Chapter One: Imprinted
"Man, I don't know, Seth. It's generally not a good idea for any of us to leave the rez, you know..." Quil Ateara said now. He studied the afternoon sky. "But I can see what you mean. I guess it won't hurt. We'll find a way to get hold of you if we need to." Seth had been given a school assignment to work somewhere that would benefit the community or the surrounding area. "I would still let Sam know, either way."
"Planned on it..." Seth Clearwater never really looked forward to dealing with Sam. Even though he was technically in Jacob's pack, Sam still seemed to rule them all. Seth had already talked to Jacob. Jacob didn't seem to mind at all, as long he knew when to come. Maybe he'd just bypass Sam all together. Jacob would pass the message on. He went into his house. "See you later, Quil."
"How was school?" Sue looked up from her laundry as Seth came in. "Did you have a good day?"
"Yeah." Seth went straight to the fridge, and got himself a big glass of milk. "I'm going to be working at the children's home in Port Angeles starting tonight." His mother was better off when she knew in as little advance as possible.
"Away from the reservation? Couldn't you find something closer to home, dear?" Sue asked now. She set a newly folded pile of clothes down, and walked into the kitchen. "It would make it a bit easier..."
"Don't worry. I already talked to Jacob." Seth soothed now. "Trust me, everything is going to be fine." He finished his milk, and then settled in to concentrate on his math homework. He had promised himself that if he did this job project, he would make sure his homework was done first. It was bad enough when they all had to have a pack meeting in the middle of the afternoon while he was trying to study for an exam or otherwise. It didn't take him long to finish, however. He had done most of it in Study Hall that day in school, knowing he would only have a short time. "I'm gonna call Jacob and ask for a ride."
Sue nodded. Seth had become very independent since his change took place. It was a wonder he didn't move out on his own or at least insist. She glanced up when Leah came barging in. "Hey, hon..."
"I hate this!" Leah burst out in reply. "I can't even have a normal conversation with him anymore." She was referring to her ex-boyfriend, Sam Uley. She sorely despised the fact that he kept trying to get her to return to his pack. She and her brother were effectively Jacob's pack, as small as it was. "I don't want to be a part of his pack. It's really annoying to listen to him thinking about Emily all the time!"
"Then just tell him no, Sis." Seth offered sympathetically. He had his own share of problems with Sam, Quil and Embry trying to convince him to come back. "It's what I do."
"Your job should be so easy..." Leah muttered. "You weren't dating him. The only reason you left is to protect Bella."
"You're wrong. That isn't the only reason." Seth began. It was a a discussion they often had, and it normally turned into an arguement. But the younger Clearwater glanced at the clock. He needed to catch Jacob before he left to visit Renesmee Cullen. He wouldn't have minded visiting the Cullens himself. He and Emmett had become pretty good pals, though they still had their differences, because of the fact Emmett was a bloosucker. But tonight wasn't the night for it. He made a promise that he would go as soon as he had a day off. He got on the phone with Jacob, and the older of the two arranged for him to meet him at his house in five minutes. "Heading out, Mom. I'll be home later tonight."
"Be careful, Seth." Sue cautioned, as he bolted out the front door. She turned to her daughter then. "Can't you at least reconsider? I know how you feel about Sam..."
"Reconsider? After everything I've had to put up with? Jacob treats me with much more respect." Leah sniffed. "And...where did Seth go?" She had just realized her younger brother had left in an excited rush.
"He got a job in Port Angeles. It's part of a school project." Sue explained. "I'm not too thirlled about it, but he's excited, so let's just support him on it."
"Great." Leah was still in a mood. She took herself out of the house then. She didn't see any reason to bring her mother down with her. She headed into Forks. Maybe she'd find something decent to do there that would distract her.
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At the Port Angeles Children's Home, Corrinne watched as another new family was formed. Her best friend there, Casey had just been adopted. The girl with long thick black hair, and almond shapped eyes that were a light blue, an almost gray, saw them leave. Her friend turned around and waved to her in the window. She waved back half-heartedly, before she sighed. This felt like the hundredth time since she'd been there that she'd gotten left behind. She glanced up, when she heard an unfamiliar vioce in the hall. She went to investigate.
"Ahh, here comes one of our prized ones right now." Miss Martha smiled at her. "Hey, Corrinne. This is Seth Clearwater. He's going to be working with us for a while."
"Hi..." Corrinne eyed the new person calmly. He reminded her of a long ago memory that she had forgotten the details of, with his dark skin, and hair that was a thick and black as her own.
"Hey there." Seth smiled gently. She was adorable, and beautiful, even for her young age. Seth found that he couldn't look away from her. It dawned on him what was occurring. He had just imprinted. And there was nothing he could do about it. He was absolutely taken by her, and now, he wondered exactly how he'd handle that, with her being in an institution like this. He would have to work on that almost immediately. He had to drag his eyes away briefly. Ms. Martha was talking.
"You've heard of the big city programs like Big Brothers and Big Sisters?"
"Uh huh." Sam kept one eye on Corrinne. She was studying him just as curiously. "You want me to look after some of the kids like that?"
"Well..." Ms. Martha nodded to Corrinne. "We've been having a hard time placing her in proper foster care. It's been a challenge, and she's been so lonely..."
Corrinne looked away from Seth now. She sensed something weird was happening too. She was feeling very attached to him already. "I want to stay with Seth." She said suddenly.
"Well, that works otu well for both of you then, doesn't it?" Ms. Martha smiled. "We'll have a better chance to get accquainted this weekend, Seth. If you have any questions before then, my office is down the hall." She left then, leaving the girl, and her new employee to get to know each other.
They both watched her go, then Corrinne eyed Seth. "Where are you from?" She took a pace back. She liked Seth, and she felt oddly attached to him. That made her nervous, as if he had done something intentional to make her feel that way.
"La Push, the Quileute reservation." Seth explained. He imagined that Corrinne had never been exposed to his race before. Though, she herself, looked like she might've been part Native American. "How old are you, Corrinne?" He sat down in chair so that he wasn't towering over her. He was fairly tall for his age.
"Nine. How old are you?" She sat down in a chair next to him.
"Almost fifteen." Seth tried to put her at ease. She didn't look like she wanted to trust him too much, though he felt that she was already, without realizing it. "So...how long have you been here?"
"Since I was three." She spoke softly, her eyes lowered. "No one wants me."
"I bet that's not true..." Seth stood up, and held out his hand. "Can you show me around?" He wanted to get to know the one he would inevitably spend the rest of his life taking care of, and later getting together.
"Okay." Corrinne found that she didn't feel threatened by Seth. In fact, he was the first boy to show her any kindness since she'd been there. She took him out to the swing set. There were some people there, a young couple, who were talking with a little boy about leaving the place. She tried to ignore it. It always pained her when someone else was getting adopted. She led Seth to the swings, and she sat down. "Can you push me?"
"Sure thing!" Seth eyed the family as they left. He didn't envy Corrinne's situation, that was for sure. He couldn't imagine what it must be like, to watch as every child slowly leave, while you remained behind. He got behind her, and began to push her lightly. Mom is just going to love the fact that I imprinted on my assignment. But that's the least of my worries. What if by some miracle, she becomes adopted while I'm at school? Then what would happen to me? I remember Jacob worrying about the Cullens maybe having to leave with Renesmee. He had been really upset. Would I react the same way? I can't risk finding out. I need to find a way to get her out of here. and soon! His thoughts were interrupted by Corrinne giggling to go higher. He complied. "You like the danger of it, huh?"
"Yeah!" Corrinne was really fast liking Seth. She hoped he would come back tomorrow. This had been the most fun she'd had in months. "Will you be back tomorrow?"
"You bet." Seth smiled, and brought the swing to a stop, as a bell tolled. "I guess it's dinner time for you, right?"
"Yeah..." Corrinne was reluctant to leave Seth's side. She was afraid this was all a dream. "Promise you'll come back?"
"Cross my heart." Seth smiled, and did just that. "I'll see you tomorrow, Corrinne." He went to sign out of the office, and smiled at Ms. Martha, who came to see him out. "She's a lot of fun. I can't understand why no one wouldn't want that sweet little girl..."
"I'm not certain myself. She turned up on our porch when she was three. And we never heard from any relatives. We did as much research as we could, trying to place her with a living relative." Ms. Martha dropped her voice a notch. "There's a rumor that her father was Quileute too. There is no proof of it, except the thickness of her hair, and the shape of her eyes. Though she looks more like she'd pass for a white girl to me."
Seth frowned. He had noticed that too. Maybe that would help his case some, unless everyone hated the father. "Well. I'll be back here tomorrow. She asked for me."
"I had feeling she might..." Ms. Martha had noticed the instant bonding between the two. "Well, it was nice meeting you, Seth. I'll see you tomorrow."
Seth left after that, feeling very accomplished. Jacob was out front already, waiting for him in his Rabbit. He got in the car. He wasn't sure how to bring up the imprinting right then. He smiled at Jacob. "Thanks for the ride, man."
"No problem." Jacob grinned widely. "So...how did it go? Will you like it?"
"Oh, I'll like it alright...I don't have a choice in the matter but to go back now..." He looked at Jacob. "I imprinted."
Jacob pulled his car over to the side of the road, and looked at Seth. "On who?" They had all been wondering who would be the next to imprint. No one had guessed Seth, because he was so young. He studied Seth. The teen was okay with it, appeared, but he still looked bothered.
"On a little girl named Corrinne." Seth ran a hand through his hair. "Mom is going to have a cow. How could I have imprinted on her? She could be adopted by tomorrow, for all I know."
"Or maybe not." Jacob put in. "Adoption hours are over for now. Maybe you can talk to Sue tonight, and see what she says." He pulled back into the street. "So, imprinted, huh? How does it feel?"
"It feels like I didn't want to leave her there. She was so sad, and worried that I wouldn't come back..." Seth sighed. "I wish I could have taken her home with me..."
"Welcome to my world." Jacob replied, smirking. "I never want to leave Renesmee when I go visit." He smiled then, warmly. "I'm sure everything is going to turn out fine." He knew Sue would understand imprinting. She was after all, a part of the tribe. "You'll have to let me know how it all works out." Jacob said then.
"I'm sure you'll know soon enough." Seth replied. He leaned against the front seat of the car now, dreading the conversations that were to come when he got inside. Jacob turned the radio on, and they rode the rest of the way in silence. '