Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight or any of it's characters.

Quil's POV

Only three more months to go Quil, I thought to myself. Three more months and you can tell her about the imprint.

Quil? Quil? Quil?! QUIL! Jake screamed, his normally calm tone was gone, replaced with panic and fear.

Jake? What's going on? What's happened? I was frantic, as he kept his thoughts blocked. Jake never kept me out of the loop.

Phase back, Quil. There's something we need to tell you. He had calmed down quite considerably when he heard my thoughts. I wonder what's up with that...

Sure thing. What's so important though?

You'll find out soon, was his distant reply before phasing into his human form. Something was definitely wrong, and I need to find out. Jake was never like that. When Same, Jared and Paul stopped phasing to grow old with their imprints, he wasn't this upset. But Jake knew the power of the imprint, so of course he wasn't upset for long.

I phased back, and pulled on my ratty cut-offs. I rummaged through my pocket, pulling out the necklace Claire had made me two years ago.

Flashback

We were sitting on the top of the shed. We always came up here, ever since she was twelve, for our birthdays.

"Hey Quil..." my angel started.

"Yeah, Claire-bear?"

"I just... I wanted to give you this. It's not that great, and not much either. I just, I thought you'd like something like this, but it's okay if you don't. I'll go buy something instead. I mean-"

I pressed my right index finger to her lips. "Ssh, Claire. You haven't even let me see what it is yet."

She let out a breath I didn't know she'd been holding. Her hand slipped into the pocket in her jeans, and came out with a leather cord. It was black, and looked long enough to sit just under the hollow of my neck. Hanging from the leather, was a small chocolate brown wolf carving.

"It's beautiful Claire," was all I said as I slipped it on, toying with the little wolf. She smiled, and her whole face lit up. She was so beautiful. No-one could ever compare to her.

I leant down and placed a kiss on her forehead, like I'd been doing ever since she was two. She smiled once again, but this one was more shy. Her face tinged red, but only slightly.

"Quil, I-" she started, but was cut off by her mother, Linette.

"Claire sweetie! We have to go now! Quil, happy birthday dear. I'm sorry for interrupting."

"No worries Linnie."

I jumped from the top, and held my arms out for Claire to jump into. Seconds later, she was wrapped in my embrace, and I swear, I heard her mumble something along the lines of, "I love you, Quil," but I wasn't sure.

My uncertainty got the better of me, so I whispered a, "goodnight Claire, love you sweetheart."

End Flashback.

That was almost two years ago. The only time I had ever taken the necklace off was when I was patrolling. I always had my emotions in check, so I didn't fear ruining it.

I walked through the front door of the Cullen's house, to see the pack crying, and the Cullen's looking so devastated you'd think someone was dying.

"Quil, I don't know how to put this..." Edward started. Oh dear Lord. "...but Alice here had a vision. It was of Claire." When he said those words, my heart faltered and my breathing stopped. "She's safe Quil. Nothing hurt her physically." I let out my the breath, and sighed in relief.

"Wait... what do you mean physically?" I asked, eyes narrowed.

"Quil, Alice saw her at the cemetery in La Push. She had her eyes closed and was crying. The grave... it wasn't... it was... it was your grave Quil." My jaw dropped and my heart broke. I couldn't let her down. I was her protector, I was meant to stay by her side and keep her safe! I wasn't supposed to die on her!

How long Edward? I thought, directing it at the mind reader.

"I'm assuming from what I saw of her vision, that you will... leave us... in exactly three months" I froze. Her birthday...

"We tried changing it, Quil. I had Jacob change your shifts, had Carlisle to decide to go with you when you're patrol, everything we could think of. Her future did go blank for one decision, but I don't think it was because she was with you," Alice explained, softly keening, and holding on to Jasper. How am I ever going to tell Claire?

"Write her a letter, Quil. I'll give it to her when we gather at Emily's for her party, along with your present of course," Edward suggested. I almost hugged him. Almost.

My brothers... and Leah... pulled me into a group hug. Jacob and Embry were bawling their eyes out, and Seth's usually happy aura was missing as the tears streamed silently from his bloodshot eyes. Sam's face was broken, and Jared and Paul had a tear escape. Collin and Brady were sombre, and did nothing but try to hold back tears. Leah surprised me. She flung her arms around my shoulders, and buried her face in the crook of my neck. Her tears were hot against my skin, but they disappeared quickly because of my extreme body temperature. Her quiet sobs heard throughout the whole house. Nessie had joined the hug, and kissed my cheek, her tears falling freely down her pale face.

"Guys, I... I need to be with Claire. To make her happy before it's all over. I need to spend as much time as I can with her. You guys are family. Don't forget me, 'cause I won't ever forget you. We're family in the truest sense. I... I love you guys."

With that I turned on my heel, and ran to Claire's house. It was six o'clock on a Saturday, and I knew she'd kill me for it, but I needed to spend as much time with her as humanly possible before I died. Not even five minutes later, I was outside her bedroom window. Her room was still painted chocolate brown, from when she was a kid. Apparently it was her favorite color. It took me a while to get it before I understood why. But none of the other guys imprints had painted their rooms the color of their soul mate's fur. My Claire was special. The most important thing besides my pack, more important then the food I eat, or the water I drink, or even the air I breathe. She was what held me to this world. Even after I die, I won't leave this place until she joins me.

I tapped on her window, and smiled just slightly when she fell out of her bed. My Claire was a light sleeper, and scared pretty easily. It was so cute the way she curled into my side when we watched horror films, and the way she lets out little whimpers when she's scared at night, and the way she pretends like she isn't scared, but you can see it in her eyes that she's clearly terrified. I was going to miss her so much. And she wasn't even mine. I had promised her parents, and Sam, that I wouldn't tell her about imprinting until she was 18. I'm not sure if that promise was still valid, but I decided not to tell her, but to write it in her letter.

She glared at me, but her glaring soon turned to one of worry, and sadness. I wonder what I looked like right now, but at this very point in time, it didn't matter. Claire opened the window, and I slid into her room. Her expression was so heartbreaking, I wondered if she knew my time was nearly up. I just hoped to God that the vision will change. Please, dear God, let it be wrong.

"Quil? Quil, what's wrong? Please don't cry. It's okay, I'm here." Her comforting words were hollow. She had no idea that I would let her down, and her whole life would never be the same. I had no idea I was crying until I felt her wipe away the tears that had been falling, for what I guess what quite some time.

"Claire... I... I just wanted to tell you..." I tried to find the right way to tell her. I know I couldn't tell her I imprinted on her, but if I told her that I imprinted, she'd figure it out... right?

"What is it Quilly?" Ever since she was four, she would call me Quilly. It stopped once she got to the age of thirteen, and only used it when she wanted something... and now for comfort. Well, here goes nothing...

"Claire, I imprinted." Way to be blunt, Quil.

I watched as her eyes went from shock, to happiness, to disappointment. "That's great Quil, who is she?"

"You know who she is... just think about it Claire. I should have told you earlier but I promised-"

"What do you mean 'should have told you earlier'?" she questioned, and the disappointed look was replaced with anger. "How long ago did you imprint Quil?"

"Sixteen years ago. Claire, I couldn't tell you, I promised-"

"I don't care Quil. I'm supposed to be your best friend. For sixteen years you never told me you had a girlfriend?! You didn't mention her, and you sure as hell never introduced me to her! I thought you trusted me." The broken look on her face made me want to throw myself off a cliff, but there was no need for that, when I only had three months left.

"I do trust you, and you are my best friend. I wasn't supposed to tell you until your eighteenth birthday. I know, I shouldn't have kept this from you, you deserve to know."

"If you trusted me you would've told me. If I was your best friend, you would've told me. Best friends tell each other everything, and you kept something huge from me. Doesn't your imprint get mad at you for spending so much time with me? You know what, I don't even want to know. Get out Quil." I stood there, eyes wide open, fresh tears spilling from my eyes. Her eyes softened, but her expression hardened. "Out."

I shuffled my way over to the window, and climbed out. As soon as my feet hit the ground, I ran towards the woods, shaking from head to toe. I quickly pulled my shorts off, and phased as the pain overtook me, piercing my heart. She never wanted to speak to me again. To even look at me. I know it. I let out a pain filled howl, and ran to the Cullen's mansion.

Quil? Jake thought. What are you doing? Why aren't you with Claire?

Instead of answering him I let him see what happened in Claire's room.

Aw Quil, things are going to work out. She'll come around before her birthday... he trailed off, trying not to think of what would happen on her birthday.

Thanks man, but I doubt it. You saw the look on her face, she never wants to see me again, and in three months time, she won't.

She will bro, just... let her cool off. An imprint can never be mad at her wolf for long.

I trust you Jake. Let's phase back? He agreed silently, and soon I was standing in the forest naked. Yet again, I pulled on my cut-offs, and made my way into the mansion. The pack, Sam, Jared and Paul were sitting at the kitchen table, food piled in front of them, but none of it was touched. The expressions on their faces were devastating, but were quickly masked into a fake smile, obviously to make me less stressed. It didn't work, but I was grateful. They wanted to make everything as happy and normal as possible. But how was I supposed to do that when Claire wouldn't even talk to me? I just wanted to kiss her and tell her I love her.

I spent the rest of the day hanging out at Sam and Emily's. Their two children were running around like everything was normal, even though it was evident it wasn't, and the twins knew that, but they never asked questions, instead attempting to lift everybody's broken spirits. It was obvious they knew, but never spoke of it and for that we were grateful. Kim and Jared, and Paul and Rachel came and spent the day with us, their children, who were younger then Sam and Emily's but still old enough to know something was wrong. We put on a brave face, and acted somewhat normal for the kids.

~-~

It's Claire's birthday tomorrow. She still hasn't spoken to me since the day I told her I had imprinted. I wanted so badly to talk to her, to set things straight, but no matter what I did, how many times I called or how long I stood outside her window, she never caved. She was always stubborn, my girl. Never backing down from a challenge, always trying to prove that she was right. That was one of the reasons I adore her. She's my heart and soul, my everything. Three months of ignorance. Three months of being without her. Three months of crying myself to sleep at night. And I hadn't even written her a letter. I was a pathetic excuse for a wolf. I hoped that she would forgive me after I'm gone.

I knew I shouldn't write her this letter while my emotions were everywhere. I couldn't think of anything else. I just wanted her to know she was the most important person in the world. She was my world. I grabbed the black pen from the drawer, and a piece of paper that looked suitable for her birthday and started writing.

My dear Claire,

I'm sorry I never told you about the imprint before, and I'm not sure if you've figured it out yet, but Claire, you are my imprint. I spent half my life caring for you, looking after you, trying to protect you. When you were two, you looked my in the eyes, gurgled a "hewwo" and from then on, you were my world. I think its kind of ironic. You literally had me at hello, just it wasn't romantic at the time. I know it sounds creepy, because imprinting means you're my soul mate, but it wasn't like that at all. The imprinter will be whatever you want them to be, whether its a best friend, brother, protector or a lover. I was always your big brother growing up, and later it was more like your best friend. I've always been your protector, and always wished that someday, I would become your lover. But I guess that it won't ever happen now. I'm so sorry Claire-bear.

I promised your Uncle Sam that I wouldn't tell you about the imprint until your eighteenth birthday, and even though I know that I won't be there to celebrate the occasion, I kept to my promise.

Remember the time when you were obsessed with the song "Everything I Am" by Stanfour? The lyrics of the song... well, its how I'm feeling right now. Its been three months since you last spoke to me, and there are many more to come. Years even. But don't worry about me Claire, I may be gone, but I'll always protect you, watch over you, and love you. No matter what.

The past three months have been hell without you Claire. Nothing makes us so lonely as our secrets. I wish I hadn't kept it from you. Maybe then, we'd be happy, and I'd get to see you one last time. But I know it's impossible. I could never forgive myself for leaving you, but it was something unavoidable. I wish it could be different. I'd hate to leave knowing you hated me.

Please, Claire, I know this sounds absurd, but I want you to do one thing for me. I want you to be happy Claire. I want you to get married, have kids and become a famous artist. Live your life the way you would if I were there.

You're my everything Claire, and I hope you find it in your heart to forgive me. Even if I'm not here for you physically, I'll always be here in spirit.

I love you, Claire.

Forever Yours,
Quil Ateara Jr.

I put down the pen, and sealed the envelope. It was four in the morning. Claire was no officially eighteen. It was usually this time when I'd sneak in through her window, and place her gift on her pillow. But I couldn't do it this year. She didn't want anything to do with me. Instead I picked up her carefully wrapped present, and the sealed letter, and ran to the Cullen's.

When I arrived, Edward was standing out the front, with the pack, the retired wolves, and all the imprints... all except Claire.

I gave Claire's present, and letter to Jake, and he knew what was going on. I asked him to give it to her when we were in wolf form a while back.

I turned around to face everybody, and I was pulled into the biggest hug, with all the imprints, wolves, and ex-wolves. Today was supposed to be one of celebration, not mourning. I can't believe I was ruining her birthday. I couldn't bear to put a damper on her big day. She was now officially an adult. The one I always thought I'd grow old with. I guess not.

Wait... it was four am, and here I was, hugging everybody I ever cared for. Well, almost everybody. But that's besides the point. Why was my family out the front of a mansion owned by the Cullen's, who are vampires, and FOUR IN THE MORNING?!

"They wanted to say goodbye..." came Edward's reply.

I wiped away the tears that were flowing, and took a deep breath. I took a step back, and locked eyes with everybody standing in the driveway/clearing. Most had tears streaming down their face, and the rest were vampires, so they didn't shed a tear. Esme, Alice and Bella were sobbing uncontrollably, while Rosalie looked like she was about to do the same. The men were standing there, looking torn. I wonder what emotions Jasper's feeling right now...

"Let's go inside, I'm sure the kids are cold," I suggested, and everyone agreed.

We spent the next five hours just being in each others presence, and I took comfort in the fact that these people cared for me. All of them meant something to me, even the Cullen's. If it wasn't for them, I wouldn't have imprinted, and I would have waited at least 18 years before I found her.

"Guys, we have to go now. You have Claire's birthday to set up, and I have to run patrol," I said at ten o'clock.

"Quil, why don't you just come to her party? You don't have to run patrol today," Jake tried to reason with me, but it was no use. If she didn't want me there, I wouldn't be there.

"It's okay. What if some bloo-vamp tries to ruin her birthday? I don't want you guys to be in danger, so go, have fun."

Time Skip - Seven hours later

I was running patrol on the western border, when I came across a sickly sweet scent. Since I was used to the Cullen's scent, I knew immediately it wasn't them. They weren't to arrive until later. This one was heading towards First Beach, only a mile from Claire's house. I had to stop him. If it was the last thing I do.

I was on his trail, and soon enough, I was lunging for him. He dodged my attack, and kicked me in the gut. We fought, dodging and counter attacking. It was a good ten minutes before I tore his arm off from the shoulder. Soon enough, we were in the woods behind Claire's house. I was getting beaten, but since we were so close to the house, the guys should be able to hear us, or smell the vamp at least. When after twenty three minutes none of the pack came to help, I howled. Not long after, I heard the pack come to my rescue.

Yeah, come now, never mind the fact I've been out here for about an hour fighting this thing, I though, my words dripping with sarcasm.

Sorry, bro. We didn't smell him. I think that's his power, so to speak, Jake thought. The pack cornered the nomad, and ripped him apart, while I lay on the grass, naked in my human form. I had no strength left, and the wounds he left were deep. I struggled to pull on my sweat pants, as I heard footsteps approach me. I looked up to see the vampire. Must have gotten away from the pack... Wait, I thought he was cornered. I didn't ask questions, I didn't fight, I just lay there, and waited for him to kill me.

He seemed thrown off by my reluctance to fight. After what seemed like the longest three seconds of my life, he raised his left hand, and clawed at my neck. The pain was excruciating, and the rate my blood was pumping out of the lacerations made it even more painful. But the hardest part was opening my eyes to see Claire, tears streaming down her face, eyes glued on my mutilated body as she screamed, "Quil, don't! Please don't leave me! You promised me! QUIL!" Her cries had triggered something inside, and a tear escaped. Emily and Nessie were holding her back, and she slumped down to her knees, her sobs shaking her body violently. Emily and Ness seemed to think she was giving up, but as soon as they let go of her, she sprinted over to where I lay. The ability to heal fast was useless right now, since the wounds were too deep, and the splintered and shattered bones were not helping at all. I felt someone curl up beside me, and by the way my heart lurched, I knew it was Claire. Her hot tears fell onto my chest, as she tried to stop the bleeding. It was no use, I could already feel the darkness taking over my body, and I knew these were my last moments with her.

"Remember me Claire. I.. Love... You..." I rasped before the darkness overtook me, and the last thing I saw was the beautiful face of my imprint. My Claire.

And very faintly, I heard her whisper six words that made my heart stop beating for good. "I love you too, Quil. Forever."

A/N: so, I'm back, and I've brought a new story with me!

I'm not sure what you guys think as of yet, but I was wondering if I should go on, or just leave it as a one-shot. I have all these idea's for it, and I really want to continue, so if I do, it will be Claire's life after Quil dies. It will be told in different points of view, the main one being Claire's. It will also be told in Jake, Embry, Nessie, Edward and Alice's POV (Edward and Alice for their powers and Nessie's because she's Claire's best friend; of course Jake and Embry because Quil was their best friend). So review and tell us what you think.

and to those who have read our other story 'With Me' we will continue, because you love us oh so much. so a new chapter of that should be up in about a week, since we're working on four stories at once, as well as trying to come up with a way to make out story 'Your Love is a Lie' more interesting, and bring our favourite wolf into it ;D

see you on the flip side,
Rachel and Gabby x