"Tainted Love"

Chapter 1: Wolf Fights and Changes ~~~**Claire's POV**~~~

Standing in the bitter cold air that is typical Forks, Washington weather, I peered from behind the great spruce; I saw the deep chocolate fur of the enlarged wolf. The menacing growls tore through the late evening air. Suddenly, the fearful growls were no longer there. Shit! I thought. That had to mean something bad. I knew about the pack since I was twelve and everything they did. La Push was my favorite-still is-place and when I first learned about its shape-shifting and vampire inhabitants I was a little overwhelmed, but my two best friends were a Shape-shifting Wolf and a Half-vampire. So, you can see where I practically passed out. My mom would tell me the tribe's history when I was little and it was bedtime. Also, my Aunt Emily would make food for the pack. Quil, My lifelong best friend, would give me piggy back rides while in his wolf form, but that only happened once in a Blue moon. Renesmee (Nessie), my other best friend, would make sand castles with me. Only she grew at an alarming rate and only got to be two for a matter of weeks. I guess life wasn't what it turned out to be.

Even now, I was forbidden to do the simplest things. No more hanging out in the woods without someone in the pack with me at all times. Geez, they all acted like over protective mothers. That made me think about my life and how Akiha, my older sister, and I coped with our parents passing away when I was in the sixth grade. Quil was the only person that helped soothe my pain and got me off my feet when I needed it. And for that I'm grateful.

Over the past few years I started to realize everything was changing; like the way uncle Sam started getting gray hair, how their son-Lucas Levi Uley-gave his first kiss out, The way Nessie seemed to be happier with the Cullens, How I started to prefer to hang-out with Quil more, How I noticed him physically and gave Akiha a harder time so she went to college and I moved over to Aunt Em's. Change is good right?

Lucas was one of the main reasons I chose to stay at Aunt Emily's place. He's just too adorable. I remember how all the 'Wolf Girls' would smother him and Uncle Sam would say, "You guys might as well take a pillow to his face," I smiled at the memory. Those were the simpler times.

I heard yelling coming not five feet in front of me. Just then Embry and Quil were running to meet me at my spot.

"No! She's still too young. Now, shut up Em…" Quil bellowed. Should I be concerned? Wait! Did he just say she?

"Oh, hiya, Claire-bear!" Quil's death glare turned to his signature impish grin. I couldn't help but smile back. "Hi, Qwil," I greeted, "So, who won this time?" I asked. Quil and I had a long talk once I turned fifteen about the whole nickname issue. We agreed that if he wanted to still call me Claire-bear then he'd still be Qwil. And when the boys from the pack wanted to play fight even not in their wolf form I had to stay at a distance. At these types of fights I usually would tune them out because; I didn't really see the point or see anything anyways.

Embry laughed like I missed some interesting fact. I probably did. He just shook his head and ran towards Aunt Emily's house to eat. While I stood there looking expectantly up at Quil. Quil hadn't changed since I was little. He still looked physically sixteen with his inch-length hair and mocha skin tone with his impish grin. He was breathtaking. Whoa! Breathtaking? I caught myself. Why do I always let those words slip to describe his devastating good-looks? His brown eyes captured mine and my unexpected blush caught me off guard. We both looked away quickly. I guess my feelings were changing. "So, who won?" I persisted again. He sighed out of what seemed like annoyance or reluctance.

"Em did. We should run back towards Emily's before he eats the rest of the food," He gushed out. I knew something was bugging him. He started walking at a pace I could match and avoided my gaze that I would snake over at him secretly. Right when we reached the first step to Aunt Emily's porch I grabbed Quil's forearm with my small hands. He turned his head around towards me so I could have a full view to his magnificent face. There you go with those words again idiot! I mentally scolded myself.

"Quil, is something wrong? You know like did Em do something to you?" I accused the next option of wrong doing. I knew Quil didn't really like talking about certain things with people, but he never kept anything from me. Must be his pride.

"Nothing just tiered. I patrolled last night remember." He reminded me. I hadn't thought about that. Wait, if so then why did he just play with Embry a few minutes ago? I just gave him my best puppy dog eyes I could muster. "Please, Quil, tell me….. Come on I'm your best friend. No secrets remember that?" I accused him. And put my hands on my hips while pouting my lips. He laughed at me. I was beyond shocked. Why on earth would he laugh at this situation we're in? Goes to show something is wrong….

"Really, it's nothing but pack stuff, Claire," He explained like I was to be deterred off the subject. Maybe I should just drop it, it's not like he's going to tell me where the others could hear our conversation.

"Fine but it still doesn't change the fact about it being a secret." I maneuvered around his large frame and into the house. Leaving my sour mood outside. I looked around the living room and saw Uncle Sam sitting with Six year old Lucas on the enormous sofa.

"Hey, Claire, How's my favorite niece?" Uncle Sam greeted me with a bear hug.

"I'm your only niece, Uncle Sam. And you're killing me here…." I huffed out with all the air in my lungs.

"True kid, sorry." His eyes crinkled with his bright smile. I nodded in response.

"Oh, Quil, I wanted to speak with you later on." Sam informed Quil who kept his head down. I looked away feeling bad for my outburst.

"Sure, Sam," He added, "Is Emily still cooking?" He asked hopefully. I felt an un-known bubble of laughter being held inside. I cracked and let it seep through my full lips. I heard their whispers and felt their eyes on me shocked.

"Emily, would you like to see Claire?" Sam called out just as I calmed down. My Aunt lit up the room with her smile.

"CLAIRE!" She exclaimed when she saw me and ran over to embrace me. I smiled hugely at seeing the familiar face of my Aunt.

"Well, how did school go in Forks?" She bombarded me with questions.

"Ah, good I guess." I thought.

"What about boys?" She gave me a sly grin. I was taken aback by that one. Quil stiffened at the question. That baffled me just as much.

"Um, no comment." I blushed.

"Well, we'll discuss this later. Quil, Embry's in there trying to eat everything and I already know that I'll have to protect my fridge from its murder." Quil just gave her a restrained smile. Was he doing this on purpose to me?

"Thanks, Emily, but I think I should get going. Bye, Guys." He called to us as he walked out the door. For some reason that hurt my heart a bit. I'm such a bitch…..

"Well, wonder what's wrong with him…..Claire?" My Uncle motioned to me. I hung my head down. I knew I'd eventually have to explain our situation to them.

"Quil is keeping secrets..." I trailed off. Emily was the first to respond back.

"I think I'll take over, Honey." She informed Sam.

"So, would you mind telling me what happened exactly?" My Aunt asked. I wanted to not really discuss this at the moment.

"Whenever I ask him about what's wrong, He just changes the subject or makes up an excuse." I mumbled.

"Maybe he's just grieving still about Old Quil, Claire. You know how it feels. Old Quil was like Quil's dad. Give him some time. He's bound to tell you sooner or later." She mended.

"I think I'm going to go to bed. Thanks for the advice." I rushed up the staircase to my bedroom of three years now. The walls a lavender mixture, A dresser made of oak wood, the bed a pale pink color and a regular sized closet. I plopped face first on the clean covers folded on the twin sized bed.

I sat up to lock my door and take off my convers, coat and skinny jeans. I got under my covers and gently shut my eyes. Soon, I was dead to the world around me and alive in my sweet dreamland.

*************************************************************************************A/N: Okay, I should explain some things. The Quil situation is in its early stages of morphing into Drama goodness and lots of fun. Claire is fifteen and a half. She decided to attend Forks High because; some of her friends from the Makah Reservation were planning on going. Lucas Levi Uley is obviously Sam and Emily's kid; they got married when Claire was five. Quil looks physically sixteen because; he didn't want age over the years Claire was growing up. He's going to Forks High with Claire because, He can't bear to be away from his imprint for six/seven hours a day and he knows how guys think right? Ha! Well, I would love some reviews if you guys have questions so…..Oh! PMs are also welcomed peoples…Much love! =D

~Love O.W.C.E