Sam POV
"Quil, Embry you have the next patrol and Paul and Seth will take over after that," I ordered.
"No problemo boss," Quil snarked. I could hear Embry sniggering in the background.
"I told you not to call me that." I shot them a disapproving look, sometimes I forget how much younger they are.
"Patrol now." I let the alpha timbre slip into my voice, so that they would hopefully get to work sometime today.
"Sorry Sam, we're on it," Embry reassured with a wink.
I heard the slam of the back door reverberate, as Embry and Quil headed to the border of the forest to relieve Leah and Jake from patrol. I made my way to the kitchen to make myself a sandwich but of course when I opened the fridge it was empty. Letting out a long sigh, I picked up my keys, frustrated that I had to go buy groceries again to stock my fridge. The pack seemed to treat it as a vending machine that didn't require a payment method.
I pulled into a space and hopped out of my truck in search of a shopping cart. Pacing through the aisles, I picked up the essentials as fast as I could. My cart skidded, as I directed it into the bread aisle in search of hot-dog buns. Rounding the corner, I narrowly avoided bumping into a short girl jumping up, trying to reach some English muffins from the top shelf. I heard her let out a huff of annoyance as she remained unsuccessful in getting her item, no matter how hard she tried to elongate her body.
I couldn't help but laugh at the display she was providing, as I walked up behind her. Deciding to put her out of her misery, I casually leant over to retrieve the English muffins. As I reached over her, we made eye contact when she turned towards me in surprise. In that moment I felt the shift, her scent was overpowering and I had to use every ounce of control to keep the wolf beneath the surface. Shit, I just found my mate. She cleared her throat self consciously and gave me a small smile.
"Thanks, I almost had it."
"Right, centimeters away from reaching it," I teased her.
Billy and Old Quil made me aware of the imprinting legends regarding the alpha of the pack, not long after the first imprint occurred. An alpha doesn't imprint but finds a mate to procreate with, upon finding his mate the alpha will be consumed with the need to carry on the alpha line. I felt a strong surge of protectiveness and attraction but it wasn't like Jared's imprint bond to Kim, it wasn't love at first sight.
I surveyed her body and although she was small probably only 5'1 she had nice curves, the wolf was satisfied that she had child bearing hips. Whoa, childbearing hips? They weren't kidding when they said the need to procreate becomes dominant to both man and wolf. Prior to this, I definitely didn't catalogue a female's birthing features. I realised I was just staring at her and still had her caged in my arms. I reluctantly stepped back, relinquishing her personal space.
"Hi, I'm Sam," I quickly introduced myself, in an attempt to stall her imminent departure.
"Becky," she responded, her eyes crinkling as she smiled up at me.
Becky was undoubtedly beautiful, with a silky brown bob that framed her heart-shaped face. Animated grey, blue eyes radiated warmth at you, just how a mother's should. The wolf appreciated her small frame, acknowledging his natural inclination for dominance; whilst the man appreciated her delicacy.
"Well, thanks again," she gave me small nod of appreciation and maneuvered her cart towards the next aisle.
"Are you new to La Push, I don't remember seeing you around here before?" I needed to find out more about her before she left.
"Yeah, I just moved up here for a teaching position at the reservation's school." She loosened her grip on her cart and angled herself towards me.
"Oh yeah, what do you teach?"
"English, what about you, what do you do Sam?"
"I own my own construction company here on the reservation."
"Would you fancy grabbing a bite to eat with me?" I asked boldly. She glanced down to where my hand had halted her cart and then met my eyes, indecision meeting me.
"I mean it's the least you can do considering…" I trailed off, trying to bait her.
"Considering …?"
"Considering just a few moments ago you were a damsel in distress. I might well have saved your public image. It would have been hard to recover, had a less upstanding citizen than myself witnessed your bunny hopping and had I not intervened a possible injury, whilst attempting to get English muffins." Her laughter made me smile and I could tell I had won her over.
"You're right, quite the public service. Do you want my number and you can ring me to arrange it?"
"That would be great, I can fill you in on everything you need to know about La Push." She reached into her purse and scribbled down her number on a post it, enclosing it in my hand.
"I guess I'll hear from you later then."
With that she headed towards the checkout and I just stood staring in her wake. My wolf clawed from the inside, instructing us to claim our mate and preserve the Uley line. I had to go talk to Billy and Old Quil, this bond was powerful and I had no idea where to begin in broaching the subject with Becky. I mean it isn't something you can just drop into conversation: would you be interested in making a litter of pups with me because I'm a werewolf and we're supernaturally mated. I got the last items I needed and headed to the checkout, grateful to Mrs. Atera who gave us a discount understanding our appetites. I drove home first and put all the groceries away, before heading to the Black's house. I pulled into their driveway and rapped on the door, ahead of entering.
"Billy, it's Sam."
"I'm in the living room, come on back," he hollered. I made my way over to him and sunk down into the old sofa, next to the armchair he was currently residing in.
"What can I do for you?" I cleared my throat uneasily, shifting awkwardly in my seat. I don't know why I felt embarrassed all of a sudden, it was Billy.
"I found my mate." Billy's eyebrows shot up in surprise but he soon turned his features into a smile.
"I'm happy for you Sam. Who is she?"
"Her name is Becky, she moved here to be a teacher at the school."
"Huh, I've met her. I was involved with the interviewing for the positions at the school. Sweet girl, seemed a little lonely. She would make a good mother for our future alpha."
"That is what I wanted to talk to you about, the need to umm … procreate is strong. The wolf is agitated, he feels it is important that we have a pup soon but how do I tell Becky about this?"
Billy frowned slightly: "The legends are unclear about the mating bond. It is rare for it to happen but we wanted you to be aware in case. Old Quil and I didn't think it was going to happen to you but the legends suggest that if this bond is created, there is a need to ensure the alpha line. It forewarns that there would be a future battle ahead for the pack."
"Could this explain the growing numbers of the pack, even though the Cullens have left?"
"Something is coming and I think it is time we start preparing our reservation but until then go with your instincts and try to mate with Becky. Although, there isn't much advice I can give you in that respect. I think the best course of action is to come right out and tell her the legends, the truth. It seems your wolf has a deadline."
"Thanks Billy."
I was troubled with what Billy had said the mating bond foretold. I picked up Becky's number and dialed with shaky hands. It's comical really, planning tactical sequences to face a cold one doesn't phase me. Asking a 5"1 female on a date, had my neck covered in a sheen of sweat and my fingers drumming nervously.
"Hey it's Sam from this morning. Would you like to come to mine for dinner tomorrow?"
Author's Note: Hi everyone, if you're new to this story I hope you enjoy. Please drop me a review and let me know what you think so far.