Title: Gloaming
Author: Readingmama/Vampiremama
Beta: AcrossTheSkyInStars

Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight or any of its characters. No copyright infringement is intended.

Continuity: AU
Rating: M for sexual situations and violence.

A/N – Thank you to my wonderful Beta who I think wrote her last exam today. I tried to keep the chapters to a minimum while you were gone babe! LOL.

Thanks to everyone who has been adding this story to their favs, alerts and reading and reviewing, each one of you are why I write this.

Chapter 24

QPOV

I was in love with Claire and that made me scared out of my mind to transform. As soon as one in my pack found out, they would all know. I was doing my best to put it off but it couldn't be for long. I told the pack to give me a few days off after the funeral and they had been patrolling. During that time, I had avoided Claire like the plague even though every fiber of my being was trying to get to her.

When I had seen her at the funeral, everything had changed. She was my reason for living now and all I wanted was to make her happy. She seemed happy with Christopher, so I had to stay away. I sat back in my chair and remembered everything I could about that day.

I walked up to where they were standing. Christopher gave me a warm smile and patted me on the back.

"Hey man, I want you to meet Claire," he said. I turned to her and was hooked. It was like the whole world floated away and all that was left was Claire and I. I wanted to say something wonderful and charming. However, I lost the brain to mouth connection and was unable to say anything.

"So you're the one that keeps stealing him away from me, huh?" Her snarky voice came across to me like angels singing. She was also the only person at the whole funeral who didn't start off with a pity comment. If I wasn't already imprinted, I would have fell in love.

"I'm sorry, I'll try to keep it to a minimum," I replied hastily. Christopher looked at me strangely and I pulled back my intense gaze.

"Whatever. Sorry about your dad and all that."

"Thanks."

I had to tear myself away from her; I couldn't do anything to betray my brother, the one that had been there for me. The one whose suit I was wearing.

I walked away, forcing myself to not look back. I didn't need to; her face was forever branded on my soul.

The idea of imprinting had always repulsed me, but now I found it romantic. I wished that I hadn't imprinted on my friend's girl, but there was no way I could regret it was Claire. I wondered what it would feel like to kiss her, her viperbites cold as they pressed into my skin.

I found myself overly aroused as I pictured Claire in my perfect memory. Her body was feminine, thin, but perfectly rounded. Thinking about her made me want to run to her. But what would I say? Would she think I was gross for hitting on her when she was dating my friend? I needed to talk to Christopher first. I just wasn't sure how to have the conversation.

Maybe I wouldn't like her sexually once I got to know her. I figured if an imprinter was supposed to be whatever his imprintee needed, then I should only want to be friends because she was otherwise spoken for. After mulling this idea around in my head, I decided to seek Claire out and get to know her better.

Before I could talk myself out of it, I flew off my couch and was running towards where she lived. I may have looked up this information as well as committed every bit of her online website about Goth culture to memory.

I found myself standing at the end of her street, not really even remembering getting there. I looked at her little blue house and smiled. I could imagine her in there, writing poetry, reading, masturbating. I shook my head, I knew better than to be there but I couldn't walk away.

Soft arms wrapped themselves around my waist and had I not know instinctively that they were hers, I would have jumped. Instead I just enjoyed the feeling of us being connected. Unfortunately, they were pulled from me much too quickly.

"Shit, you're not Christopher," she spouted.

"Sorry," I replied, turning to face her. She was just as glorious as she had been before. Still dressed entirely in black, the sun glimmered off her piercings, giving her an aura of light.

"Why are you sorry? I accosted you," she said smirking. I shifted uncomfortably but stayed quiet. "So, what are you doing here?"

"Uhm," I started but really had no idea of what to say.

"Man of few words, huh?" she said still smiling. "Well, are you going somewhere or would you like to come in for a bit?"

"Sure," I replied, thrilled that she would invite me in.

I had just assumed that Claire would live with her parents, I was wrong. The small house was obviously inhabited by several very messy people. I doubted that there was a parent of any kind that lived here.

"Here, let me give you a tour," she said, her voice was low but sexy, like you would imagine a phone sex operator to sound. I nodded and followed her.

She led me through the living room and I stepped gingerly over the pizza boxes and shoes. I felt fortunate to have my new reflexes or I would have tripped for sure. The kitchen was slightly better. I had expected to see food lying around decaying but there were just a few dishes in the sink and several un-wiped counters. She gave a small wave but didn't say anything before turning and leading me down a tiny hallway.

"These are my roommate's rooms," she said, motioning to the doors on the right.

"Bathroom….and bedroom," she continued, motioning to the left. I thought we would return to the living room but instead she opened her door and allowed me into her domain. Walking into Claire's room, it became abundantly clear that she was not the culprit of the mess. Her room was neat and clean. A small bed was made with a black, tie-dye comforter. Too much of my imagination was put to use by looking at it so I apprised the rest of the room. Her curtains were the only accessory that wasn't black, they were a light blue. I looked at them and then her, raising my eyebrow to ask.

"I don't like to block all the natural light. I like the heat from the sun. I prefer to be warm than cool," she explained.

"Me too," I said and she looked up at me with her large, round eyes and smiled the most beautiful smile I had ever seen.

I got lost her eyes, and though I thought she might consider it creepy of me to stare at her so intensely, I couldn't break our gaze. She looked back at me with something almost like fascination in her eyes, but it was her that broke the contact as she spun around and sat on her bed. I took a step back and leaned against her dresser.

"So how long have you and Christopher been friends?" she asked.

The question took me off guard but I assumed it was her way of reminding me that she was taken.

"Not that long really," I said. "Are you guys very serious?" I was scared of the answer but I felt like I needed to know things about her. She was my universe and I needed to know everything about how she functioned.

"I don't really know how to answer that question, I mean we haven't really been dating that long but he's an alright guy." Her lackluster answer made my insides happy and I fought to keep the joy off my face.

She stood up from the bed and walked towards me. I froze, unsure of what to do. "You should totally get a tattoo," she said, staring at my arm.

"Yeah?" I asked with a little more enthusiasm than I probably should have.

"Yeah, you totally have the physique to pull off an arm band." My muscles flexed of their own accord at her compliment.

"I'd love to get one, actually, but I'll have to wait until I'm eighteen, what with my mom not being around right now." The moment the words left my mouth, I was angry at my mistake. While I knew that Christopher hadn't exactly lied about his age to Claire, I knew that he never told her he was only sixteen.

"And how old are you?" she asked.

As much as I wanted to lie, I knew that I could never tell an untruth to my imprint. "I'm fifteen, but I'll be sixteen soon."

I could see the wheels turning in her head. Why would a nineteen year-old boy be hanging out with a fifteen year-old? I could see the upset in her eyes when she realized that one wouldn't.

"How old is Christopher?"

"I think maybe you should ask him."

"How old is Christopher?" she asked again with a firm tone.

"Sixteen, and a half really," I said, not knowing why I was trying to make it better. "Don't worry; if you had sex, he is above the age of consent." I wasn't sure who looked more mortified after the words came out of my mouth, her or me.

We stood quietly for a moment, she was close enough that I could have reached out and touched her but I knew that I couldn't, not yet. I could tell by the way she looked down that I had insulted her, just assumed that she would be the type of girl to put out. With her appearance, she would get that a lot and I felt horrible for doing it as well.

"Why don't you tell me about yourself?" I asked.

"Oh," she said surprised, "ah, not much to tell, really. I have a website."

"Actually, I knew that, I looked at it. It's really cool," I told her, hoping that she wouldn't think I was a stalker.

"You are sweet. But now I am embarrassed, I feel like I have all these great ideas but don't know how to write them out. I just don't have the words, you know? I look at the site sometimes and think that it looks like it's written by a twelve year old."

"I'm really great with words, maybe I can help you," I said, jumping at the chance to have a reason to spend time with her.

"You'd do that?" she asked softly.

I wanted to tell her that I'd do anything for her but instead I answered with, "Of course."

A small smile settled over her face. "I had you all wrong, Quil Black. I can see now why Christopher thinks so highly of you. You are good to other people, I can tell. You're the type of guy to go out of his way just to help out someone you barely know."

I wanted to feel pride in her words, she was pleased with me, but instead I felt shame. She described who I used to be, but ever since, I had become a wolf I had been selfish. My emotions ruled me and all I seemed to do was take the easy route. I wondered what Claire would think of me if she knew I kicked my mother out of her home. I gave her a half smile which I am sure came across like a grimace. She saw it immediately and placed her hand on my arm, the connection was heavenly.

"You are a good person, Quil. Why would I lie to you about that?" she said bringing out a bit of the wit I loved so much.

"You are too, Claire," I said, staring into her eyes. "Christopher is very lucky." She looked away after that.

Shortly after, I excused myself. I shouldn't have been there in the first place and I knew that Christopher would find out I was there the moment he came in the room. I had to find my friend and talk to him because it was very clear to me that I didn't want to be Claire's friend. My heart told me that she needed me as much as I needed her. At least I hoped so.

I ran back to my house, I wanted to avoid Christopher for just a bit longer. I had been avoiding my house as well. Really, I only had been in my bedroom and bathroom since the funeral. I went into the kitchen, intent on grabbing a bottled water, when I saw a piece of paper on the table. I walked over to it and saw my name.

Quil,

I don't blame you for anything. You are my son and a leader. You must do what is right for everyone. I love you. And when you are ready, I will be there for you.

Love, Mom.

Tears filled my eyes. I had wronged my mom over and over again, and she still loved me. I felt even less worthy of Claire. I had to make it right. I had so many things to make right. First I would go to Christopher and then I would go to my mom and see if I could repair some of the damage that had been done.

I grabbed my water and drained it in one motion, the liquid bringing strength to my body that matched my resolve. I grabbed my phone and dialed Christopher's number, telling him to meet me in the woods. If he got upset and morphed, then I didn't want it to happen in the middle of town. I gave a location not far from my house, so that I didn't change until after I had a chance to talk to him.

He showed up not long after I did as he had come in wolf form. When he saw me standing there still human, he changed back. I tossed a pair of sweats at him; this was not a conversation to have in the buff.

"What's up, man? You sounded kind of urgent," he started.

"Christopher, I wanted you to be the first person to know…" I trailed off, losing my nerve.

"Know what?"

"I've imprinted," I said quickly.

"Wow. Uh, sorry?" he replied, clearly unsure of how I felt about it.

"Oh no, it's wonderful, she's wonderful. It's just, she's taken."

"What, like married?" he asked.

"No, she's dating someone."

"Well that's not a big deal, right? Cause you two are fated, I'm sure that she'll dump the guy as soon as you express interest." I felt like the biggest shit alive. Christopher was always on my side, even when he was attacking himself. Not that he knew it.

"It's Claire," I said finally.

"Claire who?" he asked.

"It's Claire," I repeated like an apology.

"Claire, Claire? My Claire?" he asked, hurt.

"I'm sorry man, you know I couldn't help it," I pleaded.

"But she's perfect for me! You even said it yourself," he reasoned.

"Well it turned out I was wrong. Apparently she's perfect for me," I replied in a gentle tone.

"No!" he stated firmly and started pacing.

"No?"

"You can't have her," he replied petulantly.

"Christopher, you said it yourself, we are fated."

He continued pacing, I could see his body shaking and wondered if I should start undressing but I thought that might be in bad taste. I tried to discreetly take off my shoes; I really didn't want to have to buy new ones.

On one step, Christopher was a person, and then on the next, he was a wolf. My body's defense kicked in and I was changing before he turned his head back to me. He didn't speak to me in our minds, instead he lunged at me, and I took the blow with dignity.

I fought back, but just enough to let him know that I wasn't letting him win. He needed to have this out and I was going to let him. He bit at my back and my neck. He was mad but he wasn't trying to kill me. His giant body tumbled us over and we rolled into a small tree, knocking it down.

His snarling stopped almost as quickly as it started and he backed away from me. In the middle of fighting, I showed him. I played over the moment I met her, my guilt over it, me in her bedroom. He knew; there was nothing he could do.

You can take some time if you need to be alone. I can cover your patrols this week.

He nodded his head but there was too much hurt to respond to me. He turned and ran farther in the woods. I changed back quickly, giving him his privacy.

The next afternoon, I found myself in the woods. Besides the day before, I hadn't been in wolf form for over a week and I found that I had missed it; the speed and the clarity of my purpose. I was stalking a deer when I heard Christopher's presence in my mind. I was surprised; I hadn't expected to hear from him so soon. He didn't say anything per say but he was showing me a vision.

He stood on the steps in front of Claire's house. She opened the door and let him in. They walked back into her bedroom.

I flinched a bit and hoped that he wasn't going to show me something to hurt me. But I had trust in him so I didn't interrupt.

Claire sat down on the edge of her desk, like I had done when I was there. They both looked nervous, avoiding eye contact.

"We need to talk," they said at the same time and then chuckled. It didn't appear to break the tension.

Claire spoke next, "Christopher, you are a really great guy. I just…I don't think that you are the right one for me."

"Yeah, I think you're right," Christopher responded but I could tell his heart wasn't in it. "It's Quil, isn't it?" She looked shocked for a moment and then embarrassed. "It's okay. He'll treat you right, I know he will."

"You're…you'd be okay with that?" she asked.

"I will be," he replied before walking up to her and giving her a gentle kiss. He then turned and left the room.

I wanted to say 'thank you,' but Christopher changed back so quickly. He had opened up the path to my imprint and I would be forever grateful.

Wasting no time, I ran straight to Claire's place. I knew that she had just broken up with her boyfriend but I wanted to see her. I just hoped she wanted to see me too.

I knocked on her door and it was opened a minute later. She looked at me with amusement and confusion in her eyes.

"Quil?"

"I know this is crappy timing, but I was wondering if you would like to go out with me sometime?" I asked, my voice starting strong and then tapering off.

"Okay, but we aren't doing anything illegal. No getting feisty until you're sixteen," she said with her mock confidence.

"Claire, you don't have to do anything with me until I'm thirty if you don't want. I'm not going anywhere, no matter what. You don't have to kiss me or touch me; I just want to be around you."

Her false bravado crumbled for a minute and I relished in the sight of her true self. Her eyes glassed over, and I made to say something else, but it didn't come out because she had connected her lips with mine. It was not a kiss of seduction; it was a kiss of gratitude.

It was the best friggen moment of my life.

E/N- Reviews are like the best friggen moment of my life.

And you get a tease.

It's win/win.