Reaper101202

Time of My Life/Book 2: Reflections ~3

BOOK 2: Chapter THREE: Matched

I smirked at my dad, hoping he'd take it as a joke. My dad, though, hardly ever takes my boyfriends as a joke. He never ever seems to give the one that I had a break. So saying something about Collin was so completely dangerous that I wanted to have one of those MIB mind-erase flash thingies right this instant. Seriously! All I'd have to do was click a button and it would be exactly "what were we talking about?". I'm a bit curious, though, as to where that'd leave the very important information that we just confided in him. I would never be able to use that then.

"Imprinted?" My dad questioned again, his voice harder and colder. He was demanding an answer; very uncharacteristic of him. I sighed and looked to Sam for help. Why did they even have me tell them in the first place? Was it just because I was his daughter and Jason's sister? Was it because I was newest to the Pack (if I'm even considered as a member of the Pack)? Was I considered a member of the Pack because I'd killed a vampire before? So have the Cullens but they were never initiated into the Pack. I couldn't just blurt these questions out this instant however I was dying of the suspense. I'd have to ask after tonight, after all of this was cleared up.

"Imprinting is concerning a shape-shifter's entire life." Sam began. He glanced around at every imprinted wolf; Quil, Paul, Jake, Jared and now even Collin. However his eyes lingered on Collin, the subject of tonight. "We do not choose who we imprint on or even the age of which we imprint. Imprinting is where a shape-shifter meets his one true soul mate. It's been said that it's similar to love at first sight." Sam said and turned to look lovingly at Emily at his side. She still looked beautiful (I had to admit) in the radiant bonfire before them. The scars on her face were mere fractions of her beauty but still considered a dangerous battle scar beauty. She was no less beautiful than what I imagined would be her rank before the scars; she looked whole with the scars on her face.

Every time that I saw Sam look at Emily, I felt glad that they were two halves of a whole. If Sam was ever without Emily, he would be useless, too broken to be useful for anything. "The shape-shifter that has imprinted is meant to protect and obey that imprint, if it is reliable." Sam shot me a look, reminding me of how I'd pointlessly distracted Collin from his wolf duties. I merely smirked. I was damn proud that I could even have the ability to distract him. I rolled my eyes finally, urging Sam to explain further. "If an imprint is too young then that shape-shifter is meant to wait for the imprint to grow to a suitable age and fit what she or he needs." Sam said. "If the imprint wants a friend then that shape-shifter is obliged to be that friend. If that imprint wishes for a lover, then that shape-shifter is gladly obliged. The shape-shifter can't help but be glad to see the imprint happy and safe. Anyone that threatens that is in severe danger of the angry wolf." Sam chuckled. I frowned at him.

I could take care of myself. As much as I loved having a protective wolf like Collin, I knew that it was unnecessary for him to try much of anything like protecting me from vampires or werewolves or what the hell I was in danger from. If anyone tried to hurt me, that person was in more danger than just an angry wolf. "Near half of us have imprinted now. Paul has imprinted on Rachel; Jake has imprinted on Renesmee, a half-vampire; Jared has imprinted on Kim and Quil has imprinted on Claire." Sam informed my family. I looked to them for their reaction. My dad kept glancing between Collin and me. I believed that he understood more than he wanted to but wouldn't accept that his "little girl" had a soul mate now. To him I was supposed to find my soul mate after I was out of the house and thirty years old. I wasn't meant to find him at a frozen age of fifteen. I was meant to have experience in marriages before I found the one I would keep. But I would never do that to Collin. He was the only one for me, believe it or not. It's sad that Collin got stuck with the short end of the straw; a possessive girlfriend/soul mate.

Jason wasn't as hesitant though; he kept his eyes clearly locked on Collin, a sign of protectiveness. He was silently saying "you hurt her, I hurt you". I wanted to kick Jason's butt for even considering that Collin would do such a thing as hurt me. But then again, Sam and Emily…I wondered if I could just heal if Collin hurt me. Would the reaction be different if a normal person hurt me or was it just paranormal people? Would I be hurt if I was hurt by someone other than a vampire? I shook my head of my thoughts as I realized that my spear was still undone. I collapsed the spear, hoping beyond hope that people wouldn't consider this arrogant.

I didn't care what humans thought of me however I didn't want what I considered family to think I was arrogant. I frowned as I tucked the tool into my boot's sleeve and rolled my jean leg down. Collin wrapped his arm tighter around me and I smiled up at him. I was glad there was at least one person that would never think ill of me. But I shouldn't let that get to my head. Just because Collin would never think of me as a bad person doesn't mean that I can just test that. I can't let myself grow thick-headed. "So…Collin and Alexis are meant to be…?" Dad trailed off, his expression weary and depressed. He was one of those melodramatic fathers that were so childish you wished you had a mood-remote for him.

Sue gave my dad a rueful expression (thanks a lot, Sue) but nodded nonetheless. I was guessing that hers and my dad's relationship was somewhat like an imprinted wolf's and his imprint's relationship. I guess they were the human form of what we were. I looked to Jason again however he was searching my dad's expression to search for something…maybe it was disapproval or perhaps insecurity. I don't understand it. All I know is that at that moment, my pounding migraine returned in a wave of painful crashes. I winced against the migraine as the bonfire suddenly seemed so much brighter, perhaps even blinding to me. It seemed so bright to me and it was hurting my head. My temples throbbed like crazy and I could feel the veins in my head pounding at extreme levels. It hurt more than today's migraine. It hurt more than what anyone could describe.

Every word that someone spoke was now pulsing in my ears, making me feel sick to my stomach and feeling my contents stir. I was so tempted to puke my guts out right there and then. Collin looked down at me, concern etched on his face. "Are you alright, Lex?" He asked me. I frowned at him and nodded, though it was strained to even move so much as that. I wanted to sit still and freeze, just to rid myself of the pain. "Just a headache," I choked out. Collin frowned, furrowing his brows at me but nodded nonetheless. "I'll take you home. You're still recovering." He whispered to me. I think it was meant to help with my headache. I nodded, shutting my eyes. I knew I'd welcome Collin's constant tradition of carrying me home as soon as he swept me off of the log. "I'm gonna take her home. She's not feeling well." Collin told someone though my eyes were closed. I didn't want to hear the voice on the other end of the conversation. Despite my headache, I wanted to hear Collin's voice.

My soul mate's voice seemed so soothing at a time like this migraine's appearance. His warm skin was the perfect heat pack despite my lack of need for it. He was the best sick pack. I cuddled closer to Collin's skin as I felt his husky chuckle rumble his body and the wind as he carried me away from the noise, from the light, from my pain. My soul mate was my savior.

Sam glared straight at the man. His eyes burned the brilliant matching crimson of his robe, his hair a contrasting golden to match a shade darker than his snowy skin. The smallest fleck of a beauty mark creased his jaw line. Sam's black wolf-form glared at him through the misty night air. This hit home, closer this time. I was standing nearby, watching instead of fighting. I knew why but in this form I didn't. This was Sam's reason to live; his reason to fight. I had no place in fighting today. I was not going to fight; I was merely a guide. I could hear her muffled screams not too far behind. Didn't these idiots know better than to keep the hostage? We would always win and they would always lose. We would gain our reasons to live more than they would ever have any leverage. But the heat rose in the misty night air as I watched. Sam was angry, growling, snarling, snapping, and just positively furious. I was delighted that he was about ready to fight. Then I spotted her, even in the pitch dark. Emily…

I gasped, bolting upright chest-first in my bed. Collin murmured in his haze beside me, disturbed by my abrupt consciousness. I frowned down at my soul mate, upset at waking him up. Collin still blinked hazily, breathing heftily through his nostrils to help wake himself up. I blinked down at him, curious at my dream as I settled my head between my knees. I knew there was more after I'd seen Emily and yet I couldn't remember what. Collin sat up, leaning forward a bit to see my face more. I gave a small cough between my knees as Collin wrapped his arm around my shoulders. Collin waited patiently as I regained my composure before he spoke.

"What happened?" Collin asked. I looked up from between my knees, twisting my head to the side so that my temple rested against my right knee. I was on the left side of the bed, closer to the door in case my dad walked in and decided to try and beat Collin to a mottling pulp. I sighed slightly as I shut my eyes again. "Emily," I breathed to Collin. He frowned at me. "Do you want me to call Sam and tell him to tighten up security on Emily?" Collin asked sincerely. I could tell that he wanted to; he wanted to save his Pack brother the misery of going through the kidnapping of his soul mate. I nodded to Collin who nodded slowly back. "Call him," I whispered to Collin and pecked his lips for security.

I listened quietly with my head between my knees as I listened to Collin's one-sided conversation. "Sam? Yeah, it's Collin." Collin waited a moment, looking a bit peeved. I guessed that Sam was scolding him for the late hour. It was about three in the morning. "Where's Emily?" Collin questioned. His face tightened a moment before he relaxed after only a millisecond. He'd been concerned about Emily's safety. Believe it or not we all loved Emily like a den mother. We never wanted harm or danger to come to her. "Alexis just had a dream about Emily." Collin said. Way to sound vague! I watched concernedly as Collin stretched his phone away from his ear as Sam's panicked indecipherable voice screeched through the receiver of the phone. "What happened exactly?" Collin finally asked me. "She was kidnapped by a blond vampire." I answered him before setting my head back between my knees. I felt nauseous from the aftereffects of my dream.

Collin repeated my information to the Pack Alpha and I waited impatiently for the news. "Just pull some of the Pack around to patrol around the house." Collin advised. Collin suddenly frowned before sighing. "Yeah, I'll be over in a second." Collin said. I offered an apologetic smile to Collin who calmed at the face. He visibly relaxed when he saw me smiling halfway. Collin abruptly remembered that he was having a conversation with Sam and listened for a second, annoyed at being interrupted apparently. "One second," Collin said to Sam before covering the receiver end of the phone. "Do you have a better description than 'blond'?" Collin chuckled to me. I smiled back and nodded. "He had blond shaggy hair to the ear, a beauty mark on his jaw line; right here." I said and tapped my index finger against my jaw line barely an inch away from my ear. "He was a baddy vampy too, if that helps." I joked to Collin. He chuckled and nodded. "I'll just have that sent over to you via plural, okay, Sam?" Collin said. I frowned at my beautiful wolf as I watched his face etch with concern and sympathy for the Alpha.

I knew that losing an imprint would be quite equivalent to me losing Collin so I could understand. I needed Collin for my support, for my love. I may have only known Collin a month but he was already my lifeline. He was everything to me and he would always be everything. So I didn't have the heart to tell him that what happened in my dreams couldn't be changed.

I watched as Collin headed over to his pile of clothes when I realized he hadn't been wearing any other than his black and white checkered boxers. "I'll tell the other imprints to stay indoors; we won't know if it's only Emily that's in danger." I told Collin as I forced myself out of bed, reaching behind my neck to scratch at my itch. "Smart, smart you," Collin awarded me as he yanked on his jeans and pointed a rewarding finger at me. I nodded and leaned over the bed for him to peck me on the lips before he would escape out the window. "I'll get them all in one area so I can at least keep better watch on them, 'right?" I told Collin. He frowned at me, looking severed for a moment. He was concerned.

"I can handle a baddy vamp, Col," I reminded my wolf as I headed over to my dresser. It was still broken down to bits around the room. I sighed as I searched for my jean drawer. "Be careful, Lex; take your weapon and stay indoors. Call if you even suspect a thing outside the window. I don't care if it's a freaking raccoon, just call me. Promise, Lex?" Collin insisted. I couldn't refuse the broken expression he had on. "I promise Col. Just get out there and fulfill your freaking wolf duties. I promise to call if I see a freaking cockroach behind the fridge." I promised him as I pecked his lips yet again. Collin looked a bit reluctant as though he'd put up a fight before he nodded his defeat and yanked open my window. Everyone, I was guessing, wanted a bit of the action tonight.

After a few moments of searching for something other than my boxers and tank top, I heard the wolf cries outside of my window. Sue entered my bedroom just as I was pulling my jeans on over my lady boxers. She seemed frantic as I blinked at her. I had forgotten to tell the others. They must've gotten the call. "Are you alright, what happened?" Sue asked as she rushed to me. I frowned at her as she clasped my face in her hands. "I'm alright, Sue." I said. I knew I would have to take her with me to get to a safe house for the imprints. She was just as important as any imprint. "Get Jason and dad and tell them to pack a bit of stuff; you too." I said to my stepmother as I finished buttoning my pants. I didn't have time to put on a bra or anything. I knew that wolf cry was meant to alert the others of their position however I couldn't help but be anxious.

I knew that this time the attack plan would spread out longer than just a night or so. I would have time to prepare for the attack however Sam didn't know that. He thought he could stop it. I'd have to lead him to where I instinctively knew Emily would end up. I yanked my hair up on my head in the messiest bun known to woman before I snatched up my weapon from beneath my pillow (like a gun would be hidden for safety). I grabbed my boots, deciding against socks. I could handle a few blisters if it meant that I could get everyone to the safe house.

But just where exactly would I hold a safe house? "Call the family members of the Pack and tell them to pack a bunch of crap." I informed Sue. She nodded as she rushed out to grab her phone. I snatched up my own phone and began to dial Collin's number. He answered halfway through the first ring. "What is it? Did you see something? What happened?" Collin questioned. "Is Sam there with you? Is he phased or at home?" I questioned back. "He's staying with Emily to keep her safe." Collin informed me. I nodded silently. "I'll call him to ask if we could keep the safe house at his house. Sorry 'bout the false alarm, Col." I said into the phone. I heard the audible sigh of relief through the phone in the form of static against my ear. I smiled at his relief. "You will be the death of me, Lex." Collin chuckled into my ear. Even his phone voice was sexy.

I grinned against the receiver. "I got to make my calls; Sue's calling up family members, I'll call the imprints." I informed Collin. I knew he'd want inner information. Collin was such a worrywart. "Tell the Pack to wait until I call before revolving completely around Sam's house." I told him. "Sue and the others and I'll play carpool before we can keep them safe." I told Collin. "'Kay; just call me as soon as you're finished playing soccer mom." Collin chuckled. "I won't pick up, it's safer that way, but I will tell the others to revolve around the house then." Collin said. I nodded against the phone. "Okay. Just go back to your duties." I told him. I snapped my phone shut before reopening it and dialing up Sam's phone. He answered on the second ring, obviously preoccupied with his concern.

"Do you want to kill yourself out of your concern?" I asked Sam as he answered. He breathed a sigh of what seemed to be aggravation. "Do you need something?" Sam snapped at me. I frowned at this, scowling at my phone. "I just called to tell you that your house will act as safe house for the other imprints. It's easier to keep them together because there aren't enough of you or me." I said. I was careful not to say "us" as I wasn't too sure about whether I was included in the Pack. I was, however, a threat to vampires everywhere if they dared to piss me off. Silence greeted me for a moment. "It could be easier that way." Sam agreed. "Just get there here quickly." He growled before I was greeted by the dial tone. Ah, how I missed you, you monotonous beep!

I was already at the front door, snatching up my jacket while waiting for the others to come rumbling down the stairs. "What's going on?" Jason asked as he leapt off the bottom three steps. I frowned at him. "Crisis in the world of paranormal," I said as I tucked my tool steeply into my boot. It scraped up against my leg, reminding me I wasn't wearing socks. I wrinkled my nose in distaste as I watched dad and Sue hurry down the stairs, Sue still on her phone. "Colin, you'll have to drive while I'm on the phone." Sue told my dad. I frowned at them. There wasn't a way in hell that we could fit all family members and imprints into the damn minivan we seemed to own. "Call up the imprints as well while I keep track of the road," I told Sue. I bit on my lip as I checked out the front door.

"Aren't you fighting?" Sue asked. I frowned at her before smirking. "Oh, no; apparently I've learned from my lesson. 'Don't mess with avenging another's imprint'." I chuckled to her. "Sam's fighting this time." I told her confused face. She nodded her understanding as she led the way outside of the house. That woman would shout at a vampire who dared to confront her. This reminded me of how I started out like that. "Get in the van while I watch out." I told Sue and the others as I grimaced down at my boot that held my weapon. Sue smirked at me this time. "I thought you weren't fighting." Sue teased. I frowned at the woman through the night air. It was definitely not here or now that Emily would be gone; the air was too thin and the destination was too suburban. I strained a smile as a joke. "I volunteered for babysitting." I stated with fake enthusiasm. Sue rolled her eyes as she headed to the passenger door of the minivan, dialing up more and more numbers.

"Do you know exactly when she'll be kidnapped?" Sue questioned me. "Who?" Dad asked as he climbed into the driver's seat. "Emily; a week or two, a month tops." I answered both of them. Sue frowned. "Why are we panicking so early in the game then?" Sue asked. "I'm not sure how many fails we have to dictate before they actually get to her." I explained. Sue furrowed her brow before returning to her conversation on the phone. Quicker than I thought dad could ever go; we were out of the driveway and into the road, speeding off.

Concerned voices fumed the air around the Uley house as I headed from room to room, hoping to find more blankets and pillows. I wished I'd told Sue to remind the Pack families and imprints to bring something to sleep with. I frowned as some of the children ran about, causing what seemed like mayhem in their wake but was actually not even a fraction of what could quite possibly happen. I'd already called up Collin.

As much as I knew that he wouldn't pick up (he'd told me after all), I couldn't help but feel concerned after not being able to hear Collin's sexy voice in my ear. I felt bad for wasting what seemed to be our only chance for peace in between mayhems. Sue was helping round up most of the children with Emily while Sam kept a watchful eye on her. Sam wouldn't be enough to take care of everyone and yet we needed more arms out there. I knew that Sam wouldn't dare leave Emily's side after this news but that was what I was concerned about. He would be so busy keeping a watchful eye on his lovely that he could quite possibly miss the others being kidnapped. As little as this doubt was, I also knew he'd have his eyes, ears and nose perked for any vampiric scent that dared to cross nearby other than the scents of the Cullens.

Seth had caught them up to date on the news (via grapevine rather than directly) and so they were now helping out, the Cullens were. And even with the extra arms out there I knew it couldn't be enough to soothe any of our worries. I had only dreamt of that one location and so I didn't know if Emily was the only one kidnapped or if anyone else was kidnapped and placed in a separate area to put us off. Now was definitely not the time to contemplate over that "us". It wasn't an appropriate time to wonder if I was a part of the Pack or if I was just off in a lonely side. I didn't even have any clue as to what I was. Despite the chaos I still had a part of my mind that insanely missed Collin. He had to sleep at one point and that point would be when I finally got to see him but the wolves could be out for days on end before they switched off.

Exhausting the defenses was not the best idea however. I decided to let Collin sleep when he gets here. He and I would not share consciousness for a while after this.

A/N: I keep forgetting to put on the disclaimer I guess. I do not own the Pack or the Cullens or most of the vampires except for my Original Characters. I would never shame SM that way! Review, please. I am updating most of the old stories that I believe to have hope. If I get enough reviews on one story that you like I could rewrite it and update it if you'd like. Just please post reviews and I will be your slave-author. Welcome my little maid outfit!