The incident with Edward was a full week ago. Since then I had settled some things in my mind- for sure. One, I was going to avoid any and all contact with the vampires. If anything, Dr. Cullen seemed the most…normal. Calming almost. But I couldn't say for sure. It could have been some weird vampire voo-doo for all I knew. Still, I'd heard there were three more of their family I hadn't even met yet.
I shuddered to think of all at them at once.
Two, Bella Swan was entirely off limits. I already had no interest in her to begin with. In my mind I'd already figured she wanted nothing to do with anybody, aside from Edward I realized. She was as about as dead to the world as the one she obsessed over actually was. (I learned that tid-bit from Mike Newton when I would visit the store he worked at for anything new to catch my eye. He gossiped about their intense, attached at the hip relationship with some resentment, I noted, but he did a good job of moving on.) The only reason though she ever came to my mind was for Jacob's sake.
Now I knew teenagers were always dramatic in their relationships and emotions. By the time I was sixteen I'd already dated three guys that would 'love me forever' and 'couldn't bear to be without me'. Bunch of shmucks. The truth was hormones were a b*tch. Jacob probably was experiencing his first love, so of course everything was high-strung. The way he talked about Bella constantly, and what he'd do if not for Edward… it border-lined on clingy.
And as an experienced adult that could step back and see all the raging hormones, I found it both entertaining and worrying. Jacob and Edward weren't regular teenagers that could just duke it out and bloody their fists for a girl. (Though I was beginning to wonder how long Edward had been a teenager…) Any sort of violence between them would most likely be deadly.
Jacob didn't visit me much with his training and everything going on, only twice since the Edward encounter, but each time he seemed more ramped up about Bella. About spending time with her and saving her from the 'bloodsuckers'.
I honestly just wanted to hand him a cup of moldy tea and wait for him to say 'why would I want this?'. Then I'd respond, perfectly, and tell him 'Oh, maybe it's not your cup of tea.' Maybe then he'd see what we all did...
A polite, but straight-forward way of saying it was time to move on. Believe me, I wanted to just take him to Seattle and show him all the pretty girls everywhere. That there were plenty of fish in the sea. That risking your life over someone that clearly didn't care, and was throwing her own life away for a dead person, wasn't worth it.
Huh… Leah really had rubbed off on me…
That, or I really began to care about Jacob. He was like a thick-headed little brother, in a way. I was friends with him, yet if I even hinted advice, the all-knowing teenager would leave. Like he was just so sure about everything…
Sympathetically, I hurt for him. The teenage years really did suck…
It was about an hour into the afternoon that I was dressing after my shower. The late fifties weather made it tempting to wear a nice dress and some leggings. I could, but Forks was so unpredictable I could be needing a winter jacket in ten minutes. As I carefully considered the weather, and my closet, Stormy suddenly bounded into my room. He was like a little rocking horse, so adorably cute. He'd bounce when he ran. If he was trying to earn my cute points, he won. Always.
"What are you doing?" I crooned, crouching down onto my knees. Stormy froze as I did, leaning his head back and eyeing me wildly. I barely moved an inch to jump forward when he ran out of the room, fat, fluffy paws skidding under him. I laughed.
"Oh, you're too much." I murmured, going back to my attire-picking. Luckily I had finally settled on the dress and leggings by the time there was a knock on my front door. By habit I sniffed, like a person would check through the peep-hole.
It wasn't wet dog, nor old blood. Noting that instantly left me relieved. I soothed down my somewhat faded floral dress. It was a whitish grey that went to my knees, sleeveless. The fabric was very soft with its dull red roses and vines stitched into it. I shook out a crinkle from my black leggings and jogged to the door. Stormy was perked by the window, trying to look through the curtains like a little guard dog.
"Coming!" I called, soothing my hair down. It was pointless though. My hair never looked right until it was back in it's thick, straight ponytail. I opened the door and blinked.
The boy there was about thirteen, maybe fourteen. He had untidy black bangs over his face, curling down the sides of his cheeks. They were oddly cute how they curled up at the ends. His skin was a bit sunburnt, mostly on his cheeks and nose. At two or so inches shorter than me, he wore a loose white t-shirt with an American flag on it, black shorts, and tennis shoes that looked too big on him. Dorkily he smiled, showing a quirk that left dimples forming in his youthful, rounded cheeks.
He spoke Chinese so fast I barely understood. I stammered to ask him to slow down when suddenly he opened his arms, smiling so much I thought it would go flying off.
Suddenly he was laughing and squeezing me tightly.
"I can't believe I'm finally here!" I was able to understand. Before he could start rambling again, making my understanding of Chinese feel very poor, I was able to push him back to arms-length. My stunned expression mattered little to his constant, cheery smile.
"..who are you?"
His brown eyes, tinged lightly with blue specks at the center seemed lively and upbeat. His nature seemed way too pure and happy for Forks.
"Yin, Chi." He beamed, offering a slight bow and quirkily rolling back on the heels of his feet.
Finally I realized who he was. I looked behind him anxiously. "Where are the others?"
"China." He answered quickly, busily looking around. "They couldn't come yet. Still busy. But I'm too impatient. What's your name? Rossu, right?" he slowly pronounced. It took a minute for my mind to catch up.
"Yes… do you speak any English?" I asked, hoping my experience with him wouldn't leave me lagging like a moron.
"Of course!" He beamed, like it was nothing. Slowly Stormy came and peaked out from behind my feet. Chi must have moved too fast as he bent down, smiling out a wide 'Hi!'
Poor Stormy skidded back into the house. I shook my head, shaking out of my stupor. "Uh…do you want to come in?" I could only imagine how much he'd been traveling, and for one so young… I was impressed and both worried. Then again, some people were more independent…
Chi, calming down a notch, politely thanked me and stepped inside. I treated him to sweet tea and leftover pasta from last night. He fumbled with a fork somewhat awkwardly, but sipped his tea and made it clear how he liked it. A lot. Like he needed any more energy, I thought with amusement. Oddly enough he didn't smell like Yin or felines at all. Maybe that blood was repressed, diluted with each generation. I had no idea about their bloodlines, or even if they were capable of it. But Billy once told me there'd been five that Yin was sure of.
Whether I believed it or not, awkward and excitable Chi was one of them.
"You have a pretty house." He complimented, looking around and noting Stormy watching him under the t.v. Stormy was cautious around strangers. Probably since his trauma with the Cullen's… Funny. He could run up to a giant, three-hundred-pound wolf, but be scared of a scrawny, eighty-pound teenager.
I took Chi's comment with some enjoyment. He must have been very new to America if he thought this house was something. I could only imagine wherever he lived before…
Once he finished eating, I patiently explained a few things to him. About the reservation, about the vacant house Billy had on his property that Yin's grandchildren would be staying, and what was expected of him. I honestly felt bad being so serious with lighthearted Chi, watching his smile fade into seriousness. I was glad he took me seriously. He was going to have to trust me when he smelled a dozen wolves and those instincts kicked in.
I felt a bit scared for him, but relieved. Only one had come. I couldn't handle five scared, spazzing teenagers that were discovering those horrible instincts.
At least then I could take them to the hospital and show them something to actually be scared of…
Chi followed me to my car once we were through eating. He stuffed his bags in the trunk and eagerly popped into the passenger's seat. By then Stormy was in the backseat watching him again, strapped up like a curious baby in his booster seat. He was too big for a scarf now, but at least he liked the security of the baby seat.
I made sure Chi paid attention to the short distance from my house to La Push. More often than not, he'd be visiting me plenty outside of school hours. But it was practically over for the year anyway.
By the time we were driving by the fields around Billy's house, I was tense. I could smell the pack the moment I drove onto the reservation. Slower, I drove to the vacant house, nestled right in the woods. It was an older wooden two story house. A bit small on the outside, but bigger sure enough inside. Billy had shown me once. There'd be plenty of space for five teenagers… and a chance to learn how to fix up a house…
Before the woods wrapped around us again, I saw Chi staring off.
"Who are they?"
His tone wasn't exactly curious or nervous. I couldn't place it. Still, I knew who he was talking about without looking. "They're the locals." I slowly answered, pulling to a halt outside the house. "Chi, hun, look at me." I patiently waited till he did.
His eyes seemed darker, guarded.
Oh boy.
"Chi, do you know why your grandfather wanted you and the others here?"
He shook his head. Suddenly, I felt like my grandfather when he told me those stories long ago. Chi had little or no ideas at all I repeated them, growing quiet afterwards. I glanced at him, judging for a reaction. He seemed blank, like he was taking it in. I opened my door before he could answer, waiting as he slowly did the same.
"Chi, I know how you're feeling." I sincerely spoke, watching as he looked up at me quickly. For reassurance. "But I'm your friend here… and the only other one in this country probably besides my mother that's like you. You're going to have to trust me. The locals here… they're overwhelming… It makes you want to run and hide… But these guys are good. And they're a lot better than most people… I don't know how else to describe it, you'll know what I mean soon."
I left him to his thoughts and helped bring his bags inside. Once that was done, I rescued Stormy from his booster seat and carried him with me, but all the while watching Chi. He was quiet.
It was worrisome.
I was helping him pick a nice, big room upstairs when I heard the front door open.
"Hey Ross?"
I could recognize Collin's voice, and smelled Brady with him of course. I smiled despite the worry on Chi's face, and gestured he come with me. I rushed to the top of the steps, smiling down at the two young natives.
"Hey guys."
They perked seeing Chi slowly come around, standing mostly behind me.
"We wanted to see if the new guy wants to play some ball with us."
I cracked a smile, looking back and nodding at Chi. It was perfect. They were all the same age. Chi gulped slowly, staring at me a moment, before stepping forward. He noted the ball they held and mustered a smile.
"Can I call kicker? I'm really good."
The two down the steps smiled. "Yeah man! Come on!" They raced out the door, and no sooner than they did was Chi running after them. Stormy followed at my heels as I jogged down, no surprise meeting Jacob by the door.
Suddenly I did a double take at him. His long hair was gone. He seemed to be waiting for my reaction and smiled now. "Big change?"
"Oh my gosh, Jacob." I looked him over. As if he couldn't get any more buff. "You cut all your hair- is that a tattoo?" I was looking at him like some mother hen, leaving him to laugh. "It's been a while, Ross." Jacob crossed his arms, looking over. "How's the kid?"
I smirked, glancing up at the tall teenager. "He's like a year younger than you." But it hardly looked like it. "Chi is fine. Thanks for sending Collin and Brady."
"I saw him through the window when you were driving up. I figured they were all the same age."
"So why aren't you playing ball with them?"
Jacob arched a brow, judging whether I was serious or not. My look left him rolling his eyes. "Funny. They're just pups still… Any of the others come?"
"No… Do you think Chi will be okay here until then?"
"Sure. He'll probably be buds with those two in no time and hang out constantly. He'll be fine."
I felt better by his confidence. I returned to looking him over, hands touching his thick arms just to marvel. He didn't seem to mind the attention at all. If anything he seemed to find it funny. "Why was Bella looking for you the other day?" I suddenly remembered, looking up at him. That did it. His expression turned tense and he redirected my attention, taking a hold of my shoulders. It was completely unfair a guy ten years younger than me could completely cover my shoulders with his hands.
"You're avoiding her, right?"
"Yes." I answered quickly. "No offense but I don't like the trouble she brings with her."
His grip tightened on my shoulders, unintentionally. "It's not her though." He stressed. I regretted bringing the topic up so carelessly now. Jacob had changed. He wasn't a lanky teenager that had a crush and grumbled about Edward. He was someone capable that was fighting for her. "Bella is not the problem." He defended, leaving me to realize how agitated he was. Probably of feeling like he had to protect her so much. I was just his outlet now.
"Jacob I didn't mean-"
He raised his voice a notch, but the aggression clearly rising on his end didn't go unnoticed. Neither did the painful hands on my shoulders starting to hurt me…
A blur of grey and fur tackled Jacob away, destroying a small side of the houses' porch. I had been so focused on Jacob that I stumbled back, stunned. A wolf had pinned Jacob down in the trees nearby, snapping his jaws angrily with spit flying. Jacob managed to kick him away, taking a stance.
"Stormy, stay put." I ordered to the cub nearby, who perfectly obeyed and sat his rump on the porch. He stayed far away from violence. With that I rushed over, intercepting the two. One hand was placed back on Jacob's flaring warm chest, keeping him just from shifting and escalating the fight. The other was kept in front of me, blocking the grey wolf.
"Paul, that's enough."
Said wolf stared furiously, pawing at the ground just waiting to get to Jacob. While I had no idea what caused the wolf to come over, it certainly was over now.
But then Jacob opened his mouth, murmuring something I didn't hear. It was vaguely something regarding a 'pet', I heard.
I had no means of stopping Paul from skidding forward, knocking me out of the way with a swing of his head. They were at it again as I rolled to a stop in the dirt nearby. Maybe it was best to let them fight it out.
I was leaning towards this idea until I heard a familiar chirp. Stormy was running over to check on me.
"No!" I shrieked. My feet flew under me, and before I realized it, so naturally and easily I had put on about two hundred pounds and fur. I flew forward, pulling Stormy close to my chest with my paws. The wolves too close sure enough continued their fight, (with Jacob a lost cause to keep calm), and their fighting rolled over me. I tried not putting any weight on the cub as the two viciously and obliviously made their way by, skidding and starting for each other.
When they were at least twenty feet away, I scooped Stormy up in my jaws, leaving him squeaking at the abruptness of it. I dropped him inside the house and pulled the door shut with my claws. Then, I turned my head, eyes angry and almost as dark as my fur.
Those two's senseless fight lasted until a sharp, piercing screech had them looking away from each other finally. They met the angry, disapproving gaze of a black jaguar. One of which had a steady growl vibrating from it's throat- a clear signal this was enough. For good measure my tail flicked, agitated.
Nearly everyone within a mile was on the scene then. Sam arrived, about the same size I was and in color too. I didn't understand their silent wolfish language, but obviously he was reinforcing my idea. He spared me a glance, realizing I seemed to have enough control at the moment to not be watched. Suddenly Paul took off into the woods, vanishing. Jacob stormed off in the other direction, leaving Sam to go after him.
Someone touched my shoulder, startling me. I didn't mean to hiss warningly at Leah, but I cut it off quickly. My frame relaxed as she stepped back, showing my apologies.
"You can control it." she noted, as if to herself. I remembered something faintly about her being a bit…out of control with hers. Seth, Jared, Embry, Quill, Collin and Brady were watching me though. Then my eyes trailed to Chi, growing tense.
He had probably seen the entire thing.
But instead of fear, he was wearing a growing smile. He rushed over much too enthusiastically. "You look incredible! Will I look like you too? Oh cool lemme see those chompers!" Among other ridiculous questions.
He was something else. For privacy's sake, and a bit of awe that… I felt like myself despite this form, I headed inside the house, avoiding their eyes. Stormy was waiting and chirped up at me, still able to recognize me. In minutes I had calmed down, more amazed with myself than anything.
Though I had learned something about myself. It wasn't anger or even the desiring ability to shift that left me able to do it.
I had to have the desire to protect. While my mind was slowly trying to take it all in, Stormy tried climbing up my leggings. He chirped, hungry I realized.
I was hungry too.
Maybe I'd stick around tonight for dinner, for different reasons. One to keep an eye on Chi, make sure he was ready to spend the night here. Two, my pantry was near empty anyway… And three…
For reasons I still couldn't grasp, I wanted to keep an eye on someone in particular- if it meant any shred of me being able to understand. It was starting to become obvious, despite the insanity of it all.
The one who hated my guts couldn't stand to see someone put a finger on me.
.
.
.
I spent the hours until twilight helping Chi fix up the house. There was plenty of work to be done too. Ever since a few members of the pack helped me fix up my house a while back, the least I could do was help with one of theirs. Despite the kids soon to live in it, technically it still was Billy's. We swept, we dusted the furniture and shook it outside, cleaned the windows, and lastly beat the rugs off the porch. Even better, Collin and Brady were there to help.
As I hoped, they'd formed a tight friendship with the eager, dorky Chi.
At least it made the house work easier. All that was left now was some repainting and fixing the porch. But that would be for another day. Right now we walked towards Billy's house. A big bonfire sat a good distance away, and logs had been placed around it for seating. It looked like all of the pack was there. Leah looked at me from her seat, and I got the message. I took the space next to her and dug into the pack of hot-dogs at our feet. I gave one to Stormy to keep him busy while I skewered mine for the fire. We both watched as Chi, Collin and Brady sat on her other side, talking miles an hour in their own little world.
"He's adjusted quick." She murmured, trying not to burn her hot-dog. I slowly rotated mine, watching the large flames dance in the dark sky.
"Definitely." I agreed, happily. I wouldn't have to worry about Chi at all. Like Jacob had said, (before my mouth got us into all that drama earlier), they'd be hanging out a lot. He wouldn't be alone, for sure. While the youngsters joked and roasted their food, my eyes inched around me. Our log was filled already, and to my right was Seth, Embry, Jared and Quill spaced out comfortably and talking on their log. On our left was Sam, with Emily at his side, then Billy and Jacob. They were all talking far more quietly about something. Then, finally across the large bonfire was Paul- sitting by himself. I couldn't see him with the fire, but I smelled him over everyone else and the food.
"Chips?" Leah offered. The salty smell was my kryptonite.
"Gimme. Before the boys see."
Leah chuckled and we split the big bag between us. I was glad to have a girlfriend. (Not like that, though.) As Leah took a bite of her hot-dog she mumbled over to me. "So what caused that fight earlier?"
"Don't know." I answered. "I brought up Bella," I spoke, noting how Leah scoffed in her throat, "and Jacob got angry." I murmured, watching the teenager nearby. Over everyone's talking and the crackle of the fire, I knew I didn't have to be too quiet. "Next thing I know, Paul's fighting him."
Leah glanced at me. "Was he nearby then?"
"I guess so… I just don't know how he knew Jacob was starting to freak me out…and hurt me." I murmured, taking a hot bite of my food. I shook my head, thankful when it cooled off.
"So he was watching from somewhere then?" Leah prompted.
I picked a piece of extra bread off from my bun and dropped it to Stormy by my feet. The thought hadn't really crossed my mind. "For someone who hates my guts, he sure sticks around enough."
Leah was staring at the fire. It startled me when her eyes slowly widened and she dropped her hot-dog. Stormy didn't hesitate to finish it off.
"Oh…my…God…"
I stared at her. Not paying attention to the food in my hand meant Stormy was able to reach up and nab it from me. He was definitely putting on pounds. But I couldn't look away from Leah. I nudged her arm, worried.
Leah vaguely murmured a word under her breath. But then she excused herself, leaving. I was left staring after, wondering. It's possible she hadn't known from not shifting in some time. As time went on, one by one everyone went home. The crickets echoed from the trees and the moon hung over the horizon, full and bright.
The fire had since died down, allowing me to see the only one still there. Paul Lahote sat across from me, and no surprise, his eyes bore into mine. I stared back in my thoughts, contemplating Leah's word and unwilling to back down from his look. I didn't care anymore…yet, it bugged me.
Imprint.
The word was still new to me, and even before Leah didn't fully clarify it, nor now. She once bitterly told me it was when someone found who they were supposed to spend the rest of their lives with. Something her kind went through, because I obviously had no concept of it.
Finally, it all added up, and the realization had my eyes widening towards him.
He hated me for a reason.
I was Paul Lahote's imprint. And he couldn't stand it.
"It had to be you."
His murmur managed to reach my ears. He still held up that long, silent look in his coal eyes. Like he was trying to read my soul or something. And he wasn't happy with it.
It all meant nothing to me.
The full meaning of imprint was like useless money. Only, to him, it was everything. I held the power. He was going to protect me against his will, because he couldn't help it. Somehow, my lips found their way to tug upwards. I didn't hate him, but I certainly didn't have to like him. I realized I held some degree of control over him. Despite that upturn of my lips, my eyes held nothing but dullness for the situation I found myself in. It was entertaining to a degree. It was also a curse for him. Ultimately though… I held the upper hand.
His lips pulled up in a snarl at my patronizing look.
"It had to be you." I repeated.
