The first thing I registered was the beeping. The second was the fact that my leg no longer felt like it was trying to detach itself in a dramatic display of agony. A good sign. Or a terrible one. Hard to tell. I opened my eyes slowly.
And saw… Enid.
"Omg, Wens!" she squealed the moment my gaze focused. "You're awake! Finally! I was so worried, you have no idea— well actually you probably do, because you're you, and you almost died and—"
I blinked. Twice. "Enid."
She froze, mid-ramble, hands clasped in front of her like a guilty Pomeranian.
"Yes?" she said, softer.
"How are you here? And why are you vibrating?"
"Oh!" She gasped and bounced once. "Your mom called me! She said you were probably in danger— again. And so I rushed over! I knew I should've come sooner but she said to 'give it a day' which is totally not comforting but very on-brand for Ms. Morticia—"
I held up my hand. "Enough. Please. My brain is still rebooting."
She nodded vigorously, lips pressed tightly shut.
My thoughts caught up a moment later.
If Enid was here… then— Enid pointed her thumb to the left, grinning. "Your vampire boyfriend's been here the whole time. Look!"
I turned my head. Edward was in the corner, slumped in a chair, head tilted like he was asleep.
For approximately one second I believed it. "He's faking." I said flatly.
Edward's lips twitched. Then he opened his eyes.
Enid squeaked with excitement. "What! Was he being all dramatic?"
He stood and crossed to my bedside, face melting into that soft, guilt-drenched expression he'd perfected. "Wednesday… thank goodness. I thought—"
"—I know." I said, cutting him off. "I didn't die. Again. Shocking."
He huffed a laugh, brushing hair from my forehead with a cold hand. "You're impossible."
"Flattery will get you everywhere."
His smile widened just a little… until he finally noticed Enid staring directly at him with bright, curious eyes.
Edward stiffened. Every line of him turned cautious. "Who is… this?"
"Oh!" Enid stuck out a hand, nearly hitting my IV stand. "Hi! Enid Sinclair. Best friend. Emotional support werewolf."
Edward didn't shake her hand. He just stared at it like it was a loaded weapon.
I noticed him tensing. "Enid is a werewolf. But not like Jacob."
Edward's jaw locked. "Not.. like Jacob? What do you mean?"
"She's different." I said. "She's not part of the Quileute line. She's an international werewol from nevermore. She's been around the world. She doesn't have the same… odor profile."
Enid beamed proudly. "I use essential oils."
Edward slowly relaxed. "You don't smell like dog."
"Thank you!" she said, as if he'd just told her she had a beautiful singing voice.
He blinked at her, confused. "You're… extremely cheerful."
Enid gasped. "Is that a problem? Oh no. Is it? I can tone it down! I can be scary. Rawr!" She made a tiny clawing gesture as her.. colorful finger nails grew.
Edward glanced at me.
I stared back. "Yes. She's a werewolf."
"…Are you sure?" he whispered.
"Positive."
Enid perked back up, leaning over my bed with a smile so wide it looked painful. "Anyway! Now that you're awake, I can tell your mom you're alive and not, like, undead—no offense, Edward!—and then we can all have a big reunion and—"
Edward cleared his throat. "She's supposed to be resting."
Enid crossed her arms. "And you're supposed to be brooding in a chair over there, but here we are."
I closed my eyes for a moment, letting the absurdity wash over me— a vampire, a werewolf, and an Addams girl in a hospital room. If someone walked in right now, they might think I'd sustained a head injury instead of a broken arm.
When I reopened my eyes, both of them were staring at me. Enid with worry. Edward with relief. And maybe something softer.
I sighed. "Fine. Both of you may remain. Quietly."
They nodded at the same time. It was the closest I'd ever get to peace.
The next day came quicker than I thought. Charlie allowed Enid to stay in the guest room for now.
Descending the stairs was more dramatic than intended— the crutches, the cast around my right leg, and the black dress swaying behind me like a funeral banner all collaborated to make me look like a tragic Victorian heroine. A role I was perfectly comfortable fulfilling.
Edward waited at the bottom, trying and failing not to stare.
"You look…" He hesitated, searching for the right word.
"Morbid?" I suggested.
He smiled. "Beautiful."
"Acceptable."
He rolled his eyes softly as Charlie walked in on us. "You look.. amazing." He meant what he said, although I could tell he felt a little uncomfortable knowing I wasn't his actual daughter.
"Thanks, Adoptive dad." I replied back.
Edward took my arm with unnecessary gentleness before helping me into the passenger seat. The ride was quiet— warm, even. I watched the trees blur by, and he watched me watching them, the way he always did, like he couldn't decide whether he was admiring me or studying me.
When we arrived at the school, he helped me out and guided me toward a bench near the woods.
"I'll sign us in." he said. "Don't move."
"You're assuming I follow instructions."
"That's what terrifies me." he replied, brushing a cold hand along my cheek before walking away.
I had approximately four seconds of peace before Jacob appeared, hands in his pockets, nervous energy radiating off him like faulty wiring.
"Uh… hey, Wednesday." His eyes drifted down my dress, then away quickly. "You look… wow."
"Strangely courteous for someone who once claimed my aura was 'kinda spooky.'"
He flushed. "I didn't mean it as an insult."
"I know."
He sighed and sat next to me. "Look, my dad wanted me to come talk to you. He offered me 20 bucks."
I was slightly offended, but curious. "Depressing to know your father thinks I'm worth 20 dollars, but go on."
Jacob tried defending himself. "No I— well anyways. He wants you to break up with your boyfriend."
My eyes narrowed. "Well, you can tell your father I do whatever I want. And he better give you 20 bucks." I paused. "Jacob. You're a terrible liar."
He blinked. "What?"
"I know what you are. It's easy for me to tell."
His mouth opened. Closed. Opened again. "I—I don't—"
I raised a finger. "Stop. I won't tell anyone. Your secret is safe."
He stared at me like I'd just recited his diary back to him. Then, quietly. "Yeah. Okay. Fine. I'm a werewolf."
"Thank you. Honesty is refreshing."
Before he could reply, Enid practically bounded into existence beside us, bright and sparkling as ever.
"Wens!" she chirped, waving. Then she noticed Jacob, froze, and smiled in a way that suggested she'd just discovered a new favorite snack. "Oh. Hello."
Jacob straightened so fast I heard something crack in his spine. "Uh—hi?"
"This is Enid." I said. "Werewolf. Colorful edition."
Enid beamed. Jacob stared. I wasn't sure who was more smitten.
"So.. you're a werewolf too?" he asked, looking surprised. "No offense, but… you don't smell like the ones that live here."
"Essential oils." she said proudly.
The two of them were so busy staring at each other that they didn't notice Edward approaching—until he was close enough for Jacob's entire body to tense.
Edward's expression darkened almost imperceptibly. "Jacob."
"Leech."
"Dog."
Enid gasped. "No! No name-calling!" She pushed herself between them, hands on their chests like an enthusiastic referee. "We are all going to get along tonight, okay? This is a happy occasion!"
Both of them glared at each other over her head.
She sighed. "Okay, Plan B! Jacob, you're coming with me."
She grabbed his sleeve. "Wens, go dance with your undead Romeo."
Edward smirked as Jacob let himself be dragged away.
"Ready?" he asked, offering his arm.
"I'm always ready," I said, and let him lead me inside.
We had our picture taken, my scowl was particularly sharp. We walked through the dance room on the inside then escaped to the gazebo, where the music was quieter and the night air colder.
Edward pulled me close, careful of my cast. "You scared me.." he murmured. "At the ranger station."
"I nearly became a vampire." I said. "I admit, I didn't hate the idea."
He shook his head lightly. "You should have decades before you think about that."
"Boring decades." I argued.
He rested his forehead against mine. "Not if I'm in them."
I almost smiled. Almost.
Enid's POV (briefly)
The forest was quiet, and Jacob walked beside me, shoulders loose for the first time since we met.
"So vampires and werewolves hate each other here?" I asked.
"Pretty much." He kicked a pine cone. "There's a treaty. They stay out of our land, we stay out of theirs. We don't… mix."
"That's silly." I said. "Where I'm from, we coexist. Mostly."
"Must be nice." he muttered.
We reached a clearing lit by moonlight. Jacob hesitated before asking, "Can I… see your wolf?"
I felt my face heat. "I don't transform for just anyone."
He raised his brows. "Hey, no pressure. You don't have to show me."
I took a breath. "No… it's okay. I just recently learned to transform on command, so… don't judge."
Then I shifted. Bones stretched. Fur bloomed. The world got sharper, brighter, louder.
Jacob's eyes widened. "Whoa. You're… beautiful."
If wolves could blush, I would have.
Then Jacob stepped back— took off his tops and shifted too.
His wolf was huge, sandy brown, warm-eyed and strong. He approached and nudged my side with the gentlest touch.
We ran. Through branches. Over fallen logs. Side by side, our paws pounding in unison.
When we finally returned to human form, we collapsed beside each other, breathless.
Jacob turned his head toward me. His eyes changed, softened and glowed with something ancient and inevitable.
And I felt the moment change. Jacobs eyes seemed to shine. I didn't need him to explain it. I just knew something in that moment felt.. different.
"Enid." he whispered.
I smiled, small and startled.
"Hi, Jacob."