at the unexpected burst to her bubble.