Nothing could have prepared me for what Emily said. I knew Harry was in bad shape and, yes, I knew the minute he in to cardiac arrest his life was on the line, but still it came as a shock to me. I knew Harry since I was born. Hell, every member of the pack did. He was there for us through everything: birth, scary times, phasing, even death. He was there for it all. My thoughts flashed to his family. Sue must be going crazy right now. The two have been together for years. They met when they were both in the eighth grade and dated throughout high school. They married as soon as Sue had finished medical school. He was the only man she had ever loved. I can't even begin to think of his kids. Leah had already lost her boyfriend of 4 or 5 years, she didn't need to lose her father too. Seth, the poor kid, was already at the age where he could really use his father around. It was torture for all of them. I looked over at Emily who was crying freely now. Embry and I were also crying freely but I quickly wiped my tears.
"I'll be right back. I'm going to the Clearwater's," I said walking out the door and stripping my clothes. I tied them around my ankle real quick and shifted only to be met by Sam.
Jacob needs to borrow some clothes
Hey Sam it's nice to see you too. By the way I don't think my sun dress will do my dear brother justice.
Sam chuckled.
He says they're for Bella.
Oh well then in that case, ok.
Where are you going?
The Clearwater's. I thought I could be of help, but since Jacob needs clothes I guess I'm heading to the house.
Jared and Paul are already down there. There's really not much we can do and yea that would be best.
What about you? Where are you going?
Emily called. She said she had some food for me to take down there.
Oh ok.
I left to go to the house as soon as Sam shifted. It really wasn't far but I figured I needed the exercise. When I got to the house I immediately noticed a note from dad as well as forty dollars.
At the Clearwater's and I might be there all night. Don't worry, Charlie gave me a ride and he'll give me a ride back tomorrow. I left you guy's forty dollars for food and again, no skittles. Love you both.
Dad
As soon as I got done reading the letter Jacob and Bella walked in. Bella was soaked from head to toe and was being carried bridle style by Jacob. I got one look at her and rushed to her.
"Crap," I said grabbing a blanket and handing it to Jacob, "Make sure she stays warm. I'm going to get her some dry clothes and start her a shower."
I quickly retreated to my room and got out some sweat pants, t-shirt and a hoodie. I then ran into the bathroom and started up a shower making sure the water was hot before coming back out.
"Bella, I got you some clothes in the bathroom for you change into when you get done in the shower. You can leave your wet clothes by the door."
"T..Th..Thank you," she stuttered before going into the bathroom for a hot shower. Seeing that she needed all the heat she could get, I decided to make some vegetable soup. That and I need something to take my mind off of Harry's death.
"Are you taking her home," I asked not standing the quite.
"Yep."
"Did you tell her about the imprint?"
"Not yet. It's not easy telling someone you imprinted on them, Jade."
"I know. I know."
I began chopping some vegetables and throwing them in the pot. It was evident that Jacob didn't feel like talking at the moment, so we just stuck with the silence. Until…
"Seth is supposed to phase after Quil."
"Oh?"
"Yea, but Sam thinks that it may be sooner than we thought."
"He thinks Harry's death may trigger an early transformation?"
"It's possible. I don't know what else could cause it."
"Leah?"
"Crap."
Jacob reached for his cell phone quickly dialing Sam's number. We really had to keep an eye on Seth now. Knowing Leah, she'd be bitchier than ever now that her father had died. Who wouldn't be? Jacob and I cringed when Sam finally answered the phone to reveal Leah's screaming as well as Seth's.
"What the hell," I asked upon hearing the angry voices.
"Ask him," said Jacob handing me the phone in turn of the spoon. I groaned before putting the receiver to my ear.
"What happened, Sam?"
"I don't know, Jade. One minute we're talking about Harry and the next thing I know I'm about of a screaming match."
"She's grieving, dude and you're being there might not be helping out much either."
"I have to be here. It's my job as alpha; not to mention the possibility of early transformation."
I rolled my eyes. They needed a feminine touch over at the Clearwater's.
"I'll be there in a minute. In the mean time don't say anything about Harry and don't talk to Leah. Don't even look at her. There are a lot of things she needs right now and you aren't one of them."
I hung up with Sam and handed the phone back to Jake. Bella had just gotten out of the shower and was eating a bowl of soup.
"It's really good, Jade," she said.
"Thank you," I said hugging her and giving Jacob a kiss on the cheek, "I'll be back soon. I'm going to the Clearwater's. Feel better, Bella."
I was just about out the door when Jacob put a hand on my shoulder and pulling me to his chest.
"Be careful, sis," he said
"I will. You don't have to worry about me."
"I know but something is about to happen. I can feel it," he said touching the necklace around his neck, "Ser seguro."
I copied his action, "Ser seguro."
With that I ran into the woods and shifted; beginning my run to the Clearwater house. It was nice not having someone in my head for once.
Jade?
Spoke to soon.
Hey Jared, what's up?
It's Quil.
That was all he needed to say to get me to change my direction. If anyone knew Quil it was me, Jake and Embry. However, Jake was with Bella and Embry was helping Emily around the house.
Sam said you were on your way to the Clearwater's.
I was but apparently now I'm going to help you out with Quil. By the way were you going alone?
What the hell's going on asked a confused Quil.
Quil we need you to tell us where you are came Sam's booming voice.
Get out of my head! What's happening to me?
Quil, do what he says. I promise everything will be explained if you corporate with us I said
Jade?
Yea, buddy, it's me. Welcome to the club.
Jade, go to the Clearwater's. Jared and I got this ordered Sam.
Sam, no offense, but I think Jade is what Quil needs right now said Jared Remember how Jade and Jacob felt with Embry there to help them.
Sam was about to argue until Jared brought back that day. Sam had no choice but to comply.
Oh alright.
Um, hello. Still here.
Sorry Quil I said What do you see?
The inside of my house.
Alright, I need you to carefully go outside and go in to the woods. Keep moving until you see either a grey wolf, black wolf or russet wolf.
What?
Trust me.
Last time you said that Embry, Jake and I were in dresses at a gay bar.
I laughed at the memory until someone else shifted. Normally I wouldn't have minded, but not right now. We made a promise not to ever speak of that night and Quil had just spoken of it and to make matters worse…it was Embry who phased.
You promised to never speak of it he screamed. Sam and Jared laughed. and to think I came here to help.
Relax Embry he didn't know. We haven't had a chance to explain anything to him yet.
Got him in sight said Jared as we caught sight of Quil.
Finally something other than grey fur exclaimed Paul who finally decided to join us.
All right we don't need all of you here. Embry and Paul, get your butt's back to Harry's place and I don't care if you would rather sleep in fire than deal with Leah. I'll be there as soon as I can.
Embry and Paul shifted back and soon it was just me, Sam, Jared and Quil. We spent the next 4 hours explaining everything to Quil. From why we shifted to imprinting, Quil knew everything by dinner. He took it better than the rest of us, though.
Cool! He exclaimed. At his remark, I was sure he was either on something or our sad expressions needed some work.
What? I asked.
This is so cool. When's my first patrol?
Quil we just told you how you became a wolf and gave you news that will change your life. Aren't you the least bit upset? Asked Sam wondering if he had to replay what happened to Emily again.
Nope. I mean I'm sorry about Emily and all but this has got to be the coolest thing that's ever happened to me. Heck I'm just glad to have my friends back he said jumping around and trying to tackle me.
He's worse than a puppy said Jared to Sam who just nodded
Hey where's Jake?
Taking Bella home. She had a bit of a rough day.
I just hope him telling her about his imprinting wasn't going to freak her out.
He hasn't told her yet asked Sam and Jared in unison.
He wants to ease her into it
Tell him to just do what we did. Kim and Emily took it pretty well. Even though Kim got a bit freaked and tried to whack me with a frying pan, then tried to stab me with a butcher knife.
Jared shuttered at the memory. I did too. How was I going to explain to Dad what happened to Jacob? Sam chose that moment to intervene.
No, no, Jake's right it's best to not push it on he. Besides it's about time someone explained stuff to their imprint with dignity and without almost getting killed.
And grace I added as Quil laughed while Sam and Jared gave us dirty looks.
We better get back to the Clearwater's
Not until Quil learns to change back.
Plus the issue of clothes.
Wait once I change back I'm naked?
As a jay bird.
Damn.
Well what do you expect, clothes to magically appear in your body when you change back?
Well yea.
Amateur said Jared as we all gave him a dirty look
Sam go ahead and got to Harry's place. I'll take care of Quil I said
Um Jade…asked Jared. I turned to him Shouldn't a guy be doing that?
Ain't nothing I haven't seen before.
Sam shrugged Good enough for me.
Sam you're letting a girl do a man's job.
I'm more of a man than you'll ever be.
Burn said Quil
Whatever let's go, Sam.
What you're serious?
Like she said "ain't nothing she hasn't seen before" said Sam as he and Jared took off to the Clearwater's.
Don't worry I'll run into your house, grab your clothes and we'll get this party started. Now come on I need a ride back home after this.
We began our run to Quil's house or rather our trot to Quil's house. He wanted to talk a bit more before we got there.
So imprinting, it's like love at first sight right?
I nodded.
A bit stronger than that, but yea. Basically it's like she's the center of the universe. Nothing matters but her. I've seen it through Sam and Jared's eyes suddenly it's not gravity holding you to this Earth; it's her.
Have you imprinted?
I stopped my stride.
Did I say something wrong, Jade?
No…I..I'm sorry, you just caught me off guard for a moment.
I'm sorry honey.
It's ok and to answer your question: I don't think I ever will imprint Quil. It's just not in the works for me.
What you mean?
I think I'm a genetic dead end. Everything changed when I first transformed, so there's no hope for me.
I'm sorry, Jade.
It's not your fault.
We continued our run hearing nothing but the steady rhythm of our feet hitting the ground and our breathing. The occasional bird or two but that was a different story. We weren't to far from the house so we slowed our pace.
You think I'll ever imprint?
It's rare but who knows. You just might be one of the few that do.
What about Jacob? Has he imprinted?
Yea, but she doesn't know it yet.
Huh?
Sam and Jared's imprints found out in an odd way. Bella, however….
Wait? Bella?
Yea.
Wow, who would have thought.
Anyways, Bella knows about the wolves, she just doesn't know about the imprint. Jacob is just trying to find the right time and way to tell her.
Yikes.
Yea, so you might want to keep it hush around her until she knows. Hopefully that will be soon. Oh we're here. Hang on out here.
I quickly phased and changed before going up to the front door and walking in. There was no need for knocking because all the wolves pretty much knew everyone on the counsil and had permission to barge in unannounced at whatever time. Hence why Embry usually stayed over Sam and Emily's half the time. I made my way to Quil's room and almost instantly regretted it. Clothes, books, and old pizza boxes were scattered all over the floor. Wish I could say I grabbed a clean pair of shorts but something tells me that I didn't. I almost debated on whether to run to the store or not but decided against it. Sam's motto was "get the job done or don't return" and by damn I planned to get the job done. Gross as it may be. So I ran outside, Quil's shorts over my shoulder, stripped my clothes and changed back.
Clean your room, dude. It looks like a bomb went off in there.
Don't hate.
I will cause you won't me in that room unless it is spotless.
I could care less if you came into my house.
You won't be thinking that when your pants are shredded.
I'll just borrow some of Jake's or Embry until I get home.
Not when they find out you haven't washed your clothes since Lord knows when.
Quil scoffed.
Fine. Just tell me how to switch back. Well for starters you need to calm down. Think of something happy…no wait nevermind.
I wasn't thinking like that.
Bull shit.
Jade please. I'm trying to concentrate.
It took a good five hours but he eventually got it. However, he about freaked when I didn't avert my eyes. Deciding that we didn't want to got through this again I shielding my eyes as he hurridly got his pants on. Though it came as a shock to him when I shifted and changed in front of him without a second thought.
"The hell Jade?"
"Like I said I've seen it all before. Doesn't phase me. Now come on, we got to head to the Clearwater's."
We loaded in the pickup truck and drove to Harry's; when we got there though the pack was just beginning to leave.
"Meeting at Sam's and yes we told Billy and Old Quil," said Paul before turning his gaze to Quil and clasping his hand on the younger boy's shoulder, "Welcome to the pack bro."
Quil gave him a smile.
"Has the message been given to Jacob," I asked
"Jared's informing him now."
That was when I heard the howl. To me it was a message, but to Quil it was hell on Earth.
"Oh man why did it have to be so loud?"
"You'll get used to it. Also that keen sense of smell can either make or break you."
"Damn."
"By the way I'm riding with you two," said Paul jumping in the bed of the pickup.
"Is he always like this," asked Quil starting up the truck.
"There's a lot you got to get used to kid," I said. I could
