2 MONTHS LATER

The deciduous trees wept their autumnal tears which pooled, shattering brown, yellow orange, and red across the ground. The winds violently caressed these tears away. The shameless greens that elicited appeal and youth began to retreat into a quieter modesty. Most animals appeared less in the daily realm. The birds long gone with their summer song. The sun was lazy in its awakenings and quick in its slumbers.

The moon thrived in the chill of the night. No heat of haze to softened the circular shape or soggy clouds to cover. Defined constellations mapped the unending tapestry woven into the midnight thread of night. Thin veils of moisture glide over but permit the celestial glow with full conviction. Bare, scarred trees reached their skeletal arms up to the only beauty left in this dying phase of life. They plead with withered hands to return its mercy.

I am beginning to adjust in La Push. I can recognize the friends and families easily by scent, sound, or sight. Colin's unyielding peanut butter breath, Jared's bent left ear, Jacob's smirk, Emily's stained apron, Paul's growls. These are a few of many exact details that have chiseled into my memory. The event which I felt most trusted was when Quil introduced Claire to me. She was five years old. I felt reluctant because I didn't know how much she understands about all of this.

Embry stood in front of me as he was delivering a pep talk. I heard the grind of gravel and peaked my ears to full attention. "Hey," he exhaled. I looked back to him. "Don't be nervous. Claire has seen us as wolves before and she loves it. I know you'll be great." He took three steps closer and halted. His uncertain hands and arms twitched. Embry was still trying to figure out displays of affection when it comes to human to wolf relations. I understand. He sighed a hidden thought. He stroked me behind my right ear.

"Embry!" Quil bellowed as he closed the back porch door. He was holding a little bundle of a girl.

"Hey Quil. Hiya Claire," Embry jogged up to them, "So is she okay with this?"

"Oh yeah, I told Claire we found another wolf like us and we went over again how to behave around them, right Claire Bear?"

"Uh-huh." she almost touched her chin to her chest she nodded.

"Do you think she's okay with this?" Quil bobbed his head to my direction.

"Yeah, just a little worried is all," Embry stuffed his hands in his pockets.

"Okay Claire," Quil plopped her on the ground, "we are going to meet Embry's special friend."

"What's its name?" Claire mittened hand clasped Quil's bare one.

"Well, it's a girl. And we haven't figured out her name yet, so her nickname is Love."

"Like me, Claire Bear," she began to walk with Quil and Embry behind them.

"Yup, come on booger," Quil teased. Claire took three steps to Quil's one step. I lowered myself to the ground as flat as I can. I even pressed my head down and remained still. Embry came to me first and sat next to me. "You can lift your head. She's not afraid of you." So, I did.

"Love this is Claire. Claire, Love."

Claire let go of Quil. "Hi Love, you have pretty fur, can I pet you?"

Without vocabulary, I submerged my nose under her mitten. Even through thick wool, I smelt oreos and crayola markers.

"Cool," Claire stroked me like an equestrian brushing her mare. "Quil, can I take my mittys off?"

"Sure, um why? It's kind of cold out."

"Just when I pet her, please?"

"Okay, just because she'll keep your hands warm."

"Duh..." Claire reasoned. The smell of cookies and markers intensified. "She feels soft like my stuffed wolf, Peter."

"Yup, she does Claire," Embry agreed. Quil left with Claire before their dinnertime.

"You were great with Claire," Embry commended. I snorted with a thought that it wasn't hard to tolerate a personal groomer/masseuse. "I could tell Quil was comfortable. He didn't flinch or hover. He trusts you," Embry added.

I did feel relieved that the brother wolf approved. They have done so much for me already. Emily sewed a durable quilt for me to sleep on. Sam and the others guided me through the territories. The other imprints try to include me in the social setting. Key word is try. I still couldn't go to the infamous bonfires, certain houses, the beaches, or any plain sight. Plus with the one-sided communication, there is only so much to say without being redundant.

Sam did explain the imprinting explicitly. So, I know Embry had very keen interest for my well-being. I knew though, Embry was responding to the lack of connection of the imprinting. His subtle but detectable sighs grieved as he watched the wolves/imprints conversations. Gestures and displays of affection reminded him of what we couldn't do. I felt guilty that he was burden with a defective imprint. They said that the wolf can be a friend, brother, or lover. They never mentioned companionship like a dog to its master. It can't work that way.

But it started to change one night as I was retiring to sleep. I suddenly felt restless and anxious. My pulse quickened with no reason or stimulation. I started to walk back to the woods to see if I can relax. My vision began to fuzz in and out of focus. A headache sprung feeling pain echoing inside my skull. My mouth dry and my stomach twisted. I collapsed down without grace. I blanked my mind forcing to sleep because that is all I can do.

I woke at dusk with a mental hangover. Ugh, what was that?

"What was what?" a different voice appeared.

"Huh?"

"Leah?"

"Uh, no?" Who was I talking to?

"You're talking to me. Wait, who's this?" he sounded anxious.

"Um, who's this?"

"Brady."

"Really?"

"Shit, wait... Love?"