Pack
Serena's POV
The next few days were spent in silence as I mulled over what was revealed to me. Jacob and I hardly spoke. I'd eat breakfast, watch TV with Billy and make small talk with Embry and Quil who came to take care of me when Jacob left. I sketched Jacob's wolf form often always wondering where I fit into all of this. I knew that I wanted to stay, but would I be able to? Where else would I go? I bit my lip adding a mahogany to the drawing trying to imitate the color of Jake's fur.
"Nice likeness but I'm better looking." Quil was over my shoulder staring at my drawing. He reached over and grabbed my sketchbook flipping through the pages. I blushed knowing he'd seen the numerous sketches I made of him, Embry and Jacob both as a wolf and a person. He chuckled taking a seat at the foot of the bed. He'd been on Serena duty today. "Don't worry I'll keep those a secret." He smiled slowly throwing a wolfy grin my way. I exhaled a sigh of relief as I smiled back laughing.
"You're really good y'know?" He flipped through them again. "I remember when you started it was just the moon."
"Well practice makes perfect." I got out of the bed and walked to the window staring at the snow covered ground. I hadn't been outside since I found out everything. I missed my sketching, the calm of the forest. Quil put his arms around me and swung me away from the open window.
"C'mon let's go for a walk." He threw my coat and scarf at me and gestured to my boots.
"Really?" I beamed throwing my coat on and hopping trying to get my boots on quickly. Running out the door to meet him, I breathed in the cool air of the winter.
"What's the worse that can happen? It's not fair of us to keep you inside." He clasped a hand over my shoulder and we walked around the woods. I swung on a tree branch, "Hey Quil,"
"What's up Serena?" He threw a rock at the tree breaking a branch off. Woah talk about strong.
"Are you guys gonna send me away?" I stopped swinging and kicked a pile of snow. Quil was silent for a second.
"No. Why would you think that?" He moved closer to me. I skipped backwards.
"Because I know everything I do. I mean it's no secret Sam doesn't trust me. And you three have barely spoken a word to me in the past couple of days. Keeping me in like a prisoner. I feel out of place now. I'm not a wolf or one of your Imprints so who am I if not some burden you are all stuck with? " Tears pricked my eyes as I said everything that had been on my mind these days. Quil slowly stepped closer wiping the tears off of my face.
"C'mon Serena you're family now. If anything we're more worried about you wanting to go away now that you know everything."
I was taken aback by this, "Why would I want to leave?"
"Well it's not exactly easy living in the world of werewolves and vampires, or safe. Besides, you haven't been that easy to talk to these days either." He smirked at me and ruffled my hair.
"Well, I was scared the moment I opened my mouth you all would send me packing." I shoved him well, shoved against him since he was so strong.
"That settles that then. You're staying and we're all okay." He smiled again and walked ahead. Peering back at me he smirked, "You coming?"
I laughed skipping over to him and hooked my arm around his. "Where are you taking me Quil?"
"Reassurance," was all he said.
An hour later we arrived at an afternoon bonfire at Sam's place. I'd never been there before, in fact I'd never been anywhere other than the woods before.
"Quil!" Embry called bringing over who I assumed to be Claire, the adorable four year old who was his imprint. I stood awkwardly watching him watch Claire in awe. I coughed.
"Oh… Serena this little girl here is, Claire-bear!" She waved shyly at me. I waved back.
"She's cute,"
"She really is," Quil beamed.
"Quil! Come play pony! Let's play!" He laughed in response to this looking to me apologetically.
"You think this is weird you should have seen the party. Princess theme. She made me wear a crown, and then Emily suggested they all try out her new play makeup on me." I laughed at the thought of Quil with makeup.
Embry guided me to the food telling me that we should leave the 'pony' to his cowgirl. This earned him a dirty look from Quil. I was introduced to what felt like the whole reservation, Leah, Jared, Paul, Emily, Quil's mother Joy and Grandfather, numerous others that I can barely remember. Finally arriving at the food I sat down and ate a burger and three muffins since Emily's muffins were divine. I noticed her scars but brushed them off as a part of her past. I mean no one ever judged me for my past or lack thereof. Embry looked surprised to see me talking with her about Sam and their engagement. I actually laughed at the story of Bella's arrival into La Push. Renesmee's mother I wonder what kind of person she is…
Suddenly Sam stood up and decided to make a toast, Jacob had already arrived and stood next to him, he winked over at me and smiled.
"A toast to my lovely fiance Emily, expect invitations soon people," The crowd cheered and clapped, "Also, I'd like to welcome a new member to the tribe and pack, Serena Summers!" Quil and Embry lifted me up into the air and I laughed. When they were finally done with their fun and put me down.
Jacob came over and hugged me tightly placing a bracelet on my wrist, with a moon charm on it. "Welcome to the pack Serena. We'll protect you forever little sister!" I looked up at him and smiled once again feeling as though I was home. "Really Jake?"
He fastened the bracelet, nodding. "With or without memories, Imprint or not. You're family."
Everyone hugged me and cheered welcoming me to the family. Surrounded by wolves and people I felt like the happiest person alive.
Everything was okay again. As weeks went by I hung out with more members of the pack, sticking close to Leah who I felt a kinship towards as she tried to stay cut off from others a lot. Quil told me it was great that she had a friend in me, I saw her in her wolf form more than any of the others. I'd watch her run and hunt even tried to scare a rabbit out of a bush once for her. Sam and I hung out more too, Embry said that he had noticed that I never once dwelled on Emily's scars.
"It's like you accept everything we throw at you, wolves, Leah, Emily, without any type of hesitation!" He had said one day while we were walking along the beach.
"I think that's how family should work Embry." I smirked up at him and picked up a sea shell.
"Yeah well, your understanding is creepy."
"C'mon Embry, you're just jealous that I've been socializing rather than staying cooped up where I only see you Quil or Jake."
"Ha. Ha. Don't get me wrong I'm glad you're more comfortable here, you deserve it Summers."
I smiled at the memory, drawing a picture of Quil's wolf form trying to get the sweetest shade of chocolate brown I could. I loved watching the wolves they had so much majesty, it was great. Everything was going great. I felt, normal despite my peculiar life.
I was so stupid for feeling that way.
