Chapter Six - Imprinting

"Ashling?"

Her bedroom was empty but at least her belongings were still in her room. I headed out to the back, and she wasn't there either.

"You don't know how to stay away, do you?"

She crept up behind me which startled me, but I felt a sense of relief knowing she was still willing to talk to me.

"Actually, I came to say goodbye."

"Goodbye?" She seemed taken aback.

"Yeah, my dad and mom are letting me leave here. They are actually going to support my decision to go back to Seattle."

"Why the sudden change of heart?"

She threw herself onto the hammock and started swinging herself. She didn't feel intense like before, more playful today.

"Uh. Michael phased into a wolf. Meaning things are going to drastically change for him."

"And what does Michael have to do with you leaving?"

She wouldn't leave this subject matter alone, and honestly, I didn't want to go into further explanation about the weird fate of wolves.

"It means that more than likely some of us will be transitioning and phase into wolves. It's a defense mechanism due to a possible imminent rise in vampire attack."

She sucked in her cheeks and pouted her lips. She couldn't help but think it was her doing. Her curiosity was also increasing by the minute. She studied my silence and then made her assumption known.

"Oh my God. You don't want to turn into a wolf. Ever. Do you? You'll have no choice when it happens."

"In a nutshell."

"Why are you so afraid?"

"I'm not afraid, I just don't want to."

"Why? What's so bad about being a wolf? Don't you gain superpower strength with speed and telepathy?"

"It's all not positive changes."

"Like?"

She really wanted to know, didn't she.

"Imprinting."

"Im...what?"

"Wolves. We imprint. It's our ancestors way of surrendering our souls and linking it to someone else. The purpose is to strengthen our people."

"All wolves imprint?"

"Unfortunately so."

"Therefore, your father imprinted on Renesmee? Did she have a choice?"

"She didn't really. However, she feels the connection too, but it's stronger on the wolf's side. It's as if they have power over them, but more of a good power. And of course that love is unbreakable."

She stopped herself from rocking and sat up. Her smile almost infectious even during this serious conversation.

"It's hopelessly romantic."

I rolled my eyes. A typical answer from a girl.

"You are afraid, Ephraim. Afraid to be forced into loving someone because there could be a possibility that you would be in love with someone else. Look who's the hopeless romantic now!"

She laughed at my expense, and I didn't realize how embarrassed I was. She noticed I wasn't enjoying her in her jovial celebration, so she stopped.

"So why don't you just not ever fall in love and problem is all solved."

If it were that easy, but she was right. That's why I had to get away. Live a normal life in the city.

"Thanks for the advice. I'll make a mental note. I only came by to say good bye, but if you ever come to Seattle, call me."

She stood up in front of the hammock and walked back into the house.

"Can I at least give you something?"

I followed her into her room, and she opened the top of her dresser drawer. She lifted out a box and placed it on her bed. She untied the box and took out a journal. She then proceeded to hand me the journal.

I raised my brow questioning why she would want me to read her journal. "Do you want me to read it?"

"Up to you, but in case I don't see you again."

I lifted the cover open and flipped through each page. I skimmed the entire book. There was over a hundred pages at least.

"What is this?"

"Earlier, I lied to you when I said I had visions of other people too." She bit her bottom lip and looked down at her toes that were fidgeting. "You're the only one in my visions, so I've been drawing you so I wouldn't forget."

"I don't understand that reasoning."

"I never did either, so when I showed my mom earlier this year, she said I had to come here to find the answer. When I first arrived several months ago, it was different here. But I still didn't understand what I was looking for. Then that night when we first met, you walked out into the backyard. I couldn't believe it, that's why I was frightened when I first saw you. You were real. I had to go back into my room to look at all the drawings to compare and make sure it really was you."

Her mood changed. She was this vibrant creature earlier and now she was calm and collect. All this time she had been waiting for me, and she didn't know why.

"How do you feel now knowing I exist?"

I moved in closer to her. She stood still as if she was waiting for me. She wouldn't make eye contact with me. I wanted the vibrant Ashling who was so carefree earlier, but somehow I made her nervous all of a sudden.

My fingers lifted her chin up to me so I could lose myself in her golden almond eyes. I gently placed my lips on hers and caressed them. She parted her lips and I knew she wanted me to taste her. I didn't force myself on her like before. No, I wanted to savor this moment. My tongue gently played with her lips. She released a soft moan from the back of her throat. I lost all control and pulled her cold body up against mine. I wanted to radiate her with my heat. Her arms went up my shoulders and found their way around my neck. She pulled me down closer to her, and I happily obliged. I couldn't get enough of her tantalizing taste. She had me in a trance.

She pulled away and our foreheads were locked with each other. She still held on to me and closed her eyes.

I finally spoke up, "You never answered my question."

She let out a giggle and threw her head back. Her smile made me forget why I was there in the first place.

"Your existence has made me feel all sorts of emotions."

"Is that a good thing or bad?"

"I don't know. I still don't know anything about you."

"Well, get to know me then."

She finally loosened her hold on me and stepped away. Why did it hurt me when she was letting me go?

"You're leaving, Ephraim."

She was right. I did want to leave, but it was only to get away from all this supernatural world. But her confession was persuading my decision. What if there was something more with her? It was possible. I felt connected to her, but my mind kept going back to imprinting. Would this be worth it, to only end up being with someone else? I only had one suggestion.

"Come with me."

"What? No. I wouldn't survive with all that human blood parading in front of me. The city life has no wild animals for me to hunt."

She was right. She'd probably survive a day or two but would have to feed soon afterwards.

"Ephraim, it sounds exciting and all but we barely know each other. I can't leave what's here to conform to your lifestyle."

"Fine. I'll stay then."

"Okay, now you're indecisiveness is becoming amusing. Don't stay for me, and what if you do phase and have your imprint? I'll be left with nothing but a tragic love story."

"I'll figure something out."

"How? Are you going to stop yourself from phasing? Didn't you say you have no control?"

"Work with me, Ashling. I don't know about you, but I like you a lot. I like being around you."

She paced around her room trying to reason it all. I knew she wanted me here but she was afraid too.

"Stop moving so much and please let's talk." My mind couldn't think clearly with her acting so nervous. I had a thought but it was only a comical one. "Hey, what if you are whom I'm supposed to imprint on? Problem solved."

She stood still and rolled her eyes. "Or what if it's Emma?"

Geez. What a way to kill the dream. Then it had me worried. What if it was Emma? Would I really be capable to stop caring for Ashling?

"Alright, enough of us devising a plan to override my ancestors. Can we just have a normal conversation and do normal people stuff?"

"I'm a vampire, Ephraim, you're a hybrid. Since when have we ever been normal?"

She busted out laughing and so did I. There, we felt better now not trying to over analyze the future. We knew we had no control over it, so we were just going to take it one day at a time.

My phone started buzzing, and it was Michael. He must be wondering what the hell was going on with his life now being a wolf.

"Hey Michael."

He was quiet and didn't respond like his usual self.

"Hey, Ephraim. I hear you're leaving to Seattle."

"Change of plans, man. Why, what's up?"

"Alright, that's good. That's good. I was hoping we could talk."

"Yeah, man. You ok?"

"Oh yeah, I'm good. I'm real good, but I'd rather we talk in person."

"Yeah, let me head to my parents and I'll meet you there."

"Sure."

I hung up the phone and Ashling just stared at me the whole time.

"Do you want to go with me and meet my parents?"

"Um, not yet. We're not that serious." She cracked a smile and her dimples caused my stomach to flip inside out.

"Alright. I'll be back. I need to check up on Michael and see what he needs."

Surprisingly, she came up to me and placed a soft kiss on my lips. It sent a rush down my spine and I didn't mind it.

"I'll see you soon."

"Yeah, later."

I entered through the kitchen door and my whole family and Michael were at the table. Everyone became eerily silent. My mom had an unsettling look on her face.

"Uh. Is everything okay?"

I directed my view to Michael and nodded my head for a response.

"Yeah." He replied quietly.

"Why are we all hovering over the table?"

My mom finally spoke up. "Ephraim."

Michael stood up, "I'll tell him, Mrs. Black."

"Tell me what?"

I don't know why I missed it before, but I saw Sara clinging on tightly to Michael's arm. Since when, I thought? Suddenly, all the puzzles were slowly connecting.

"No." That's all I could get out of me. Not Michael.

"Ephraim, I've imprinted on Sara."

Thanks for reading! I appreciate your comments! Much love ❤️

-kl