Chapter 18
When school did end the next day I quickly walked up towards my locker. Almost threw my books in it and pulled those out who I needed to make homework.
"In a hurry for someoneee?" Collin asked, grinning and that's when I noticed that I indeed was doing things a little bit quicker than normal and cursed to myself. Being long enough in Blake's pack had done nothing good to my cursing. Let's just say that they unwillingly taught me a few, new words.
"No, I'm just eager to get home..." I knew it was a lie and Collin did as well. As we both knew very well that I had a meeting with Jacob. To run together.
"Yeah right," Collin answered, indeed disbelieving me, while opening his locker. Brady joined us, looking like he was lost. Well, lost might be the wrong word. Like he was in another world.
"Hey, you okay?" I asked my friend worriedly, who slowly nodded and seemed to look over our heads to search for someone. Wait... Someone... My eyes widened up in shock. Collin and I looked at each other and watched how Brady was now resting his forehead against his locker.
"Did you...?" Collin carefully asked. Not saying the word out loud. We both knew what the word was. It recently did happen to me. Brady nodded, again and I gasped.
"Who?" I asked. Not that I would know her, but Brady was my friend, I cared for him.
"Christina Baines," He murmured and Collin's eyes widened even more. It sure looked like he knew her, so why didn't I? Ah right, I had just moved here. But then again. The school was small. She sounded like one of those people who was one of the popular group.
"The girl who always sits in the library? Always keeps to herself?" He clarified, and Brady nodded, again. Well, there went my theory about the most popular girl. It only now left me wondering why she would always sit by herself during lunch and before and after school. Again, if she was of our age -which I assume- I was wondering why I had not noticed her in class.
If I only knew who she was.
"Why does she always sit by herself?" I asked curious. I did not know this girl, yet somehow I wanted to get to know her. Brady sighed and Collin shrugged.
"No one knows. She is very quiet as well. We thought that Kim Connweller, Jared's fiancé was shy and quiet, but Christina Baines wins," Collin explained, earning a low growl from Brady at his last sentence. Collin chuckled softly, enjoying this a little bit too much.
"Is she from our year?" I asked, curious now as why I had never noticed her in class. I'm sure we should have at least one class.
"Yes, I think she has Algebra with us," Brady murmured, still leaning with his forehead against his locker. I was almost certain that he was happy to have found his imprint, but that something happened during the moment he imprinted on her.
When we eventually walked outside we had not gotten anything more from Brady. Not on what happened during the moment he imprinted on her. He had put his hands in the pockets of his pants and let his head hang for a moment.
"What do you think that could have happened?" Collin asked me softly when we walked behind him, towards my car. I shrugged.
"The only thing I could think of is that she ran away from him," I suggested, while looking at Brady to see what his reaction was on my thoughts. Brady however didn't react on it and if he did, we surely didn't see it.
When we got to my car, I noticed how Jacob wasn't standing beside it and I raised an eyebrow. I did remember how we had made an arrangement on how he would meet me here.
"Ah yeah, forgot to tell. Jacob asked me, to tell you that he had a few things to discuss with his father, Sam and the other elders. Normal pack business. So we have to guide you to Sam and Emily's." I softly gulped. I was fine with running with Jacob, I wasn't okay with having to enter the house where most of the pack members were.
"Don't worry. He is waiting for you at the edge of the forest," Collin assured me when he saw how uncomfortable I was looking.
"I'm glad for that," I murmured. Being in the centre of the pack wasn't one of the top things I wanted to do today. I focused on Brady again. So I could forget where I was going and saw how he leaned against my car. Still lost in thought. Collin and I shared a worried glance at each other.
"Is this normal for a shape-shifter to react after he has found his imprint?" I softly asked Collin.
"I'm not sure. Jacob wasn't that bad, but mostly because he knew you were hanging out with Brady. It's different with Christina. She avoids everyone," She sure did sound a lot like me in the beginning. Maybe she had something on her mind too. Somehow I felt myself making the silent promise to go and see if I could talk to her tomorrow.
"I wonder why that is..." I muttered, while unlocking the car. Brady quietly stepped in, followed by Collin and I. The drive to Sam and Emily's was in silence, with an exception of Collin who directed me towards it. Once I had parked my car close to Sam and Emily, we stepped out.
"Please take care of him," I said to Collin, while mentioning towards Brady. I felt for him.
"I'll do." Collin assured me. I gave Brady one last look, before heading to the back of the house. Just as Collin had told me earlier, Jacob indeed already stood there at the edge of the forest, waiting for me. He relaxed as soon as he saw me coming to him.
"What hold you up?" he asked me and then I remembered we had stayed a little bit too long at school, due to Brady.
"Brady imprinted," I answered. His eyes shot wide in surprise. "Really?" he asked, glancing up to the house, where we both could hear Brady talking to his pack brothers as if nothing had happened. It almost seemed like he wanted to keep it quiet for a while. Well, as long as he could.
"Yeah." I said with a soft smile. Despite how Brady was acting to the imprinting, I was happy for him. He deserved the happiness and I just hoped that Christina would open up to him.
"I'm glad for him." Jacob said with a genuine smile. He really was happy for his pack Brother and for a moment we stayed silence. Didn't move. We were just together and that was enough.
Jacob gave me a soft smile and nodded towards the forest. Mentioned to follow me. No words were needed for us. Everything had been said yesterday and I knew that when we were ready to talk, we would talk, but that we would enjoy our run in silence.
I hid myself behind a tree to pull of my clothes as I wasn't comfortable yet to pull them out in front of Jaocb. I phased, shook my fur and then stepped behind it. Jacob had phased as well and I couldn't help but to watch at him in awe.
I had seen him fighting against Wallis, I had seen him fighting against the vampire, but now, that I could really take a good look at him, I really saw how big and tall he was. Not only that. He was beautiful. Wow...
"Like what you see?" he said jokingly and I wanted to hid my head between my paws in embarrassment. He had caught me staring at him which I had not wanted.
"That big of an ego huh?" I replied back in response which earned a laugh from him. I playfully bumped him in his shoulder -and I was surprised I could actually reach it- and he gave me a questioning look. I nodded towards the path lying in front of him and he seemed to be getting what I wanted to say.
"So, where are we heading too?" I asked him once we were on our way. My wolf was feeling happy and I was feeling happy too. Somehow, with him, I felt safe and that should something happen he would come to rescue me, as he already had done twice.
"It's a surprise. Follow me," A surprise? I sure hoped that he didn't thought that this was a date, but on the other hand, if this was a date - which it wasn't- I probably would have wanted it to be a date. If that made any sense.
I was surprised on how Jacob could hold a steady, normal space so he could show me the different paths. He even showed me a few patrol routes on the way to the surprise. We came across, according to Jacob, Leah, Seth and Quil and somehow, I found it uneasy that I couldn't hear their thoughts. I wanted to know what they were saying. But was I really ready to join them?
Jacob nudged my shoulder for a moment, gaining my attention back to him and he nodded towards the path he was showing me. No words were needed to know what he wanted to tell me this time. To start running again.
He picked up his space and I followed him and began to ran beside him. The wall began to crumble down a little bit more and I began to feel the connection between us even more. He looked at me for a moment.
No words were exchanged during our run. Except for when he gave me directions and suddenly, we broke through the tree line and skidded to a halt. In front of me was the most beautiful cliff I had ever seen and I looked at it in awe. La Push was beautiful.
"It's beautiful," I said softly, walking closer to the edge and while I did, I phased back. I did not care now that I had no clothes on. I knew Jacob would keep his distance. When I stood a little bit on the edge I saw the sea crashing it's waves against the rocks of the cliffs.
Warm arms were wrapped around my middle and I smiled softly when I felt how Jacob was resting his chin on my shoulder. We just stood there. Just enjoying the view from here.
"I consider this as a date," My mouth said it before I was even able to stop it, but then again, I really did. Right at this moment with him behind me. It just felt right to be with him.
"You do?" he asked surprised. I turned around in his arms so I was facing his chest. His beautiful, muscled chest... I quickly looked up to his eyes that were even more beautiful.
"Yes," I softly said and couldn't help but to smile widely at him. Somehow this boy could get the best out of me without even trying. Our eyes connected with each other and his face suddenly was closer than I thought it was supposed to be.
Our lips with a few inches apart from each other. My heart was beating fast. I had just met this boy last week, but already he gave me goose bumps all over my body and then, all of a sudden, his lips softly touched mine.
I froze for a moment, before relaxing and wrapped my arms around his. Our kiss didn't last long, but long enough to share our feelings for each other. Jacob rested his forehead against mine and we both sighed in content. This is what we needed right now.
And even though I didn't know what his hobbies were, or which colour he liked, who his best friend was, or if he had any sibling, I just knew, right here and now, that while our relationship would progress, we could get to know those things from each other.
And while we stood there, I realized something else. With accepting him as who he was, as my soul mate, I had to tell them the truth. I couldn't hide it any longer that the Volturi was after me. That I was actually banished from my former tribe. They deserved to know the truth.
"Ready to go home?" Jacob asked softly, removing his forehead from mine. I sighed. I had wanted to stay here a little bit longer. This was nice. Just him and me and no one else.
"Not yet, but guess we have stayed here long enough haven't we?" I muttered, burying my face in his chest. He chuckled softly. Letting his chin rest on my head.
"We could stay here a little bit longer," he softly said. "Hm... It sure sounds tempting," I chuckled. That's when I noticed how the sun was slowly going down and I sighed.
"We better head back," He followed my eyes to see that I was watching the sky and he sighed as well.
"You're right." I felt myself not wanting to let go of him, but I did reluctantly. It was amazing to find out how I suddenly could get attached to him that deeply.
"Hey Luna?"He asked, just a few moments before phasing back in our wolf forms. I looked up at him in curiosity.
"Emily already might have dinner ready, you would like to join us?" I thought about his question. Being in the centre of the pack wasn't my favourite place to be, but then there was also something else. Something else I needed to say. Yet, I planned that for a little bit later.
"Sure," I answered softly and he gave me such a huge smile that I couldn't help but to smile back at him. Being with him made me forget about all the other stuff that is going on. With him I felt like myself. He let me be who I am.
We phased back in to our wolf forms. He softly gave me a lick and before I could even do anything back, he already started to run.
I followed him and we fell in to the same space. Nothing was being said, aside from the route he was showing me. The run was too short for my liking as before I knew it, we had reached the spot where we had left our clothes. Well, where I had left my clothes, he had his tied around his leg. One day he really had to show me how they did that.
As we phased back and I dressed myself behind a tree I was sure of my decision. A decision that could be life changing, but when I thought better about it, La Push was life changing.
"Jake?" He looked up in surprise when I used the nickname and came behind the tree.
"Before we go in to the house, there is something I would like to say," Now I had him look even more surprised. He had not expected this. Of course not. This was something I had not discussed with him yet.
"I'm living for 2.5 week in Forks now and going to school here in La Push for the same amount of time and so far, La Push has been life changing," I began, watching how he gave me a curious look.
"When I first met you guys I was tensed. Had no idea what to do or how to act, due to my past," I continued. "Yet, with Brady's help I began to open up, Collin might have become my friend since last monday, but he already has opened me up even more. And with you in my life, I've began to see things different. You all have changed me in a good and positive way," I went on and looked in to his beautiful brown eyes that had no idea where I was going with.
"And because of that, I'm finally more than ready to join you and your pack," I finished, watching how his eyes went wide in surprise. He suddenly picked me up and spun me around in happiness. When he had put me down again, I gave him a soft smile. Yes, I was nervous to really join his pack, but I was ready for it. He had made me realize that I needed their protection. And more importantly, I needed him in my life.
"Then let's head inside and announce this to the pack," Now I looked at him with wide eyes. "Right now...?" I asked carefully and he nodded. Well, there went my confidence. Announcing this to him was easy, but the whole pack...
I sighed, knowing this had to be done. I had no idea how you could even join the other pack. I had a feeling that it just wasn't by just telling the alpha that you wanted to join.
I silently followed him inside. Almost everyone was here. And they all looked up when we entered the living room. I saw no sign of the elders, but had a feeling that the meeting already had end before I got here with Brady and Collin.
"I want all the wolfs outside, and head to the clearing," Jacob announced. Now it was them to look in surprise at Jacob. No one did question him though as to why he wanted a meeting with the whole pack. I just stood slightly behind him. Glancing up when the boys all stood up and made their way outside. Their girl friends and I'm sure in some cases, fiancés, gave them a soft kiss. I saw no sign of the pregnant woman, or her husband, but maybe she was just resting.
Brady and Collin gave me a wide smile when they passed me. They had seen the way how I was standing behind Jacob. The way of a new wolf who was ready to join the pack. A few boys were whispering softly to each other. They had no idea what was going on. The older Shape-Shifters though, as Paul, Jared, Leah, Embry, Quil and Seth seem to get what was going on.
"Good luck," Leah softly whispered in my ear. She knew what would happen and she knew how hard this was for me. I gave her a small smile.
"Leah," Jacob called out to her, letting the female shape-shifter stop in her tracks as she was heading outside.
"Make sure they stay there. I have to make a few calls as I haven't seen Wallis or Kenton," He said. And here I thought that everyone was already here. Apparently not.
"Will do," she said, with that, she walked outside and I felt a little bit awkward with the girls watching me with interest. I tried to focus on Jacob, who had walked up to the living room, to make a few calls. And one of the girls suddenly stood up, to walk towards me.
"Kim Connweller," she introduced herself softly. I remembered how Collin had told me about how she was shy, but what I saw here was a calm and gentle woman. One who didn't want to be in the middle of attention.
"Luna," I introduced myself and couldn't help but to smile at her a little bit. We didn't say anything else and I was glad that Jacob came to my rescue. He did not say a word but I knew words weren't necessary right now. With one look at me I just knew that it was time to go.
I followed him outside and once we were at the edge of the forest he stood still, looked at me.
"I'm ready," I said, full with confidence now as we weren't together with the whole pack. We phased. Together. I didn't care about how I shredded my clothes right now. We ran side by side. He led me through the forest with ease for the second time today and I carefully watched where we were going, so I could remember the path once I would be running alone one day.
We reached the clearing much quicker than I thought we would and I could hear, feel and smell them. Jacob walked in front of me and I silently followed. I tried not to look at the circle of wolfs we were stepping in.
I stayed close to Jacob as I didn't want to stand alone in the middle of the circle. It felt intimidating. As if I didn't belong here.
And while I slightly stood behind Jacob, I observed them. He was talking to them, I could just tell it by his body language. He flattened his ears for a moment and let out a low growl, looking fiercely at a wolf I didn't recognize, but I had the feeling that it was Keiran. I would have recognized Wallis as I already had seen him in wolf form.
And while they talked, I just stood there, waiting for a sign that it was my turn to talk, but my turn to talk never came as suddenly I felt it. The energy in the circle twisted and turned. My eyes went wide. I felt how my string that had been disconnected from my former pack began to slowly stretch out to Jacob and from Jacob it went to all the other members.
Voices began to fill my head and the silence that had once been there had left. I grimaced, closed my eyes and flattened my ears for a moment. The impact of all the voices in my head was a bit too much. After 2.5 weeks of silence in my head, the sudden loudness felt as a headache. Jacob nudged me softly with his nose. I carefully looked up at him. Searched for his eyes as he would distract me. Distract me from the loud voices in my head. The memories of the pack or on what they were thinking about right now.
"Luna?" I heard Jacob's voice calling out to me. I tried to focus on it due to amount of voices in my head, yet it was hard to do when you weren't use to it anymore.
"Luna, look at me. Try to focus on my eyes and try to focus on my voice. Let me guide you through the swarm of voices," His voice was loud and clear to me now. I kept trying to focus on his voice and I eventually found it.
"I've found you," I said, while I kept looking in to his eyes. "Yes, you have," he kindly told me. He touched my nose for a moment and I felt the strong energy between us.
"Oh give it a break you love birds!" One of the boys complained, one I didn't recognize that quickly. Jacob chuckled in his head. Ignoring the complain.
"Keep focusing on my voice," He softly said when the impact of more voices became too much again.
"I try," I whispered. How could they all manage so many voices? It was too loud. And then you also had try to figure out who was saying what. Jacob was easy. I knew his voice, but the others...
"You can do it, now, slowly focus on a second voice," I tried as he said, but too many came in to my mind without a warning. And I flinched.
"It's okay, just try to focus on mine for a while," I felt relieved when he said that. I could manage focusing on his voice. I breathed in and out slowly. This was easy and when I thought back to being in Blake's pack, I remembered how I only could handle his voice as well and that I only talked to the pack when needed. Yet, I wanted to try to be able to talk to this pack without any trouble. And while I thought, Jacob just kept on talking to me and I slowly began to relax. I could focus on his voice. It relaxed me.
I tried again to open my walls for the rest of the pack and slowly allowed their voices in my mind, while still focussing on Jacob's voice. He just kept talking to me. About random things. Things we normally didn't care about, but now were important to me as they helped me to relax and allow the pack to be in my head.
I carefully tried to focus on the other voices and even though it was hard, I was glad I could do it.
"Welcome in the pack Luna!" Someone said full with excitement in his voice and I flinched, it was still a bit too loud, yet the impact wasn't as hard as it was in the beginning.
Cheers filled my head when they began notice how I made contact with them. How I allowed them in my head. And I began to feel it. How this pack felt like home. How this really was my pack. That I did belong here. Jacob welcomed me in his pack while he gave me a soft lick on my cheek.
"Welcome in the pack Luna," Jacob said softly in my head. Welcoming me officially. The others followed soon and even though I still had to get used to all the voices in my head, I felt accepted. It felt like home.
This pack was my home.
Authors note: Wow! Brady imprinting, I had no idea that would happen! Yet, his imprint is going to be an important character in the story :D I'm not going to reveal what she is or what she is going to be, but I have something special in store for her :D
Luna also finally joined the pack! Thank you everyone for your comments :D She has not revealed her real background yet, but she will do it soon :D I however tried to write Luna joining the pack as good as I could! I thought it would be something similar as to how she got separated from Blake's pack. Yet, that in her case everyone had to vote for her to join the pack :D As she is an outsider and not someone that phased for the first time in La Push :) Can't wait to write down her adventures in the La Push pack :D
And Luna and Jacob shared a very sweet moment together, including their first kiss! Only showing how strong their bond already is and how strong it can be in the future :D They are so lovely together :D And they forgot to eat xD But hey, when your soul mate tells you she wants to join the pack, you want to immediately take action and let her be part of the pack before she can re-think her decision :D
To celebrate that I'm ready for the next step in my life, I give you all the new chapter :D ! Enjoy :D !
And thank you all for the lovely and nice reviews! Am so glad and happy about them all :D You all are the best! LOVE YOU!
Also, thank you everyone for your opinions about Luna joining the pack! It really did help me to write this chapter! Your reviews on every single chapter always inspire me so much for the next chapter! THANK YOU for helping me out with the story!
Polly2010: Thank you so much for your nice review! Here is your answer :D She finally did accept the pack and the pack did accept her :D And thank you so much for your opinion :D Your wish came true :D
chyanne200: Thank you so much for your nice review! Awww, thanks! *Hands you a tissue* You might need it again! Enjoy this chapter :D And thank you for your opinion! Another event will happen at and after the bonfire :D
cheyennenichole: Thank you so much for your nice review! *Hands you a tissue* Aw! Am so glad that the chapter did touch you in an emotional way! Enjoy this chapter :D
Secret-Writer91: Thank you so much for your nice review! I'm happy about it too :D Luna just needed to feel that she was welcome in La Push! And that, despite what would happen, he would never banish her from the tribe, but that they would stand ready to help her :)
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