Two chapters in one day, I dare say I've missed writing so I'm happy to write another so soon. Enjoy.
Understand that sometimes in order to find what you need; you must give up what you want.
"I'm just amazed to see a tourist here, after all it is off season", the older woman gave me a kind smile that made her eyes sparkle and the skin around them crinkle.
"Well nature in La Push is beautiful even in the off season", I said kindly giving her a tight lipped smile to hide my canines. She handed me the key and I lifted my bag turning toward the stairs of the small inn and up to my room. It was rather small and had a woodsy look, pictures with wolves and several old cups with a china bowl for water. It was suppose to give off a feeling of comfort with a small fire place in the corner to probably keep it warm especially during the night.
I set my bag down and walked into the bathroom attached to wash my hands. My eyes kept downcast from the mirror; not wanting to see my reflection. I walked from the bathroom turning off the light and pulling open the window looking out to the tree nearby. I yanked on a leather jacket for looks of the cold weather; even if I didn't need it. I pushed my foot up onto the window panel and slid onto the small edge closing the window behind me leaving just enough space of it open to slip my fingers through it again later. I pressed my weight onto the balls of my feet and leaped toward the tree. My hands caught the strong limb and I swung a little before letting go and landing on my feet bent a little.
I pushed myself up and looked around to see no one around to notice my maneuver. I shoved my hands into my pockets and walked toward the town my eyes studying the different buildings I passed. I made my way deeper into town and found myself moving into the forest my hands brushing along the bark of each tree. I finally came upon a small brown house in a clearing. I smelled one woman and a small child.
"Claire, be careful!" I heard the familiar voice of Emily Young. I slid into the shadows more watching the small Quileute child bounce around the front of the home giggling with her imagination and her small teddy bear. I felt for a small moment my heart warm for the little child and a true smile slid onto my lips. But then I smelled the sickly sweet scent of vampire, a lot of vampires. My eyes widened and flashed to brilliant silver when across from me three vampires appeared from the side of the house. I heard Emily scream from within the house and Claire stumble when the blonde woman rushed toward her.
Without too much thought I rushed into the clearing ripping my leather jacket off to the side. My fist connected with the blonde vampire and with a loud crack she went flying onto the side of the clearing. The other four vampires were in the house and I could hear them with a struggling Emily. I turned to a hysterical Claire.
"Claire, go get Sam and the others", I ordered the girl and she nodded running as fast as she could with her short legs. I felt the vampire slam into me riding my back. I grabbed her shirt and flipped her off of me snapping her neck clear off with my hands. Her body fell to the side motionless. I heard another scream from the house and Emily went flying out of the open window. I rushed forward and caught her in my arms skidding back from the force of the throw.
"Alayla", she gasped surprised to see me. I set her down on her feet as she wobbled a little.
"I sent Claire so go get the men, you must-", I paused when I found the last three vampires moving toward us hissing. I quickly pushed Emily behind me in a protective nature.
"Oh god", she whispered quivering.
"Emily Young, stay behind me", I narrowed my now silver eyes awaiting their attack.
"Human, blood", hissed out the oldest looking one. I moved back, Emily stumbling behind me. I quickly pressed her into the trees; pushing her behind a tree to hide as I moved toward them again.
"You will not be drinking anything except the sweet nectar of death leech", I spat out. My body curled like a spring waiting for the perfect moment. He growled and one of others turned her neck just a little and I smirked rushing forward appearing behind her and ripping her head off throwing her heavy body right at the leader flipping over his head.
I could smell the shape-shifters coming fast through the trees. I heard a whimper and shot around to find Claire in the arms of another vampire, I gasped and just in that second the vampire had me his arms under my own holding my head in an awkward position. I growled fighting his hold; the other vampire next to him grabbed Emily and dragged her toward Claire who wailed.
"I… am", I begun fighting for air as he chuckled darkly.
"You are what little Cardea", he hissed out as I heard the growl of the others appearing in the trees.
"Going to kill you", I roared throwing my head back to hit his and grabbing a handful of his hair and shirt tearing his head off. I rushed at the other vampire throwing him off of Claire as the other vampire let Emily go to attack me. I punched him and him and his friend went flying into the angry mouths of the shape-shifters. They disappeared into the forest after ripping through the vampires ravenously and all returned in human form wearing shorts.
"Sam", cried out Emily rushing into his waiting arms.
"Claire", I heard a young man say quietly moving toward her. She whimpered and I finally noticed her clutching to me hiding in my stomach quivering. I looked down at her knowing surprise was clear on my features.
Sam's POV
I pulled away from kissing Emily to notice Claire hiding in the arms of mysterious woman named Alayla. You could clearly see surprise on her face from how Claire clutched to her in fear. That's when we all saw her tough façade slide off her face and one of pure care for small Claire appeared. I was shell-shocked to see the rather intimidating woman look so very kind. She gently pulled Claire away from her and Claire looked at her sniffling gently. She bent down on one knee and lifted up Claire's prized teddy bear. Claire's eyes light up like a Christmas tree and she quickly hugged the bear and the woman.
"I believe your friend wants to speak with you little one", she said in a motherly way to Claire who nodded and rushed to Quil. When I blinked Alayla was standing and her calm and cold demeanor had returned to her face; for a moment I was unsure if I had seen what had passed truly happen. She lifted up a leather jacket sliding it over her shoulders hiding her tattooed arm.
"Thank you so much", whispered Quil who held Claire close to him. I felt a sense of gratefulness overwhelm me that the woman did something that was held in the highest regards in our pack; protect our imprints.
"I only did what I had to, my job is to protect the innocent", she said quietly before nodding to Quil and her eyes glazed upon all of us before disappearing.
Later
"So let me get this right, this broad protected Emily and Claire whiling killing five leeches", Leah looked mildly impressed as Seth explained the story to him. Leah had yet to be in sights of the mysterious slayer.
"She's pretty hot too", called out Embry who received a smack up the side of the head by Jacob.
"So she's going to be around for a while?" asked Seth curiously to me.
"Yes, I spoke with the Elders; she's proven she isn't a possible harm to the people so she'll be staying around to do her evaluation", I explained to all of them.
"Have they told her yet", asked Embry rubbing the back of his head still.
"Yes, she's been invited to the bon fire tonight where the Elders will announce it officially", everyone nodded going back to their original conversations.
Alayla's POV
The ocean air was crisp and cold as my feet sunk into the sand with every step I took to make my way toward the huge blue fire and chattering shape-shifter pack. "Hello Alayla", called out Emily from her place on Sam's lap. I nodded to her and was thrown off when a small body wrapped around my waist. I looked down blinking to see Claire's smiling face.
"Hi Ala", she said cheerfully. I gave her a small smile slightly amazed at the child's quick liking to me to bestow me with a nickname.
"How are you Claire", I asked her and she grinned again grabbing my hand trying to drag me toward the group of people. I chuckled slightly at her failed attempts to drag my 5'9 frame. I let her pull me a little to not scar her pride.
"I'm fine Ala! You look pretty", she said happily bouncing around me. I looked down at my dark wash jeans with black boots and red thermal shirt.
"Thank you Claire, so do you", I muttered as she plopped down next to the young boy from before.
"This is Quil", she said hugging his side. He beamed at her and looked at her with a lot of love. I nodded remembering his face.
"Hello again Alayla", I turned to Sam and shook his hand that was rather warm. "I'd like to thank you, I also thought it'd be good to introduce you to everyone formally", I followed him along the line of people; Paul, Jared, Quil, Embry, Jacob, Seth, Collin, and Brady.
"Oh and that's Leah", I turned to look across the fire and met brown eyes. I felt like my heart stopped as we met eyes; everything seemed to disappear and time stopped.
"Crap", I heard Sam whisper gently making me rip from my strange moment and turn to him. He placed a hand on my shoulder and I heard a rather feral growl across the fire that made my legs quake and a shiver go up my spine.
"Why don't you go sit next to Leah Alayla", said Sue the older woman from the Elders. I looked to her a second as her eyes sparkled with amusement before nodding and setting myself down next to the young woman whose eyes were on me. I looked up to meet her eyes again feeling my heart stutter once more.
Yay! The imprinting has happened! I hope you enjoyed the chapter, next time maybe Leah and Alayla will have some talking. Please review! Bye!