When Jenna Young was let in on why Quil cared so much for her youngest daughter- she was understanding. She didn't react hastily or with anger or fear, especially with Emily finally being able to explain everything to her sister. The wolves, the imprinting, the scar on her face- all of it. Jenna sat, slowly absorbing it, before turning to Quil, who was playing peek-a-boo with the two-year-old.
"You really care for her, don't you?" She asked, her voice thick.
"Of course," he spoke without hesitation.
"He sees her like a little sister, or a good friend," Emily reassured her, rubbing her shoulder. "If anything, she's definitely safer than she could ever dream to be." Jenna seemed relieved- being a single mother was difficult, especially with two kids. Of course, Katie was already seven years old, so that made things much easier, but Emily's helping hand was what truly saved her. She was relieved to have another hand in helping raise Claire.
Only months later, Quil and the pack's vigilance proved true- they caught a vampire on their land, one of the ones with red eyes. That was when it all began. Not too long after they informed the Cullens, stories started popping up in the newspapers. People missing, or found dead, some drained of blood. They all knew why. Someone was building a coven- no, an army, and wasn't being discreet with their hunting of humans. If the Volturi became aware and handled the situation before the Cullens and the pack did, it wouldn't go well. Edward Cullen was the first to inform them of the war that would be coming to them. Quil's first thought was Claire. Although she was more than far enough away from their area and no vampire had really any reason to go after her, Quil would have to keep his distance. Not only due to training, but even due to the mere idea that a vampire could follow his scent to her reservation. The Makah tribe wasn't like them, they didn't phase. They would be defenseless. Quil had been with his little best friend every single day for months- it would be hard for both of them. Claire loved having him around, and he loved being around her and her family. Of course, Quil wouldn't entirely not see her- he physically couldn't be away for so long, and she would have a hard time as well.
Quil ended up only seeing Claire twice a week and spent the rest of the time training with the pack. He would be meeting with the Cullens for the first time to practice fighting with the vampires from the quiet one, Jasper. Apparently, he had fought with a lot of newborn vampires a long time ago. Quil was still uneasy around vampires, as came naturally, but he knew they were good people.
In the middle of a field, Edward Cullen, the one Quil had seen most, spoke. He walked towards them, farther from Bella and his family, to speak. Everyone had phased and was waiting. Edward could only hear them.
"I know this is strange for all of you. We can't possibly thank you enough," he stated. Quil could smell all of them so strongly- they smelled too sweet, and like a thick cloud of smoke together. "My brother here, Jasper, is definitely the one out of all of us who is most experienced in fighting newborns. Our plan will be for everyone to try fighting each other, new techniques, learn how to take down a newborn. It's very different from killing an older vampire, as you all know."
Get on with it, Leah sneered, standing next to Seth, her little brother, farther away from Quil. Sam was at the head of our odd-formation.
Shut it, he demanded, ultimately shutting her up. He continued, thinking towards Edward. Edward, we agree on your plan. We share this land, and we plan to help you protect it as you help us. The treaty, for this time being, will be void until after the fight. After finding Emmett on our land, though it wasn't his intention, we see no reason as to why we should be so worried about you accidentally crossing the treaty line in the case that a newborn crosses it- within reason, of course.
Some of the pack members disagreed strongly with the line being no longer an issue, they came upon an agreement with simply closing the line in on their land temporarily. Quil agreed- it was the smartest idea. There was no reason to have the land so split down the middle during such a fight. Of course, it would be back to normal after.
Jasper Hale introduced himself formally to the pack. He was obviously from the south, a long time ago. He showed the pack some of the tactics on his mate, the pixie one, Alice. Stay away from the neck, get them off their feet. When you tear them apart, gather all the pieces and burn them, as usual. The best part was that their ignorance to the wolves' existence. The fight would be farther out in the mountains, but none of the pack minded. Quil was happier- it would all be farther away from Claire. He and Jenna decided that he would call Claire every day he was away, in the morning, in the middle of the day, and before she went to sleep. Claire insisted upon the idea. She was very attached and almost possessive of Quil.
The pack traveled closer to Seattle, higher up into the mountains, not too close to where Bella, who insisted upon coming, would be staying. Jacob seemed more than thrilled that she would be staying with them. They all tried to ignore his angsty thoughts during the whole ordeal. Then came the morning that the attack would begin. Only a few more hours, and one last phone call to Claire. They all had confidence that they would win- Quil wasn't too concerned- he couldn't die, not when he had to be there for Claire.
Only half a dial tone passed before he heard the phone be answered. Claire had learned to answer and hang up the phone herself.
"Quil!" The child giddily shouted into the phone. Her speech was still normal for a three-year-old, the 'l' in Quil's name having a 'w' like sound to it.
"Hey, Claire-bear! How's your morning? How's your mom and Katie doing?" Quil asked, suddenly very tuned in on the situation. He loved when she told him all about her morning- breakfast, her older sister teaching her how to make bracelets and necklaces with beads and stretchy string. Quil had even gotten a make-over not too long ago on her third birthday in September. She also insisted that he wear a bracelet she made- it was a random array of different colored beads on the string. He, of course, did anything she wanted, and was wearing the very bracelet to the fight. Jenna said it made her feel better when he was gone, and he wanted to make her happy as much as possible.
Claire explained, in detail, about how her mom made french toast, and Katie helped mix the eggs. The drawings her and Katie made most of the day, since it was a weekend and Katie wasn't in school. Her and Katie, actually bonding a lot more lately, made each other friendship bracelets.
The time came when Quil had to hang up the phone. He wished he could be there with his kiddo. Seeing her made his whole day bright, almost like a parent and their own child. She insisted on him coloring with her, making jewelry, playing outside with her, and he didn't mind one bit.
"Alrighty, kiddo, I gotta go," Quil said, begrudgingly. "I'll see ya tomorrow, alright? We'll get ice cream and go back to the beach." Claire was delighted with the idea.
Then, it was time.
(Quil's POV)
Bella had helped them out after all. She used her scent to help draw the newborns to the battlefield, then using Jacob's to mask hers and go into hiding.
Most of the fight took place in the clearing in which they had trained, aside from Edward, Jacob, Bella, Seth, and the two leaders of the newborn army themselves, Victoria and Riley. Edward and Seth had insisted that they could handle it themselves, as we were all tied up with the rest of them.
The whole army split off into two groups to surprise us, but we surprised them by.. well, existing and being present. I lost count of how many of them I attacked and tore apart, as did mostly everyone else. It was an intense battle, but we ultimately won. Jasper was bit, but that wasn't much of an issue.
The worst part was Leah trying to take one on entirely on her own. She was just about to be killed when Jacob stepped in, saving Leah, but the vamp got him badly.
When we had gotten there, redressed, phased, and called by Sam, he was on the ground. He was writhing in pain, not even screaming. We were that his whole one side of his body had been shattered. Myself and the rest of the pack lifted him and carried him back to the rez. Sam followed with us, and Carlisle had followed after the Volturi had showed up, interrogating the Cullens and killing the last newborn, who had surrendered herself, regardless.
The pack was sent home, but we could all hear Jacob's screams as they had to re-break his bones to re-set them in his body. Sam and Carlisle worked together, and we were allowed to see him the next morning.
I was one of the last ones to make it over, doing so on my way to see Claire. I walked into the room. It was weird, seeing him in such a horrible shape. Apparently, Bella already visited him. I sat next to his make-shift hospital bed.
"Hell, man.." I chuckled, shaking my head.
"Oh, I know," he smirked, trying to hold back a laugh, for it would only hurt. "Shouldn't you be heading out to see the kid? She's probably got her whole arsenal of jewelry and makeup waitin' for ya. Maybe even dress up." He chuckled, obviously wincing.
"Your harassing me isn't the best idea right now, buddy," I winked. "Once you get better," I began, standing to leave. "We can race again. Don't worry, I'll go easy on ya," I joked, heading for the door. I was excited to go see Claire. She was too excited to show me her recent drawings and jewelry projects. Jenna even said that she made a new canvas out of the wall. Before I turned to leave the doorway, I looked back at Jake. While I didn't mind Claire's games, I knew that Jacob couldn't stand anything feminine.
"If you lose, you get to join me for a makeover."