When we walked through the doors, I was beyond excited to get to personally meet the beautiful wolf that followed us here, I think Sue could feel my excitement, she had anchored me down by keeping a tight grip on my hand. We turned down a few different corridors until we came to another door that lead outside, the forest surrounded the hall but there was a small enough clearing that reminded me of a back yard.
The giant wolf came out from the trees and stood tall as I looked over his giant form. I let go of Sue's hand and walked closer to the abnormal wolf. I held a handout and his muzzle made contact with my hand. I felt the strongest jolt of electricity run through my hand.
"It is done." I heard Sue say but I wasn't focusing on her words as much as I was looking into the golden eyes of the wolf. He leaned down his giant head level with my chest, I was just able to scratch behind his ears earning me a deep groan of pleasure.
The wolf stood straight and looked right over my head to the way I'd just come, I turned and saw my dad with the other people who were sitting in the chairs watching the exchange. "Sue?" The man from the middle chair spoke.
"It is done Billy."
"Then it is decided."
"It is." Her words were final, the man she called Billy turned back to my father.
"We are allowing you to stay, we have a clearing prepared for you to build your home. We will provide the supplies, we will help you build a home, make it secure for yourself and your daughter. All we ask in return is you contribute to the tribe, in anyway possible.
"Does that mean we get to stay Daddy?"
"Yeah baby, we're staying." He didn't look happy at the outcome, his eyes never leaving the wolf. "Do you promise your wolves will not attack Bella?"
"That girl is going to be the safest girl in the whole world, that wolf will never leave her side. Come with me, there is much to explain." Dad went back with the other men of the tribe whilst Sue stayed with me.
"Sam, go." She said to the wolf, so that is his name.
"Bye Sam." I waved goodbye to the wolf who looked as if he didn't wish to leave but did as he was told anyway.
"Bella, did you want to meet some of the kids in the tribe?"
"Oh, I don't know. What if they don't like me?"
"What is not to like little Bella? You're beautiful. Your mahogany hair hangs down your body in soft curls, your eyes are wide and expressive of every emotion that crosses your face. Your skin is beautiful, it looks soft to the touch. You're a beautiful little girl, smart too I'd bet."
"It's you whose pretty, I love the colour of your hair, it looks so soft to the touch." Sue laughed, held out her hand and together we walked to town. A few people walked amongst the street talking to one another all their clothes were perfectly modern, the boys were wearing jeans or shorts, the women wore anything from jeans, skirts, or dresses. There was a young boy hanging around his friends they were pushing each other, but in a friendly way.
"That's Jacob Black, Quil Atera and Embry Call." The boys saw Sue and myself and stopped playing to look at us, Jacob smiled with a smile that light up his entire face and waved, the other two boys merely waved. "Would you like to meet them?"
"No thank you." I shook my head and hid myself behind my hair.
I saw a group of young men come around the corner from a building, they were all well and truly taller than my dad, and their bodies seemed to be completely muscle. I found myself staring at the front man in particular, he was the tallest of them all, raven hair but cropped short. He was wearing simple shorts and a simple white shirt that did nothing to hide his body. I was in a jacket with a raincoat on top, jeans with thick boots on because of the chill that was in the air. All the men with him were wearing the same thing and not one of them look cold.
"It's creepy huh." The boy Sue said was called Jacob had snuck up on me.
"What is?"
"How they aren't even cold…" He rolled his eyes as if the question were ridiculous.
"Oh, I guess they must be used to it or something."
"I'm Jacob Black." He was standing there awkwardly holding out his hand.
"Uh hi. I'm Bella Swan." I just waved at him then turned away to find Sue who was talking to one of the young men I was staring at.
"Where are you from Bella?" Jacob was trying to gain my attention again.
"I'm from America, Washington State. Dad and I lived in a small town no one's even heard of."
"Why are you here?"
"Dad said it's safer here, so we travelled here."
"Makes sense, it's pretty safe here." He nodded in agreement.
"Did you want to come explore the town with me?" I looked back at him and saw a faint hint of blush staining his cheeks.
"No thank you, my dad will worry if I disappear on him. He's with someone called Billy now. I'd have to ask his permission."
"Oh, he's talking to my dad."
"That's cool, is your dad super important?" He tried to stand a little straighter his shoulders pulled back with his chest puffed out.
"Yeah, he's the chief, most important man on the reservation."
"You must be proud? My dad was a policeman."
"Was?"
"Yeah, we moved… Remember?" I wanted to walk away from this boy, he was too much like a puppy dog than a boy.
"That's right! How could I forget?" He laughed a little too loudly, I could see the two boys he was mucking around with snickering.
"It was nice to meet you Jacob." I started to walk away from him when he grabbed my hand and pulled me back to him, he didn't know how clumsy I was on my feet otherwise he would have known that was going to make fall over.
I hit the cobblestone causing my hands to be scuffed up, I hissed in pain and looked down at the blood pooling in my hands. I heard a growl so fierce it scared me for a moment, the young men Sue was talking to were running into the forest on the sides of the town, Jacob looked worried as he tried to help me up causing more pain as he gripped the tender flesh.
"Oh, I'm so sorry Bella."
"Jacob! Get away man!" One of the boys ran over to him and started to pull him away from me. A shadow was cast over me when Jacob was finally away from me, I looked at the towering figure of the black wolf who seemed to be glaring at Jacob.
Sam looked down at me after a moment, laid down beside me and licked the palms of my hand. "Hey Sam, I thought you were told to go away. Sue won't be happy with you." I saw him roll his eyes at me. "You're a smart wolf, aren't you? You know Sam I think you scared Jacob." I whispered softly "He's a little clingy, I'd say thank you, but I don't want him to hate me." Sam barked out a soft laugh.
"Bella, honey are you okay?" Dad came running down the street nearly tripping when he reached me and couldn't stop as smoothly as normal due to the slickness of the stones.
"Dad I'm fine, you know me. I trip over my own feet." Sam let dad come closer, dad helped me to my feet and inspected the wounds. He opened his jacket and grabbed the disinfectant he always keeps in there and bathed my hands in it. I hissed a little as the pain registered, Sam growled softly.
"Shut up wolf, she's my daughter. It needs to be cleaned." Sam stood and walked back off to the forest.
"You need to be nicer to him Dad, he was only worried."
"Yeah, I know. I'll apologise later to your wolf." Dad kept a hand around my back and lead me back towards the Jeep we arrived in. "They're taking us to our new home Bells, we're getting help to build it which is nice."
"Yeah dad, it will be nice." Once I was buckled into the jeep, I looked out the window and saw the same young man Sue was talking to before coming out from the forest staring intently at me. "Hey dad, do you think that guy over there saw Sam?" Dad ignored the question, but I caught the surprise on the man's face almost as if he heard the question.
It took approximately ten minutes by car to arrive to our block of land, the not really a road parted some of the trees it made it seem like an invisible fence. The Jeep stopped at the parting of the trees and we all got out of the car, our cruiser was sitting in the middle of the field the tents already unpacked and set up.
I ran over to the car, slipping on the wet grass multiple times but I got up every time. "Bells, you know the routine." I started looking around for small rocks to set up for our fire, a couple of the boys had axes in their hands and helped dad cut down some trees for firewood. In a little under an hour, we had a small campfire set up, our beds set up for the next couple of weeks. We move the tents to the edge of the lot because we knew that the house was going to be built in the middle, something two of the young men blushed over their mistake.
"We'll do the foundation tomorrow." Billy had come once everything was set up.
"Thank you, Billy."
"You're welcome Charlie. I'm glad we could assist." They shook hands, once they left dad started cooking up some dinner, and by cooking, I mean Sue brought over some fish we could cook up. I was thoroughly fed and tired after our events. When it came time for bed, I crawled into my sleeping bag, dad tucked in my blanket and I drifted to sleep.
SPOV
Seeing this small girl try to hide behind her father because of a man but not a giant wolf was adorable.
Jesus Sam, what the fuck? She's a bloody pale face. She shouldn't even be here.
Paul she's only a kid, we're protectors surely that extends to them.
Enough Paul and Jared, it is not up to us. Billy will decide if they stay or go. Shift back to human forms and get ready to move their car to the empty lot.
You mean the one we're about the build the smithy at? Paul asked
Yes, that's the one. Don't argue, and do NOT shift where they can see you. Paul grumbled but did as asked. The man that was clearly the father of the young girl was kind enough not to desecrate any our lands, obviously he was aware of the customs of our people… Well, aware enough.
Colin was going to be driving them where they needed to go.
Once they were in the car the young girl continued to stare at me from the rear of the Jeep, her eyes were so curious, but we never made eye-to-eye contact, every time I tried, she artfully avoided my gaze.
"How old is that wolf?" her voice was soft and melodic for a child her age.
She's going to ask a million questions, isn't she? Paul grumbled.
So, what if she does? It's good for kids to learn. She wasn't even that scared of Sam, that's rare as fuck.
Enough, I'm trying to listen. I wanted to roll my eyes at those two.
"Was he a good pup?" That's all I heard before Jared and Paul's laughter echoed through my head.
FUCK WHERE DO THEY MAKE KIDS LIKE HER? Paul's laughter was by far the loudest, I could hear Collin's laughter as well as a facepalm from her father, she looked back at me just as I began to roll my eyes, I was never going to live this shit down. A big fucking scary wolf and she asks me if I was a good puppy…. Seriously.
"I think you're a very good wolf." Collin laughed harder alongside Paul and Jared. This girl needs to shut up. "Do you think he likes being in the woods? It's awful hard for him to hunting. I saw a movie about wolves once. They hunt in something called a pack."
Wow, she's a little chatterbox isn't she. Jared was amazed at how she just changed topics and kept talking.
"Bells, baby. Not the time." Her dad was clearly exasperated by her comments, she merely just turned around and started at me more, I saw her eyes tracing up and down my legs watching the muscles move in time with my walk.
I listened to Collin and the father talk between themselves, Collin was amused by the little girl. "She hasn't learned the phrase curiosity killed the cat."
She mumbled in return "Satisfaction brought it back." Holy god damn! What a fucking quick mind this kid has. Paul stumbled slightly due to his amusement causing a flash of silver to appear through the trees. It was quick enough for her to see it since she screamed out. "Dad! There's another one!"
Whoops…
I turned in the direction of Paul sending my anger to him. GOD DAMNIT PAUL, THEY AREN'T TO KNOW HOW MANY OF US THERE ARE. I bared my teeth at him, Paul yelped out his apology which was pointless when this little, tiny girl pointed her finger at me with a furious look on her face.
"HEY, DO NOT BE MEAN!" I stumbled then, my feet nearly tripping on one another.
HAH! See do not be mean to me Sam! The little lady here will get all cross! Paul mocked.
Okay, either this kid is crazy brave or crazy stupid. Jared was always the voice of reason.
Mixture of both. I rolled my eyes and kept walking.
We finally reached the main part of town, I could see her eyes continuing to look out for Paul who was now deeper in the forest to stay away from her, the kids wanted to come over but were stopped by their mothers, the husbands stood at the doors guarding their families from the outsiders, this young girl merely watched in fascination. We finally got to the town hall and Collin stopped the Jeep I stood on her side waiting for her to get out of the Jeep, I was a little annoyed that Collin didn't help her out of the Jeep, but I can't argue with him right now.
When she got out of the car, she came straight over to me, she barely made it up to my chest, but I could tell her little mind was getting awfully distracted so I leant down and pushed my cold nose into her side to get her moving into the hall. It got the desired effect since she quickly ran into her father's arms. He gave me another warning glance as he headed into the hall.
Once inside I quickly ran away from the doors into the forest and transformed back into my human form, Paul and Jared did the same. "What do you think they're going to decide?" Paul was leaning against the side of the building.
"I don't know, it's not our decision, it's our job to implement their decision."
"I don't know man; I don't think I could kick a little girl out of here as a wolf or a man." Jared was always the peaceful one out of us all.
"I know what you mean." Paul ran his fingers through his hair. "I mean she's a cute kid, inquisitive as fuck, a real witty thing. I wonder what she'll be like when she's older." I let out a growl.
"She's a kid, this conversation is over." We listened to their story of the world ending around them, the struggles the father went through to get them both here.
"Fucking hell, I'm definitely not letting that little spitfire leave." Paul nodded in agreement to Jared's statement.
"You did all that for your daughter?" Sue's motherly voice carried through outside the town hall.
"Yes." The father's voice was strong and unnaturally calm.
"Where is your wife?"
"I have no idea, Bella's mother left us when she was merely a toddler. It's always been us, I would do anything, be anything for her." We all looked at one another to the father's confession, I understand where he's coming from. I would do anything for my people, I'm a giant wolf to protect them, whilst I don't have children I know when I do have them, I would do anything for them. I could appreciate what he's saying.
"Then let us see this little beauty." Sue was such a beautiful person; I knew she'd make Bella comfortable.
"Hello."
"Hello Bella. My name is Susan or Sue for short." I knew she was smiling; it was in the way she spoke, the warmth and love just flowed with it. "can you tell me what happened to make you leave home?"
"It's just like my daddy said, I slept most of the way here, so I don't know how far we came or what way we came. But I'm glad I did come here; did you know wolves are my favourite animal?" Sue chuckled at the little girl, all us boys rolled our eyes whilst smiling.
"I like wolves too. Would you like to meet the wolf that followed you here?"
"Oh yes please!" Even to my ears Bella sounded way too excited, I gave a look to all the boys who darted into the trees with me and shifted as well. I waited until they were out of the back door before walking out of the forest and into the clearing, Bella was straining to run over to me. I tried to appear as small as possible so I didn't scare her, but a giant bear could be here, and she'd probably think it was a teddy bear.
She ran up to me after Sue let her go, she reached her hand up and I responded by lowering my head so she could run her hands over my muzzle. I felt a jolt of electricity as she finally looked into my eyes as I looked into hers. I felt the world stop turning, everything in this world was connected to her, the sunlight, the stars, the moon, the air I breathe. Everything was her.
Fuck…. Paul's voice broke me out of my trance.
What? My brain was filled with fog as I tried to remember the last few minutes.
You imprinted man, on a bloody white girl. Her father is going to flip the fuck out. Jared replied.
Oh god… She's a child!
"Sam, go." Obeying Sue's command I started to leave only to have this undeniable chain making it nearly impossible to leave this little girl.
"Bye Sam." She waved goodbye to me with such a sweet smile that I did turn and go into the forest but never straying too far from her line of sight. Even if she couldn't see me.
I shifted back into my human form, the boys following suit.
"I imprinted on an 8-year-old child." I groaned into my hands.
"Hey man, we all know it's nothing like a romantic relationship at the moment. You'll be her best friend, protector… Everything she could ever want in a companion, when she gets older it'll probably change but we don't know that for certain." Jared patted my back.
"That means they're staying though; Billy can't harm an imprint. By sending her away that equates to harm." Paul added.
"She's a fucking funny kid, trying to be serious with her dad in the car nearly killed me." Collin slapped me on the back and burst into laughter. "I can't wait until she gets older, I hope that filter between her brain and her mouth never comes in."
The boys picked me up from the ground and started to walk me into the town, it was where Sue and Bella were currently heading to apparently try and meet some of the kids her age. "That means she'll be meeting Jacob and his consorts." Paul snickered.
"Jacob gets a crush on all the girls on a semi-regular basis, no doubt he'll try to flirt with Bella. You need to not react Sam." Jared reminded me.
"I won't kill Black; I may glare at him, but he'll get over it." We came around from the corner of a shop, Sue saw us and started to walk over, Bella was watching us whilst I was watching Jacob approach her.
"Sam, you know what's happened?" Sue's voice was kind.
"Yeah Sue, I'm aware. Where are they going to live?"
"We're helping them build a home where the smithy was going to go, we'll have to relocate it."
"Understandable." I heard the mumbling conversation between Jacob and Bella barely holding back my growl. Sue laughed at the predicament.
"Don't worry Sam, she's not interested in any of the kids at the moment. She'll open up more as time passes, but with the imprint she'll want to be near you more than any other kid. I felt the bond between us begin to buzz with a faint thrum of electricity as she began to walk towards us when Jacob suddenly grabbed her and pulled her back towards him.
She began to trip and fell on her hands scrapping them up pretty badly, the wolf inside me thrashed around trying to escape from my skin and kill whatever hurt her. "Oh shit." Paul ran into my stomach with his shoulder as hard as he could imagine, Jared grabbed one arm whilst Collin grabbed the other and dragged me into the trees where I shifted into my wolf. The boys didn't shift but followed me.
"Jacob! Get away man!" Embry yelled out when he saw me approaching, Jacob seeing my wolf backed away from Bella as quickly as his little legs could carry him. Bella looked up at me, I saw and smelt the blood pooling in her hands. I laid down next to her and licked at her wounds attempting to clean them. I don't even know why I did it, my instincts were running wild. "Hey Sam, I thought you were told to go away. Sue won't be happy with you." I rolled my eyes at her comments, I couldn't care less about what Sue wanted at the moment. "You're a smart wolf, aren't you? You know Sam I think you scared Jacob." She lowered her voice to a whisper "He's a little clingy, I'd say thank you, but I don't want him to hate me." I laughed at this little girl; she was a contradicting mess.
I heard her father coming down the street, I saw him skid slightly on the cobblestones. It seems Bella didn't get her balance issues from him. "Bella, honey are you okay?" My wolf zeroed in on him and deemed him safe to be around Bella, he wasn't going to hurt her therefore he was okay with him touching our imprint.
He opened his jacket and got out a little bottle, once it was opened, I could smell the disinfectant in the bottle, I knew it was going to hurt when it touched her hands, but I couldn't help but growl when she hissed in pain.
"Shut up wolf, she's may daughter. It needs to be cleaned." I nodded at him although he wasn't looking and headed back into the trees to shift back to my human self, we always kept shorts hidden away around the town for moments like this.
By the time I returned they were heading off to the block, all the boys were escorting them to the block, no doubt they would help them get firewood and everything set up for tonight. Billy came over to me when they had left the town.
"She's going to be important, I'm just not sure how." I looked down at Billy, he was a tall man but made it to about my shoulder.
"Why did I imprint on a child Billy."
"I think you have to help her become the woman she needs to be, as alpha wolf that's a job for you." He clapped me on the shoulder and began to laugh as he walked away. "Who knew you would imprint on a white girl. It's hilarious." Ignoring his comment, I decided to run to where I knew they were going, I stayed in the shadows as I watched her run around trying to get stones for their campfire, the amount of times she tripped and fell was amusing.
Every time she fell all the boys reached out to catch her, only to realize that they couldn't get there in a human amount of time. I wasn't angry at them for this, she was a child who had to learn to make mistakes, get hurt to be the best person she possibly could be. I stayed there all night watching over her, even after she had fallen asleep in her tent that had bright pink flowers on it.