TPI: Chpt. 3: Claire

Waking up I missed the warmth of Quil's arms around me. Rolling over onto my side I knew he was no longer with me but it didn't stop me from searching the room with my eyes to verify his absence. Wiping the sleep from my swollen eyes I got up and got prepared for the new day ahead of me. The house was unusually quiet. Levi and Laura, Sam and Emily's children were normally early risers and often made quite a commotion before they left home. They were my cousins but I was present at each of their births and to me they were as close as I would ever get to a brother and sister. I adored them, even in their worst moments.

Walking into the main room I heard voices and soon saw that Sam, Quil and Embry all sat around the kitchen table wearing sober expressions. If I'd witnessed this scene any other day, I would have expected to see cards in their hands along with some of their famous homemade whiskey. They tended to get quite serious when they played poker. It was amusing to watch the three of them together on a normal day but today wasn't normal. No, today they were all worried about me and about Ryder's unwanted appearance in our lives.

I recalled Bella and Emily talking about the possibility that Embry was indeed Sam's half brother. Could that be why Embry stopped by last night? Did he want to know if Sam had learned anything more on the subject?

"Hello Claire." Quil turned his head and flashed me a knowing smile.

I couldn't resist smiling back despite the sadness that still wrapped my heart like a cloak on a cold winter's night.

"Hi." I lifted my head high as I made my way further into the kitchen to grab me a quick bite to eat and a cup of coffee to hopefully calm my nerves.

"What's going on today?" I asked curiously with my back toward them while I rummaged through the cabinets for my favorite pop tarts.

"I have to attend a meeting and after that I'm free if you are up for something fun." Quil offered.

"Oh. Sounds good." I turned my face toward him and continued to wear my perfect smile.

"I'm heading into town today. Do you need me to pick up anything special for you?" Sam offered nonchalantly.

"Not that I can think of." I mumbled as I put my blueberry pastry into the toaster and stood idly by while it baked.

"Did you get all of your school supplies?" Quil asked with a concerned look that made me roll my eyes. It was moments like this that I swore he was more like a father than my destined lover.

"Yes."

"K. We should get going." Quil stood up first and soon the other two followed his lead.

Grabbing a cup I poured myself some coffee. I started to open the fridge to grab my creamer when I felt Quil's hand touch my shoulder. I stopped and turned to face him with the fridge still semi open.

"I care about you Claire. No matter what they find out, my feelings will never change for you." Quil stated firmly and I felt my body jerk at the magnitude of sorrow in his eyes.

"Nor will mine." I agreed.

His head leaned in and I felt the softness of his lips as they brushed over mine and once again it struck me as odd at how I didn't feel even an ounce of spark. God, what was wrong with me? This man was not only incredibly handsome and charming but he was also my mate so why didn't his touch send shivers down my spine?

I used to ask Emily about how she felt when she first discovered her imprint with Sam and she swore it was the most incredible moment of her life. She would talk about the way her body would light up and her heart soared to the heavens and back whenever he was even in the same room with her. My feelings didn't quite reach that level of bliss. Instead I felt a warmth and safety that kept my feet on the ground and my head clear of any romantic notions. I was starting to think I got the short end of the stick when it came to sexual cravings. There was definitely something wrong with me. It had to be my fault. There was nothing I could really find as far as fault in Quil. He was the perfect specimen of a man and lord knows my friends often teased me about how lucky I was to have such a hunk around all the time.

"I know." Quil gave me one final smile before he follow his friends out of the house.

I stood in the kitchen nibbling on my breakfast and wondered if perhaps the fates got it all wrong and this Ryder guy was the right imprint for me. We were closer to the same age and I had to admit that the feelings that gave birth from just a look from him far exceeded anything I could ever hope for from a lover.

A tear trickled out of the corner of my eye as I thought about Quil and how it would kill him to learn that I no longer belonged to him. He was my blessing for all these years and not once did I ever see him date or hell even mingle with the opposite sex. He was patient and loyal to me despite the many years he knew it would take before I would grow up to become the mate his wolf needed. He deserved happiness and I couldn't bear the thought of the years he put his life on hold to go in vain.

Gulping down my coffee and ignoring the burning sensation it caused in my throat I decided to go for a walk. I needed fresh air and today looked to be a rare sunny day. Locating my shoes and sunglasses I left the house in pursuit of my favorite place, the beach. The waves and the wind soothed my worries and today I had plenty of them to last me a lifetime.

XXX

The warmth of the sun on my skin made me crave the coolness of the water. Kicking off my flip flops I enjoyed the texture of the wet sand sliding between my toes as I walked into the water. The cool waves trickled over my feet, causing me to giggle like a child inwardly. Wrapping my arms around my chest I stared out at the horizon and watched as several people a few feet away also enjoyed the beautiful day. There was a couple of surfers and a family of three playing on the beach. I smiled and wondered if my life would ever be as normal as the people I saw everyday.

Didn't I endure enough drama as a child? When would wicked fate give me a break? I deserved happiness and a love that surpassed all the ones that grew around me over the years.

Suddenly I felt the hair on the back of my neck stand up and the inner knowledge that someone was watching me, hit me like a brick wall. My heart hammered against my chest and my pulse began to escalate at an alarming race. Yep, something wasn't right and I was somehow connected to it. Glancing up and down the beach I looked for the sign of potential danger but saw nothing out of the ordinary until I glanced behind me and discovered exactly what provoke the fear in my body.

Ryder.

He stood only a few feet away. Our eyes locked and I saw like me he didn't expect to run into one another. I felt my lips curling up at the sides despite the warning bells going off in my head. I knew from just looking at Ryder that he was dangerous but I think that was the main reason I wanted him all the more.

"Hi." I waved at him as he approached me.

Yesterday we were not this physically close to one another as we were now. I suddenly began to fear I might faint again. Something strong, like an electrical current flowed between us and I felt as if he was a magnet and I a peice of metal. The harder I resisted to look away or walk away the fruitless the task seemed.

"Hi." He mumbled as his lips curled up slightly into a smile much like my own.

"Why aren't you at the meeting?" I suddenly heard myself asking.

His smile faded and a frown grew on his face as he studied me closely.

"What meeting?" He shrugged his shoulders casually.

"Quil said he had a meeting to attend and I just assumed it was about you and me and our...possible imprint." I explained.

"If there was a meeting I wasn't invited to it." He replied flippantly.

"Oh. Sorry." I gulped hard as I felt the tension building up inside of him.

"Why are you sorry? It's not your fault."

I saw his logic but it was just my normal reaction to feel badly for accidentally causing someone unnecessary pain.

"True." I chewed on the corner of my mouth to prevent me from saying anything else that might cause him to get upset. I recalled Jake warning Ryder to try and keep a cool head. Emily's face was a daily reminder to the wolves and their imprints what could happen if a wolf lost control.

"So, yesterday was like...freaky, right. I mean it's not a normal thing around here is it?" Ryder asked and although his face showed his genuine curiosity I couldn't help but laugh softly at his question.

"No, it's not a normal thing. But then again what we deem normal would be crazy to most." I admitted.

"You mean despite the fact that some of us change into a big hairy beast whenever the undead walk among us. Another curse in my life." He mumbled as he kicked sand around.

"Well, yeah there is that and some other stuff."

"What is your name by the way? I'm Ryder. Ryder Uley." He extended his hand to me and for a moment, although it felt like a lifetime, I stared at it. He started to pull it back but before I could control myself I grabbed his hand.

A jolt of electricity shot up from my fingers to my wrist and traveled all the way up my arm until it hit me in the center of my chest. I wasn't sure if I was dying or falling in love with him. Warmth much like what I felt with Quil surge through my body and a feeling of unexpected euphoria filled my veins. Closing my eyes I savored the reaction between our bodies.

When I finally found the strength to open my eyes I looked upon his face and without warning he pull me straight up against him. My free hand pressed against his firm chest as I tilted my head back so that I could continue to drown in his eyes. The tip of my tongue darted out and moistened my lips as my body prepared for what was sure to happen next.

"What is your name?" His voice suddenly sounded hoarse.

"Claire. Claire Young." I replied in a raspy tone.

"Hello Claire." He whispered before his lips descended over mine.

The air around us seemed to turn into fog as our lips blended together. I couldn't really tell you where I began and he ended. Moving my hand up his chest until it snaked around his neck I moaned so loudly that I would have swore you could have heard it in the next state over.

Blood rushed through my veins and an almost deafening ringing noise blared in my ears. This kiss was unlike anything I'd ever known. It was exciting and yet terrifying all at once. I didn't want it to ever end but sadly I knew it would.

He pushed into me, nearly lifting my body onto his so that his heavy erection was snuggled into my mound. It was happening all too fast and although a big part me longed for this another side me went into panic mode.

We were standing on a public beach where anyone with a set of eyes could witness this private moment between us. If Quil learned about it I would just absolutely die of embarrassment. Not once in my seventeen years did I ever come this physically close to another male and something warned me that Quil's reaction wouldn't be gentle for either of us.

"What's wrong?" He asked as he broke the kiss and looked at me with a need that surpassed my own.

"I ...we...this is wrong." I unraveled myself from him and took a few steps away.

Covering my face with my hands I felt my face burn with shame. This was wrong on so many different levels. Let's say for arguments sake that he was my imprint, a shared imprint at that, how could I longed for him but not Quil? It felt like I was cheating on my first imprint. There was no way in this world I could share my heart, my body or my love between these two men. It wasn't morally right and it sure as hell wasn't what I wanted for a future.

"Did it feel wrong?" He asked softly.

"No and yes. I belong to Quil." I explained.

"Why? Why do you "belong" to a dude far too old for you?" He used his fingers to make quote signs in the air which looked over dramatic and made me laugh.

"Do you know what it means to imprint?" I asked him.

"No and honestly I'm really starting to hate that word." He sighed loudly and ran his hands through his hair.

"Imprinting means that you find your soulmate. Well, your wolf's soul mate. When you imprint on someone you don't long or want any other for the rest of your life. Quil and I shared that magic when I was only a toddler. Fate chose me to be his mate. That's why I can't understand how it's possible to explain what we shared yesterday."

I watched as several different expressions crossed his face all at once as I explained it to him.

"So you are suppose to love Quil simply because of that! I mean, you don't get a choice on who you want to spend the rest of your life with?" He snorted rudely.

"Legend says that you don't mind who was chosen, cause you feel complete with them. You know in your heart that you will always have their love and loyalty. In a way it helps keep you from making a major mistake of marrying the wrong person or persons." I shrugged my shoulders and looked out at the ocean.

It was better if we didn't stare at one another for too long. Something about his eyes always created a sexual arousal in me. I couldn't afford to be weak, not now and maybe never. Quil was my first imprint and I owed him for not only loving me but saving my life. I wouldn't dare do anything to jeopardise his love. I had far too much respect for him.

"No one has ever tried to fight this?"

"Ummm...yeah but it's fruitless to try."

"Do you love Quil? I mean if you weren't imprinted to him, would you still want to be his girl?"

His question startled me and it frightened me. How many times in the past had I asked that exact question of myself? A million? I loved Quil without a shadow of a doubt but the kind of love I felt for him didn't exactly measure up to the romantic notion that I read about in books or seen on thousands of movies. My love for him was more out of friendship and mutual respect for one another. He was like my best friend, my brother, my protector but not necessarily my lover. I just knew that somehow our imprint was defective even before I met Ryder.

"I don't know. I care about him and I respect him. He means the world to me."

"But are you IN love with him?"

"I ...I..." I choked up.

This was the moment of truth and I had no answer to give him, so I turned away from him. A moment later his hands circled around my waist as he pulled me back, causing my back to rest against his chest. His lips were next to my ear as he spoke.

"I didn't want to come here and I didn't want this life but right now you have made me forget about the pain and the fears that I suffered over the past six months. You are like a drug to my soul. I don't care about what the legends say or don't say. I just know that you are special and I can't explain these sudden feelings I have for you but I do know that I will fight for you."

I trembled in his arms. My heart soared with happiness and I knew he wanted me to turn around and kiss him but I couldn't allow myself the gratification. Pulling away from him I raced back to the house and it nearly killed me not to turn around and run back into the arms that for a moment made me feel more alive than I could ever remember.

XXX

Sweat poured down my spine and my face. Panting for air I walked up the dirt driveway and was pleasantly surprised to see an unexpected visitor arrived. The red convertible mustang belonged to none other than Leah Clearwater. A smile formed on my face despite the frustration that still remained heavy on my heart.

Leah was unpredictable and like to stick her tongue out at the world when it did not agree to her point of view. I envied her courage and her boldness to say and do whatever she wished without the headache of worrying what others might think about her. She was also my hero due to the fact that she was the only female wolf pack member so far in the tribe's history. I always wondered why fate chose her in particular? Everyone knew that Leah was once Sam's first true love until he phased. When he met Emily, Leah's cousin, his wolf chose Emily as his imprint and not the woman that Sam swore to love forever.

It was a devastating loss for Leah, not only did she loose Sam but she lost her best friend and cousin. A year later Leah lost her father and then soon after his death she phased. It not only went down in the history books but it also created some serious turmoil among the pack. Luckily, Leah was one of the few who was able to prove that if she left the safety of the tribe she could control her wolf. It took her two years to prove it to Jake and the other tribal members before they gave her permission to travel abroad and study. She was now, ten years later, a budding artist who won awards and gained a decent notoriety for her artwork.

I was drawing close to the house when I heard her speak to someone next to the side of the house. My curiosity went to an all time high and although I knew it was wrong I eased dropped.

"What is wrong with you? You look horrible and don't give me that shit you are just old either." Leah snorted playfully.

"I hate to break it to you sister but I am old and I feel it deep in my bones." Quil chuckled rudely. "But right now this whole Ryder situation is making me sick to my stomach. After all these years we learn that Josh Uley went out and spread his seed again. Looking at this kid Ryder it's not hard to see a strong resemblance to Embry. Which brings us back to the question if Embry is Josh's bastard son."

"Wow! Poor Embry." Leah gasped.

"I know right. I think if I were him I would prefer to be ignorant on that subject but noooo he wants Josh to give him a damn DNA sample so he can send it off to be tested."

"Embry isn't the only stubborn wolf I know." Leah laughed.

"True. So why are you here exactly?" Quil's mellow mood shifted to a more serious one as he looked at Leah with a deep admiration that made me feel ugly in comparison.

Every young single guy on the reservation saw Leah as a hot firecracker and they all wanted a chance to get their bang on with her. Leah didn't play that game. If she had lovers she kept them private.

"I got a call from Mom that Charlie is going in for his heart surgery. I thought I should be around if something went wrong." She replied in a casual tone.

"Is that all?" Quil frowned at her.

I was at a safe distance and hidden behind foliage but I could make them out well enough to see some of their facial expressions. I realized that Quil and Leah's relationship went much deeper than I imagined. When she lifted her hand up and cupped the side of his face I nearly choked on my tongue. Quil's eyes widen and looked shocked but I also noted that he didn't push her away.

"There is more but it can wait. So tell me again what they think this dual imprinting bullshit means for you and Claire." Leah dropped her hand back to her side.

I wanted to continue listening to them, especially when it pertained to my future but something about the way they interacted with one another made my stomach hurt. Stepping quietly out of hiding I snuck my way back around the front of the house and went straight to my room to lie down.

Closing my eyes I went back and forth between two scenes. One was of my kiss with Ryder on the beach and the other was of Leah and how she looked at Quil like a woman who knew my imprint in a more intimate way than I did. Both scenes brought me pain and bitter turmoil. I prayed that they would resolve this issue of who was my imprint and soon. Between my body and my heart a war had begun and I was scared of which side would be the victor.

XXX