Hi all, I've been obsessed with imprint stories for a while now and thought its about time I write one. Hope you enjoy, would love to hear what you think.

Obviously I don't own anything, except this storyline.

More details at the end of this chapter. It's going to be a long one.

Part 1

I sat in the waiting room, looking only at my hands.

I didn't want to be here.

The lights were too bright and it was suffocating. My inner wolf hated this place and so did I.

Tom walked over to me and sat on the chair beside me with a sigh.

I wanted to ask him, but I couldn't bring myself to do it. I already knew from his grim expression what he was trying to say.

"Quil, I don't know what to do"

I was shaking involuntarily, I wondered if I was cursed or something.

How could this be happening to me… how could I survive this… did I want to survive this?

I could hear her crying from the other room and I felt sick to my stomach. I ran out of the waiting room and threw up in a patch of green in front of the hospital. Tom was behind me, but I ran off without looking at him. Claire's cries were still echoing in my head but I couldn't go and comfort her, not when I was this upset.

I did what I always did and ran for the woods, phasing as I got deeper and deeper into the green abyss.

My mind was clouded with Sam and Embry's voices, since they were patrolling.

They felt my pain but I didn't want them to feel the darkness and hopelessness I felt, so I phased back and sat on the edge of a cliff. I could see the reservation, the land of my ancestors going on for miles. I heard Sam sit next to me and take a deep breath in.

"Quil she's not dead"

He knew that those words would anger me.

"Don't you see Sam… but she is dying"

He opened his mouth to talk back but before he could, I felt my anger brimming. I stood up and pushed him.

"Don't you see that your stupid theories were all fucking wrong… I imprinted on a two year old and now when I've finally accepted how fucked up this is, she's going to be taken away from me"

I kept pushing Sam but he neverfought back, I wondered what repercussions I would face for fighting my alpha but I didn't care enough.

"I'm supposed to protect her Sam, Vampires and anything else I can handle but how am I supposed to protect her from this huh?"

I had started hitting a boulder and was one punch away from breaking it but Sam ordered me to stop.

"She's young Quil, she's only five she can fight this"

"She shouldn't have to fight anything, isn't that why I'm here?"

Sam had nothing to say to that, he knew it didn't make sense, nothing in the last ten years or so had. Sam thought his theories made sense and they did until Quil and Jacob imprinted.

Sam had felt Quil's pain even though he tried to mask it, he couldn't imagine it, the pain of knowing he couldn't help his imprint.

Quil didn't like to show weakness infront of his alpha, so Sam did the respectable thing and left him alone.

Quil stayed there and watched the sun set and for the first time in a long time he prayed. He didn't know who he was praying to, but he prayed for Claire.

….

Quil ran back to Sam's house and as he got nearer he saw Tom and Sarah's family car parked in the drive way. He opened the door, almost hesitantly, unsure of the atmosphere but to his surprise everyone was acting like their usual selves. A few of the pack members were there too, eating away and laughing with Tom while Sarah and Emily were talking and laughing at the table.

"Qwilll!" Claire had spotted him and ran to him.

He picked her up just before she ran into him and threw her in the air as he always did.

It was then that everyone turned to stare, especially the pack members since they all felt and tried to understand his pain. Tom and Sarah were avoiding looking at him though, which made him feel uneasy.

"Qwil where were you? I went to the big hospital and then the doctor gave me a lollipop but mom didn't let me eat it"

She happily babbled on about her day like any five year old and before he could even sit down she fell fast asleep in his arms. He chuckled to himself lightly, kids were hilarious and he wondered if he was like Claire at the age of 5. She could sleep anywhere and at any time.

"She couldn't take a nap today"

It was Sarah who spoke, "she wouldn't sleep until she saw you", she added through gritted teeth.

Everyone in the room got tense and Emily stood up.

"Right everyone its been a long night and boys off you go to patrol"

Everyone listened to Emily and left as quickly as they could, leaving only Sam, Emily, Tom , Sarah, Quil and a sleeping Claire.

Quil gently put Claire down so she could sleep on the couch.

"It's cancer, brain tumour to be exact"

Sarah was unreadable as she told everyone the diagnosis.

"She starts treatment in two days and I don't know or understand any of this".

I saw Tom reach for her hand and squeeze it.

"When will the treatment be finished?"

It was the first time I had opened my mouth since arriving.

"Depends on how she does"

No one else spoke for a what felt like ages but then Emily got up to make everyone coffee. I needed some air so I stood up to leave.

Just as I was about to leave, Sarah stood up in anger knocking over her coffee cup.

"You can't be more upset than I am Quil and you damn well can't act like your world is ending… I don't give a shit about your imprinting, she's my daughter okay my world is ending"

I was speechless but I couldn't expect her to understand me.

"You think that just because I let you near her, that you have this claim on her? She's just a child who needs her parents, not you"

She was right but at the same time she didn't understand imprinting, hell, neither did I. I just knew that I existed for Claire… to protect her and care for her more than anyone else. It isn't as weird to me after getting over the initial shock of the situation, I am her protector and that is it, she is family to me.

"Sarah its not that simple but it doesn't matter right now, we are all family and we will get through this", I was surprised to hear Tom say that.

He was a great husband and a loving father, I looked up to him more than my own father and I was glad that he didn't hate me.

Sarah remained unapologetic, collecting her things she cuddled Claire and took her to the car, Tom following. I watched as they drove away and I felt uneasy again… this time it was different with Sarah. Sarah was never okay with the imprint, as you would expect of a mother but she knew Quil and trusted Sam. She was still cautious though and very strict with his visits. Quil didn't mind, atleast he got to see Claire.

…..

"Qwil can you tell me a story"

It had been a few months since Claire's diagnosis and she was undergoing chemotherapy. It had been a painful few months, Claire lost a lot of weight and hair. I hadn't had a good nights sleep in a long time, the anxiety of her illness was making me sick to stomach every day.

It was in these last few days that she was showing signs of recovery and improvement and my mood was getting better and better. The pack couldn't stand being near me as I was always angry and mopey, so I couldn't blame them.

"There was a tiny little princess in a land very far away, she had the shortest of hair and the prettiest of eyes… this princess wasn't just any princess, she was the princess of wolves. The wolves protected her from scary monsters and she was always safe with them around" Claire was already fast asleep so I very slowly walked out of her room.

Sarah was in the kitchen, making cupcakes for the staff at the hospital.

"Do you need any help with that?"

"No thanks Quil, I've got it"

Thing were still tense between Sarah and I, I didn't know how to act around her since she was usually hostile towards me.

"I'm heading out to patrol, see you tomorrow"

I usually added the last part as a question; I still wanted to give Sarah the opportunity to let me down because it is her right to.

"Yes Quil see you then. Claire will be home all day, could you baby sit her for me tomorrow while I do the school run?"

"Yes I'll be there" I replied a little too eagerly, excited that she was showing some trust in me.

Sarah eyed me from the corner of her eye as she iced the cupcakes.

"I… apologise for the way I've been treating you. I heard from Sam that it hasn't been easy for you… I know the pack still gives you grief for imprinting on my daughter…I was afraid she'd have no choice with you and now I'm worried whether or not she'll live another year". I could see the tears in her eyes but I couldn't comfort her because I knew that as much as I was suffering she was suffering more. If I had an imprint bond with Claire, Sarah had a mother daughter bond that is even more magical and powerful than the one that binds me to Claire. I couldn't tell her that if in the end something did happen to Claire, I wouldn't be in pain much longer because I wouldn't be able to live without her… how could I say this to her.

"She's getting better Sarah… It's going to be okay"

"You don't even believe what you're saying but thank you… for being here, not just for her but for us too"

I heard her sniffling and still couldn't bring myself to look at her. She walked over to me and handed a piece of paper. The paper was marked with colorful sketches and it wrote 'To Quil my best friend' in the messy way a five year old would write.

"I never considered that she would need you as much as you need her. Sam assured me of your thoughts and I believe him but most importantly I believe in you."

This was the best day of my life after I met Claire, and possibly the only day I felt relieved of this guilt and disgust.

It wasn't a walk in the park for me to accept my imprint, I considered leaving and never returning but I physically didn't think I could. A part of me still hates this, being a wolf and then imprinting on a child and then finding out she is riddled with cancer. But for now I was happy and I would take this happiness at this moment, because I don't know what awaits me.

….

Two years later

Claires 7th birthday was spent in a hospital. It was in the early morning that she was scheduled to have an operation. After two years of on and off chemo, the tumour was small enough and in the right spot to be operated on. I was elated that she would finally be cancer free and worried sick that something might go wrong. I hadn't left her side since she was admitted to hospital, much to the dismay of Sarah. It was just after midnight and I heard Claire shuffling in her bed. I went over to her and was surprised to see her awake.

"Claire bear you should be asleep, it's a big day tomorrow"

"Am I going to die Quil?"

I kept forgetting that Claire was growing up and that she would be more aware of things, even death.

"Now where did you get that from?"

"It's what happens to sick people like me"

"Sick people also get better, they don't all die"

She opened her mouth to speak again but I interrupted.

"Since you're awake and officially seven years old I can give you your present".

She squealed in excitement and I smiled at her little hands going up in the air in excitement.

I took out a little box from my pocket and opened it. Inside was a gold pendant, with a round gold circle that wrote Claire. The circle had random holies in it that didn't make up a shape at first glance. I then took out a flashlight from my pocket.

"woahhh its so pretty"

"Want to see something cool?" She nodded eagerly. I held the pendant against the flashlight and shone it to the ceiling. A wolf was reflected on the ceiling.

"That is awesome Quil you're the best"

"Do you know whats the most important part of this present?"

Claire brought her ear closer to me, that little girl loved secrets.

"This is a secret message to you… I'm the wolf and you're Claire and I will always be there with you."

"So Quil you're a wolf" she whispered. I brought my finger to my mouth as a gesture for her to be quiet. She nodded in understanding, her bid doe eyes staring back innocently. She took the pendant from my hands and wore it around her neck.

"Secret… Quil's secret"

Claire added as she tucked the pendant into her hospital robe. Smart girl. Sarah wouldn't be too happy about the present. Well I didn't really know what she'd think and now I didn't have to risk it.

"Do you want to know another secret?"

She nodded.

"I'll tell you another time because for now little princess needs her sleep".

She grumbled but obliged as I tucked her in. She fell back asleep soundly, her little hands tucked underneath her head. I smoothed her short hair, praying to whoever was out there that tomorrow she would be okay.

….

It had been a week since Claire's surgery and she was recovering… it was slow but there was progress. She was under a lot of pain hence why the doctors decided to keep her heavily sedated. She was so out of it and I couldn't stay near her too long. Her unresponsiveness drove my wolf insane, to my wolf it seemed like she was dead. She smelled different too, with all the drugs in her system. The family was elated and hopeful, which helped boost my morale too.

It was during this time though that the entire pack was distracted, I was ordered away since my thoughts were so dark but Claire was still family to everyone. Everyone was distracted and our patrol schedules were lacking. I was sitting beside Claire when I heard the howls; bolting from the sound I ran to the door and told Sarah I had to leave.

I ran as fast as I could and phased. I was bombarded with the thoughts of my pack members, two leeches were on the reserve and they had killed one person. I got to them just as they burned the leeches.

I could feel and hear everyone's guilt echoing in my mind.

The dead human was a stranger to us but we were meant to protect anyone within the reservation.

…..

Another week had gone by and Claire was getting better, she still struggled to communicate. She had a major brain surgery and the doctors assured us that her young age was to her benefit and she would relearn and remember everything easily.

I was sitting in the waiting room for the past week, as Sarah insisted we don't crowd the room and by we she only meant me. After a few minutes I heard her walking towards me with Sam. Sam had a guilty look on his face and I didn't like it one bit. I could have guessed what was coming if I wasn't so distracted by Claire's health.

The both of them told me that they wanted to talk outside.

I followed them out but Sam and Sarah kept walking further and further away.

We finally made it deep into the woods and I was starting to feel nauseous being so far away from Claire.

Sam was the first to speak up.

"Sarah I can't let you do this to him"

"I will regardless"

"Sarah look at the kid, he's sick to his stomach just from being away from her for ten minutes… Don't"

"This is between me and Quil, you're only here for damage control and possibly in case he tries to hurt me… although I'm not quiet sure you're equipped for that"

Sam winced, Sarah was trying to be hurtful and it worked.

I sat down on a fallen tree trunk, feeling dizzy and sick.

"I'm taking Claire to Los Angeles for rehabilitation and I intend on staying there… for good".

She stared at me, maybe hoping I would show a reaction and her point would be proven.

"That man who died last week, it wasn't a mountain lion was it? I want her far away from all of this. The more you guys try to protect us the more bad things happen. I just got my daughter back and I want her to have a life… I don't want her to end up like my sister, Emily. I want her to have the best opportunities and the best life and she can't with you around Quil".

I said nothing.

"Have you thought that it might kill him, to be away from her".

Sam was getting angrier by the second.

"It is a risk I'm willing to take".

Sam looked gobsmacked, wandering how his wife could be related to this heartless person but Emily wasn't a mother, that's what Sam didn't understand.

"The choice is yours Sam and Quil, either we go to Los Angeles and stay there and tell you our address or we go to Los Angeles and move around until you can't find us"

Sarah had really thought this through and I was wandering for how long.

"I don't want you to see Claire! Not until she has her own life. I want her to go to college and have a boyfriend and then get married… I want her to have a normal and safe life. Is that too much to ask?"

I heard everything she said but didn't let my thoughts wander… I wanted her to have a normal life too but with me in it.

"Sarah I… I want you to understand that there's always a choice and Claire doesn't have to choose me. Hell I could be like her older brother for life… But this imprint isn't just one-way Sarah…. As much as I am bound to her, she is bound to me. She'll ask about me and she'll drive you insane."

I was pleading but I knew it was of no use. I couldn't ask a child to choose between her family and me and I wouldn't. I knew I was cursed. If an imprint could be broken I would break mine. I would've broken mine from the start. The pain I feel isn't normal… its not how imprints are meant to be. Or maybe they are… maybe we don't know anything about them. Maybe this is another sick punishment passed on from my family… these stupid genes.

"My decision is final Quil and I am sorry to hurt you but my daughter is the most important person in the world, I don't expect you to understand… call me whatever you want but you know that I love her the most and care for her more than my own life and definitely more than yours".

And with that she left. Her distancing footsteps resounding in my ears… my life was over. I sat still for a while and then threw up. Sam sat beside and wisely didn't say anything. He was at a loss for words and I could feel his sympathy.

"Quil… just know that imprinting doesn't work this way… its beyond our comprehension. It'll all work out".

I was in so much pain I couldn't understand it. Was I in pain or was it my wolf mourning.

"You know if she died I don't doubt that I would have died with her… but this is…. I don't know how I'll live. You know Sam its not love… its devotion and duty. Its not like what you have with Emily… its like me disobeying an order from you… I can disobey it but it might kill me. That how it is… this imprint is a duty… but everything was wrong from the beginning. Sarah is right… this imprint would have ruined her life… I would have ruined her life".

I was spiralling out of control but I knew if I phased my wolf would want to hurt Sarah… or maybe I did.

Sam left me there and I stayed there the entire night. I didn't sleep or talk, I just stared into the darkness hoping it would take me in. I wasn't like the other kids on the Rez, I had no close family. My mother had remarried and moved away, had her own family and my father had waited his whole life to be a shape shifter and lived for it but it never happened to him. He resented me for carrying on the family legacy because he couldn't. Claire's family had become my own… as much as Sarah didn't like the idea of me; I had nothing but affection for her and Tom. I hadn't even thought of Tom but Sarah was too determined, nothing would stand in her way. I didn't want to create a rift between any of them, because I wanted Claire to have a family, something I never had.

That's the end of this chapter, folks. This will be a relatively short story I'm thinking four chapters or so.

Thanks for reading, I'd love to know what you think and any suggestions are welcome. This isn't my first story btw just a new account.

Don't forget to R&R and new chapter will be coming soon.

Forever grateful,

VK