Chapter 29: Claire- Wolf Girls Convene
When we got to the party I headed over to Natalia and Seth who were sitting in the corner. I watched them closely, trying to pick up some pointers. Before Quil, I'd only had two boyfriends: Bobby Stevens the cry-baby and Adrian Lovett, Mr. Grabby Hands—so I wasn't really an expert on dating.
Seth was jokingly quizzing her on different obscure Spanish words, some of which even she didn't know. They were adorable together, so cute that I started to worry. Seth hadn't imprinted on Natalia, they had connected in a completely normal way, but their relationship was so much more natural. They didn't fight, they didn't even seem to disagree, and they even had the same interests.
Quil and I had none of that, we clashed constantly and we had nothing in common, shit Quil didn't even know the difference between impressionist and expressionist art! He did try though. I was being too hard on him and I was asking for too much. I had something good, something amazing and I needed to accept it as is.
The dance floor started to fill and Natalia pulled me up with her, swaying to the pop music. The beautiful pixie Alice joined us, her cold hand resting on my shoulder. I smiled at her as the music changed and Jasper pulled her into a waltz. Natalia called for Seth and I started to leave the dance floor when Edward stopped me. I smiled at him widely and he held his hand out bowing, he was pretty hot in a tux.
"Thank you, I guess I do clean up nicely," he said standing straight and pulling me to him.
"So you can really hear all of my screwed up thoughts?" I asked as he guided me to the music.
"Actually your thoughts are rather refreshing," he said with a crooked smile as we turned elaborately.
"Refreshing? Well that's an underused adjective," I said giggling.
"Yes, so many high-quality adjectives go unused," he joked. I missed this, the whole joking thing. Quil and I used to joke, to fuck around before… before we actually started fucking around and everything got all complicated.
"Compromise," he said as he dipped me all super vampire-graceful.
"Huh?"
"Sorry, I do that sometimes, I have a head full of thoughts I occasionally forget explanations."
"I do that too! Half the time people have no idea what I'm talking about," he nodded with a smirk.
"You and Quil, you need to learn how to make compromises." This was a little creepy, how much did he know about our situation?
"I know enough. It's a new relationship, and there are constantly issues with new relationships. You are equally strong-willed people, you're liable to clash a bit," he said spinning me again. I already made the compromise, it was done, decided.
"You didn't make a compromise, you made a sacrifice and Quil won't benefit from a miserable wife," he said pulling me closer.
"I'm not miserable," I huffed.
"Not yet," he said in a sing-song voice.
"You remind me so much of Nessie. She was only a teenager for a few months, you know? She was so passionate though, so full of life, there's something about being a teenager; it's the only time in a human life that you could feel so much fire," he chuckled and his voice was like music, it was a nice sound but it made me miss Quil so bad. Quil had the best his throaty chuckle that filled the room as forced you to join in.
Edward smiled even more widely, "you're also a little like Bella, so in love," he teased poking my cheek.
"So what do you suggest I do?" I asked trying to keep my tone of voice light, but I was worried about his answer, I trusted his opinion but I was—
"You shouldn't do anything; the two of you should talk," he said spinning me again.
"We did, and it just ended with tantrums," I said trying not to think about my sleepless nights.
"Losing sleep, already? Every problem has a solution and you're going to need to work it out together."
"You know Edward, you should write a book or maybe have a show. Where did you learn all of this?"
"I live with four couples and I'm over a hundred years old, so that helps," Edward said as the music changed.
"Hmph! And you don't look a day over 18," I joked as we sped up to the tempo.
"Quil's watching. I think it would be wise to end this dance early, we've had enough shape-shifter drama for the night," He said pulling away and kissing my cheek quickly. I had no idea what he was talking about, but I nodded my head as if I agreed.
"Hey, I missed you," I said jumping eagerly into Quil's outstretched arms.
"I missed you too," he whispered kissing me softly. I closed my eyes savoring the moment until I realized he was staring at me.
"What?" I asked pouting.
"You're just so beautiful," he said breathlessly. I blushed, giggling before I remembered what Edward said.
"What happened?" I asked scanning the crowd and seeing that there were at least five wolves missing. Quil inhaled deeply searching the room before he spoke, his eyes landed on Embry who looked lost in the center of the dance floor alone.
"Embry imprinted," he said blankly.
"And why is that bad? Was it a baby? A vamp?" I asked my eyes still glued on Embry who looked utterly hopeless.
"Not bad really, she's not a baby, probably hundreds of years old, and only half vamp," Quil said frowning as he watched Embry.
"Why so cryptic then? Does she have a mate or something?"
"Or something, by the name of Solace," he said harshly.
"That boy just can't keep his hands to himself, can he?" I asked giggling.
"Apparently not. They got close and I don't know, I think he's intending on keeping it up even with the imprint. That's cause for a battle," he said sounding all official.
"A battle? Between brothers? Over a girl? No bros before hoes policy in the handbook?" I joked.
"She's not just some girl, she's his imprint. If anyone ever touched you," he couldn't finish he cut off shaking.
"Quil, there's no one but you, but seriously a battle? Like to the death?"
"Yeah, or until he submits," he said much too calmly for me.
"So Embry's going to kill Solace, just like that?" I asked mortified.
"I don't know. If Solace doesn't back down then there will have to be a fight, there is too much disrespect… I don't think it's just going to be between Embry, me, Solace and Phil though, I think—"
"Whoa! WHOA! WHOA! You? You're actually going to get involved in this? You're going to help kill Solace, kill Phil! They're your brothers, your family! I grew up with Phil and Solace! Phil taught me how to multiply, you gotta be joking!" I screamed as Quil pulled me away from the crowd.
"Claire-bear, this isn't up to me. This is up to Embry and I don't think he's going to be able to just stand by and be made a fool of like this. And if Embry's fighting I'm his second, I've known him all my life, he's my best friend," he said his eyes pleading, I turned away. I was doing it again, arguing with him, telling him what to do. Tears started to form in my eyes and I tried to blink them back.
"I understand," I lied.
Of course I didn't understand, I couldn't understand. I could never imagine even for one second Jared fighting Sam over Kim, or Collin attacking Brady over Helen. I smiled and apologized walking back towards the crowd, his hand caught me and turned me back around just as tears streamed down my face.
"No. Stop, Claire. I'm sorry," he rambled.
"No, I am. I said I wouldn't argue with you like two hours ago, and here I am. You do what you have to do, I love you. I'll support you."
"I'll talk to them. I have no idea what's going through Solace's mind right now," he said brushing his thumb across my cheek.
"Half of the pack has left," I said feeling dumb, as I looked at the crowd.
"Yeah. You noticed, huh? The newer wolves, they're defending Solace. They had a different experience than the original pack. The six of them all phased really close to each other—and they knew each other in school. Jordan and Michael are brothers. Solace and Phil were already friends. Solace was dating Anna. Krys is Anna's third cousin or something like that. It was easy to guess what side they would take…" he broke off as Seth walked towards us.
"We're having a pack meeting," he said more seriously than I had ever seen him speak. "An… original pack meeting. Sam has some new."
I saw Kim, Emily, Rachel, Natalia and Helen were all huddled in a corner and I kissed him goodbye before joining the wolf-girls.
"Is he planning on being Embry's second?" Rachel asked as soon as I entered the circle.
"Yes," was the only word I could muster.
"Men! Stupid testosterone ridden men!" Helen wailed. We all looked at her in shock. Now, if Kim had said it we would have all nodded in agreement, but with Helen it was different. She was a very calm women, quiet and reserved— a librarian, literally, a librarian. It was always a surprise when she spoke, but it was like a sign of the apocalypse when she screamed.
"Solace will back down, he knows he's in the wrong," Emily said not sounding too confident.
"No, not this time. The newbies have always stayed separate, separate but not equal. Sam, no offence Emily, doesn't use them as readily because they were made for a big battle that never came. Jordan's been unhappy for years, planning to run off. I think this is their chance," Kim said sighing.
"How bout Michael then? Or Anna?" I asked.
"Jordan and Michael's family are all dead, they won't separate. Anna is his wife, that's a given. Solace has nothing holding him down here, which just leaves Krys—he's not going to stay behind when all of his friends leave," Kim said lighting up a pink cigarette, even in the seriousness of the situation I had to eye it. "Yeah, had to get festive for the occasion," she said taking another drag.
"Krys has friends here!" Emily insisted.
"Paul's really going to be heartbroken if Anna leaves," Rachel frowned.
"I'm going to be heartbroken," Nessie said joining the circle, she was wearing an adorable red dress, and holding on to Jake. "You guys keep me posted okay? You have my number— and if you need anything, anything call my mom, okay!" She kissed us all good-bye and rushed away, the crowd all screaming their congratulations.
"Come on ladies, let's move this sexy-lady party to my house, the baby-sitter's being paid till ten, we still have three and a half hours of debauchery to look forward to," Kim said linking her arms with Rachel.
"I'd suggest strip poker but Helen's a cheater," Rachel said nudging me and pulling me towards the car. I couldn't help but laugh, I love these girls!
"Can I join you?" A soft accented voice came from behind me, causing me to jump.
Behind us stood a honey skinned beauty, timidly watching the floor.
"Sure," I said awkwardly, checking with the rest of the girls for a conformation. Kim grinned.
"Leticia, right? Embry's girl."
"Vell, I am Leticia, but I'm no one's girl," she said a bit dryly.
