Howl of the White Wolf Chapter 4
The sky had grown shady and as the sun began to set over La Push, River sat on her window seat in her dim bedroom wishing that she wasn't so frightened to accept Minho.
She knew that when her brother had imprinted on Emily, there had been an accident where he had marred Emily's beautiful face forever.
Memories of that day flashed in her mind and a new onslaught of tears began to fall down her cheeks when she remembered that even though Sam had almost killed his imprint, she still forgave him and they had gotten engaged soon after.
She didn't think that when she got imprinted on that she'd be this sensitive about the whole thing.
Sam and Emily had always told her that because of her Uley linage she would either phase into a wolf like Sam or become an Imprint like Emily.
She was undeniably relieved that she hadn't phased but the seriousness of the situation around her imprint scared her.
Minho had explained that he was the Alpha of the Heron Island pack and that instead of just linking them through the imprint, they were now soul bound as well.
She had never known any other wolves that had been soul bound but whatever that meant sounded serious and wanted to know more.
But she also knew she couldn't wait long to tell Minho her decision because just like with Emily and Sam, if she took too long Minho might lose control of his wolf if he became frustrated.
As she was in deep thought looking out over the waves from her bedroom window, a soft knock sounded on her door making her jump in surprise.
"Who is it?" She called out expecting Sam to come barging in, but when Emily walked in she felt relieved for the second time that day.
Ever since her mom had died when she was little, Emily had become the mom that she never got to have.
The kind Quileute woman had taken her in just as if she was her own daughter and River was forever thankful for her love and support.
"It's just me. How are you doing, sweetie? I now that this is all a lot to take in but I promise it'll all turn out okay. I thought maybe we could have a little chat and I could answer any questions you might have." She said gently as she took a seat next to her on the bench.
"Okay…um…How do you and Sam know Minho?" River asked as Emily grabbed a tissue off of her bedside table and blotted at her eyes.
A grin spread across Emily's lips as she retold the story that Sam had always told her.
"Well when Sam was little, before you were born your mother took him and ran away from your father and ended up renting a small room at a bed and breakfast on Heron Island. The bed and breakfast was owned by Minho's mother.
Minho's father had died when he was a baby, so to make a living she started the bed and breakfast. Needless to say, Minho and your brother became best friends. They were joined at the hip and wherever one would go the other would always follow. That is, until your mother decided to return to La Push to give your father another chance.
Everyone on the island was crushed when they left. Especially Minho and his mother. Sam and Minho began exchanging letters and would write to each other all the time. When both of them grew old enough, your brother started spending the summer at Heron Island.
Shortly after you were born, your mother died and Sam moved you and him in with Billy and Jacob. Sam stopped going to visit Minho and his mother but Minho has always remained your brother's best friend." Emily said as River mulled over her words.
She was really little when Sam and she went to live with Billy and Jacob.
And when Sam was old enough to take care of her on his own, they had moved into this house where Sam and eventually Emily raised her.
She could relate to how Sam and Minho became best friends because it was exactly how Jacob and she had become best friends.
Hearting the story had put her mind more at ease as she smiled and looked up at Emily.
"What's he like…ya know…Minho?"
Emily laughed and glanced out into the hall before answering her question.
River thought for a moment that she heard quiet laughter in the hall but when no one appeared in front of her door she figured she was hearing things.
Emily smiled knowingly down at the young girl knowing that her asking about Minho was a very good sign for them to start their relationship in the right way. Just like her brother, River had always been a curious girl who always made sure to question everything before she gave an answer. She was worried that Sam and Minho would try and push River to accept the imprint right away, but surprisingly they had let her decide things on her own. She and Sam had always taught her that the imprint bond was a gift and that she should always accept it without hesitation if it ever happened to her. Knowing that River would eventually make the right decision, she smiled and placed her hands in her lap as she thought of a good way to describe her fiancé's best friend.
"Well Minho is a very sweet wolf who has to be very tough at times because of the stress of running his own pack, but he's very gentle and loving and I know for a fact that if you choose to accept his imprint, that he'll make you his number one priority and give you a life that you could only have dreamed of."
River nodded and remembered the feeling she got when he kissed her when she had first woken up and she knew that what Emily said was the truth.
Somehow she and Minho would find a way to make their bond work.
In that moment she knew what her answer was.
"I want to see him. To apologize for being so….uncertain." She said as Emily threw her arms around her and hugged her like her life depended on it.
"That's my girl! Come on, I do believe that there have been several wolves eavesdropping this entire time."
She whispered knowing full well that Sam and the others could hear her from where they were leaning up against the wall outside the room.
River rolled her eyes and quirked an eyebrow when they got out into the hall and saw that Sam, Minho and the rest of the pack had created a wolf puppy pile and were looking up at them with sheepish expressions.
"It was his idea." Minho said as he pointed a finger at Sam whose jaw dropped in horror.
"Dude! Friends don't fucking tell on their friends! What the hell?" He whined as Minho rolled his eyes and he and the others got to their feet.
Minho's eyes quickly found his mate's and he tilted his head to the side slightly as he silently asked for permission.
River gave a nod and smiled as he quickly crossed the distance in between them and gently took her hands in his own.
"Hey, how are you feeling?" He asked as he looked down at her with a concerned expression.
"I'm alright. Just made up my mind." She said giving him a coy look that made him quirk an eyebrow at her.
"And what decision have you come to?" He asked as a hint of nervousness sounded in his tone.
She took a deep breath and gave his hands a squeeze. "I accept your imprint." She breathed and before she knew what hit her, Minho's arms encased her small body and pulled her close as he bent down and kissed her so hard it made her see stars.
"Aw, shit. Really? Really guys? Did you have to fucking make out when I'm standing right here?" Sam whined as Emily hit his shoulder making him let out a very unmanly yelp.
"Oh behave. They're having a moment." She said as he rolled his eyes.
"Yeah well, can we have a moment while eating dinner? I'm starving so…" Paul said as everyone turned and gave him a look.
"My best friend just got imprinted on and all you can think about is dinner?" Jacob said as he gave a what the fuck look to his pack brother.
"Well uh…I'm kinda wasting away over here too." Quil said as Jacob and Emily rolled their eyes in tandem.
"Fine, fine. I'll go start dinner. Stay out of trouble." Emily said as a chorus's of yes mom echoed through the hall.
The pack pushed past Minho and River who were still in the lip lock of the century and hurried downstairs where the food would soon be ready.
Sam gave the two teens a withering look before reluctantly stomping down the stairs.
When she and Minho finally pulled away they both burst out laughing and tears started to spring to her eyes as she remembered the look on her brother's face when Minho kissed her.
"Oh fuck that was great." She wheezed as Minho held her up and leaned against the wall to catch his breath.
"True story, girl." He said as her laughter finally died down.
"So…dinner won't be ready for like another 45 minutes…any suggestions on what we should do?" Minho asked as he looked down at his mate whose cheeks were flushed a bright pink and her eyes sparkled as they met his.
But he got no answer as she grabbed his hand and pulled him into her bedroom before slamming the door leaving her and her mate to have some much needed quality time without the peeping eyes of the rest of the world.
Life was good. Everything turned out okay and love was in the air.
Everything seemed to be falling into place, or was it?