AN: I do not own Twilight.
The Interview/ Test- will Katie pass? Please read and review. Or just leave a letter in the comment box. I'd love to know what you think.
Cupid's imprint
Chapter 15: The Interview
The Meeting
I picked Katie up at nine the next morning. I can tell she's nervous. So am I. This is new territory for me. How to I explain that I can transform into a wolf at will? I hope she won't hate me for putting her through this insane interview in the first place.
"Morning Katie," I said as she got in my 4Runner.
"Morning," she said. "I'm a little nervous."
"Don't worry, I know everything will work out." I said. But to be honest, I didn't know that. I have no idea what Sam is planning. I only hope Jacob was able to rein him in. Even though Sam is no longer my Alpha, he is an elder- the chief's right hand man. In a year, he would be chief.
I pulled into the driveway of Sam's house- a two story wooden cabin. I've been here before, but this time it felt different. I felt like I was walking into the principal's office or something. I could tell Katie is nervous too.
"It will be fine, Kate," I said.
"You don't sound convincing at all." said Katie
"I made Jacob promise that you will be. And come on, Katie, you can take on anything you want."
"It is good to know someone has confidence in me." she said.
"Hi Katie, come on in," said Sam. He was dressed casually in jeans and a shirt. There are several pictures of Sam with large dogs. There is a small copy of the painting in Seth's house of Ephraim Black with a large wolf hanging on the wall.
"You have a beautiful home." said Katie. "I love the wolf painting. Is this the same one that is in Seth's house?"
"Yes," said Sam, "it is a copy. Ephraim Black was the chief for a long time. He loved wolves. Wolves are very special to our tribe."
"Yes," I gathered that much," said Katie, a little defensively.
"Katie don't be defensive, "said Jacob, "I promise I won't bite.
"I won't bite either," said Sam. "Would you like something to drink? Diet Sprite, tea, water?"
"I'll take a diet sprite," said Katie.
Sam disappeared into the kitchen while Katie looked around. She felt like she was in the strangest interview of her life. She knew that she loved Seth and she wanted to impress Sam and Jacob. What on earth was going on? With all the hoopla, one would think she was being vetted to date a prince. Was this all because she wasn't a member of the tribe?
"Here you go, Katie. Here is your Diet Sprite, one for Jacob, and I brought out the crackers and cheese as well, just so you know we're civilized."
"Thank you," said Katie taking the drink.
"Now, what is it you wanted to know?" asked Katie.
"Tell me a little more about yourself," said Sam
"Sam, really, this isn't a college interview," said Jacob.
"No, it isn't, "said Sam, "This is much more important.
Katie sat up a little straighter and took a drink of Sprite. What on earth could be this important?
"Sure," said Katie, "What do you want to know?"
"Tell me about yourself, about your family, what you like to do," said Sam.
"My full name is Katherine Elizabeth Blake. I'm sixteen and a junior in high school. I have two brothers- Jack is eight years older and Will is ten years older. My parents are doctors. I'm a pretty good student. I love to read, run, swim, and hang out with friends. I plan to go to college, and I think I'd like to either be a teacher or go into the ministry."
"Great answer, Katie," said Jacob,
"Thanks. What else do you want to know? And why? Is this all because Seth and I are dating."
"Actually, yeah, this is because of Seth," said Jacob.
"I know I'm not one of you. But I also know I'm not the first person to date a Quileute who isn't a member of the tribe. For one thing, I know that one of my ancestors married into the tribe. Paul has put the moves on every girl in the school- and if the rumors are true- some of the boys. And no one has said a word. So, what on earth is going on?"
Jacob couldn't help laughing. "You are right about that. Paul does have a reputation. But Paul and Seth are in two different situations."
"How so?" asked Katie. "Paul is one year older, and can date anyone, so why isn't Seth. After all, Seth and I haven't done anything wrong. Tell me what is going on."
"Katie, you aren't in trouble. Neither is Seth," said Jacob. "I actually think y'all are good for each other. You are also smart."
"What are you so worried about?" asked Katie. " Are you concerned that I'm not good enough just because I'm not a member of the tribe? I know for a fact that one of ancestors married into the tribe in 1880. It was a I'm from a good family. And according to my sources, my father's family arrived in this country in 1685 after the revocation of the Treaty of Nantes. I can get in the Colonial Dames on either side of the family. If it is lineage you are worried about, I believe mine is just as good as yours or Seth's."
"Yes, Katie, I can see that it is," said Jacob.
"I never said it wasn't," said Sam.
"Is this about the whole Imprinting that that Seth told me about?" asked Katie.
"Yes," said Jacob. "Sam just tell her."
"I know you have probably heard some of the legends that circulate about our tribe. Has Seth ever mentioned Taha Aki?"
"Yes," said Katie, "but what does a mythical chief have to do with my dating Seth?"
"Yes, Taha Aki was the chief of the tribe. He was also a spirit warrior and last of the great Spiritual Chiefs. You see, at one time, our tribe possessed great magic. This magic allowed us to communicate with animals and to harness the power of the elements. This made the tribe enormously powerful. Taha Aki was the last great chief who could harness all the powers, but another chief wanted to take over. But magic is powerful, and power corrupts. The two chiefs fought. But Taha Aki was able to use his power to communicate with animals and asked a wolf to share his being. While in the body of the wolf, he returned to camp. The other warriors soon realized that the giant wolf was Taha Aki, the chief. The false chief lost the battle. Taha Aki ruled the tribe for many years and had many sons. As the sons grew to manhood, they transformed into wolves. In fact, as long as they could transform, they did not age."
"So that explains the fascination with wolves," said Katie. "But there is more to this. You didn't bring me here to tell me that story. There is more to this."
"You're a very clever girl," said Sam, "I am not done with the story. One day, some Cold Ones came.
"What or who are the Cold Ones?" asked Katie
"They're Vampires." Said Jacob.
"The Cold Ones came. The leader was a woman. She was a blood drinker. Taha Aki's third wife saw her. The tribe fought her and killed Taha Aki' son. But the Cold One continued to fight Taha Aki. His wife saw this and took matters into her own hands. She stabbed herself, knowing that the Cold One could not resist fresh blood. This gave Taha Aki the time he needed to transform into a wolf. He then killed the Cold One but was wounded. Taha Aki left us that day. But his sons could still transform. In fact, whenever a Cold One is near, certain members of the tribe transform. The descendants of the Spirit Warriors still transform.
"If the descendants still transform and protect the tribe, are you telling me that Seth is a Spirit Warrior?" asked Katie
"Yes. Seth is one," said Sam. "When Spirit Warriors find their true mates, they Imprint. It is the strongest bond possible. It is unbreakable. It is much stronger than the normal relationships- or what passes for them today."
"Seth told me about that," said Katie," He said that our lives would be intertwined no matter what we did- that this bond is super strong. So strong, that it can be dangerous. Is that right?"
"Yeah," said Jacob
"He also said that sometimes Imprinted pairs can read each other's minds. Is this why Seth felt my headache yesterday?"
"What do you mean he could feel the headache?" asked Sam. His eyes got a little wider in surprise. This was the first he'd heard about that. Yes, Imprinted pairs could sometimes share feelings or talk in wolf-like telepathy when they weren't in that form, but this was new.
"I have really bad migraines. I had a bad one at school on Thursday. I was talking to Seth and he could feel it. I had to give him aspirin. I don't know why it happened. Seth did tell me that some Seth said it had to be part of the Imprinting bond. Has it happened to you?
"Not that way," said Sam. "I can sometimes feel Emily when something big happens, but nothing quite like what you described. At least not in human form
"That's a first," said Jacob.
"But there is more to it," said Sam. "The bond is strong. It is good, but it can also be difficult. I just want to make sure you know what is going on. You see, I was one of the first Spirit Warriors in years. I imprinted on Emily. One day, I got angry and transformed and in doing so, I hurt Emily and she still bears the scar. From that night on, I vowed to make sure that something like that didn't happen to anyone else."
"Wait a second," said Katie, they could see the wheels turning in her head, "You said you transformed. Does this mean that Seth transforms too?
"Yes, he is a Spirit Warrior. And yes, he transforms.
"Are you telling me that my boyfriend transforms into a wolf? That he is a werewolf?"
"Yes, though we are shape shifters, not true werewolves," said Sam.
"So, this picture of Ephraim Black- it isn't Ephraim Black with a wolf it is? It's Ephraim Black as a wolf and as a man," said Katie.
"You're right again." Said Sam
"Hey, is this why you are so good at training dogs?" said Katie
"Yes, after all, dogs are descended for wolves," said Jacob.
"Cool," said Katie. "That must be a useful talent."
"Katie, this is serious," said Sam. "This can't get out. Can you imagine what would happen if the outside world found that we could transform? People would freak out. They can't handle this. It is hard enough for us to do it. It doesn't help that we live in a world in which people will believe anything. Can you imagine what would happen? People would be either fascinated or frightened. Doctors would want to conduct crazy experiments to see how and why it happens. Thank God we heal fast. Do you have any idea how many things we have to check on the web to keep this secret? I mean, some people think that Bigfoot designed a special big dog. Or that there is some secret experiment gone wrong. Or the government is building an army. Leah monitors the web for us. And there are others who help. Do you understand this?"
"I know it is serious. It is also awesome," said Katie, "and I give you my word that I will keep your secret. After all, it just became my secret, too. I don't want anything bad to happen to Seth. But I still think it is amazing and wonderful.
"No. Actually, I think it is awesome. Can I see you transform?" asked Katie, "I can't wait to see Seth transform.
"It is awesome" said Jacob, "and you can see it in due time."
"I can't wait to see Seth in wolf form."
"You won't have to wait for much longer. I believe he is outside."
"Sam, thank you for telling me. I will do my best to live up to your expectations."
"Jacob, go get Seth. You can tell him that Katie passed with flying colors. And that if he hurts her, he will have to deal with both of us."